FRIGATES

INTRODUCTION TO FRIGATES

Frigates are a general purpose military medium range vessel used primarily for attacking a specific space born enemy vessel or light space facility. Frigates typically incorporate a small to medium contingent of Marines or other ground/special combat forces, permanently bivouacked aboard the ship. Frigates allow for a rapid combat response with a follow-up boarding party or moderate ground assault when necessary. Federation Frigates, like all Star Fleet Vessels, do have a moderate science research capability, and many are used as support vessels while exploring hostile environment. Frigates also operate a number of specialized onboard systems that allow them to conduct military operations in more hostile environments, including double and triple redundancy systems, specialized crew safety systems and moderate fighter wings. Frigates operate in a variety of modes, most often being found in conjunction with other frigates or destroyer escorts. Frigates are most often posted to Neutral Zones and hostile boarders. Most Frigates are well armed and well defended, being capable of engaging enemy vessels that are often larger than themselves. Onboard troop complements range from platoons of 20-50 men onboard smaller frigates, through company sized forces between 100 and 250 troops (which is standard on most frigates) to small Battalion sized forces of between 400 and 600 troops associated with the largest of frigates.

 

ASSAULT FRIGATE (AF):

These highly specialized frigates are designed to engage a target for a prolonged period of time. Most Assault Frigates are heavier than standard frigates, and often more powerful. Assault Frigates have a larger support contingent, including Heavy Fighters and Heavy Assault Shuttles. Assault Frigates do not have the multifactored attack systems found on other specialized frigates, but do maintain the ability to act as a command post for ground operations. Assault Frigates also maintain the ability to quickly construct ground dwellings and planetary defenses, being able to garrison a planet in less than 48 hours. Most Assault Frigates operate in tangent and are often accompanied by escorts or other combat craft. Assault Frigates are well equipped to engage other combat craft, and can be a decisive factor in combat. Assault Frigates are surprisingly expensive for their size, and their large troop compliment of several companies (up to 400 troops) can add to their initial expense and maintenance cost. Most Assault Frigates have a specific target to engage, should hostilities commence with a foreign power.

 

ATTACK FRIGATE (ACF):

Attack Frigates are designed to engage several enemy starships simultaneously while maintaining the ability to deliver a powerful single target blow that can cripple most enemy starships. Attack Frigates are slower than other front line combat platforms, but have a more powerful weapons base, making Attack Frigates some of the most powerful vessels in space. Most Attack Frigates maintain a medium sized troop contingent of company size (175 – 200 troops), and have a shorter range than other vessels. But their heavy firepower and multi-vector attack ability allows them to engage well defended targets. Many Attack Frigates employ special forces troops, trained in ship sabotage, deep space operations and Special Force Ground Operations. Attack Frigates have come under fire from pacifist blocks who complain about the reduced science ability of an Attack Frigate. None the less, Attack Frigates, like other combat starships, do maintain a minimum science and exploration capability.

 

ESCORT FRIGATE (ESF):

This rarity of Frigate designs is most popular among the Klingons, who have dealt with pirate raids the longest. Escort Frigates are equipped as standard escort vessels, having extensive motion detection and long range general scanners, as well as sophisticated medical facilities and crew/cargo retrieval systems. Unlike other Frigates, Escort Frigates usually only have a single large Platoon of troops (up to 50 men) specially trained to board captured freighters and re-take them. Other training allows Escort Frigate troops to capture pirate and light combat craft that attack a convoy. Escort Frigates are usually faster than standard frigates, but have shorter range weapons. Many have large cargo bays and hangar facilities, as well as some repair facilities that allow the Escort Frigate to take the role of an Escort Cruiser or Command ship when necessary.

 

FAST FRIGATE (FF):

A Fast Frigate is designed to operate in one of two modes. Most Fast Frigates, like Fast Cruisers, have high speed warp drives, allowing Fast Frigates to maintain high warp speeds for extended periods of time. Extra on-board systems to maintain this speed often reduces overall firepower, but most Fast Frigates can still operate as effective warships. Also included in the Fast Frigate category are the highly maneuverable Frigate designs. These Fast Frigates are designed to be extremely maneuverable, even at high sub-light speed, often being able to attack with their fighter and attack shuttle wings when necessary. Fast Frigates are not as powerful as other frigates, sacrificing power for speed and maneuverability. None the less, Fast Frigates give front line commanders a unique combat platform unparalleled by other hostile forces. Fast Frigates typically have a small platoon of between 100 and 150 troops onboard.

 

FRIGATE LEADER (DLF):

Frigate Leaders are specially designed to act as a small unit command vessel, allowing unit vessels to concentrate on a specific combat target or objective. Frigate Leaders command 2 to 4 other frigate or destroyer classed vessels during combat, and act as a sector liaison between front line patrols and fleet command vessels. Frigate Leaders are often more heavily armed that standard variants of the same class, and are able to operate with impunity during combat.  Nearly all Frigate Leader classified vessels are modified versions of standard frigate designs, indistinguishable from others of the class to the casual observer. Troop compliments, weapon ordinance and various onboard systems are often different enough to warrant a new vessel type classification for Frigate Leaders, despite their nearly identical outward appearance to other frigate class vessels. This has given the Klingons a distinct advantage, with enemy vessels forced to assume that one vessel at least is a Frigate Leader, until more information is discovered. Although used most often with other frigates, Frigate Leaders are known to also command destroyer and cruiser units, further making identification difficult. Despite their ability to free up Command Cruisers and Dreadnought, Frigate Leaders are not designed for a full command and control mission profile. Despite their limitations, and higher initial cost, Frigate Leaders are effective sub-command vessels, and can easily extend field forces effectiveness.

 

HEAVY FRIGATE (HF):

Like Heavy Cruisers, Heavy Frigates are larger, more capable versions of a standard Frigate. Heavy Frigates have a large science capability, and are often employed during hostile research missions. Heavy Frigates have a larger troop contingent of standard Marine personnel, up to a battalion of 400, although a large Company of 250 is standard. Heavy Frigates also transport troop equipment, including hover tanks, ground weapons and construction equipment. Heavy Frigates operate independently, in comparison with another frigate designs. Heavy Frigates, like Heavy Cruisers, draw the best crews and command compliment, further enhancing their reputation.

 

 

LIGHT FRIGATE (LF):

Light Frigates are designed to operate as smaller unit support vessels and have the lowest troop count of any Frigate class vessel. Light Frigates are used primarily as fire support platforms and escort vessels along hostile boarders. Light Frigates rarely have a full company on board, bivouacking one large platoon or two smaller ones. Often using internal space for equipment and standard science facilities found on other vessels, Light Frigates do fully support their on-board troops with ground weapons and vehicles, tactical Command-and-Control systems, medical support and communication capability during combat operations. Light Frigates rarely patrol alone, and are usually paired with other light to medium frigates. Light Frigates have shorter range, despite their smaller troop complement.

 

MEDICAL FRIGATE (MEF):

 A Medical Frigate is designed to provide field hospital facilities on a large scale during combat. Most Medical Frigates have dozens of individual sickbays and surgical wards, large scale evacuation abilities and specialized medical research facilities. Medical Frigates are also more heavily armed than other medical vessels, allowing them to conduct operation in hostile areas or as part of a moving combat force. Like other specialized medicines and emergency ground systems that allow other vessels to concentrate on more military oriented objectives. Medical Frigates have a full range of support systems for the construction and maintenance of ground hospitals, and can conduct recovery operations if necessary.

 

STRATEGIC FRIGATE (SRF):

 Strategic Frigates have a significantly smaller troop compliment of 50 to 75 troops, often carrying only a single platoon of Special Forces personnel for combat operations. Strategic Frigates are designed to provide space engagement capability for Frigate units conducting other operations. Most Strategic Frigates are more maneuverable than standard Frigates and have a moderate weapons package. Strategic Frigates also have  a larger support network, often equipped to supplement any single aspect of a larger frigate, should the need be required. Strategic Frigates are designed to conduct Multi-Vectored attack and defense, freeing other ships to conduct their primary mission. Strategic Frigates are designed to operate with fast moving units, often being employed as pirate hunters.

 

TACTICAL FRIGATE (TCF):

Tactical Frigates, like Tactical Cruisers are designed to coordinate a multi-pronged attack against enemy ships and outposts. Tactical Frigates can also coordinate the use of multiple Special Operations teams from various vessels, without compromising efficiency or security. Tactical Frigate’s weapon systems are designed to fend off vectored attacks from multiple targets and provide defense for assault teams. Tactical Frigates do not have the large scale equipment transporters found on Attack and Assault frigates, and are rarely used for ground operations unless absolutely necessary. None the less, Tactical Frigates do have excellent speed and maneuverability, allowing them to operate with fast response forces. Tactical Frigates usually have a platoon or less of highly trained specialists who have a full range of on-board special equipment not normally found on front line vessels.

 

 

TORPEDO FRIGATE (TRF):

Torpedo Frigates are often thought to be high firepower torpedo vessels, but in fact are designed to use medium to light torpedoes to support offensive space and ground operations. Most Torpedo Frigates do have more torpedo tubes than standard frigates, but often use lighter launch systems that require less computer power. This gives the Torpedo Frigate the ability to be more precise in the use of their torpedoes. Like another Torpedo oriented vessels, Torpedo frigates have the ability to launch large numbers of sensor drones and probes, which extend the tactical ability of most front line units.

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