ZMS Summit

"Finally, something usable."

- General Varthos

The Summit-Class was a class of frigates built for the Zaretian Monarchy's Navy. The class was designed during Operation Burning Lance, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier frigates of the Onslaught and Misery Classes. The design was based on lessons learned from combat with the Aeveria Confederation and the Luminarian Rebels as well as adopting many design characteristics of modern frigates from both empires.

The Zaretian Monarchy's Navy commissioned more Summit-class frigates than any other frigate class during the post-2nd Norsus era, and the design was generally regarded as highly successful. Summits could perform a wide variety of mission profiles, including, long-range convoy escort, independent assault operations, and quick reaction reinforcements. Highly contrasting the earlier pre-1st Norsus era frigates, which were highly specialized, and a lot less flexible.

The Summit-Class first saw action during the battle of Nu-Zartar, also known as Operation Shattered Helm. Although it was a successful design, it was not enough to turn the tides in the Monarchy's favor. Since then, the Summit-Class has participated in every major fleet engagement in the post-2nd Norsus era, and has become the main frigate of the Zaretian Monarchy's Navy.

Origin
Throughout Operation Burning Lance, the Zaretian Monarchy suffered devastating losses in the face of a combined Aeverian and Luminarian push. Although the Monarchy was still able to replace these losses, for the time being. However, the loss of industrial power in the areas seized by the peacekeepers meant that the Monarchy's Navy was unable to replenish their losses anymore. No longer could the Monarchy rely on quantity over quality if it was to continue the war.

A new doctrine was required in the face of the oppressive peacekeeper threat. New ships and equipment had to be created to face the peacekeepers on even terms. Even the staunchest of conservatives within the admiralty realized that it was no longer feasible to continue the pre-war era doctrines. As such, the Monarchy's Navy embarked a widespread Fleet Modernization Program to bring both the active and reserve fleets to modern standards shown by the Aeveria and Luminarians.

One such project of the Fleet Modernization Program was to update the severely out of date frigate lineup. Many mass produced frigates in the Monarchy's Navy were simply inferior to their peacekeeper counterparts. The main reasons were that most frigates were designed to deal with the threat of Rach raids during the pre-1st Norsus era, and were simply unsuited to deal with hardened targets that the Aeverians and Luminarians had. Additionally, a number of frigates were over-specialized for their role, and were extremely vulnerable when operating outside.

Naval designers went to work prototyping the next-generation frigate under the codename FLOTSAM. Initial design work took many cues from the Aeverian Hazelia and Arcadia-Classes and Luminarian Vigilant-Class, focusing primarily on the ability to conduct independant operations, fulfill multiple mission profiles and the capability to effectively engage at any range. Additionally, it was also a priority to include a hangar bay to carry strikecraft capable of engaging peacekeeper beams without danger to the frigate itself.

Initial Prototype


The first iteration of the Summit-Class was built upon an armored expanded variant of the Misery-Class. Sporting 8 Pattern 45 Railguns in 4 dual-barrelled turrets as it's primary battery, alongside 6 Pattern 20 CIWS and 2 Pattern 40 Flak System as its point defense network. Long-range firepower came in the form of 2 Apocalypse Torpedo Batteries. The prototype was also armed with an experimental beam jammer and a hangar bay capable of holding up to 14 Avenger MKIIIs. It was primarily protected with beam dispersant-ablative armor plating.

Initial tests proved disappointing. The ship lacked enough firepower to effectively engage Peacekeeper vessels, its point defense network had gaps in coverage at its sides. Furthermore, 2 Torpedo batteries were simply not enough to overcome recent Peacekeeper advances in their point defense network.

The design team went back to the drawing board. The ship's experimental beam jammer was removed to allow for the mounting of 4 Pattern 27 Autocannons and 8 more Pattern 20 CIWS on 2 external riggings. Additionally, the torpedo batteries were increased to 4 and moved to the external rigging instead of the underside of the ship. In order to accomodate the increased need for ammunition storage, the hangarbay capacity was reduced to 7 Avenger MKIIIs.

Finalized Protoype
The final prototype of the ship tentatively called the Summit-Class, had merged both the Onslaught-Class and Misery-Class into a single vessel. The Summit, much like many ships of its generation, had a much higher logistical requirement for its operation compared to its predecessors, but this was no longer a concern as the Monarchy was fighting a defensive war, and had easy access to well established logistic routes.

Although lacking in anti-ship firepower compared to the Vigilant-Class, and less effective in anti-munition and anti-strikecraft capabilities then the Arcadia-Class, the Summit was a well needed replacement for the aging frigate lineup and the vessel was fast-tracked to mass production in hopes that it would be able to stem the tide.

Operation Shattered Helm
The first major engagement the Summit-class participated in was Operation Shattered Helm. 46 Summit-Class frigates participated throughout the 8 month long conflict. As a relatively new vessel, most of the commanders of the Zaretian Navy were unaccustomed to the new doctrines and strategems the Summit was designed to be used with, leading to several losses in the opening battles.

It didn't take long for the defenders of Nu-Zartar to realize how adaptable the Summit was in comparison with the older frigates. Many commanders appreciated the adaptableness the summit provided, allowing them to withhold their capital vessels for more important objectives.

Despite it's growing popularity amongst the Navy, more Summit frigates were not sent to the Nu-Zartar front, and were instead requisitioned by Admiral Helios for the 18th fleet in preparation to defend the inner worlds, as it became apparent that Nu-Zartar was lost.

Of the 46 Summit-Class frigates involved, 16 were sunk in direct engagements with opposing warships. 7 were sunk by peacekeeper strikecraft attacks, 4 were scuttled after heavy damage and 3 were sunk by mine strikes. Only 16 Summits survived the battle.

2nd Battle of Norsus
When the 2nd Battle of Norsus broke out, the Summit-class had essentially replaced the older Misery and Onslaught-Class frigates and served as the main frigate for several frontline fleets. More than 300 Summit-Class frigates participated in the ensuing conflict, participating in many different battles and fulfilling a myriad of roles.

In comparison with their earlier performance during Operation Shattered Helm, Summit frigates experienced a lower loss exchange ratio. This was mostly attributed to a general increase in familiarity with the new doctrine by Zaretian naval commanders, alongside improvements in damage control training conducted.