EF76-B Nebulon-class escort frigate
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| EF76-B Nebulon-class escort frigate | |
|---|---|
| Production Information | |
| Designer | Kuat Drive Yards |
| Manufacturer | Kuat Drive Yards |
| Combat Designation | Light Cruiser |
| Role | Escort Starship, Interdiction Starship |
| Vehicle Design | Nebulon-B Escort Frigate |
| Prototypes | EF76-B Nebulon-class escort frigate "Nebulon" (Assumed) |
| Build Cost | 194,000,000 Credits |
| Technical Specifications | |
| Length | 300 meters |
| Width | 72 meters |
| Height | 166 meters |
| Mass | 35,000 metric tons (empty) |
| Cargo Capacity | 6,000 metric tons |
| Consumables | 2 years |
| Crew Compliment | 920 (843 enlisted, 77 officers) |
| Troop Compliment | 75 troopers |
| Vehicle Compliment | None |
| Starfighter Compliment |
|
| Onboard Craft | Several Grek-class Troop Shuttles and Katarn-class Boarding Shuttles |
| Drive Systems | |
| Navigation | Microaxial LpL-126 Navicomputer |
| Primary Engines | 7 Kuat Galaxy-15 Ion Engines |
| Maneuverability | 20 DPF |
| Cruise Speed | 45 MGLT (Note: In the Lucas Arts Games, this number is 10 MGLT) |
| Top Speed | 55 MGLT (Note: In the Lucas Arts Games, this number is 12 MGLT) |
| Flank Speed | 65 MGLT (Note: This number is relatively accurate in X-wing Alliance) |
| Hyperdrive | Primary Hyperdrive Motivator Unit (Unknown Class) |
| Hyperdrive Rating | x2 |
| Back-up Hyperdrive | Secondary Hyperdrive (Unknown Class) |
| Back-up Rating | x12 |
| Combat Systems | |
| Weapon Systems |
|
| Sensor Systems | Fabritech ANs 9.5w wide-range Sensor Array |
| Shields | Enhanced Delphus JC-671 Deflector Shield Projectors (Rated 2,560 SBD) |
| Hull | Titanium reinforced alusteel primary hull (Rated 1,520 RU) |
| System Rating | 400 SP |
| Power Systems | Sienar Fleet Systems E-1aB Solar Ionization Reactor |
The EF76-B Nebulon-class escort frigate is an extremely successful Kuat Drive Yards vessel; designed and constructed for the purpose of escorting supply convoys through Imperial space. A typical convoy usually contains a single Nebulon-B in the center of the formation, with two smaller starships flanking the convoy. When first encountered, Rebel starfighter pilots ignored the Nebulon-B, figuring it to be an anti-capital ship platform. Much to the dismay of starfighter pilots the Nebulon-B mounts twelve Borstel RH8 laser cannons for use against such starfighter threats. With the advent and rise of the Nebulon-B Escort Frigate, larger forces were necessary to combat even the most simple Imperial convoy. In committing more forces to these battles; the Rebel Alliance was able to obtain a small flotilla of these ships for their own use. Taking advantage of the design, the Rebel Alliance used the starship’s sophisticated sensors and deep-space multi-frequency antennas; reassigning the Nebulon-B to scout, search-and-rescue, or target analysis missions. The Nebulon-B Escort Frigate is one of the most widely-sold Kuat Drive Yards designs known, being seen across the galaxy in Imperial, Republic, and Neutral hands. Currently, the New Republic holds the Nebulon-B Escort Frigate in high regard as a multipurpose light cruiser and they can be found anywhere in the New Republic fleet; from strike groups, to survey teams.
While classified as a light cruiser, these vessels maintain enough firepower and onboard starfighters to pose a threat to larger starships. With powerful shields and armor plating, the Nebulon-B frigate is able to maintain its abilities in combat long after smaller starships have been crippled, and its simple design allows for quick repairs should it sustain lasting damage. With modular armor plating and a streamlined power system, the Nebulon-B frigate is also a popular starship to be altered; the New Republic currently uses approximately 30% of these starships as mobile medical facilities. Sacrificing weapons and cargo space, these vessels become heavily shielded and armored mobile hospitals; able to receive and protect wounded soldiers while maintaining a mediocre defensive arsenal.
Unfortunately, the streamlined design of the Nebulon-B is exploitable by enemy pilots that are well versed with the design. The ‘neck’ of the starship is relatively fragile; a pilot with enough luck or skill could score a critical hit with a proton torpedo or other weapon of significance, causing the vessel to simply rip in half. This has caused a few lucky Nebulon-B frigates to be retrofitted with additional armor plating to help circumvent this potentially disastrous situation; but the modifications are not widespread. Commanders of non-modified vessels usually bring the starship to bear head-on with any opposing starship in order to minimize the angles at which the enemy can cause damage to the weaker ‘neck’ section. Escorting starfighters usually keep a close eye on any Nebulon-B frigates in the area in order to prevent enemy assault ships from attacking the starship’s flanks; as it seems that strike craft have a much easier time docking and overpowering the crew of these vessels if they can insert via the 'neck' of the Nebulon-B.
