Pelta-class frigate
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Pelta-class frigate
Production information
Manufacturer
Model
Technical specifications
Maximum atmospheric speed
Shielding
Armament
Complement
Docking bays
Escape craft
Usage
Role(s)
ThePelta-class frigate was a versatile and long-used model offrigate manufactured byKuat Drive Yards that had several different configured variants. During theClone Wars between theGalactic Republic andSeparatist Alliance, the frigates were used by theRepublic Navy as a critical component of its war effort. The most common combat configuration was thePelta-class strike frigate, while other configurations served ashospital ships, such as thePelta-class Medical Frigate, which was used to safelyferry injuredclone troopers tomedical stations for treatment.Pelta-class Transport Frigates also served assupply ships to deliver armaments, medical supplies, andfood rations.
Thesevessels were vital to Republic operations during theBattle of Ryloth and theBattle of Christophsis, which saw the use ofPelta-class frigates asblockade runners, supply ships, andmedcenters. In the latter role, a number of medical frigates participated in the evacuation of the RepublicKaliida Shoals Medical Center, which wastargeted by the Separatistheavy cruiserMalevolence,captained bySupreme Commander of the Droid ArmyGeneralGrievous. In thesecond year of the Clone Wars,Geonosianbrain wormsinfected the clonetroopers ofTango Company aboard thePelta-class Medical FrigateTB-73. Following thesabotage of theVenator-class Star DestroyerEndurance, a frigate participated in the recovery and rescue efforts.Pelta-class frigates also served in the capacity of supply ships during the mercymission to Aleen.Jedi MasterKelleran Beq used thePelta-class frigateAthylia to trainJedi Initiates.
During therule of theGalactic Empire, thenascentRebel Alliance usedPelta-class frigates as medcenters, with a handful being retrofitted withturbolasers. ThePelta-class vesselPhoenix Home served as thecommand ship for the rebelPhoenix Cell until it wasdestroyed by theDark Lord of the SithDarth Vader during theSiege of Lothal. Rebels heavily modifiedPelta-class frigates intoPelta-class Assault Ships andPelta-class Command Cruisers. NumerousPelta-class frigates would go on to serve in theCitizens' Fleet against theSith Eternal'sfleet, theFinal Order. The frigates participated in theBattle of Exegol, which saw the defeat of the Sith Eternal, and inspired agalactic uprising against theFirst Order.
Characteristics[]
ThePelta-class frigate was a model offrigate manufactured byKuat Drive Yards, measuring 282meters long and with a crew of 900.[1] It was equipped with adeflector shield generator[10] and a Class 2hyperdrive.[6] During theearly rebellion against the Galactic Empire, the nascentAlliance to Restore the Republic retrofittedPelta-class frigates withturbolasers andpoint-defense laser cannons to fulfill other roles. The Alliance also modifiedPelta-class Assault Ships and thePelta-class Command Cruisers, variants of the standardPelta-class frigate.[18] ThePelta-class Assault Ships were equipped with armaments on theirhull, which gave the ship the ability tobroadside enemy vessels.[2] ThePelta-class frigate was equipped with sixteenescape pods. Some models of escape pods that thePelta-class could be equipped with includedRepublic escape pods[9] andRGC-6b escape pods.[11]Pelta-class frigates had the ability to dock withHaven-class medical stations,[16] both horizontally[19] and vertically with respect to the docking ports.[16]

Aft of a modifiedPelta-class frigate with "wings" open. Rebel modifications include additional small engine units, shortened main engine, and weapon emplacements.
On the aft of thePelta-class frigate by itsengine were two "wings" that were able to pivot and open. The rebellion was able to exploit this by adding additional engine units, albeit smaller, to the aft of the vessel. ThePelta-class frigate was also equipped with a docking port on the starboard and port sides near the mid-section of the vessel, and later modifications would alter the door and frame of the docking ports. Alliance modifications also replaced the ramp and cargo bay with a ventralhangar bay[7] that was able to accommodate eight starfighters,[8] including at least fiveRZ-1 A-wing interceptors. The hangar bay had walkways located above thestarfighters to allow pilots to enter their respective starships.[10]
ModifiedPelta-class frigates were also fitted with deflector shield generators. On oneoccasion, aPelta-class frigate was destroyed by a singleTIE Advanced x1 starfighter after only several strafing runs, despite having a deflector shield.[10]
Interior[]

Ahsoka Tano in aPelta-class' reactor room
The interior layout ofPelta-class frigates was lined with ventilation shafts andwhite corridors with controls, and the frigates were equipped with a variety of facilities for the passengers and the crew, including a barracks for escorting troops, private quarters for higher-level passengers, and a mess hall for dining. The private quarters featured at least four beds, one located above the other, and was equipped with computer consoles on the opposite side of the entrance. The barracks were situated between the private quarters and the mess hall. The barracks had doors on opposite sides, and the bunk beds were lined parallel to the middle corridor. The mess hall also had two entrances, one opposite the other, with the food serving station positioned on one side, vertical to the doors.[19]
Thebridge of thePelta-class frigate was located at the top of the vessel and was the upper-most point of the ship.[20] The Alliance to Restore the Republic would later use the bridge as a communications array, while another bridge was retrofitted at the bow and utilized as the ship's command center.[7]Ray shields were equipped in a passageway to reach the bridge, acting as a security measure.Pelta-class frigates also had a cargo bay for supplies, areactor control room that included the controls for the coolant and power systems, and an aft communications station.[20] ThePelta-class frigate also had a ramp on the keel that opened up for easy transportation of supplies, as well as six landing gear legs.[21]
Role[]

Phoenix Home launches A-wing fighters from its hangar bay.
ThePelta-class frigate served a variety of purposes during its service, seeing extensive use during the pan-galacticClone Wars between theGalactic Republic and theSeparatist Alliance, primarily ashospital ships andsupply ships[1] in theRepublic Navy.[16] They were also used asfreighters,picket ships, escorts, and lightassault ships.[8] As hospital ships, thePelta-class frigates were equipped totransport patients,[9] as well as rescue personnel in stranded escape pods.[23] During theClone Wars, honorable Separatistgenerals were known to withhold from attacking thePelta-class frigates.[6]Pelta-class frigates were also used by the Alliance to Restore the Republic ascommand ships and hospital vessels. After undergoing weapon retrofits, the frigates served larger combat and command roles, as well as fire support, anti-starfighter roles, and communications responsibilities.[1]
RebelPelta-class frigates,[2] such as thePhoenix Home, were modified to carry eight starfighters,[8] including at least fiveRZ-1 A-wing interceptors[10] in a make-shift hangar bay,[2] serving in the capacity of a starfightercarrier. While acting as a carrier, the frigate would typically be flanked by escorts, such as rebelCR90 corvettes.[10]
History[]
Service to the Jedi[]
During theHigh Republic Era, two of the ships were part of aRepublic rescue fleet sent to assistTrymant IV in the wake ofan Emergence following theGreat Hyperspace Disaster. TheEmergence, however, coincided with aNihilattack on the planet, and one frigate became part of a blockade hastily set up to prevent the escape of a NihilSpider Cruiser.Eye of the NihilMarchion Ro had the cruiser fire upon themedical frigate as a distraction for its escort ofJedi Vectors, allowing thepirate ship to escape intohyperspace.[13] At one point, theJedi Order utilized theAthylia, aPelta-class prior to the Order's destruction.Jedi MasterKelleran Beq, theprotocol droidAD-3, and theastromech droidLX-R5 served aboard the craft.[24]
Clone Wars[]
Battle of Christophsis[]

Pelta-class frigates escorted byVenator-class Star Destroyers during the Battle of Christophsis
ThePelta-class frigates saw early action on the onset of the Clone Wars, with three being deployed to theplanetChristophsis[12] in22 BBY[25] to deliver much needed supplies toSenatorBail Organa andhis relief effort, which had been cut off bySeparatist forces during the early stages of theBattle of Christophsis. The frigates were escorted byJedi GeneralAnakin Skywalker,AdmiralWullf Yularen, and threeVenator-class Star Destroyers fromSkywalker's task force. Although Skywalker was instructed not to engage theSeparatist blockade by Jedi GeneralObi-Wan Kenobi, Skywalker decided to engage theSeparatist armada regardless and was soon outnumbered and outgunned, as the Separatistfleet consisted ofMunificent-class star frigates,Lucrehulk-class Battleships, and theInvincible, aProvidence-class Dreadnought. Unbeknownst to Skywalker and Yularen, the Separatist fleet was led by none other than AdmiralTrench, who was thought to have been vaporized by a Jedi-ledtask force at theBattle of Malastare Narrows whenhis flagship was destroyed.[12]

APelta-class frigate is destroyed during the Battle of Christophsis.
Skywalker and Yularen were able to briefly contact Organa, who informed them that his positions were in danger of being overrun bySeparatist ground forces. The transmission was cut off just as one of Skywalker'sVenator-classStar Destroyers was hit by a barrage of Separatistlaser fire. Soon, theInvincible began bearing down on the Republic fleet unopposed, and Trench ordered his forces to separate the Pelta frigates from their escorts. TheInvincible launched a salvo of laser fire at the Republic fleet, resulting in the destruction of a Pelta frigate. Kenobi soon arrived in hisflagship, theVenator-class Star DestroyerNegotiator, contacting Skywalker and advising him to retreat as he had brought a new secret weapon that would give the Republic an advantage in the battle. Skywalker reluctantly agreed, ordering the two remaining Pelta frigates to retreat to Kenobi's position behindLeesis, themoon of Christophsis, while Skywalker's Venators covered their retreat. Eventually, Trench was defeated when Skywalker used the secret weapon, astealth ship, to destroy theInvincible, with Trench still onboard.[12]
As the battle continued on the surface, Yularen and aVenator-class Star Destroyer were dispatched to aHaven-class medical station to pick up supplies and reinforcements, with severalPelta-class frigates also docking with the station.[16]
Battle of Ryloth[]
When the Separatistsinvaded the planet Ryloth[26] in22 BBY,[27] the RepublicOuter Rim garrison led by Jedi GeneralIma-Gun Di and theTwi'lek Resistance led by GeneralCham Syndulla were quickly overrun, and Di attempted to contact theJedi High Council for reinforcements. After a period of heavy fighting, Republic supplies were exhausted, andRepublic forces were being overwhelmed. Di ordered theRepublic fleet inspace led by AdmiralDao to attempt to contact the Jedi High Council again for immediate reinforcements. Although Dao finally managed to contact the Jedi Council and inform them of their dire situation, the Republic fleet was destroyed and Dao waskilled mid-transmission.[26]

ThreePelta-class frigates break through the Separatist blockade of Ryloth, successfully delivering supplies.
Ryloth was too far from the nearest Republic base to help in time, while the planetToydaria was the closest potential base to launch a humanitarian mission. As such, the Jedi contacted Senator Organa and informed him of the situation on Ryloth, asking him to negotiate alongsideJunior RepresentativeJar Jar Binks ofNaboo to persuade theToydarians to open up their world as a supply base for several Pelta frigates to launch their aid mission to Ryloth from. After failednegotiations with the Toydarians at the impediment of SenatorLott Dod of theTrade Federation,KingKatuunko of Toydaria approached Organa and Binks, stating that the Toydarians could not turn a blindeye to the suffering on Ryloth, and that the Republic may use Toydaria as a supply base on the conditions that it would only be the supplies that the Republic have already brought with them and that the Trade Federation would not be aware of the aid mission and Toydaria's involvement.[26]
Organa devised a plan which included a special dinner for Katuunko, several of hisadvisors, and the representatives of the Trade Federation, all of which was a ruse to distract the Trade Federation of the three Pelta frigates which were loading up the supplies and leaving for Ryloth. The Trade Federation was unaware of the ruse until it was far too late, and threePelta-class frigates, includingblockade runner 0-9-9, were able to load supplies and successfully pass through theSeparatist blockade of Ryloth and drop relief supplies to theTwi'lek Resistance and their families after the sacrifice of Di and his men to cover their retreat. The Twi'lek Resistance were able to capture the supplies and continue their campaign.[26]
The threat of theMalevolence[]
In 22 BBY,[28] after theBattle of Abregado, the new Separatist weapon, aSubjugator-class heavy cruiser named theMalevolence under the command ofSupreme Commander of the Droid Army GeneralGrievous, was tasked withdestroying aconvoy of at least threePelta-class frigates and their escortingVenator-class Star Destroyer. The successful attack led to the entire convoy being destroyed, with survivors attempting to flee in escape pods. During the engagement, Grievous was given new orders by SeparatistHead of StateCountDooku to target and destroy aHaven-class medical station, theKaliida Shoals Medical Center, as it housed tens of thousands of wounded clone troopers, making it a target ripe for destroying. With Grievous forced to take a longer route around a largenebula to reach the station, the Republic deduced that based on the previous attack, the medical station was the next likely target, and Skywalker was dispatched along with his padawanAhsoka Tano, Jedi GeneralPlo Koon, and theBTL-B Y-wing starfighter/bomberShadow Squadron, to the medical station and destroy theMalevolence.[9]

Pelta-class frigates return to the medical station after theMalevolence retreats.
Yularen alerted the medical station of the incoming threat, andChief Medical ScientistNala Se informed Yularen that even if they had the necessary transports, there would still not be enoughtime to evacuate all of the wounded. Kenobi soon contacted Nala Se, informing her that the nearby planet Naboo was sending ships to aid in the evacuation. As Grievous was en route to the medical station, Pelta frigates began arriving and loading the more stable wounded patients to the frigates first, with the more critically injured having to wait. When Grievous and Skywalker arrived, Grievous opted to target a fleeing group of Pelta frigates first, and then deal with Skywalker and hissquadron. After Grievous destroyed the fleeing group of Peltas, theMalevolence and its starfightersengaged Skywalker and his squadron; in the ensuing battle, Skywalker lost nearly half of his squadron. At the behest of Tano and Koon, Skywalker decided to change his strategy of attacking the bridge to targeting theion cannons of theMalevolence.[9]
This strategy turned out to be successful, as theMalevolence received critical damage to both of its ion cannons and hyperdrive, with extensive damage throughout the vessel. As three Venators lead by Kenobi and Yularen arrived, Grievous was forced to call off his attack, retreat and call for reinforcements. In the aftermath of the battle, the surviving Pelta frigates returned to the medical station,[9] the Separatist reinforcements wereengaged by Jedi GeneralLuminara Unduli and her forces, and theMalevolence would eventually be destroyed after its hyperdrive was sabotaged, sending it crashing into theDead Moon of Antar.[29]
Parasitic troubles[]
In21 BBY[27] in the aftermath of theSecond Battle of Geonosis, Republic forces situated on the planetGeonosis received adistress call from Jedi GeneralMace Windu and his forces on the world ofDantooine. Windu's defenses held, but thebattle was costly to his men and he requested medical supplies. With Skywalker, Kenobi, Unduli, and Jedi GeneralKi-Adi-Mundi occupied with the aftermath of the battle and the transportation of GeonosianArchdukePoggle the Lesser toCoruscant for interrogation, Skywalker suggested that they let Padawans Tano andBarriss Offee handle the supply mission and useTB-73, aPelta-class frigate, to pick up the supplies from theOrd Cestus medical station and transport them to Dantooine.Tango Company was ordered to accompany the Jedi, however, unbeknownst to the others, clonetrooperScythe had been infected by aGeonosianbrain worm on the planet's surface. Theworms were previously seen and thought destroyed along with theProgate Temple when GeonosianQueenKarina the Great used thebrain worms to form a hive mind andreanimate dead Geonosian warriors to create an undeadarmy.[19]

TB-73 arrives at the medical station with no one at the controls.
The infected Scythe gathered more Geonosian brain worms and brought them insideTB-73, resulting in theinfection of most of the crew, and soon took command of the bridge after killing thepilots. Tano and Offee, unaware of the dire situation, went to the mess hall to eat and relax when they were attacked by two infected clone troopers,Ox andEdge. Deciding to split up, Tano was able to communicate withClone CaptainRex and Skywalker, and informed them of the situation aboard the frigate. Skywalker interrogated Poggle for information on how to stop the brain worms without the knowledge of the others. After SkywalkerForce choked Poggle, he informed Skywalker that the worms were affected by the cold. After Offee was infected, she engaged in aduel with Tano, with Tano being able to escape and rupture thecoolant system onboard the ship as instructed by Skywalker.[19]
One by one, the brain worms became affected by the severe cold, just asTB-73 came out ofhyperspace. Jedi GeneralKit Fisto, who was onboard the medical station, dispatched two RepublicTUG-314spacetugs to help guide the ship into the docking port. The spacetugs were having difficulty guiding the ship in, with the tug pilots deducing that the pilots ofTB-73 were dead and that there was no one at the controls. After Tano briefly dueled Offee once more on the bridge, Tano was able to kill the brain worm that infected Offee, rendering her unconscious. The tugs were eventually successful in dockingTB-73 to the medical station, preventing a collision betweenTB-73, the medical station, and other Peltas docked with the station. Republic forces quarantined the ship and rescued Tano, Offee, and the clone troopers, who were all able to recover from the cold and the infections.[19]
Later campaigns[]

APelta-class frigate rescued survivors of theEndurance.
Later, after theVenator-class Star DestroyerEndurance wassabotaged by the son of theclone template andbounty hunterJango Fett,Boba Fett, in a plot to seek revenge against Windu for killing hisfather during thefirst battle of the Clone Wars, theEndurance crashed on the surface of the planetVanqor. Windu and Skywalker—who was also present aboard theEndurance—managed to survive theassassination attempt, and evacuated the starship along other crew members. APelta-class frigate under the command ofCaptainSilver arrived in thesystem to retrieve survivors who evacuated before the ship entered theatmosphere. The Pelta remained in the area until the Jedi reported from the crash site that there were no other survivors.[23] Later in the war, during theBattle of Sullust, as least onePelta-class frigate participated in the battle, staying closer to larger Republiccapital ships.[30]
Afterearthquakes rocked the planetAleen[21] in20 BBY,[31] the104th Battalion under the command ofClone CommanderCC-3636 "Wolffe," weredispatched with anAcclamator-class assault ship and threePelta-class frigates to give theAleena supplies and help them rebuild.[21] Later, following the conclusion of theBattle of Kadavo and the rescue ofTogrutacolonists ofKiros who had been kidnapped to be sold intoslavery, severalPelta-class frigates, aVenator-class Star Destroyer, and anArquitens-class light cruiser were on site to aid the colonists.[32]
In the aftermath of anattack on Obi-Wan Kenobi's fleet and its destruction at the hands of Grievous near the world ofFlorrum[33] in theSertar sector,[34] Kenobi and his fellow survivors were rescued and were situated in aVenator-class Star Destroyer with severalPelta-class frigates escorting, whenpirateHondo Ohnaka and the remnants of hispirate cartel arrived with a group ofJedi younglings and Tano,[35] who had previously beencaptured by Ohnaka and his gang[33] until anattack by Grievous.[35]
Age of the Empire[]

Phoenix Home served as the command ship of Phoenix Squadron.
With the fall of the Galactic Republic and therise of theGalactic Empire, the emerging rebel cells and later the Alliance to Restore the Republic, utilizedPelta-class frigates as hospital ships, although several Pelta frigates being retrofitted with turbolasers and point-defenselaser cannons to fulfill larger roles such as anti-starfighter, fire support, communications, and command roles.[1] The Empire also utilized thePelta-class frigate ashospital ships.[8] At some point during the early rebellion against the Galactic Empire,Kaeden Larte enrolled in a medical program in acity on theCore World ofAlderaan, before she was stationed on aPelta-class frigate.[36]
By4 BBY,[27] one retrofittedPelta-class frigate,Phoenix Home, served as the flagship ofPhoenix Cell that was under the leadership ofCommanderJun Sato.
At one point, thePhoenix Home was in dire need of medical supplies, so Commander Sato came up with a plan to repaint thePhoenix Home as an ImperialPelta-class medical frigate to sneak onto a sector hospital station to steal the supplies. Sato hired several Rebels to carry out with the alteration and the theft. The plan was successful.[8]At another point, theAlliance acquired anotherPelta-class frigate and modified it to fit the specifications ofPhoenix Home. Alliance members were tasked to carry out its shakedown cruise, which consisted of attacking a lightly defended Imperialsensor post. The attack was successful.[8]
The vessel was destroyed by theDark Lord of the SithDarth Vader during theSiege of Lothal when Vader used hisTIE Advanced X1 during the attack[10] with the objective of finding and destroying the fleet and capturing the cell's leaders.[37] After the destruction ofPhoenix Home, Sato and other members of Phoenix Cell discussed the loss of their command ship, where they realized that they would need to establish a suitable base in order to sustain themselves.[22]
Following theblockade of Ibaar,[1] which took place by2 BBY,[38]Mon Calamari AdmiralRaddus sent a document composed by his Mon Calamariaides,Caitken andShollan, toCommander-in-ChiefMon Mothma detailing theAlliance Fleet's current status. Attached to the document, Raddus wrote that the fleet was getting by with smaller vessels as the heavier starships were not yet online and that the Alliance was not ready forfleet engagements against the Empire. The report detailed the major composition of the fleet, which includedPelta-class frigates, CR90corvettes,CR70 corvettes,Hammerhead corvettes,Dornean gunships, andGR-75 medium transports.[1]
Galactic Civil War[]

APelta-class Assault Ship engaging with aRaider-class corvette.
Sometime during thegalaxy-spanningGalactic Civil War between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, an AlliancePelta-class Assault Ship broadsided and damaged an ImperialRaider-class corvette whileT-65B X-wing starfighters engagedTIE fighters nearby.[2] The Alliance also usedPelta-class Command Cruisers ascommand ships.[2]
The Rebel Alliance continued to use thePelta-class frigate as late as theBattle of Endor,[1] a decisive battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire where the Alliance managed to destroy thesecond Death Star andEmperorPalpatine was killed by Vader.[39]
Beyond the Empire[]
Around9 ABY[40] during theNew Republic Era that followed the Empire's fall,[41] aPelta-class frigate approachedBorgo Prime, apirate[42]shadowport in the Outer Rim Territories[43] operated byBrutus's crew.[42] In35 ABY,[44] in order to combat a rebornDarth Sidious and theSith Eternal,GeneralLando Calrissian gathered an enormous fleet, that consisted of more than 14,000 ships to attack theSith Eternal forces. ManyPelta-class frigates were part of this fleet and participated in theBattle of Exegol.[17]
Behind the scenes[]
History in animation[]

Concept art of the changes made to thePelta-class frigate forStar Wars Rebels
The Republic medical frigate first appeared in the2008 theatrical filmStar Wars: The Clone Wars.[16] The frigate went on to appear in theStar Wars: The Clone Wars animated television series and was prominently featured in the2009 episode "Brain Invaders," where it served as the primary setting of the episode.[19] The vessel was first provided with its propercanonical name in theDatabank on theStarWars.com website.[45]
The frigate was first named in theStar Wars Legends continuity viaThe Clone Wars Campaign Guide, which was released in 2009.[46] In its entry for thePelta-class frigate, the2018 canon reference bookStar Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles incorrectly identifies the model as aYT-2400.[6]
In theGerman magazine,Star Wars Animation-Magazine, in the comic strip "Divide and Conquer," Phoenix Cell is depicted as having aPelta-class frigate in their possession. As the comic takes place after thethird season episode, "Imperial Supercommandos,"[47] Phoenix Cell'sPelta-class was destroyed in the premier of thesecond season,Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal, and because no other source has indicated that Phoenix Cell had anotherPelta-class, this article assumes that it is likely an inconsistency in the comic's art.[48]
Concept art galleries[]
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Appearances[]
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Notes and references[]
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- Related categories:
- Pelta-class frigates
- Pelta-class frigate variants
- Related Categories:
- Pelta-class frigates
- Pelta-class frigate variants