escort frigate

• Appeared in:
  
  I
  II
  III
  IV
  V
  VI
  CW

• Size:
  300 meters long

• Weapon:
  turbolaser cannons, tractor beams, laser cannons

• Affiliation:
  Rebel Alliance

• Type:
  escort frigate

• Manufacturer:
  Kuat Drive Yards

• 

From the Movies

Unlike the Empire, which had a galaxy of resources to draw upon, the Rebellion was hard-pressed to equip its soldiers and fleets. The Alliance operated what few cruisers they had non-stop, often modifying them to fit mission profiles beyond their original specifications.

From the Expanded Universe

Manufactured by Kuat Drive Yards -- makers of the mighty Star Destroyers -- the Nebulon-B escort frigate was designed as an affordable capital ship meant to handle the threat of Alliance starfighters. It came as response to repeated Alliance raids on Imperial convoys. Accompanied by escort frigates, the rich prizes of Imperial shipping suddenly became risky ventures to Alliance tacticians. The escort frigate's launch bays can hold two squadrons of starfighters and the ship carries specialized weaponry designed to hit small targets. In response to this new threat, the Rebels developed the heavily-armed B-wing starfighter.

Through defection of Imperials and a number of notable victories, the Alliance steadily acquired frigates throughout the course of the Galactic Civil War. Enough escort frigates were in use by the Alliance that they informally were known as Rebel cruisers. Many were refitted for other duties -- such as Rebel medical frigates. In these vessels, Alliance techs have replaced the launch bays with hospital suites. After sustaining injuries at Cloud City, Luke Skywalker was treated aboard a medical frigate.

Behind the Scenes

The design of the escort frigate, by Nilo Rodis-Jamero, was inspired by the shape of an outboard motor. The finished model used in the films is 247 centimeters long, and 99 centimeters tall. While its production name was "Rebel cruiser," the introduction of the Mon Calamari cruisers in Return of the Jedi caused it to be renamed a frigate.