Hesperus-class prowler

The Hesperus-class prowler was a class of vessels in service with the United Nations Space Command Navy and Office of Defence Intelligence between 2561 and 2693. The Hesperus-class was a small, highly specialised vessel intended for a small number of roles, including covert reconnaissance, electronic intelligence and surveillance, landing of special operations forces, and covert strikes on enemy assets. To accomplish these tasks, the Hesperus-class, like -era prowlers that preceded it, was equipped with a substantial array of electronic equipment, as well as highly specialised and effective stealth measures. As a result of this, the prowler had the highest cost-to-tonnage ratio of any warship operated by the UNSC Navy. 
The Hesperus-class prowler was operated in the UNSC Navy by UNSC Navy Intelligence Command, rather than FLEETCOM like most other Naval vessels. Instead of being a completely separate organisation, however, prowlers were integrated into Fleet Command units at the Strike Force level, with one of its eight Groups being a NAVICOM-commanded Reconnaissance Group composed of eight prowlers and two Daring-class frigates. This meant that prowlers had a close relationship with the rest of the Navy, supporting other Groups both directly and through independent reconnaissance. In this way, prowlers would provide assistance and support to vessels in the Strike Force, and also operate at range autonomously from the unit performing covert tasks. Prowlers were also deployed alone in Prowler Squadrons to penetrate deep into enemy territory undetected in order to strike a target, and exfiltrate undetected again.
The UNSC Navy had over 9,000 Hesperus-class prowlers in operation by 2570. Defence Intelligence also operated a further 430 vessels.
Category:Prowler classes
Category:UNSC Ship Classes