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Frigate · Rebel Alliance
Nebulon-B frigate
The Rebel fleet's escort frigate: a long, narrow grey ship in three parts, also used as a hospital ship.
- Model
- EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate
- Maker
- Kuat Drive Yards
- Length
- 300 m
- Armament
- Turbolasers · Tractor beam projectors · Hangar for a starfighter squadron
Rebel AllianceCompare on the scale
Overview
The Nebulon-B is a Rebel escort frigate: a narrow grey warship, about 300 metres long, built in three connected parts[2][3]. It carries turbolasers and tractor beam projectors, and its hangar holds a squadron of starfighters[1].
The Alliance uses the class to guard its fleets, and one ship is refitted as a floating hospital, the medical frigate Redemption[1]. Nebulon-B frigates appear in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Star Wars Rebels[1][2]. At 300 metres it is far shorter than a Star Destroyer, yet big enough to bring its own fighter cover[2].
Length 300 m
How it flies and fights
The frigate is built to guard bigger ships rather than lead the fleet. Turbolasers provide its firepower, and tractor beam projectors let it seize other ships[1]. The hangar holds a squadron of starfighters, so the frigate brings its own fighter cover, and the same hull can be refitted to treat the wounded[1].
Chronicle
Key moments in the ship's life, in story order. Spoilers stay hidden until you mark the title as watched in the timeline.
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≈ 2 BBY
Nebulon-B frigates appear with the Rebel fleet in the Star Wars Rebels episodes 'Zero Hour' and 'Secret Cargo'[2].
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3 ABY
Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back
After the clash on Cloud City, Luke Skywalker is treated aboard the Rebel medical frigate Redemption, a Nebulon-B refitted as a hospital ship[1].
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4 ABY
Episode VI — Return of the Jedi
Nebulon-B escort frigates are part of the Rebel fleet that jumps in to attack the second Death Star at Endor[1].
Where it flew
Where to see the Nebulon-B frigate
Films, series and games with the Nebulon-B frigate, in story order.
Star Wars RebelsAnimated series · 2014–2018The crew of the starship Ghost takes on the Empire, and young Ezra Bridger discovers the Force.
Episode V — The Empire Strikes BackMovie · 1980The Empire hunts the rebels across the galaxy, while Luke trains with Jedi Master Yoda.
Episode VI — Return of the JediMovie · 1983The rebels attack the second Death Star, and Luke faces Darth Vader and the Emperor.
Variants
Medical frigate Redemption
A Nebulon-B refitted as a hospital ship, used in The Empire Strikes Back as the place where Luke Skywalker recovers after the events on Cloud City[1].
Behind the scenes
- ILM's Nilo Rodis-Jamero and Joe Johnston designed the frigate late in work on The Empire Strikes Back, after George Lucas suggested an outboard motor as the base shape. The 247 cm model was built mostly from leftover kit parts such as battleship hulls and artillery pieces[2].
- Early on it was called the 'Rebel starcruiser'. During Return of the Jedi it was renamed 'Rebel Medical Frigate' to avoid confusion with the Mon Calamari cruisers[2].
Nebulon-B frigate: questions and answers
How big is a Nebulon-B frigate?
A Nebulon-B frigate is about 300 metres long, just under the height of the Eiffel Tower[2]. Even so, it is less than a fifth the length of an Imperial Star Destroyer, which runs to about 1,600 metres.
