From Lexicanum

Escorts are the smallest craft in the Imperium but come in the largest numbers, providing support in defence of larger ships.

Contents 1 Sword Class Frigate 2 Firestorm Class Frigate 3 Cobra Class Destroyer 4 Falchion Class Escort 5 Sources

Sword Class Frigate

The Sword Class Frigate is a very old design, dating back to the earliest days of the Imperium. All its components have been redesigned, and refined to a high level. Its laser based weapons batteries provide equal fire power to those of the less reliable plasma based alternatives, and are able to fire to both sides, and forward with full strength. It's engines are powerful, yet simple enough to be maintained by an artificer with minimal training. It is a classic escort, and it is exceptionally rare to see an Imperial battleship with out at least two, if not more, Sword class ships by its side.¹

In its role as an escort, the Sword is expected to come under fire, and so is designed with this in mind. Its bulkheads are thicker than would be expected, and the beams and supports that hold the ship together have redundant copies nearby, that will take the load if the primary beam or support fails. Due to this, the Sword can take more punishment than would be expected for a ship of its diminutive size. Sword Class Frigates are often seen fighting alongside Space Marine formations.¹

Notable Sword Class squadrons include:

Red Squadron

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

Blue Squadron

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

Omega Squadron

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

The Nightstalkers

Firestorm Class Frigate

The Firestorm Class Frigate is a variant of the Sword Class Frigate. Designed to link the speed and manoeuvrability of an escort, with the bite of a lance. The Sword's systems to power its laser weapons battery have been reconfigured to power the single prow-mounted lance of the Firestorm.¹

It is not uncommon to see a squadron of Firestorms supporting independent squadrons of Swords and Cobras. In situations like these, it falls to the Firestorms to deal damage to capital ships, and rival escorts once the other two classes have lowered the enemies shields. Firestorm Class Frigates are often seen fighting alongside Space Marine formations.¹

Notable Firestorm squadrons include:

Gold Squadron

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon. Took part in the Battle of Veras.¹

Lexus Squadron

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

Patrol Group Erinyes

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

Costa Barbarus Patrol

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

Cobra Class Destroyer

The Cobra Class Destroyer is a torpedo boat. It is fast enough, and manoeuvrable enough to get into a position from where its torpedoes will do most damage. However, due to its small size, large engine signature, and relatively poor armour, it does not stand well to enemy fire. This shouldn't be a problem however, due to the long range of a torpedo. Cobras act in squadrons of between two and six ships, making a torpedo volley from a squadron enough to cripple a large capital ship. It is the smallest independent Imperial warship, the smaller ones being carried aboard larger cruisers.¹

The Cobra has a pair of torpedo tubes in the prow, and a single weapons battery positioned to fire to the sides, and in front of the ship. The weapons battery is a purely defensive measure, for when the Cobra is attacked by enemy escorts. It is short ranged, and is almost never used to attack a capital ship, it simply is not powerful enough to do any real damage. Cobra Class Destroyers are often seen fighting alongside Space Marine formations.¹

In history, a Cobra Destroyer was the sole surviving ship during the Yuctan Incident, the Imperium's first encounter with Necron naval forces.²

Notable Cobra Class squadrons include:

The Widowmakers

Seen during the Gothic War and best known for having extended sensing equipment built in to allow them catch pirates on their scanners sooner, making interception more likely.¹

Skargul Patrol

Seen during the Gothic War. They are best known for destroying seventeen pirate vessels in twelve months prior to the Gothic War.¹

Falchion Class Escort

The Falchion Class Escort is loosely based on the Endeavor, Endurance, and Defiant classes of light cruiser. It is designed to fulfil the same kind of role as the Sword Class Frigate. It is a escort ship, and therefore, individually weak, and therefore operates paired as a minimum, and usually with 3 or 4 ships grouped together. Sometimes up to six ships are grouped together in a single squadron.¹

The Falchion has a small weapons battery and a single torpedo tube. It also has a shield generator and turret array for protection.¹

Notable Falchion Class squadrons include:

The Initiates of Monglor

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

The Rhomphaian Squadron

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

Michaelis Fire Squadron

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

Torchbearer Patrol

Seen during the Third War for Armageddon.¹

Sources

• ¹:Ships of the Gothic Sector

Vessels of the Imperial Navy
Type	Design	Class	Obsolete Classes
Capital Ships	Battleships	Apocalypse • Emperor • Oberon • Retribution	Despoiler • Desolator
	Grand Cruisers	Avenger • Exorcist • Governor • Vengeance	Executor • Repulsive • Retaliator
	Battle Cruisers	Armageddon • Mars • Overlord	Acheron • Hades • Styx
	Cruisers	Dictator • Dominator • Gothic • Lunar • Tyrant	Carnage • Devastation • Murder • Slaughter
	Light Cruisers	Dauntless • Defiant • Endeavor • Endurance
Escorts	Frigates	Sword • Firestorm
	Destroyers	Cobra - Destroyer • Falchion - Escort
	Freighters	Armed Freighter • Defense Monitor • Escort Carriers • Fuel Transport • Q-Ship • Troop Transport
Small Craft	Space	Fury interceptor • Starhawk
	Planetary	Lightning • Marauder Bomber • Marauder Destroyer • Thunderbolt • Vulture Gunship
	Transport	Aquila Lander • Arvus Lighter • Valkyrie