@Maddeline
The primary structural feature of all variants of the UNSC frigate is the
MAC. The shaft containing the MAC spans approximately the foremost third of the the ship. Underneath the MAC lie communications antennae. The
Bridge is located in the uppermost part of the ship, in the section directly to the rear of the MAC shaft. The majority of weapons systems are located in pods situated on both sides of the forward two thirds of the ship. The loading elevator and garage are located underneath the belly of the ship. The stern-most third of the ship is almost entirely devoted to the engines.
A UNSC frigate also possess 12
SOEIV bays, located in the stern of the ship, which facilitate the deployment of
Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. The bridge is significantly smaller than those of larger UNSC warships. The commanding officer sits in a chair, ahead of which are located the tactical and navigation consoles. Multiple stations are also located behind the commander's chair, though they have never been seen in use.
The UNSC frigates are small compared to assault carriers of the Covenant. They are even capable of docking in the hangar of one, like in
Halo 3 with
UNSC Forward Unto Dawn and the
Shadow of Intent.
There are multiple classes of UNSC frigate. Each of these designs are uniquely outfitted with a variety of different combat roles in mind.
- The Charon-class light frigate has a large complement of dropships, ground forces and vehicles. It is not as heavily armed or armored as other escort vessels of similar design, this implies a role as fleet support and troop carrier, although it is still capable of ship-to-ship combat.
- The Paris-class heavy frigate is designed primarily for ship to ship combat boasting additional Titanium-A armor plating, smaller hangar bays and a larger number of point-defense guns than others of its classification.
- 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.
- Light frigates of the same class as the UNSC Midsummer Night fill similar roles to a prowler's. They are used primarily on information gathering missions and for covert ops. It is presumably not as combat capable as the other frigate variants. It may be synonymous with one of the above light frigates.
Four frigate classes are of identifiable proportions. The largest, the
Strident-class, is 575 metres (1,890 ft) long, while the smallest, the
Stalwart-class, is 478 metres (1,570 ft) long. The
Charon-class reaches 490 metres (1,600 ft) long, and the
Paris-class is 535 metres (1,760 ft) long. The heights of all four are the same, all reaching 112.3 metres (368 ft).
The MAC barrel on a UNSC frigate.
A typical UNSC frigate carries the following armament:
A frigate from the side.
The armor of a frigate is relatively poor compared to that of its larger cousins and counterparts such as the 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. Furthermore, these ships also have external
hard points on their hulls so that they can be towed by another ship or tow away another damaged ship. The frigates' light armor would be supplemented by the addition of shielding in the post-war era.
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 on board. 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. Frigates have 24 three man escape pods on each side, and 32 on the bottom, making 80 in total. Therefore, 240 personnel can escape via this method.
