Hermes class Sensor Frigate

The Hermes class was designed as a simplified and smaller version of the Mercury-class Sensor Frigate. First laid down as an Early Warning vessel, boasting advanced sensors and communications systems, the Hermes soon found use as a Command and Control vessel, conducting roles such as intelligence gathering, fire support coordination, long range target detection, acquisition and ranging, logistics, communications transmission and relay, fleetwide coordination and related roles.

The ship itself boasts few anti-aircraft weapons emplacements and is not designed to engage in prolonged combat, especially against capital ships, instead relying on fighters and other capital ships and support craft to protect it. A large circular shield isolates the sensitive sensor and communications equipment from the disruptive radiation emitted by the vessel's four engines. The ship carries 6 Transdimensional-capable communications drones which can be launched in the event that the vessel's communication arrays are destroyed or unoperational, or that the ship is out of com range.

34 Hermes class vessels were laid down on the 7th year of the war, enough to see 3 years of combat in the Sol War. 12 were destroyed in combat operations, mostly due to fighter attacks during the Martian landings. The remaining ships were either mothballed or sent to border partol duties at the end of the war. All ships were recomissioned at the start of the Alien War.