Ship Design Classification

        Like most things in the Federation there are no clear-cut distinctions, space craft is another one of these taxonomically shady areas. Various factors are taken into consideration in proscribing a particular craft into a particular group, mere dimensions and displacement are not perfectly reliable indicators of a ship’s class and account has to be made to other characteristics such as flight speed, armament, cargo carriage and system design architecture. Below are listed some of the more general groups that are used define Federation ships

Strike craft

These are without many exceptions small craft, generally shorter than 15 metres, though they are maneuverable and relatively well armed for their size, they do not generally have super-luminal propulsion or many of the other advanced systems a full fledged starship has. These craft are generally deployed in close quarters battle situations, their inability for high velocity and ranges mean that these craft are used to support heavier armour in relatively stationary conflicts. Though these craft seemingly have a limited use by themselves, they are extremely adaptable when a suitable carrier can transport them and therefore help bridge the gap between the strike-craft and advanced starship drive systems.

            In addition to the above characteristics strike craft have no essential requirement for a pilot, and in combat situations most craft are tele-operated to minimize flight crew casualties. A strike craft is essentially a stripped down fighter, although maintaining the firepower and maneuverability of a small fighter starship, they lack the high speed and high power applications of their more sophisticated, larger counterparts.

            In more recent times advances in Inducted Flight (IF) allows for limited super-luminal flight in strike craft, though this differs profoundly from true sustained super-luminal flight.

Fighter craft

            Like strike craft in most respects, though the names are often taken with being synonymous, true fighter craft have a major difference, they are generally capable of sustained super-luminal flight. Though these craft are capable of sustaining faster than light propulsion they are often slower than larger vehicles, and often still use a predominantly fusion power generation system. There are various sub-designations of the fighter craft, being light, moderate, heavy and super-heavy, which refer in part not only to the strength of their armament but also to the craft’s armour and defense capabilities. Fighter craft can be as small as 15 metres but often greater than 30, the Hawker class fighter certainly fits in this end of the spectrum, and like fighter craft it has no crew compliment (though many craft have truly sentient AI’s governing them). The larger fighter craft get towards the 70 metres sort of length, which includes the Orca Protector and Defender classes, these craft possess very sophisticated systems, and a crew complement of anywhere between 4 to 12 people.

            Another designation can be drawn in relation to the fighter craft designation is in reference to size, short handedly referred to as big or small fighters. This designation does not necessarily coincide with the armament and defensive capabilities of fighter craft. This new designation does however relate to the dimensions and system complexity of the fighter craft. Bigger craft tend to be more sophisticated than their smaller counterparts and may have abilities such as extensive repair capability or even small craft docking bays, though not necessarily having tremendous firepower.

            Another distinction of the fighter class is that they will have their weapons fitted out as modular systems, and although they can possess specialized weapons units they are all of modular design and are not generally integral to the ship design. Also fighter craft will use antimatter systems for propulsion, though unlike larger vessels, most craft get the majority of their system power through dedicated fusion power plants.

            Fighter craft are designed to provide a maneuverable and powerful rapid offensive force. They can quickly assault and destroy any target formation en masse and flee from the area before reinforcements can arrive, they are also moderately shielded and sophisticated craft. They are also the most common vessel within the Federation, the majority performing science or civilian roles in peacetime.

            Corvette is a rare term describing the big and heavy/super-heavy fighter craft, though the distinction is not so great as to require the addition of a new separate designation.

Frigates

            These craft are generally much larger than fighters and have fundamental system differences. There flight systems are always antimatter/matter powered, and so many can achieve speeds much higher than fighters, it is also in this class we see the fastest of all Federation ships. Though their naval name suggests a military function most of these craft hold various roles, and make up only a small number of the total military fleet.

            These craft generally have highly sophisticated systems, typically at minimum the same as the most advanced fighters. High speed, high power drive cores and power plants are the norm, more exotic systems such as manufacturing facilities, cloaking technology, extensive self repair facilities, and high developed and advanced sensor systems. This combination of sophisticated systems make these craft extremely versatile in function, this is the feature that is best exploited in their military roles.

They therefore have roles such as reconnoitering and to a lesser degree exploration (as though they can have impressive onboard facilities, these are not as extensive as larger craft), they can alternatively be used in more battle front roles where there superior armament can be upgraded with more sophisticated specialized weapons systems which are too large and power hungry to be carried on fighter craft. They also have roles as support craft providing assistance to damaged vessels and fighter craft, or as command craft relaying tactical information to the strike force.

Crew compliments for Frigates are generally much greater than fighter craft generally greater than 10 but generally no more than 30. Certain frigates have been designed to act as personnel transports, often accommodating the extra crew in stasis units until they can disembark. For these reasons frigates are generally used to move troops, as they can combine swift flight with advanced cloaking to stealthily deliver the assault force to the target destination.

Frigates are typically greater than 100 metres long but generally less than 300 metres, though function in certain craft give them very unusual dimensions.

Cruisers

            A term that technically defines military vehicles of the largest size bracket excluding the really gigantic special vehicles of the federation, and as an increase in size has corresponded with an increase in specifications, these craft represent the true pinnacle of Federation technology. The term Cruiser though only strictly applies to military vessels, large non military vessels (which are the majority for craft this size) are assigned other designation.

            The cruiser’s huge size, generally in excess of 300 metres and frequently approaching the kilometre make it a platform for extremely sophisticated technology, most have excellent drive, weapons, sensor and power systems, these vehicles in addition have the volume to accommodate other sophisticated systems, such as docking bays for smaller craft (the distinction between Carrier and Cruiser is vague), or the most advanced and powerful of the federation’s weapons.

            Crew complement of cruiser craft are generally very high when compared to small craft designations, a typical crew complement may be in the many hundreds. Similarly the crew related facilities aboard, such as medical areas are also greatly sophisticated.

            Cruisers make up the power at a point of the Federation’s fleet, though they are rarely used in isolation, combining with many other craft is far better as the multi-vectoral attack is far more crippling to the enemy. Their high speed is also exploited to transport very sophisticated weapons packages to where they are needed quickly, in addition cruisers can offer support and cover facilities to other smaller craft in battlefield.

Destroyers

            Another term that is poorly defined in relation to the Federation fleet, this designation essentially builds upon the frigate class, relating to big craft, with extensive armament. Destroyers are also associated with craft that could in many respects be considered as fast light cruisers, but for their size.