Mulsanne-class light frigate

Mulsanne-class
Class attributes
Identification:	Hull classification symbol: FFG
Operators:	UNSC Navy
Manufacturer:	SinoViet Heavy Machinery
Naval architect:	Bernard Kristensen; Jacques Thomas;
In service:	2553-present
General characteristics
Type:	UNSC frigate
Length:	456 meters (1,496 ft)
Width:	190 meters (620 ft)
Height:	143 meters (469 ft)
Mass:	0.9 million tonnes
Power plant:	Fusion reactor
Maneuver drive:	Fusion drive
Slipspace drive:	Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine
Hull:	Titanium-A armor
Armaments:	1 Brightlance compound reflex laser; 20 M58 Archer missile pods; 12 M870 Rampart point defense guns;

The Mulsanne-class light frigate is a classification of frigate employed by the UNSC Navy.^[1]^[6]^[7]^[8]

Overview

Design details

The Mulsanne-class bears some superficial design similarities to the Paris-class heavy frigate and Charon-class light frigate, as opposed to the more radical departure in design style found in the similarly-post-war frigate classes used by the UNSC (primarily the Strident and Anlace). The largest difference from other similar frigate classes involves the complete lack of a lower deployment bay or cargo storage area. Additionally, the ship is more concentrated around a central frame, with the ship's fusion drives situated relatively close to the ship's horizontal axis, rather than placed more afar like those of the Paris. The wings on either side of the frigate are more skeletal in nature, rather than the bulked overlapping armour of the older frigate classes.

Armament

The frigate's primary armament consists of a Brightlance compound reflex laser. When firing, the weapon must charge before emitting a short blue beam. Unlike traditional MACs, the weapon is not fired from a barrel and firing mechanism amid one of the frigate's hulls, but instead from between the dual hulls. The frigate boasts twenty M58 Archer missile pods as a secondary armament, and twelve M870 Rampart point defense guns for point-defence.^[1]

Development history

The Mulsanne-class was created by SinoViet Heavy Machinery, by naval architects Bernard Kristensen and Jacques Thomas, and launched in 2553. When launched, the frigate represented a new generation of UNSC starship design, integrating the most recent innovations in shipbuilding and weaponry such as directed energy weapons as the primary cannon instead of a more traditional Magnetic Accelerator Cannon.^[1]

Usage

Although it is classed as a light frigate, Mulsanne frigates fill a similar role to the older Paris-class heavy frigate - optimized for swift offensive strikes and thus carrying a diverse weapons complement. As such, it is considered one of the most adaptable warships in the UNSC Navy.^[1] This is in-part informed by the post-war era's decreased emphasis on the light and heavy designations, as frigates have been forced into fulfilling more and more fleet roles across the navy.^[9]

Operational history

These frigates were operational by the time of the Battle for Zeta Halo in late 2559, with at least six frigates participating in the Battle over Installation 07. The UNSC Mortal Reverie and at least one other ship of this class crashed on the ring during the conflict.^[10]^[11]