The fictional grand cruiser invites comparison with the historical battlecruiser's effort to combine battleship firepower and cruiser mobility. Historical battlecruisers were often larger than contemporary battleships because higher speed demanded more machinery and their cruising mission required additional endurance and support. That size did not mean they were protected like battleships. The analogy helps explain why Imperial grand cruisers are massive heavy raiders suited to independent task groups, yet still vulnerable when their arcs or escort arrangements are poor.
Notable Point · 2:04:57-2:07:19
Why historical battlecruisers could exceed battleships in size
Speed, endurance, and independent cruising equipment could make a battlecruiser larger than a contemporary battleship even when it carried less protection.