The Petrichor Echo class stealth frigate is an asari-manufactured light warship, produced for huntresses of the Asari Republics as part of the Talith Programme. Drawing on current-generation stealth frigates used by allied navies - most notably the Systems Alliance SR-1 and SR-2 Normandy classes, as well as the Turian Hierarchy's parallel Hyrax class model - Petrichor Echo frigates apply Reaper War innovations to the current asari stealth doctrine, to maximise the effectiveness of the limited supply of huntresses surviving the war.
Based around a pure gravitic drive and incorporating experimental turian vectored heat-sail technology, Petrichor Echo frigates have some of the lowest detectable emission signatures versus core output of current stealth spacecraft. Employing numerous elcor-derived electronic warfare VIs, the class is configured for a crew of only six huntresses - pilot, astrogator, tactical, healer, engineer, logistics. The class's primary mission is reconnaissance and covert strike team support, and thus it is fitted with the latest sensor technology, and extensive accommodations for passengers and their equipment. There are three interior decks, not counting maintenance spaces: deck one comprises crew stations and quarters, deck two is engineering and medical, and deck three is cargo. Cargo space is allocated for a full armoury with repair and maintenance facilities, as well as a subsidiary shuttle or ground vehicle (such as a Forerider IFV). Although well armed for its size - carrying a Th-RSR cannon main armament and Crisis Drone complement - the Petrichor Echo class is not comparable in ship-to-ship power with heavy frigate-grade combatants, and is seen as representing an informal division between 'recon frigates' and 'battle frigates' in the new Republican navy.
Out-of-character notes[]
Page image is Knightsbridge S-Class Light Frigate by Hazzard65.