Frigate

A Paris-class UNSC frigate.

A frigate is a type of light capital warship in both the United Nations Space Command and Covenant fleets. Like their seaborne counterparts, frigates are defined as medium-tonnage vessels, larger than corvettes, more versatile than destroyers and smaller than cruisers.

Role

In the UNSC Navy, frigates form the backbone of any fleet or battle group, while cruisers appear to fill a similar role within the Covenant. As their most ubiquitous warship, the UNSC uses frigates in a broad range of roles, ranging from heavy air support to fighter escort and fleet engagements. Some UNSC frigates are equipped with a sizable cargo bay for larger dropships and armor complements. The UNSC has also employed light frigates equipped with stealth systems in a specialized reconnaissance role. Covenant frigates are not as commonly seen as their UNSC counterparts, but one of their roles appears to be escorting larger ships such as destroyers or carriers.

Frigates in the UNSC fleet are quite inferior to even the smallest Covenant ships, often being completely destroyed or disabled from a single well-placed plasma torpedo or energy projector beam. UNSC frigates are protected by 60-100 centimeters of titanium-A battleplate, depending upon it's class. Frigates are armed with one Magnetic Accelerator Cannon, 26 Archer missile pod, three SHIVA nuclear warheads, and numerous point-defense autocannons, along with guns designed for heavy air support. Some frigates carry a flight of C709 Longsword interceptors, some carry a Marine combat detachment, and some carry cargo. Despite the frigate's inferior weaponry and defenses, all UNSC frigates are equipped to carry a platoon of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, and boast excellent maneuverability both in and out of atmosphere. Many notable frigates include the UNSC In Amber Clad, which was the first human vessel to discover Delta Halo; UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, which was the first human vessel to travel outside the Milky Way Galaxy, and the UNSC Grafton, whose destruction of a Covenant cloaking spire during the Battle of Reach resulted in it's singlehanded destruction by an energy projector fired from an orbiting Covenant supercarrier.

Known frigate classes

Covenant

• Covenant frigate - A small ship with little armament or energy shielding.
• CAR-class frigate - Another class of Covenant frigate.

UNSC

• UNSC frigate - A small ship that supports larger ships and ferries equipment and soldiers.
  • Midsummer Night-type light frigate - A stealth oriented variant of the UNSC frigate.
  • Charon-class light frigate - A lightly armed variant designed for troop deployment.
  • Stalwart-class light frigate - A variant competent with troop deployment and combat.
  • Paris-class heavy frigate - A heavier variant of the standard UNSC frigate.

External link

• Wikipedia article on seaborne frigates