IR-3F-class light frigate

The IR-3F-class light frigate, commonly referred to as the IR-3F patrol craft or IR-3F, was a light frigate designed by Sienar Fleet Systems for use as a system patrol and customs ship.

CharacteristicsEdit

The IR-3F was 110 meters long. It had a high power output and fast sublight engines for a ship of its size, and could achieve atmospheric flight at 1,000 kilometers per hour; however, it was not equipped with a hyperdrive.^[4][1] It was equipped with shields, and armed with four turbolaser cannon turrets, though some models were equipped with four fire-linked heavy laser cannons instead.^[1][2]

The ship had a crew of 11 (including 8 gunners), though it could be staffed by a single individual in some circumstances. It carried ten troops, three months' worth of consumables, and had space for 180 metric tons of cargo.^[1] The small crew was often inadequately rotated, resulting in a tendency for them to wear down quickly.^[4]

Patrol ship tactics generally led to these ships operating within an hour's distance of their base of operations, and maintaining continuous comlink contact with it.^[5] When engaging a target, they employed their high speed and brute force to disable or destroy it before it could escape into hyperspace.^[1]

HistoryEdit

The IR-3F was the predecessor of the IPV-1 System Patrol Craft.^[4] However, the craft still saw some use with single-system governments, including Core Worlds within the Ringali Shell.^[4][5] It also saw limited use in the Imperial services, particularly in systems with large support vessel populations or ongoing blockades.^[4]

IR-3Fs formed the Imperial Navy's Digit Squadron at Bakura. Five of them fought against the Ssi-ruuk at the Battle of Bakura; three of those ships survived, becoming the property of the Bakuran government when that world became independent.^[1] They continued serving under the Bakuran government for decades afterward.^[2]

Behind the scenesEdit

The IR-3F was illustrated in The Truce at Bakura Sourcebook as looking much like the IPV-1; a very different look was illustrated in Pirates & Privateers.

AppearancesEdit

• The Truce at Bakura (First appearance)

SourcesEdit

• The Truce at Bakura Sourcebook (First identified as IR-3F-class light frigate)
• Pirates & Privateers
• The Far Orbit Project
• Geonosis and the Outer Rim Worlds
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia (As "IR-3F")
• Star Wars: Force and Destiny Core Rulebook (First identified as IR-3F-class light frigate)

Notes and referencesEdit