Frigate (Broken Mirror)

There is more information available on this subject at Frigate on the English Wikipedia.
A Frigate is a type of warship. Frigates are generally the smallest ships in a fleet, though when Corvettes or Prowlers are deployed, Frigates are often considered medium-weight. Despite this, Frigates are highly versatile, and can usually perform several roles. Frigates are a type of lightly-armed and armoured warship designed with an emphasis on speed and manoeuvrability over firepower. Frigates were operated by both the UNSC, the Covenant, and the Swords of Sanghelios.
In the UNSC Fleet, Frigates are often found escorting larger cruisers, or even carriers, in combat. Frigates can be found in numerous flavours, such as Light Frigate, Heavy Frigate, and Assault Frigate. These sub-types of Frigate can fulfill a wide array of tasks, operations, and roles. Their service is long and storied, being a frequent sight during the Insurrection, and the following Human-Covenant war. They continue to be used frequently in the post-war era of the galaxy. From Harvest to Requiem and beyond, they have been a participatory type of vessel in virtually every UNSC engagement for nearly a century.
== Strategic Implications ==
Frigates are light-weight warships, and are faster than Cruisers and Carriers, and more heavily-armed and armoured than Corvettes or Prowlers. Both the UNSC and Covenant fleets possessed warships of such classification, though the tactical philosophies followed by the two navies were radically different.
For the UNSC, Frigates were often the bulk patrol unit, and found themselves being led by Cruisers in frigate flotillas, often in small engagements, such as pirate suppression campaigns. Frigates were also often used as scouting vessels for fleets, and acted as screens for their Cruisers during pitched engagements. During fleet combat, frigates are sometimes organized into "wolfpack" flotillas of anywhere from four to six Frigates, used to engage enemy vessels en mass. These wolfpacks circle-strafe their target, using superior speed and manoeuvrability to evade an enemy's return fire. Indeed, due to their numerical superiority, frigates formed the backbone of any fleet or battle group in the UNSC Navy.
Covenant frigates on the other hand, while not commonly seen, appear to largely be used for escorting larger Covenant ships such as destroyers, cruisers, or carriers as their primary function.
== Brief History ==
Virtually no history of Covenant vessels considered Frigates is known. All that is known is that the Ester-pattern was entered into Covenant service during the Third Age of Discovery.
For humanity, the evolution of Frigates stems from the Mediterranean in the late 15th century. The term, referring to a lighter galley-type warship, typically with oars, sails, and a light armament, which were built for speed and maneuverability first and foremost. Such design elements have remained strong into the 26th century. Frigates would see heavy use during the early 20th century, during both World Wars, and would be developed throughout the end of the century. They would however see reduced use in the 21st and 22nd centuries. However, during the Domus Diaspora in the 24th century, early Frigates would become common place as security for the burgeoning colonisation efforts, made possible by the revolutionary development of the Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Drive.
Frigate design and construction was considered by many to be a matured method, but Frigate design doctrine saw several shakeups towards the end of the Human-Covenant war, and post-war eras. Ultimately however, they are typically regarded as a staple, and stable, reliable workhorse, of the UNSC.
== Overview ==
=== Characteristics ===
Typically, though not universally, Frigates are designed around central frame, with two engine "wings", one each on both port and starboard sides, and two protruding booms off the central frame. Usually built around a singular (though occasionally dual) MAC gun, they have hangars for Pelicans along the sides in small bays, and a secondary deployment hangar/bay at the keel. Frigates are the most numerous type of ship in the UNSC Navy, and are used to augment the mission capabilities of the larger Cruisers, offering fire support, and escort. Though lightly armed and armoured comparatively, they are incredibly versatile, and can fulfill practically any role asked of it. Frigates were also deployed in significant flotillas towards the end of the Human-Covenant war, with the express purpose of defending planets, such as Reach and Earth. The Fifth Fleet alone, led by Fleet Admiral Joseph Harper included 67 Stalwart-class Frigates amongst it's number during the Battle of Earth, though numerous Paris-class Frigates were present to lend their fire support as well.
=== Design Details ===
While Frigates can be found in the aforementioned Light, Heavy, and Assault flavours, an unofficial, and unrecognised type of Frigate, can be claimed in Stealth Frigates. This is however, a misnomer, as any Frigate class could be outfitted for stealth functionality, being equipped with stealth systems for specialized reconnaissance roles. Often Frigates are armed with lots of low calibre weaponry, intended to be used for heavy air support, fighter screening, and fleet escort. Overall, Frigates are larger than Corvettes, typically more versatile than Destroyers, and smaller than Cruisers.
This is unlike the Covenant, which has no use for such terminology, with the Ester-pattern "Armored Frigate", being considered by the Covenant, to be an . This is an excellent example of classes in addition to the above which may be considered frigates due to differing classification systems.
== Known Types ==
=== Covenant ===
Class 	Image	Details
Ester-pattern (CAR) Armored Frigate	 	The Ester-pattern is considered by most UNSC and UEG sources to be a Frigate. This analysis likely derives from numerous other warships within the Covenant armada being far larger, and more capable warships. Interestingly however, the Ester-pattern is equipped with a Baen Ka-pattern plasma lance, a weapon of incredibly high grade for a ship of it's size. Especially given the ship's roles, use case, and reputation. Such a weapon's deployment would often see the ship in question be classified as a Destroyer, or greater by the UNSC. Why the Ester-pattern was marked as a Frigate is thus unknown. By Covenant reckoning, the Ester-pattern was considered an Executioner.
=== UNSC ===
Class 	Image	Details
 	 	The Anlace-class Light Frigate, sometimes derogatorily referred to as the "Anlace Heavy Corvette" and "Ugg's wooden club" by some elements of the Armed Forces, often the Marine Corps, for it's small, and uniquely novel design. The Anlace-class stands out for deviating heavily from prior convention of Frigate construction practice and doctrine. Armament wise, it also deviates, by equipping no kinetic/projectile based weaponry, exclusively using laser-based weaponry. The Anlace entered into service in 2555, and is produced by .
 	 	The Mulsanne-class Light Frigate was designed to superficially resemble the older Paris and Charon-class Frigates, as opposed to the more radical departure of design practice as seen in the Anlace, Pikeman, Strident, and Deliverance-class Frigates. However, the ship is designed around it's central core hull moreso than war era frigate designs, with the engines situated near the ship's central aft axis. The wings are additionally far more skeletal in nature, rather than the bulkier overlapping layers of armour as seen with older frigates. The Mulsanne entered into service in 2553, and is produced by .
 	 	The Stalwart-class Light Frigate is perhaps the most ubiquitous of UNSC Frigate designs, a title contested only by the venerated Charon-class, with hundreds of Stalwarts taking part in the defense of Earth at the end of the Human-Covenant war. However, the front-line duties it often found itself in were not it's intended purpose, as it was designed first and foremost as an escort ship, with additional duties in fleet support, and troop transportation. The Stalwart entered into service in 2515, and is produced by .
 	 	The Charon-class Light Frigate, is the oldest Frigate still actively in service with the UNSC Service. Equipped with a extra-wide keel bay, the Charon is especially useful for deploying troops, vehicles, equipment, and supplies to the surface of worlds. Beyond this function however, the Charon-class also saw frequent action in fleet escort duties. The Charon is the building blocks in which most frigates followed in design orthodoxy, setting the standard which would continue to be used for decades to come. The Charon entered into service by as late as 2501, and could have entered service even earlier. It is produced by .
 	 	The Paris-class Heavy Frigate is a common sight in the UNSC Navy. Throughout the war, it proved itself to be extremely effective on a tonne-for-tonne basis, and became widely produced by the end of the Human-Covenant war. It is most famous for it's participation in both the Fall of Reach, and Battle of Earth, the two keystone engagements of the war. Despite heavy losses throughout the war, many a Commander would claim they would rather command a Paris than any other Frigate for it's increased armour and armaments. The Paris entered into service in 2523, and is produced by .
 	 	The Strident-class Heavy Frigate, much like the Anlace, deviates from prior frigate construction convention. Being built around a single long frame, with no keel bay/mission pod to speak of. However, this is not what the Strident is best known for, as the Strident is the first ship, beyond the Infinity-class Supercarrier and Autumn-class Heavy Cruiser to be equipped with a form of energy shielding. It's roles, include fleet escort, and acting as a swift-attack vessel. The Strident entered into service in 2549, and is produced by .
Nevada-class Heavy Frigate 	 	The Nevada-class is a heavy general-purpose escort and combat vessel. Considered a workhorse by many, it's been nicknamed "The Corps' Anvil" for it's heavy armaments, survivability, and early embrasure of shielding technology. Often used to testbed many technologies due to it's spacious space-frame, it sometimes suffers from this, as no two Nevadas are alike, with subtle, but important distinctions and differences between each member of the class. Due to these vast differences, the Nevada is often considered the epitome "jack of all trades" frigate. The Nevada entered into service in 2550, and is produced by .
Deliverance-Class Assault Frigate	 	The Deliverance-class Assault Frigate is a rare development in shipbuilding convention, piggybacking off of the chassis of the Strident-class Heavy Frigate to save time in designing and building the class. However, it features a number of differences, including a larger more powerful MAC cannon located on the upper boom (rather than the lower), stronger armour, more durable shields, and a unique Titanium-A and Nanolaminate composite hull alloy. Deliverance-class Assault Frigates also fulfill much the same roles as the Charon-class, with an increased complement compared to other ships, serving as both fleet escort, and troop carrier. The Deliverance entered into service in 2558, and is produced by .
Scimitar-class Assault Frigate 	 	The Scimitar-class Assault Frigate is the largest Frigate ever developed by the UNSC, it's size, durability, armaments, and complement rivaling that of older Insurrection-era cruisers. While it superficially resembles the Deliverance-class, it is it's own development, being built from the ground up based on lessons learned from the development hurdles of the Strident and Deliverance. The Scimitar-class is a purpose built predator, designed to hunt down vessels of comparative size and smaller, while providing support for ground forces. Equipping a twin-MAC system, like the Halberd-class Light Destroyer, and heavy energy shields, it embodies the identity of a post-war Frigate. The Scimitar entered into service in 2558, and is produced by and .
== Categories ==
=== UNSC ===
Frigates may be referred to as simply Frigates, without delineating down to the constituent Light, Heavy, or Assault designations. However, unofficial, though common media designations might include such terminology as "Superheavy Frigates" often in reference to Assault Frigates, though many in the Navy rebuke this terminology.
Frigates can be named for a number of reasons. Common choices are most often excerpts from poems, the name of poems, famous battles, cities of note, planets/deities, and adjectives. Alongside Cruisers, Frigates are some of the most diversely named types of ships, with names such as Forward Unto Dawn, In Amber Clad, Charon, Providence, Paris, Savannah, Saturn, and Stalwart Dawn. All types of Frigate use the hull code of FFG, which comes from antiquity, meaning "Frigate, Guided Missile". During the 20th and 21st centuries, this was to refer to a Frigate, which had been outfitted with missile-based armaments. This has become standardised by the 25th and 26th centuries, and FFG is as ubiquitous for UNSC service, as FF was for the navies at the turn of the third millennium.
Classification 	Description
Light Frigate 	Light Frigates are the smallest type of frigates. However, the classifications of Light Frigate far eclipse that of the Heavy Frigate and Assault Frigate with ease, with five as-identified classes being designated as Light Frigate. Their armaments are often weaker, with smaller MACs, fewer missiles, and lighter armour. They make up for this with often larger support complements, additional defense guns, and increased speed. The Light Frigate is the most common, and ubiquitous of the Frigate types in UNSC service, even after the war. Outside of Cruisers, most of the most decorated and renowned vessels in UNSC history come from Light Frigate classes.
Heavy Frigate 	Heavy Frigates are the medium type of frigates. They're often used similarly to the Halberd-class Light Destroyer, as force multipliers for the Cruisers and Carriers they are escorting. They equip heavier MACs, more missiles, and often field nuclear armaments. After the Human-Covenant War, Heavy Frigates also acted as the test-beds for technological revolutions, such as Energy Shielding integration on smaller warships, and the integration of reverse engineered Covenant and Forerunner technologies.
Assault Frigate	Assault Frigates are the largest type of frigates. Intended to be the best of both worlds, they can act as powerful force multipliers, the centerpiece of a fleet, and combat support vessel. Wielding both impressive armaments, and impressive complements, they are the rarest type of Frigate, only entering into service in the post-war era. Due to their size, increased mass, and impressive armaments, some in the Navy sometimes refer to these Frigates as "Superlight Cruisers", as a tongue-in-cheek joking reference to the Valiant-class "Superheavy Cruiser".
=== Covenant ===
Due to the unique method in which the Covenant self-identifies it's warships, no perfect methodology for analysing and ascribing the idea of a Frigate to Covenant doctrine and fleet philosophy would be accurate. However, one can mention, and analyse the similarities and differences between Human conceits and terminology, with those of the Covenant races, superficial and blatant both.
Category 	Description
Executioner	As the Ester-pattern Armoured Frigate is internally designated as an Executioner within Covenant doctrine, it creates an interesting dichotomy between UNSC and Covenant doctrine. Where Executioners are the dedicated warships of the Covenant armadas, fit only for combat, and nothing more, it contrasts with the often support oriented missions and roles in which UNSC Frigates are used. Where the UNSC Frigates are escorts, Executioners are escorted. Interestingly, in being an Executioner, the Ester-pattern is more akin to a Cruiser, despite it's identification by the UNSC, than a Frigate.
== Related Vehicles ==
=== Sangheili ===
* A'uzr-pattern (SCC) Sword Frigate: A ship which frequently found itself being the command ship for small fleet detachments like those which were assigned as the security details for the Covenant's outlying tithe worlds. Following the Great Schism, and most of them being lost, they have found most frequent use with the Swords of Sanghelios, "deemed too valuable to overlook". Resembling the Ceudar-pattern heavy corvettes, they were a smaller and lighter armed warship. The Earliest known deployment of this pattern of vessel was during the Tenth Age of Discovery. Within the Covenant's reckoning, the A'uzr-pattern was a Coadjutator.
== See also ==
* Covenant Ship Classification System
* UNSC Hull Classification System
FrigatesFrigate ClassesCategory:Ship ClassificationsCategory:United Nations Space Command