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Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: type and unrecognized parameters: era, class
The EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate also known as Nebulon-B frigate was a capital ship manufactured by Kuat Drive Yards for the Imperial Navy. It was more notoriously used as a Rebel Cruiser by the Alliance to Restore the Republic, and its successor, the New Republic, throughout the Galactic Civil War.
Characteristics
The bridge of a Nebulon-B frigate.
The EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate was an escort frigate manufactured with a highly versatile design platform that allowed it to function in several different capacities as part of a fleet.[1] The vessels featured an array of aft-mounted engines connected to the forward blade-like body by a thin, cylindrical hull section.[5] A primary communications array protruded from the top of the craft,[1] while the bridge was located halfway down the ship's fore. The bridge contained a holoprojector, at least four crew stations, and a primary command station.[10] These vessels also contained a command center and hangar bays capable of housing light freighters and starfighters.[11] Heavily armed, a Nebulon-B carried twelve turbolaser and twelve laser cannons, with the main weapons of each installed on the bottom edge of the ship's forward hull. It also carried powerful dual tractor beams.[1]
Many Nebulon-B frigates were utilized as medical frigates by the Alliance to Restore the Republic, and were equipped with bacta tanks, medical droids, and full-service hospital facilities.[1]
Role
- "They're heading for the medical frigate!"
- ―Wedge Antilles during the Battle of Endor
Boasting a highly versatile design platform, the Nebulon-B frigate served in a range of capacities, although was typically utilized as an escort frigate. The Rebel Alliance deployed these frigates to protect transport convoys from Imperial attacks or pirate raids, although some were modified for long-range scouting or search-and-rescue operations. However, the Nebulon-B became most famous for its use as Rebel medical frigates, and many were equipped with full-service hospital facilities.[1]
History
The Vanguard with the Massassi Group.
The EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate was created by Kuat Drive Yards,[1] for the Imperial Navy,[6] although they were more commonly used by rebel cells[7] of the formative[12] Alliance to Restore the Republic against the Galactic Empire. Nebulon-B frigates were often used as convoy escorts.[1] Berch Teller and his cell utilized a Nebulon-B to attack a convoy containing the hyperdrive of the Death Star around five years after the end of the Clone Wars.[7] Several of the frigates were part of the fleet which assembled over Dantooine in response to Mon Mothma's declaration of rebellion in 2 BBY,[12] and several were fielded by General Jan Dodonna's Massassi Group during the Battle of Atollon, although the fleet suffered heavy losses with several of the frigates lost to Grand Admiral Thrawn's forces.[10]
Several Nebulons were part of the Alliance fleet during the Battle of Scarif
Admiral Raddus had at least three Nebulon-B escort frigates in his fleet when Rogue One went to Scarif to steal the Death Star plans, and participated in the subsequent battle. At its conclusion, one frigate successfully managed to escape into hyperspace, but another was destroyed under heavy fire from Darth Vader's Star Destroyer, Devastator.[13]
Following the Battle of Yavin and the evacuation of Yavin 4, the Rebel leadership maintained a constantly-moving fleet, keeping on the run while seeking a new base of operations, and utilized a Nebulon-B as their temporary headquarters ship during this period. From here, Mothma, Dodonna, Admiral Gial Ackbar, and others planned operations against the Empire after the attack on Cymoon 1. Han Solo recuperated aboard while repairing the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca, and Luke Skywalker briefly trained in one of the frigate's chambers before departing for Tatooine.[11] Solo and Leia Organa later departed on a scouting mission to secure a new base,[14] leaving the Rebel leaders to discuss Skywalker's troubling activities in the ship's command center. Although Mothma was unable to commit any forces to assist Skywalker on Nar Shaddaa, Chewbacca and C-3PO volunteered to help their friend.[15] Some time later, the Rebel leadership met with Organa and Skywalker in the command center, and tasked them with a mission to Tureen VII, leading the pair to embark on a mission to steal a Star Destroyer.[16] As of the time of the rescue of C-3PO, the Nebulon-B was part of a much larger contingent of the Rebel fleet.[17]
The Redemption with the Alliance Fleet.
As of 3 ABY, the Nebulon-B frigate Redemption served as a medical ship for the Rebel Alliance. Following the Battle of Hoth, Skywalker was treated aboard the frigate for injuries received during his confrontation with Darth Vader on Cloud City.[5] At least two Nebulon-B frigates were part of the Rebel fleet at the Battle of Endor,[18] and at least one survived to join Rebel Fleet Command at Muster Point: Vergence, twenty days after Endor,[19] and later at Muster Point: Stalwart.[20]
Numerous Nebulon-B frigates went on to serve in the New Republic.[8] At the Battle of Jakku, Commodore Kyrsta Agate witnessed a Nebulon-B break in half under heavy fire but continuing to unleash its full complement of weapons at a Star Destroyer nonetheless.[21] Another Nebulon-B later crashed into the flagship of Admiral Garrick Versio, the Eviscerator, further compromising the already crumbling ship's integrity.[9]
At least one Nebulon-B, going by the name of Opportunity, served under the banner of Jinata Security, a law enforcement agency based on the planet Vardos in the Jinata system. Captained by Leema Kai and painted in the colors of Jinata Security, the ship assisted the First Order in implementing Project Resurrection across the Jinata system by kidnapping children and conscripting them to become First Order stormtroopers. Whilst preparing to resume this operation on Athulla, the Opportunity, and its modified GR75 escorts were accosted by Iden Versio and her daughter Zay who had been led there after finding that Del Meeko's ship Corvus had been investigating the kidnappings on behalf of the Resistance. The frigate deployed fighters and fled deeper into Athulla's asteroid field in an attempt to lose them, but the two women took out its escorts and crippled the ship by destroying the engines. Whilst Iden battled with Kai, Zay contacted the Opportunity and tricked them into surrendering by threatening to unleash a barrage of non-existent concussion missiles on it. The ship's crew, believing them, not only surrendered the Opportunity but gave up all the information they had on Project Resurrection.[9]
Sometime after the Battle of Jakku, the Nebulon-B would inspire its successor, the Nebulon-C escort frigate, which would be commissioned for the New Republic fleet. At least one, the Anodyne, would be modified into a medical frigate and serve in the fleet of the Resistance.
Appearances
Sources
- Ultimate Star Wars (First identified as EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate)
- Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia (First identified as Nebulon-B frigate)
- Star Wars: On the Front Lines
- Star Wars: The Rebel Files
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Incredible Cross-Sections
- Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
Nebulon-B Frigate in the Databank (backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Ultimate Star Wars
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Star Wars: The Rebel Files
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
- ↑ Heir to the Jedi
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Incredible Cross-Sections
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Tarkin
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Star Wars Battlefront
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Star Wars Battlefront II
- ↑ 10.0 10.1
Star Wars Rebels — "Zero Hour"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Star Wars 4: Skywalker Strikes, Part IV
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Star Wars Rebels — "Secret Cargo"
- ↑ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- ↑ Star Wars 5: Skywalker Strikes, Part V
- ↑ Star Wars 9: Showdown on the Smuggler's Moon, Part II
- ↑ Star Wars 23: The Last Flight of the Harbinger, Part III
- ↑ Star Wars 26: Yoda's Secret War, Part I
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
- ↑ Shattered Empire, Part II
- ↑ Shattered Empire, Part IV
- ↑ Aftermath: Empire's End
