Mulsanne-class light frigate

The Mulsanne-class light frigate is a classification of frigate employed by the UNSC Navy.

Design details
The Mulsanne-class bears some superficial design similarities to the and, 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.

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.

Usage
Mulsanne frigates fill a similar role to the older, 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.

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 and at least one other ship of this class crashed on the ring during the conflict.

Ships of the line

 * FFG-201 - decommissioned in the Chiltift Basin shipbreaking yards on Camber.
 * (FFG-525) - Shot down during Installation 07 conflict.
 * - The lead ship of the class.

Trivia
The class is possibly named after Mulsanne, a commune in northwestern France.

List of appearances

 * Halo Infinite
 * Halo: The Rubicon Protocol