Paris-class heavy frigate

The Paris-class heavy frigate is a class of fleet escort ships in service with the UNSC Navy. Introduced during the Human-Covenant War, the Paris-class saw extensive use by the Epsilon Eridani Fleet during the invasion of Reach in August 2552. The Paris and the following ships in the class were manufactured by SinoViet Heavy Machinery.

Design details
The heavy frigate is essentially a more heavily-armored variant of the standard UNSC frigate, equipped with more point-defense guns to provide stronger support in battle situations. The heavy frigate lacks the small hangar present on the standard frigate, but additional firepower and increased titanium-A armor plating allows the frigate to defend itself and hold its own in combat. Heavy frigates are also capable of atmospheric maneuvering and are occasionally used by the UNSC for ground-support operations. Another advantage belonging to the Paris class is its speed and maneuvering capabilities, allowing it to engage hostile vessels while being able to avoid a large amount of fire from largely superior Covenant weaponry.

Armament
Paris-class frigates are more heavily armed than most UNSC frigates. Like all frigates in service with the UNSC, the Paris class's primary armament is a single Magnetic Accelerator Cannon. Additionally, the frigate is armed with fifty Archer missile pods. Paris-class frigates have twelve point defense guns located throughout the ship. Its additional firepower means that it can easily handle Covenant fighter craft and can hold its own against small Covenant warships, as shown when the heavy frigate engaged the much larger Covenant corvette Ardent Prayer during the Fall of Reach.

Service history
Prior to the Insurrection of the late 25th century, the concept of a "heavy" frigate was considered a gross misuse of the UNSC's funding. In the years following the coup d'etat on Eridanus II and the rebels' capture of the, there was much more support for a shake-up of the UNSC's relatively lax and ill-defended fleet. These upgrades would take effect during the disastrous Operation: TREBUCHET. Several Paris-class heavy frigates saw action during the Fall of Reach. After the Human-Covenant war, multiple Paris-class heavy frigates continued to be used with multiple serving as escorts for the.

Ships of the line

 * - Lead ship of the class, participated in the Battle of Earth.
 * - Participated in the Battle of Chi Ceti IV, decommissioned by 2552 on Reach.
 * - Heavily damaged during the Fall of Reach, salvaged and returned to Earth.
 * (FFG-318) - Participated and destroyed in the Fall of Reach.
 * - Participated in the Fall of Reach.
 * (FFG-371) - Participated and destroyed in the Fall of Reach.

Trivia

 * The class' name could be a reference to the city of Paris, the capital of France. Alternatively, it could be named in reference to Paris, a major figure of the Trojan War.
 * The design of the Paris class was closely adapted from concept art for the for Halo 3. Whereas the s seen in Halo 3 differ from the initial design in a variety of ways, including a bulkier hangar bay, the Paris-class heavy frigates are virtually identical to the Andraste.
 * During the development of Halo: Reach, the UNSC frigates featured in the game were known as the Stalwart class. Halo: The Essential Visual Guide reveals that the type featured in Halo: Reach is the Paris-class heavy frigate, while the Stalwart class' name was repurposed for the frigates that appear in Halo 2. The class was also known as the Stalwart during the production of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Halo: Reach
 * The Commissioning
 * Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo 2 Anniversary
 * Terminals