Posted by: PLUT0NIUM 235
to be honest, as a long long lover of science fiction I can say with certainty that I hate these magical energy shields that appear in every science fiction universe, lets say 'sweet the Covenant have energy shields...' but why do the humans have to use reverse engineered alien shields, what ever was wrong with traditional style armour. same goes for the stupid 'it uses anti-gravity...' excuse for a ten million ton warship floating around.
would prefer to come up with a different solution than just shields or just anti-gravity, whatever was wrong with ten million ton warships just staying where they are meant to be, in bloody space! here is an example, at least a one I had in a short story involving a prototype Prowler was thrust vectoring for planetary landing, the whole engine housing rotates to provide thrust in atmosphere, also works really well for evasion in engagements.
Anti-gravity is obsolete for the UNSC anyway. We already know (see:Pelican) they can make relatively tiny engines that create insane thrust that run off of a fusion reactor, can run in space and have an apparently unlimited range. (extremely long times between re-fueling)
There is no reason a Friagte can't support it's own weight with these engines in atmosphere.