Rapid Strike Vessel

A rapid strike vessel is a small, escort-grade warship used by the Adeptus Astartes to defend the larger strike cruisers and battle barges of their Chapter fleets, and to patrol their assigned regions of Imperial space.

The number, types and classes of rapid strike vessels varies from Chapter to Chapter, though some common patterns include the same Sword-class and Firestorm-class Frigates and Cobra-class Destroyers used by the Navis Imperialis as escorts. The designation also includes classes specific to the Space Marines and found among no other Imperial military forces, such as Hunter-class Destroyers, Gladius-class Frigates and Nova-class Frigates.

Unlike most larger Space Marine warships, rapid strike vessels typically have no Astartes actually aboard. Only a small team of Techmarines are usually on hand to support the crew of Chapter serfs who actually man the voidship.

Notable Rapid Strike Vessels[]

Adytum (Black Templars) - The Adytum is an rapid strike vessel sent by High Marshal Helbrecht of the Black Templars to join Magos Lexell Kotov's Explorator fleet for their voyage into the Halo Scar.

Amareo (Blood Angels) - The Amareo was a rapid strike vessel of the Blood Angels Chapter. It takes its name from the Tower of Amareo on Baal, the stronghold in the Blood Angels' fortress-monastery where those Space Marines who have succumbed to the Black Rage are imprisoned. Commanded by Brother-Captain Gallio, the Amareo was dispatched to the Shenlong System by Commander Dante to confront the Renegade company led by Sergeant Arkio and Sachiel during the Blood Angels Chapter Civil War. The Amareo and all hands aboard were lost when the battle barge Bellus opened fire on it without warning, on the orders of Arkio himself.

Sources[]

Battlefleet Gothic Resources: Imperial Fleets (Defunct site)
Priests of Mars (Novel) by Graham McNeill, "Microcontent 02"
The Blood Angels Omnibus (Omnibus Novel) by James Swallow, Deus Encarmine, Ch. 12; Deus Sanguinius, Chs. 3-4; Appendix Angelus