Detroit-class merchant cruiser

"I see you've studied up. But we prefer to use the term 'merchant cruiser' now - frigate sounds so tasteless and aggressive in this age of peace."

- CFO Lisa Millan

The Detroit-class merchant cruiser (: MC), also known as the Liang-Dortmund frigate, is an independent classification built for the  and select planetary defence forces. Officially marketed as a "light-tonnage escort ship designed for ensuring the safe transit of people and cargo", this light escort is supposed to be deployed as a privatised patrol ship which would protect civilian colony craft and freighters from ex-. In such a role, it would be expected to rapidly secure the re-entry point for tithe fleets, scouting ahead of them while carrying high-value cargo if necessary.

In reality, the angular Detroit-class is built for more sinister ends. Its frame is built in such a way to limit RADAR cross-section while also reducing its weight, with a small frontal profile that is bolstered by the majority of its weapons being focused forward. As an "aggressive acquisitions/deterrence freighter", the Detroit-class is used to enforce Liang-Dortmund's will on the colonial frontier. Such uses include enforcing toll fees to restrict entry into certain sectors, provide aerial support to put down, and lead efforts to detain items to clear customer debts, in addition to watching inspectors from the. In more serious instances, they have been used to deliberately assist in harming competitor resources. Indeed, its powerful weapons and agility makes it a threat to far larger opponents such as and, especially in groups.

The Detroit-class merchant cruiser was first unveiled in, in response to the UNSC's interest in temporarily contracting out much of its traditional responsibilities to private entities. It was originally intended by its designers to be fielded far more loosely, however many navies had already adopted the, which had been released more than a year prior. It quickly became a mainstay in Liang-Dortmund's standard peacekeeping unit, ferrying security detachments across Human Space. While rarely given the honour of taking over the roles held by UNSC warships while they were away, they were nevertheless permitted to participate in counter-insurgency operations on occasion.