The EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate, alternatively referred to as the Nebulon-B frigate, represented a class of frigate produced by Kuat Drive Yards. While initially designed for service within the Imperial Navy, it achieved greater recognition as a Rebel Cruiser. These were employed by the Alliance to Restore the Republic, and later by its successor, the New Republic, throughout the duration of the Galactic Civil War.
The EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate was a frigate that was built with a highly adaptable design, enabling it to fulfill various roles within a fleet. These ships incorporated a propulsion section, which contained 7 rear-facing ion engines. This section was linked to the forward, blade-shaped main body by a slender, cylindrical hull segment. The propulsion section also housed the ship's deflector shield generator, positioned on the upper part of the structure. A prominent, long-range communications array extended from the top of the vessel, while the bridge was situated midway along the ship's front section. The bridge was equipped with a holoprojector, at least four workstations for crew members, and a central command console. Furthermore, these ships included a command center and hangar bays. These bays were capable of accommodating light freighters, multiple shuttles, and a squadron of starfighters. Heavily armed, each Nebulon-B was equipped with twelve turbolaser batteries and twelve laser cannons, with the primary armaments mounted along the lower edge of the ship's forward hull. They also possessed powerful dual tractor beams.
Many Nebulon-B frigates were repurposed by the Alliance to Restore the Republic as medical frigates, outfitted with bacta tanks, medical droids, and comprehensive hospital facilities. The primary medical bay on a Nebulon-B could accommodate up to 700 patients, and it was located within the uppermost module at the ship's bow. Docking tubes were located on the connecting neck between both sections of the frigate.
Although the frigate proved to be robust in battle, the elongated spar connecting the two hull sections represented a structural weakness, making it susceptible to concentrated enemy fire. Should this occur, the frigate would break apart, resulting in the loss of atmosphere from both sections.
With its highly adaptable design, the Nebulon-B frigate could perform in a variety of roles, though it typically functioned as an escort frigate. The Rebel Alliance utilized these frigates to safeguard transport convoys against attacks from the Imperial forces or pirate incursions. However, some were modified to perform long-range reconnaissance or search-and-rescue missions. The Nebulon-B became most renowned for its role as a Rebel medical frigate, with many equipped with fully functional hospital facilities. Beyond its medical applications, the frigates could be deployed for search and rescue operations, scouting missions, combat engagements, anti-starfighter duties, bombardment, serving as a carrier, and as an escort.
The EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate was originally designed by Kuat Drive Yards for the Imperial Navy, but these vessels were more often deployed by Rebel cells of the nascent Alliance to Restore the Republic in their fight against the Galactic Empire. Nebulon-B frigates frequently served as convoy escorts. Berch Teller and his cell employed a Nebulon-B to attack a convoy transporting the hyperdrive for the Death Star approximately five years following the conclusion of the Clone Wars. Several of these frigates were part of the fleet that gathered over Dantooine in response to Mon Mothma's declaration of rebellion in 2 BBY, and three were deployed by General Jan Dodonna's Massassi Group during the Battle of Atollon. All of them, including Dodonna's flagship, the Vanguard, were destroyed by Grand Admiral Thrawn and his Seventh Fleet.
Admiral Raddus commanded at least three Nebulon-B escort frigates within his fleet when Rogue One journeyed to Scarif to acquire the Death Star plans, and they actively participated in the ensuing battle. By the battle's end, at least one frigate successfully jumped into hyperspace, but another was destroyed, splitting in two under intense fire from Darth Vader's Star Destroyer, Devastator.
Following the Battle of Yavin and the evacuation of Yavin 4, the Rebel leadership maintained a mobile fleet, constantly relocating while searching for a new operational base. During this period, they utilized a Nebulon-B as their temporary command ship. From this vessel, Mothma, Dodonna, Admiral Gial Ackbar, and others strategized operations against the Empire after the Assault on Cymoon. Han Solo recovered aboard while repairing the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca, and Luke Skywalker briefly trained in one of the frigate's chambers before departing for Tatooine. Solo and Leia Organa later embarked on a scouting mission to secure a new base, leaving the Rebel leaders to discuss Skywalker's concerning activities in the ship's command center. Although Mothma could not allocate any forces to assist Skywalker on Nar Shaddaa, Chewbacca and C-3PO volunteered to aid their friend. Subsequently, the Rebel leadership convened with Organa and Skywalker in the command center, assigning them a mission to Tureen VII, leading the pair to undertake a mission to steal a Star Destroyer. At the time of the mission to rescue C-3PO, the Nebulon-B was part of a significantly larger contingent of the Rebel fleet.
As of 3 ABY, the Nebulon-B frigate Redemption served as a medical ship for the Rebel Alliance. Following the Battle of Hoth, the Redemption, the Tyvarex, and another Nebulon-B were assigned to the fleet's Fourth Division in accordance with the Alliance's scatter protocol. The Fourth Division retreated to Rendezvous Point Delta-Three, only to be ambushed by an Imperial fleet and blockaded against a star. The Tyvarex was destroyed under heavy fire, but the Redemption and the other Nebulon-B managed to escape due to the timely arrival of the Millennium Falcon. Luke Skywalker then received treatment aboard the medical frigate for injuries sustained during his confrontation with Darth Vader on Cloud City.
During Operation Yellow Moon, the Nebulon-B frigate Remembrance, under the command of Captain Volk Aymeric, served as the leading vessel in a convoy of ships tasked with protecting Princess Leia Organa, a prominent leader within the Alliance.
At least two Nebulon-B frigates were integrated into the Rebel fleet during the Battle of Endor, with the Redemption participating alongside other Rebel warships and absorbing significant enemy fire. At least one frigate survived to join Rebel Fleet Command at Muster Point: Vergence, twenty days after Endor, and subsequently at Muster Point: Stalwart.
Numerous Nebulon-B frigates continued to serve in the New Republic. During the Battle of Jakku, Commodore Kyrsta Agate witnessed a Nebulon-B break apart under intense fire, yet it continued to unleash its full arsenal of weapons at a Star Destroyer. Another Nebulon-B later collided with the flagship of Admiral Garrick Versio, the Eviscerator, further compromising the already weakened ship's structural integrity.
At least one Nebulon-B, known as the Opportunity, operated under the flag of Jinata Security, a law enforcement agency based on the planet Vardos within the Jinata system. Captained by Leema Kai and painted in the colors of Jinata Security, this ship aided the First Order in implementing Project Resurrection throughout the Jinata system by abducting children and forcibly enlisting them as First Order stormtroopers. While preparing to resume this operation on Athulla, the Opportunity, along with its modified GR-75 escorts, were accosted by Iden Versio and her daughter Zay Versio, who had tracked them down after discovering that Del Meeko's ship, the Corvus, had been investigating the kidnappings on behalf of the Resistance. The frigate deployed fighters and retreated deeper into Athulla's asteroid field in an attempt to evade them, but the two women eliminated its escorts and crippled the ship by destroying its engines. While Iden engaged in combat with Kai, Zay contacted the Opportunity and tricked the crew into surrendering by threatening to launch a barrage of nonexistent concussion missiles at the ship. The ship's crew, believing the deception, surrendered not only the Opportunity but also divulged all information they possessed regarding Project Resurrection.
In 35 ABY, Nebulon-B frigates were part of a fleet assembled by Lando Calrissian to support the Resistance during the battle against the Sith Eternal forces over the planet Exegol.
The EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate made its debut in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, which premiered in 1980. Its complete designation was revealed in the reference book Ultimate Star Wars in 2015.
In 2016, the ship was featured in the Star Wars comic issue Star Wars (2015) 23 in a scene reminiscent of its Star Wars Legends appearance in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II.
The model's common name, the Nebulon-B frigate, was disclosed in another reference book, the Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia, in 2017.