FF - Phoenix Fleet Systems Frigates ---------------------

Update 5/30/14 - added the Buzzard Skirmisher Frigate

Update 4/11/14 - added glass windows

Update 3/21/14 - fixed all engines to no longer cause damage. introduced fuel storage and conveyor systems to all ships. added a beacon to the nighthawk, reduced reactors (it had too much power), and gave it a large fuel storage for extended recon.

Update 2/18/14 - fixed the glitch related to the new passage blocks where ladders are replaced by turrets

NOTE: you can find these ships and others in the "Military Division" file. these are uploaded if you prefer a separate download

Frigates provide an important role in our fleets, being the first real large ships. They are typically light, ranging around 1.5-3mil kg. This means that they are typically designed for escort duties, as they aren't capable of holding their own. However, they still provide an important role due to their size, manueverability, and ease of production

left to right: Griffon, Raven, Buzzard. the Blackbird is the black one on the bottom

Griffon Class Frigate Mass - 2.5m kg Acceleration - 2.2m/s^2 Weapons - 2 missile launchers and 2 gatling guns (based off Amarr Punisher from EVE)

The Griffon Class was the first all-purpose frigate built by Phoenix Shipyards. However, it is usually seen performing escort duties for larger ships. Today, the Griffon has been made obselete by the development of the Griffon II, which now serves in most combat roles. Regardless, the Griffon itself continues to serve as a diplomatic emissary. Its low number of weapons improves the trust of other factions, while not leaving it completely vulnerable to treachery either.

Raven Class Frigate Mass - 2.5m kg Acceleration - 2.5m/s^2 Weapons - 7 gatling guns Payload - 4 Slots where 4 kinetic missiles can be attached or 2 fighters can latch on for a ride (this design is based on a combination of Caldari fighters and the Caldari Raven from EVE)

The Raven was designed to be both a shuttle and an anti-fighter frigate. Its design creates an upstanding impression wherever it goes, and allows passengers to enter through the bottom-front area like most planetary shuttles do. However, that is where the civilian uses end, as the Raven is also armed with seven deadly gatling guns to fight off any attackers that come nearby. The Raven works well as either an anti-fighter escort or as a shuttle for more...paranoid passengers.

Griffon II Frigate

As war time progressed, Phoenix Shipyards realized that it could not always incorporate looks without some consequences. The Griffon, which was created during times of peace and expansion, suffered from an obvious weakness when it was called upon for battle - the thin neck. The Griffon II was quickly created in response to improve upon the Griffon in every way - not only in structural reinforcement, but also speed, manueverability, and firepower. The Griffon II is the all-purpose frigate that the Griffon was meant to be, restricting the Griffon to mostly diplomatic duties.

Blackbird Stealth Recon Frigate Mass - 2m kg Acceleration - 2.7m/s^2 Carry Capacity - 2 Nighthawk drones

designed purely for recon, this ship has no windows or weapons, but is fast and manueverable for its class, and carries two stealth drones for further scouting (I based this ship off of TEC bombers from Sins of a Solar Empire)

Responding to the rapid colonization of nearby asteroid fields by rival factions, Phoenix Shipyards produced the Blackbird as a early warning system. Blackbirds remain watchful over our borders, and their lack of weapons ensure that any sightings by the enemy are not immediately interpreted as acts of war.

Nighthawk Recon Fighter (inside the Blackbird) Mass - 66k kg Acceleration - 3 m/s^2

like its mothership, the Nighthawk is designed purely for scouting and lacks weapons. however, it is fast and very maneuverable to help it evade the enemy

While the Blackbirds stands watch, Nighthawks are deployed in secret to monitor the shipyards of other factions

Buzzard Skirmisher Frigate Mass: 3.31m kg Acceleration: 5.23 m/s^2 Weapons: 4 gun turrets, 2 missile turrets, 7 rocket launchers Storage: 2 large containers, 32 small containers

What the Buzzard lacks in looks it makes up for in performance. This ugly little bird is designed to rush straight at larger ships and breach their hulls before pulling up into a hasty retreat. To accomplish this, the front is heavily armored, and there are 7 forward facing rocket launchers. It is very fast and manueverable to charge at larger ships, and there is also a high amount of thrust facing downwards to help it to pull up and out of the line of fire quickly.