Melbourne-class heavy frigate
From FABT
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Production information | |
Manufacturer: |
Davo-Hamish Shipyards (2166 - 2186 CE) |
Model: |
Melbourne |
Class: |
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Operator(s): |
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Succeeded by: |
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Generation: |
Second |
Technical information | |
Length: |
165m |
Width: |
69m |
Height/depth: |
51m |
Max acceleration: |
20 kilometers per second |
Engine unit(s): |
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Power plant: |
1 Element Zero drive core |
Shielding: |
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Hull: |
673cm of Titanium-A2 Ablative Light Armor |
Sensor systems: |
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Targetting system: |
Shipwide VI |
Armament: |
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Crew: |
500 |
Skeleton crew: |
90 |
Usage | |
Commissioned: |
5 October 2166 CE |
Decommissioned: |
12 February 2230 CE |
Role(s): |
Fleet composition/protection of capital ships |
Era: |
Asari Cycle |
Affiliation: |
Systems Alliance (2166 CE - 2191 CE) Systems Coalition (2191 CE - 2230 CE) |
The Melbourne-class heavy frigate was a classification of frigate that served in the Systems Alliance Navy from 2166 CE to 2191 CE, and the Systems Coalition Navy from 2191 CE to 2230 CE. Following the First Contact War, the Alliance began a fleet-wide overhaul of its fleet in a process of modernization to bring its forces up to scratch and capable of taking on its many neighbours: this led to many first generation warships being replaced by newer second generation ships, but also led to new ship classes being produced. The Alliance did not possess heavy frigates during the First Contact War, instead relying entirely on light frigates of the Kursk-class to provide the main firepower in their fleet. This meant that the Kursk-class was totally outclassed by the turian Vindicta-class heavy frigates in combat: while the Kursk-class still performed admirably compared to other first generation ships, thus its longer service period, it became clear the Alliance needed its own fleet of heavy frigates. As such, before the war had even concluded, ideas were already being thrown around by shipbuilders, and continued to be finalized well after the war ended until finally the Melbourne-class was conceived. The purpose of the ship was to essentially provide a more heavily armed equivalent to their light frigates, capable of prolonged dogfights and reliably escorting larger capital ships.
The Melbourne-class enjoyed a long service period, especially after its excellent performance during the Skyllian Blitz, and many admirals would compliment the vessel as being extremely reliable and capable of even tackling ships of the cruiser classification. The Melbourne-class performed particularly well at the battles of Armstrong and the Citadel during the Eden Prime War, where very few ships of the class were destroyed. The Melbourne-class continued to perform well during the Reaper War, where they were commonly used in wolfpacks spearheaded by Charon-class destroyers to launch raids against Reaper-occupied worlds during Operation Hornet's Nest, largely with the goal of aiding evacuations or destroying strategically vital logistical centers, such as conversion camps or "peace rallies": many Melbourne-class ships would participate in the final battles at Cronos Station and Earth as well. The ships would be heavily modified after the war, but continued to remain in service and fought under the Systems Coalition during the Border War and Post-Apocalyptic War. The Melbourne-class performed poorly against the superior turian ships during the PA war however, and it became clear the aging ship was in dire need of replacement. New designs were conjured up and dismissed until finally the Falklands-class was chosen to replace it. In 2230 CE, the last of the Melbourne-class heavy frigates were finally pulled from active duty and decommissioned, succeeded by the Falklands-class.
The class is named after the Battle of Melbourne of the Australian Civil War.