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{{Escorts}} | |||
'''Escorts''' are, as their name indicates, primarily intended to escort transports, cargo convoys, and in some cases even larger Starfleer vessels. Design and production of them has increased markedly since the mid-24th century, when the increasing number of threats to the Federation prompted Starfleet to begin creating more Escorts. As more Escorts sailed out of the shipyards, [[Starfleet Starships: Frigates|Frigates]] were freed up for other duties. | '''Escorts''' are, as their name indicates, primarily intended to escort transports, cargo convoys, and in some cases even larger Starfleer vessels. Design and production of them has increased markedly since the mid-24th century, when the increasing number of threats to the Federation prompted Starfleet to begin creating more Escorts. As more Escorts sailed out of the shipyards, [[Starfleet Starships: Frigates|Frigates]] were freed up for other duties. | ||
The standard Escort is a small, but relatively heavily armed, vessel which combines good speed with sufficient offensive power to deter many threats. Depending upon the availability of [[Starfleet Starships: Frigates|Frigates]], they may also assume some Frigate duties in addition to their standard low-risk escort and patrol functions. ''Capella''- and ''Polloux''-class vessels are good examples of typical Escorts. | The standard Escort is a small, but relatively heavily armed, vessel which combines good speed with sufficient offensive power to deter many threats. Depending upon the availability of [[Starfleet Starships: Frigates|Frigates]], they may also assume some Frigate duties in addition to their standard low-risk escort and patrol functions. ''Capella''- and ''Polloux''-class vessels are good examples of typical Escorts. | ||
Light Escorts usually escort troop and personnel transports, and sometimes cargo transports as well, through potentially dangerous regions of space. During times of conflict, they serve as backups to front-line Perimeter Defense vessels, and also perform troop drops, landings in hot zones, and other planetary support functions. The ''[[ma:Merced_class|Merced]]''- and ''Nomad''- ship classes are the most common examples of Light Escorts in the present fleet; a new Light Escort developed in conjunction with Starfleet's [[Hazard Teams|Rapid Response forces]], the ''Umbria''-class, is projected to enter service in the late 2370s (the | Light Escorts usually escort troop and personnel transports, and sometimes cargo transports as well, through potentially dangerous regions of space. During times of conflict, they serve as backups to front-line Perimeter Defense vessels, and also perform troop drops, landings in hot zones, and other planetary support functions. The ''[[ma:Merced_class|Merced]]''- and ''Nomad''- ship classes are the most common examples of Light Escorts in the present fleet; a new Light Escort developed in conjunction with Starfleet's [[Hazard Teams|Rapid Response forces]], the ''Umbria''-class, is projected to enter service in the late 2370s (the Dominion War delayed its initial projected 2375 deployment). | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:Defiant class.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Defiant class|''Defiant'' class]]]] | ||
Heavy Escorts, such as the ''Frontier''-class, are even more combat-oriented than the standard Escort. At most times they function as part of Starfleet's Perimeter Defense and Patrol forces. They often served as key components of attack wings during the [[ma:Dominion_War|Dominion War]], and also proved their mettle during patrol of disputed regions during that conflict. The | Heavy Escorts, such as the ''Frontier''-class, are even more combat-oriented than the standard Escort. At most times they function as part of Starfleet's Perimeter Defense and Patrol forces. They often served as key components of attack wings during the [[ma:Dominion_War|Dominion War]], and also proved their mettle during patrol of disputed regions during that conflict. The [[Defiant class|''Defiant'' class]], which has served as a testbed for numerous experimental tactical systems, was an instrumental part of the Federation's victory in the Dominion War. | ||
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[[Category:Starfleet ship classes|Escorts]] | [[Category:Starfleet ship classes|Escorts]] |