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{{Era|UNSC|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
[[File:Mac.jpg|350px|thumb|A [[Battle Group Victory|battle group]] of UNSC frigates firing their [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s above [[Voi]].]]
{{Cleanup}}
'''Frigate''' ([[hull classification symbol]] '''FFG''') is a [[warship]] classification in the [[UNSC Navy]]. Although they do not possess the same degree of armor, armament, and firepower as [[UNSC destroyer|destroyers]], frigates are lighter and more maneuverable. They are also cheaper to produce, allowing greater numbers to be fielded against the [[Covenant]].
{{Infobox Ship Class
|name            = '''UNSC Frigate'''
|image          = [[File:UNSC_Savannah.jpg|300px]]
|manufacturer    = [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]
|model          =
|class          = Frigate
|length          = {{Convert|478|m|ftin}}<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', page 248</ref>
|width          = {{Convert|151.9|m|ftin}}
|height          = {{Convert|112.3|m|ftin}}
|engine          = Deuterium nuclear fusion reactor
|slipspace drive = [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]
|shield gen      = None
|hull            = {{Convert|60|cm|ftin}} [[Titanium-A]] battleplate
|countermeasures =
|armament        = *[[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]] (1)
*[[Shiva missile|Shiva Nuclear Warhead Missiles]] (1-3)<ref name="Reach111">'''''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''''', page 111</ref>
*[[Archer missile]] pods (40) 30 missiles/pod
*[[Point Defense Gun]] (12)
*Twin Defensive Rail Gun Turrets (5)<ref name="art"/> (in some variants)
|complement      =
*[[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]  
**[[ODST]]s
*[[Albatross]] dropships
*[[M312 Elephant HRV]]s
*[[M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle]]s
*[[Pelican]] dropships
**[[Dropship 77-Troop Carrier|D77-TC]] or [[Dropship-77 Heavy Troop Carrier/Infantry|D77H-TCI]]
*[[M808B Main Battle Tank]]s
*[[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]]s
**[[M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle]]
**[[M831 Troop Transport]]
*[[AV-14 Attack VTOL]]s
*[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s
*[[Clarion Spy Drone]]s (3)
|capacity        =
|role            = Protection of larger fleet ships
|affiliation    = [[UNSC Navy]]
}}


The '''UNSC Frigate''' is a warship classification in the [[UNSC Navy]]. Although it significantly lacks the amount of armor, armament, and firepower compared to its larger cousin, the [[UNSC Destroyer]], the frigate is smaller and thus more maneuverable. It is cheaper to produce, allowing greater numbers to be fielded against the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]].
==Overview==
[[File:Halo Legends - Origins II - EarlyShips.png|thumb|left|250px|Early frigates over [[Earth]].]]
During the [[Human-Covenant War]], UNSC frigates were barely considered a match for even the smallest of Covenant warships. Their armor was susceptible to enemy point-defense [[Pulse laser turret|pulse lasers]] and [[plasma torpedo]]es, and it is outfitted with substandard weaponry. Only ''en masse'' did the UNSC frigate give any UNSC fleet element an advantage against even inferior numbers of Covenant [[capital ship]]s. By 2552, UNSC frigates designs became more technologically advanced as seen with both the [[Strident-class heavy frigate]] and the [[Anlace-class frigate]].


==Background==
The frigate's speed and maneuvering are its advantage, however, allowing UNSC frigates to provide fire support to other UNSC fighter craft such as [[FSS-1000 Sabre|Sabre]]s or [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]]s and engage both multiple enemy single ship fighters, such as [[Elsedda-pattern Banshee|Banshee interceptors]] or [[Seraph]]s, and light enemy warships simultaneously; its speed allows it to put down fire on an enemy ship while being able to avoid a large amount of fire from largely superior [[Plasma turret|Covenant weaponry]].<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref> In addition to this, its small size and role as a troop carrier vessel make it ideal for supporting ground operations in planetside theaters of action, capable of laying down suppressive fire against Covenant ground forces while deploying its complement of aircraft and marines to bolster UNSC forces on the surface.
With current human technology, [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] frigates are barely considered a match for even the  smallest of Covenant warships. It is outclassed even by smaller Covenant ships, its armor is susceptible to enemy point-defense [[pulse laser]]s and [[plasma torpedo]]s, and it is outfitted with substandard weaponry. Only ''en masse'' does the UNSC frigate give any UNSC fleet element an advantage against even inferior numbers of Covenant Capital Ships.


==Layout==
==Layout==
The [[Bridge]] of the Frigate is located in the uppermost part of the ship, in the section at the stern-most tip of the MAC gun shaft (in the case of the only seen version of the UNSC frigate, there is another layout variation similar in appearance to the [[Halcyon-class Cruiser]], ''{{UNSCship|Pillar of Autumn}}''. The commanding officer's chair is located behind the two primary consoles within the bridge. There are numerous other consoles located at the sides of the room. There are four bridge stations: Navigation, Operations, Weapons, and Communications.  
While details between the various classes of UNSC frigate vary, all share the same overall design and layout.


A UNSC Frigate also possess 12 [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]] bays, located in the rear of the ship, which facilitate the deployment of [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s.
===Bridge===
The [[bridge]] of the frigate is located in the uppermost part of the ship, in the section at the stern-most tip of the MAC gun shaft. The [[commanding officer]]'s chair is located behind the two primary consoles within the bridge. There also are numerous other consoles located at the sides of the room. There are four bridge stations: Navigation, Operations, Weapons, and Communications. There are [[airlock]]s on both sides on the bridge.<ref name="art">[[:File:H3 - FrigateOverview.png|This piece of ''Halo 3'' concept art]] specifies several parts of the frigate's design. Some elements, like the Harpoon nuke, are not canon.</ref> Modern frigate classes are also equipped with universal [[hardpoint]]s on their dorsal and ventral hulls, allowing them to dock with other UNSC vessels.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''pages 208-209''</ref> On top of the bridge is a [[maser]] dish for short-range communication.


UNSC Frigates are capable of hovering in an atmosphere and even landing. They also have either a garage or cargo bay in their rear section which is capable of extending out of the ship's ventral side to deploy vehicles or cargo directly to the ground.<ref>'''''[[Halo 2]]'''''</ref><ref>'''''[[Halo 3]]''''', level [[The Ark]]''</ref> The {{UNSCship|Forward Unto Dawn}} carried three Pelican dropships in this rear section in addition to several ground vehicles.
===Midsection===
The forward midsection of the ship has numerous single ship [[hangar bay]]s for [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]] or fighter craft like [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longswords]] on both sides. A UNSC frigate also possess twelve [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]] bays, located in the rear of the ship, which facilitate the deployment of [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]. Also, spread throughout the frigate's structure are a number of its many escape pod bays.


==Specifications==
===Main hangar===
===Dimensions===
Some frigate classes, namely the ''Charon''-class, also have a large loading [[elevator]] in their rear section which is capable of extending out of the ship's ventral side to deploy vehicles or cargo directly to the ground.<ref>'''Halo 2'''</ref><ref name="h3">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Ark]]''</ref> The {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} featured a large rear section which had the capacity of holding several [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelicans]] in addition to numerous ground vehicles. These hangar floor elevators have been seen operating in two different modes; the single-sided hinges on the elevator are able to swing down 90° in order to allow aircraft like Pelicans to drop vertically out of the hangar for quick deployment.{{Ref/Reuse|h3}} So far the frigate is the only UNSC warship that has been seen landing and deploying vehicles directly to the surface of a planet (or Installation 00 in the ''Dawn''{{'}}s case).
A typical frigate of 2552 appears to be around {{Convert|478|m|ft}} long, {{Convert|151|m|ft}} wide and {{Convert|112|m|ft}} tall. It is one of the smallest warships fielded by the UNSC.


==Design details==
===Propulsion===
===Propulsion===
Like other [[human]] ships, the UNSC Frigate is powered by thermonuclear fusion reactors which use deuterium (a stable hydrogen isotope) as fuel. The engines almost certainly use the energy obtained from this process to heat some form of reaction propellant which is expelled out of rear-facing exhausts to generate thrust. There are four exhausts visible on frigates; two large and two small.
Like other [[human]] ships, the UNSC frigate is powered by thermonuclear fusion reactors which use deuterium (a stable hydrogen isotope) as fuel. The engines almost certainly use the energy obtained from this process to heat some form of reaction propellant which is expelled out of rear-facing exhausts to generate thrust. There are four exhausts visible on frigates; two large and two small. In addition, the frigate has two sets of forward maneuvering thrusters near the front.{{Ref/Reuse|art}}


For translight voyages, the Frigate carries a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]. Although they cannot be seen, it can be safely assumed that frigates also possess multiple maneuvering thrusters to adjust a vessel's attitude in three dimensions. Finally, frigates have several times been observed to hover in an atmosphere. It is possible that they vector thrust downward in order to accomplish this feat, but no downward-pointing exhaust nozzles are visible. It is also possible that they employ some form of Covenant-derived antigravity mechanism, or perhaps electrostatic or magnetic levitation.
UNSC frigates are capable of hovering in an atmosphere and even landing. This is likely accomplished through the use of [[Anti-gravity technology|anti-gravity generators]], although the technology involved has never been elaborated upon. Frigates are able to perform a [[Class-L flash-dock]], a landing procedure used when time is of the essence which requires precise maneuvering control.<ref>[[Data Drop|Data Drop #6]]</ref>
 
For interstellar voyages, the frigate carries a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]].


===Armament===
===Armament===
[[File:Halo3 - MAC muzzle.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The MAC barrel on a UNSC frigate.]]
[[File:Halo3 - MAC muzzle.jpg|thumb|200px|The MAC barrel on a UNSC frigate.]]
A typical UNSC frigate carries the following armament:
A typical UNSC frigate carries the following armament:
*1 '''[[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]''' which is able to fire one round per charge. The MAC runs between one- and two-thirds of a Frigate's total length.
*1 '''[[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]''' which is able to fire one round per charge. A frigate MAC has an average length of 183 meters, or 600 feet.{{Ref/Book|HEVG|Page=114}} MACs are typically spinally mounted to a frigate, though at least a pair of post-war frigate classes eschew MACs for lasers instead.<ref>''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''</ref><ref>[http://community.spartangames.co.uk/index.php?/topic/16805-halo-waypoint-update-with-spartan-new-ships/&do=findComment&comment=303472 '''Spartan Games''': ''Halo Waypoint Update with Spartan - NEW SHIPS!'']</ref>
*3 '''[[Shiva-class Nuclear Missile]]s''' serve as heavy ordinance.
*1-3 '''[[Shiva-class nuclear missile]]s''' serve as heavy ordnance.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=259}}
*40 '''[[Archer Missile|Archer missile pods]]''' which carry around thirty missiles per pod, adding up to a total of 1200 missiles.
*16 '''[[Archer Missile|Archer missile pods]]''' which carry around thirty missiles per pod, adding up to a total of 480 missiles.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}
*12 '''[[50mm point defense guns]]''' function as the last line of defense against [[Seraph-class Starfighter|single ships]] and incoming missiles.
*4-12 '''[[Point-defense gun]]s''' function as the last line of defense against [[Seraph|single ships]] and incoming missiles. They are used for aerial bombardment on occasion. The model and amount of guns possessed by each ship varies by class, but the [[Rampart point defense gun|50mm Rampart]] is the most common, coming in either twin-linked or quad-linked variants.


===Crew===
===Crew===
No precise figures are available regarding the crew of a frigate, but it is likely relatively small, (less than a hundred would be stationed on a frigate). Like larger ships, a detachment of Marines and sometimes ODSTs would be present onboard. The crew number includes deck crews as well as the command crew, Marines, ODSTs, dropship pilots, and technical personnel. The number of personnel a single frigate is capable of housing numbers at least within the thousands.<ref>'''''[[Halo: First Strike]]''''', page ''??''</ref>{{Verify_source}}
A frigate generally has a 250 sailor crew, with an equal number of troops also housed onboard.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=36-37}}{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Page=19}} The crew number includes deck crews as well as the command crew and technical personnel. Combat personnel, like Marines and ODSTs, are counted separately. The maximum number of personnel a single frigate is capable of housing numbers at least within the thousands.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 220''</ref> Since many frigates have been seen in ground support roles, it is likely that the complement of Marine and ODST personnel on board is higher in percentage than other ships that are more dedicated to space combat.


In [[2552]] [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]] was supposedly able to single-handedly control the frigate {{UNSCship|Forward Unto Dawn}} to aid [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] [[John-117]] and [[Arbiter (Title)|Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] on the [[Installation 04B|newly rebuilt Halo]], though this was likely performed using an auto-pilot function. An [[Artificial Intelligence|AI]] can monitor and regulate all critical functions without human intervention.
In [[2552]] [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] was supposedly able to singlehandedly control the frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} to aid [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] on the [[Installation 08|newly rebuilt Halo]], though an auto-pilot function was available with the use of the ship's onboard [[Navigation computer|navigational computer]]. An [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] can monitor and regulate all critical functions without human intervention.


===Superstructure===
===Superstructure===
[[File:AegisFateSideView.jpg|thumb|right|400px|A frigate from the side.]]
The armor of a frigate is relatively poor compared with that of its larger cousins and counterparts such as the [[UNSC destroyer]], with only 60&nbsp;cm of [[Titanium-A armor|titanium-A battle plate]]. However, due to its relatively light weight, the frigate's strength lies instead in maneuverability and speed. The frigate's relatively wide design is supported by structural support ribs, allowing it to perform orbital incursions. As of 2558, certain frigates (namely, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}'s ten [[Strident-class heavy frigate|Strident-class]] sub-vessels) possess [[energy shielding]] technology.<ref>'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', ''[[S1/Departure|S1E1 - Departure]]''</ref>
{{Clear}}


The armor of a frigate is relatively poor compared to that of its larger cousins and counterparts such as the destroyer, with only 60cm of [[Titanium-A]] battle plate. However, due to its relatively light weight, the frigate's strength lies instead in maneuverability and speed. The frigate's relatively wide design is supported by structural support ribs, allowing it to perform orbital incursions. <ref name="art">'''''The Art of Halo 3'''''</ref>
==Classes==
The Navy uses multiple frigate classes. Though they vary in size, armament, and purpose, they all follow some of the same design principles.
{| class="wikitable"
! width="200" style="text-align:left" |Class
! width="100" style="text-align:left" |Image
! width="500" style="text-align:left"|Details
|-
| {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}} || [[File:H4-StridentHeavyFrigate-ScanRender.png|300px]] || The {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}} is best suited as an escort ship and swift-attack vessel used in large-scale naval space battles.
|-
| {{Class|Paris|heavy frigate}} || [[File:HaloReach - UNSCFrigate.png|300px]] || The {{Class|Paris|heavy frigate}} boasts additional titanium-A armor plating and a larger number of point-defense guns than standard frigates, giving it greater capabilities as a fleet support vessel.
|-
| {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}} || [[File:HINF UNSCPanamaFront Render Crop.png|300px]] || The {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}} closely resembles its aforementioned predecessors but lacks the lower bays characteristic of most frigates, and features a more centralized engine system.
|-
| {{Class|Charon|light frigate}} || [[File:H3-UNSCFrigateAegisFate.png|300px]] || The {{Class|Charon|light frigate}} can carry a large complement of troops and vehicles. It is not as heavily armed or armored as other escort vessels of similar design. This belies a role as fleet support and troop carrier, although it is still capable of ship-to-ship combat.
|-
| {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}} || [[File:H2A - In Amber Clad render 2.jpg|300px]] || The {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}} is best suited for planetary defense, fleet escort duties, and troop deployment. It has a smaller complement of vehicles than the ''Charon'' class, and less armament than the ''Paris'' class, effectively balancing it between troop transportation and fleet support.
|-
| {{Class|Anlace|light frigate}} || [[File:H5G Anlace-class Frigate.jpg|300px]] || The {{Class|Anlace|light frigate}} lacks a MAC spinal mount but has a light MAC on top and primarily employs directed-energy weapons.
|}


==Known Frigates==
==Known frigates==
{{UNSC Frigate}}
{{Ships/UNSC/Frigates}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" captionalign="left">
<gallery>
File:InAmberClad-scale.gif|A scale comparison between the UNSC Frigate and miscellaneous objects.
File:Frigate size comparison.png|A scale comparison between two UNSC frigates and the Liberty Island in New York.
File:Frigate size comparison.png|A scale comparison between two UNSC Frigates and the Liberty Island in New York.
File:LNoS Frigate Comprison SLoftus.jpg|A scale comparison between the {{UNSCShip|Grafton}} and the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, and the {{UNSCShip|Grafton}} and the ''Long Night of Solace''.
File:UNSC FRIGATE- HALO LEGENDS(PROTOTYPE).jpg|A UNSC frigate picking up survivors from [[Algolis]].
File:HaloReach - FrigateWreck.png|A destroyed UNSC frigate over Reach.
File:ArabiaVostok.png|{{UNSCShip|Arabia}} and {{UNSCShip|Vostok}} being destroyed at the [[First Battle of Harvest]].
File:UNSC Longsword and Frigate siz comaprisson.jpg|As shown here, [[C709 Longsword-class Interceptor|Longsword fighters]] are not too large to be carried by frigates.
File:10203554-Full.jpg|The Archer pods of a typical UNSC Frigate.
File:UNSC Frigate HEV drop hatches.jpg|UNSC frigate's HEV SOEIV hatches (along the center).
File:DawnBase.jpg|A preview of UNSC Frigate lowering its cargo bay for the insertion of ground forces and vehicles onto the battlefield.
File:Mac.jpg|A preview of a UNSC Frigate firing a round from its [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]].
File:In Amber Clad gives chase.jpg|UNSC Frigate ''[[In Amber Clad]]'' compared to the Prophet of Regret's Assault Carrier.
File:Reach mpbeta boneyard 02.jpg|A UNSC frigate, the ''[[UNSC Commonwealth|Commonwealth]]'', being taken apart, partially showing the ship's internal structure.
File:HaloReach - FrigateWreck.png|A destroyed UNSC Frigate over Reach from [[Halo: Reach Announcement Trailer|announcement trailer]].
File:HaloReach - Space Battle.jpg|A [[YSS-1000|YSS-1000 ''"Sabre"''-class starfighter]] and the {{UNSCship|Savannah}} engaging a [[Covenant corvette]] over Reach.
File:HaloReach - Frigates.jpg|Two UNSC Frigates engaging Covenant ground forces in the Fall of Reach.
File:HaloReach - Frigates.png|A close up to the UNSC frigates
File:Reach 596390 Medium.jpg|Size comparaison between a UNSC Frigate and a covenant corvette.
UNSC Savannah over Reach.jpg|The [[UNSC Savannah]] above Reach.
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of UNSC frigates}}
{{Clear}}


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Appearances|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Halo: First Strike|Halo 2|Halo Graphic Novel|Halo: Ghosts of Onyx|Halo: Uprising|Halo 3|Halo: The Cole Protocol|Halo Wars|Halo: Helljumper|Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo 3: ODST|Halo Legends|Halo: Reach}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
*''[[Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son]]''
{{Col-end}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
==External==
*[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/sloftus_iactour/ Stephen Loftus's extensive analysis of the UNSC frigate]


{{UNSC Ships}}
{{Human Ships}}
[[Category:UNSC frigates| ]]

Latest revision as of 16:21, February 5, 2024

A battle group of UNSC frigates firing their Magnetic Accelerator Cannons above Voi.

Frigate (hull classification symbol FFG) is a warship classification in the UNSC Navy. Although they do not possess the same degree of armor, armament, and firepower as destroyers, frigates are lighter and more maneuverable. They are also cheaper to produce, allowing greater numbers to be fielded against the Covenant.

Overview[edit]

Some early-era frigates over Earth.
Early frigates over Earth.

During the Human-Covenant War, UNSC frigates were barely considered a match for even the smallest of Covenant warships. Their armor was susceptible to enemy point-defense pulse lasers and plasma torpedoes, and it is outfitted with substandard weaponry. Only en masse did the UNSC frigate give any UNSC fleet element an advantage against even inferior numbers of Covenant capital ships. By 2552, UNSC frigates designs became more technologically advanced as seen with both the Strident-class heavy frigate and the Anlace-class frigate.

The frigate's speed and maneuvering are its advantage, however, allowing UNSC frigates to provide fire support to other UNSC fighter craft such as Sabres or Longswords and engage both multiple enemy single ship fighters, such as Banshee interceptors or Seraphs, and light enemy warships simultaneously; its speed allows it to put down fire on an enemy ship while being able to avoid a large amount of fire from largely superior Covenant weaponry.[1] In addition to this, its small size and role as a troop carrier vessel make it ideal for supporting ground operations in planetside theaters of action, capable of laying down suppressive fire against Covenant ground forces while deploying its complement of aircraft and marines to bolster UNSC forces on the surface.

Layout[edit]

While details between the various classes of UNSC frigate vary, all share the same overall design and layout.

Bridge[edit]

The bridge of the frigate is located in the uppermost part of the ship, in the section at the stern-most tip of the MAC gun shaft. The commanding officer's chair is located behind the two primary consoles within the bridge. There also are numerous other consoles located at the sides of the room. There are four bridge stations: Navigation, Operations, Weapons, and Communications. There are airlocks on both sides on the bridge.[2] Modern frigate classes are also equipped with universal hardpoints on their dorsal and ventral hulls, allowing them to dock with other UNSC vessels.[3] On top of the bridge is a maser dish for short-range communication.

Midsection[edit]

The forward midsection of the ship has numerous single ship hangar bays for Pelicans or fighter craft like Longswords on both sides. A UNSC frigate also possess twelve SOEIV bays, located in the rear of the ship, which facilitate the deployment of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. Also, spread throughout the frigate's structure are a number of its many escape pod bays.

Main hangar[edit]

Some frigate classes, namely the Charon-class, also have a large loading elevator in their rear section which is capable of extending out of the ship's ventral side to deploy vehicles or cargo directly to the ground.[4][5] The UNSC Forward Unto Dawn featured a large rear section which had the capacity of holding several Pelicans in addition to numerous ground vehicles. These hangar floor elevators have been seen operating in two different modes; the single-sided hinges on the elevator are able to swing down 90° in order to allow aircraft like Pelicans to drop vertically out of the hangar for quick deployment.[5] So far the frigate is the only UNSC warship that has been seen landing and deploying vehicles directly to the surface of a planet (or Installation 00 in the Dawn's case).

Design details[edit]

Propulsion[edit]

Like other human ships, the UNSC frigate is powered by thermonuclear fusion reactors which use deuterium (a stable hydrogen isotope) as fuel. The engines almost certainly use the energy obtained from this process to heat some form of reaction propellant which is expelled out of rear-facing exhausts to generate thrust. There are four exhausts visible on frigates; two large and two small. In addition, the frigate has two sets of forward maneuvering thrusters near the front.[2]

UNSC frigates are capable of hovering in an atmosphere and even landing. This is likely accomplished through the use of anti-gravity generators, although the technology involved has never been elaborated upon. Frigates are able to perform a Class-L flash-dock, a landing procedure used when time is of the essence which requires precise maneuvering control.[6]

For interstellar voyages, the frigate carries a Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine.

Armament[edit]

The MAC barrel on a UNSC frigate.

A typical UNSC frigate carries the following armament:

  • 1 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon which is able to fire one round per charge. A frigate MAC has an average length of 183 meters, or 600 feet.[7] MACs are typically spinally mounted to a frigate, though at least a pair of post-war frigate classes eschew MACs for lasers instead.[8][9]
  • 1-3 Shiva-class nuclear missiles serve as heavy ordnance.[10]
  • 16 Archer missile pods which carry around thirty missiles per pod, adding up to a total of 480 missiles.[10]
  • 4-12 Point-defense guns function as the last line of defense against single ships and incoming missiles. They are used for aerial bombardment on occasion. The model and amount of guns possessed by each ship varies by class, but the 50mm Rampart is the most common, coming in either twin-linked or quad-linked variants.

Crew[edit]

A frigate generally has a 250 sailor crew, with an equal number of troops also housed onboard.[11][12] The crew number includes deck crews as well as the command crew and technical personnel. Combat personnel, like Marines and ODSTs, are counted separately. The maximum number of personnel a single frigate is capable of housing numbers at least within the thousands.[13] Since many frigates have been seen in ground support roles, it is likely that the complement of Marine and ODST personnel on board is higher in percentage than other ships that are more dedicated to space combat.

In 2552 Sergeant Major Avery Johnson was supposedly able to singlehandedly control the frigate UNSC Forward Unto Dawn to aid Spartan John-117 and Arbiter Thel 'Vadam on the newly rebuilt Halo, though an auto-pilot function was available with the use of the ship's onboard navigational computer. An AI can monitor and regulate all critical functions without human intervention.

Superstructure[edit]

The armor of a frigate is relatively poor compared with that of its larger cousins and counterparts such as the UNSC destroyer, with only 60 cm of titanium-A battle plate. However, due to its relatively light weight, the frigate's strength lies instead in maneuverability and speed. The frigate's relatively wide design is supported by structural support ribs, allowing it to perform orbital incursions. As of 2558, certain frigates (namely, the UNSC Infinity's ten Strident-class sub-vessels) possess energy shielding technology.[14]

Classes[edit]

The Navy uses multiple frigate classes. Though they vary in size, armament, and purpose, they all follow some of the same design principles.

Class Image Details
Strident-class heavy frigate H4-StridentHeavyFrigate-ScanRender.png The Strident-class heavy frigate is best suited as an escort ship and swift-attack vessel used in large-scale naval space battles.
Paris-class heavy frigate HaloReach - UNSCFrigate.png The Paris-class heavy frigate boasts additional titanium-A armor plating and a larger number of point-defense guns than standard frigates, giving it greater capabilities as a fleet support vessel.
Mulsanne-class light frigate A render of the UNSC Panama (cropped from original). The Mulsanne-class light frigate closely resembles its aforementioned predecessors but lacks the lower bays characteristic of most frigates, and features a more centralized engine system.
Charon-class light frigate H3-UNSCFrigateAegisFate.png The Charon-class light frigate can carry a large complement of troops and vehicles. It is not as heavily armed or armored as other escort vessels of similar design. This belies a role as fleet support and troop carrier, although it is still capable of ship-to-ship combat.
Stalwart-class light frigate H2A - In Amber Clad render 2.jpg The Stalwart-class light frigate is best suited for planetary defense, fleet escort duties, and troop deployment. It has a smaller complement of vehicles than the Charon class, and less armament than the Paris class, effectively balancing it between troop transportation and fleet support.
Anlace-class light frigate H5G Anlace-class Frigate.jpg The Anlace-class light frigate lacks a MAC spinal mount but has a light MAC on top and primarily employs directed-energy weapons.

Known frigates[edit]

Class Fleet or last known tactical grouping Ship Name Hull classification symbol Last known captain Notes
Anlace-class light frigate Unknown UNSC Anlace Lead ship
Charon-class light frigate Seventh Fleet UNSC Aegis Fate FFG-307
UNSC Chioglossa FFG-127
UNSC Forward Unto Dawn FFG-201 Miranda Keyes
Unknown UNSC Charon Lead ship
Mulsanne-class light frigate Unknown UNSC Mortal Reverie FFG-525
UNSC Mulsanne Lead ship
UNSC Panama
FFG-201 FFG-201 Hull code shared with Charon-class UNSC Forward Unto Dawn.
Paris-class heavy frigate Epsilon Eridani Fleet UNSC Grafton FFG-318 Francis Mallarde
UNSC Saratoga
UNSC Savannah FFG-371 Kristòf Jen
Unknown UNSC Cascadia French
UNSC Commonwealth Wallace
UNSC Gettysburg John-117
UNSC Paris Lead ship
UNSC Promise of Dawn
Stalwart-class light frigate UNSC Home Fleet UNSC In Amber Clad FFG-142 Miranda Keyes Infected High Charity with Flood.
Unknown UNSC Meriwether Lewis
UNSC Midsummer Night FFG-209 Dmitri Zheng
UNSC Stalwart Dawn Lead ship
Strident-class heavy frigate Unknown UNSC Strident Lead ship
FFG-427 FFG-427
FFG-502 FFG-502
Unknown Battle Group Leviathan UNSC Allegiance
UNSC Fair Weather
Bliss Defense Fleet UNSC Purpose
Unknown UNSC Agincourt Unidentified Commander
UNSC Burlington
UNSC Journeyman
UNSC Ready or Not Arthur Resnick
UNSC Redoubtable
UNSC Swift Justice
UNSC Tannenberg
UNSC Tripping Light
UNSC Welcome to the Snipehunt
AC-54 AC-54
FFG-045 FFG-045

Gallery[edit]

  • A scale comparison between two UNSC frigates and the Liberty Island in New York.

    A scale comparison between two UNSC frigates and the Liberty Island in New York.

  • A scale comparison between the UNSC Grafton and the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, and the UNSC Grafton and the Long Night of Solace.

    A scale comparison between the UNSC Grafton and the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, and the UNSC Grafton and the Long Night of Solace.

  • A destroyed UNSC frigate over Reach.

    A destroyed UNSC frigate over Reach.

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace
  2. ^ a b This piece of Halo 3 concept art specifies several parts of the frigate's design. Some elements, like the Harpoon nuke, are not canon.
  3. ^ Halo: First Strike, pages 208-209
  4. ^ Halo 2
  5. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  6. ^ Data Drop #6
  7. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 114
  8. ^ Halo 5: Guardians
  9. ^ Spartan Games: Halo Waypoint Update with Spartan - NEW SHIPS!
  10. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 259
  11. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 36-37
  12. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, page 19
  13. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 220
  14. ^ Spartan Ops, S1E1 - Departure

v • d • e
 
Human ship classifications
Stealth craft
Heavy frigates Paris-class • Strident-class
Light frigates Anlace-class • Charon-class • Mulsanne-class • Stalwart-class
Heavy destroyers Able-class • Hillsborough-class
Light destroyers Diligence-class • Halberd-class • Unidentified
Heavy cruisers Autumn-class • Marathon-class • Valiant-class
Light cruisers Halcyon-class
Unclassified
By human faction: UEG (UNSC • CAA) • Insurrectionist
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