Naval Architecture

What's in a name?

While the fleets of starships employed by empires vary greatly in aesthetic, weaponry, defenses, and also general naming systems, and thus there is much room for debate as to the correct translation and titles for a given vessel, the articles below are generally considered a good guide to understand the size and role of a given vessel for the majority of navies throughout the galaxy.

Fleet Vessels & Details

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"Fleet Vessels" is a general term for military craft that are larger than strike craft and are generally expected to perform their duties independently for at least a moderate period of time, typically measured in months or cycles. Here is a master list of all ship sizes and their standard variant types. Please note that measurements and crew compliments can vary significantly from navy to navy, but these represent best overall averages and guidelines.

Corvette Size: 1, 10-20 Crew, 0.05 KM (50 Meters) Length

Warden
Gunship

Frigates Size: 2, 15-30 Crew, 0.1 KM Length

Cutter
Gunboat

Destroyer Size: 5, 30-50 Crew, 0.25 KM Length

Bombardier
Monitor

Cruiser Size: 10, 100-200 Crew, 0.5 KM Length

Battle Cruiser
Heavy Cruiser
Assault Cruiser

Battleship Size: 20, 200-500 Crew, 1 KM Length

Carrier

Dreadnought Size: 30-40, 500+ Crew, 1.5-2 KM Length

Super Carrier

Questions, Answers & Justifications

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Why are vessels so large?

Bear in mind that any vessel of "fleet scale" is capable of interstellar flight, and while smaller craft might be capable of such a feat, they are invariably much slower than a large ship with a larger/higher quality FTL drive. Furthermore, the various stores, equipment, ammunition, and armor require significant space and significant power.

What do you mean by "fuel" and other supplies?

Any space ship needs some form of energy in order to operate. Typically, this energy takes the form of one or more fusion cores and they operate using deuterium and tritium isotopes of hydrogen. Strictly speaking this hydrogen would be the fuel of a ship, however, it is relatively easy to store vast amounts of this fuel, and fusion reactions are generally kept at a constant rate aboard ship and any fusion core has limitations on how much fuel can be processed at one time. Thus, if more energy is required than can be provided at a given moment by the fusion core in question a ship will rely on large batteries of stored energy, that are generally kept supplied by excess energy being produced by the fusion core during normal operations. Thus, when a crew member says during some operation "we're running out of power!" or "We're out of fuel." they are typically referring to these stores of battery energy, not necessarily the hydrogen fuel that will enable the ship to operate at a minimum level for potentially years.

Additionally, various components aboard ship may use chemical propellants, physical ammunition, specialized energy stores, and there is also food, water, air, etc. to be maintained and supplied. The size of a ship greatly determines the ship's ability to operate over a long period of time or a greater distance, or the frequency of utilizing FTL travel, etc.

Isn't that a small crew for a ship that is one Kilometer long?

Yes and no. Firstly, understand that every required crew member is a liability, a system that can simply die by accident, and is expensive to maintain and replace. Food, water, and air storage is also at a premium, and even a relatively small number of crew require a great deal of space for these resources if they are expected to endure long journeys and "tours of duty" lasting a few years in space. As a result, all ships employ a large degree of automation to reduce the crew compliment as much as possible. Furthermore, the main advantage of large crews is their ability to engage in field-repairs on the vessel, and the need for this by crew can be mitigated by employing remote-operated drones. Still, the numbers given for crew sizes are generally the minimum or "skeleton" crew compliments and are an average based on different species whose crew compliments can vary wildly, furthermore some ships will have up to 50% more crew than required as a form of redundancy.

How many weapons are on X ship or Y ship?

This currently varies too greatly amongst the naval forces of the great powers to give any meaningful answer at this time. A Zrenrakkan Corvette may only carry a single weapon, but that weapon may have the force to destroy an opponent in a single shot, whereas a Terran Corvette may have seven smaller weapons designed to track and shoot down many lesser strike craft. It is all far too variable to go into detail here and now.

Are small ships faster? Are bigger ships just better?

Ultimately, fuel is required to produce energy and that energy is used to speed up or slow down, or maneuver, in space. The more energy available the greater overall speed possible, as there is virtually no friction and no gravity operating on your vessel. Thus, larger ships, with greater numbers of fusion cores and greater fuel reserves are capable of superior speed. However, it should be noted, that the mass of an object makes it more difficult to accelerate, and lesser masses are more difficult to decelerate. What this all means is that there are trade-offs to being small or being big. If a large ship is chasing a small ship in a relatively straight line over any period of time, the larger vessel will overtake the smaller... however, if the chase is occurring over a relatively small area, in the short term the smaller vessel may have greater acceleration and enjoy a period of safety as the larger vessel builds speed. Also important, is the theater of any contest, if the engagement is occurring inside the orbit of a planet, suddenly gravity is a very important feature, and this is more difficult for a larger ship to deal with.

As a result, small ships dominate in atmospheric and low orbit engagements, whilst larger ships dominate in open space. Larger ships have the added advantage in being able to "endure" operations for a longer period of time due to their increased amounts of storage for vital supplies and fuel, as well as being able to mount the best possible Star-Drives for superior FTL speeds compared to most smaller vessels. There are also other factors to consider, such as the role of the ship, stealth capabilities (larger ships produce far more heat and are thus easier to target and detect), evasion traits, and more.

All of this is my best understanding of real physics (which is not necessarily all that great!) and should result in any given naval force wanting to field a wide variety of ships and ship sizes in order to fill any given combat need. It also means, that a small ship is NOT strictly faster than a large ship (especially one designed to hunt down said small ship) and must rely on some other means to escape a dedicated pursuer.

Where is the bridge of a large ship located?

Any sizable ship's command and control center is generally going to be located in an armored compartment within the interior of the ship and is very unlikely to have windows or other "novelties". What some observers confuse with a command center is a observation tower or deck, which is a special location that typically extends away from the hull to provide housing for sophisticated sensors and equipment that would not otherwise function if located physically deep within the vessel's hull. This, combined with actual observation windows (a redundancy for sensors in the most extreme of circumstances) forms the "eyes and ears" but not the "brain" of a military vessel. Destroying the observation deck/tower of a enemy battleship is often of little consequence in a large-scale engagement, as the vessel will have other sensors and can be relayed data from any other ship in the fleet with relative ease. In one on one engagements (especially at long ranges) destroying the opponent's most sophisticated sensors can mean the difference between a hard fight and a easy victory.

Transit Terms & Abbreviations

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Atmospheric (A)

Capable of operation within a typical planetary atmosphere, AKA "Flight". Typically such vessels are limited in scope and cannot explore "gas giants" and other extreme environments unaided.

Orbital (O)

Capable of travel between a planet's orbital layers and near-deep space. It would be expected to travel between the planet and it's local moons.

In-System (S)

The ability to travel throughout a solar system and all of it's celestial components, but does not have access to Starways and is not FTL capable.

Interstellar (IS)

Ships with a Stardrive are capable of accessing a Starway and therefore are Interstellar class vessels. Such ships form the "meat" of any serious naval force in modern times.

Ship Classes and Variants

Corvettes

Corvettes are defined by their small size and retention of atmospheric and orbital capabilities. Combined with their relatively cheap construction requirements and their small berthing requirements, and Corvettes make ideal ships for skirmishes, patrols, and recon missions. Though Corvettes are generally out-classed by Destroyers and other larger vessels, swarms of Corvettes can prove difficult opponents.

Corvettes (A/O-IS)

Standard Corvettes are the smallest FTL capable vessels intended for ship to ship warfare, they have limited capabilities, but are effective in large numbers.

Wardens (A/O-IS)

Wardens are designed for reconnaissance and long range (for a Corvette) and trade some armament for greater range, duration, and FTL capabilities.

Gunships (A/O-S)

Corvette Gunships are fascinating in that they trade any FTL ability in order to mount and power nearly double the firepower. Such vessels are a superb and relatively cheap investment for system-wide defense.

Frigates

Frigates are either a down-scaled Destroyer, lacking any weapons capable of truly threatening larger craft, or, a far less flexible and less maneuverable Corvette that has lost it's ability to enter true atmosphere. As a result of this, Frigates "enjoy" a niche that is often eschewed entirely by the naval forces of major galactic powers. Where frigates can commonly be found is within the militia, police, criminal, and pirate forces that are littered throughout space. Essentially a Frigate is a poor-man's Destroyer.

Frigates (O-IS)

Standard Frigates are actually a rarity in most combat fleets, being considered too small and lacking the sheer utility of various Corvettes. Still, fleets that have difficulty fielding larger vessels will "make do" with Frigates to fill their rosters.

Cutters (O-?)

Cutters prioritize speed above all else, and are the rare example of a smaller ship being capable of outrunning most larger vessels. Typically a Cutter has paltry defenses and weapons and designs vary as to whether they possess FTL or not.

Gunboats (O-S)

Akin to a Gunship Corvette, the Gunboat simply eschews an FTL drive to mount additional weapons. Unlike the Gunship however, the Gunboat can host superior defenses as well.

Destroyers

Destroyers are the ultimate work-horse of any navy, as they are large enough to mount very serious weaponry, scanners, and engines, whilst small enough to remain relatively nimble in open space engagements, and have some maneuverability in orbit. Destroyers are capable vessels used for patrol, defense, attack, and heavy reconnaissance.

Destroyers (O-IS)

Standard Destroyers are large enough that they can maneuver well in orbit, but also compete with larger vessels in open space, so long as they are used in sufficient numbers. They also carry enough supplies and fuel to operate for long times.

Bombardiers (O-IS)

Whilst large ships can bombard planetary targets from higher orbit, it isn't easy for them to do so due to their poor maneuverability and positioning. Bombardiers excel at the task since they can dive to low orbits.

Monitors (O-S)

Monitors sacrifice FTL capabilities in order to mount larger and more powerful weapons and armor, allowing them to stand-in for a cruiser in any defensive engagements.

Cruisers

Cruisers are the first class of ships that are sometimes referred to as "ships of the line" or "capital ships". The term simply refers to the size and typical armament of this ship class. Cruisers serve as true war ships designed primarily for attacking other ships in brutal combat and are intended to completely outclass any target lesser than themselves.

Battle Cruisers (IS)

Faster than a standard cruiser and often better armed, whilst sacrificing armor and reserve ammunition, Battle Cruisers are fantastic fast-reaction vessels that can hit hard and fast. The downside, is that a Battle Cruiser will drain it's supplies quickly in a protracted engagement and does not have the staying power to withstand assaults from larger vessels.

Heavy Cruisers (IS)

The Heavy Cruiser is the opposite of a Battle Cruiser, and trades speed for additional armor and reserve power. As a result, Heavy Cruisers can often face down heavier opponents with minimal assistance from support craft and can often outlast lesser vessels in any battle of attrition. They are excellent vessels where battles are expected to be hard fought.

Assault Cruisers (O-IS)

Uniquely, the Assault Cruiser eschews sheer firepower and armor for additional bombardment and troop deploying capacity. Assault Cruisers are uniquely suited for deploying troops whilst under fire and in the middle of a battle.

Battleships, Carriers & Dreadnoughts

While most races have the raw capability of producing Battleships and Carriers, only the major galactic powers employ large numbers of them, and only the apex civilizations dare to maintain a number of Dreadnoughts or Super Carriers, the very largest ships possible to construct with current technical and logistical limitations.

Battleships (IS)

Battleships are the true warriors of the battle-space, armed to the teeth, armored to endure any but the most determined assault, these vessels are often used as the great spearhead of a battle to draw attention away from it's supporting craft, such as numerous Cruisers or Destroyers.

Carriers (IS)

Carriers are ships of similar size to Battleships, but their role is more specialized towards the deployment of large numbers of strike craft.

Whilst strike craft are often less effective than sheer firepower, they provide a great deal of flexibility to a naval force, and offer the advantage of not requiring the carrier itself to engage an enemy force.

Dreadnoughts (IS)

Truly the largest of vessels Dreadnoughts and Super Carriers are simply much larger versions of their counterparts, Battleships and Carriers. Typically these ships are roughly twice the size of a battleship, and focus on maximum survivability.

Military Transports

Military transports refers the large variety of vessels used in space to deploy equipment and personnel from one place to another. Some transports are largely independent vessels and can come in a variety of sizes, whilst others are dependent on be carried from planet to planet and in turn they merely ferry their cargo from orbit to the surface of a world and vice versa.

Dropships (A/O)

A Dropship is generally a lightly armed vessel capable of orbital and atmospheric flight. Typically such vessels are used for deploying ground assets to a planetary surface from larger space-capable vessels. Specifically, the operational range of a Dropship is "orbital" and not capable of "in-system" travel without significant modifications.

Transports (A/O-S)

Though technically a Dropship is not defined by it's size or deployment capacity, but rather it's range... they are typically deploying small numbers of passengers/equipment/etc. The technical difference between a Dropship and a Transport is that a Transport is capable of travel throughout a star system. That being said, Transports tend to be far larger and carry hundreds or thousands of passengers in their line of duty.

Barges (O-S)

Effectively a large Transport that has lost the capacity to operate in atmosphere, Barges typically deploy their package via numerous Dropships or even by their own assortment of Transports. Barges are somewhat uncommon, as most navies prefer to deploy Transports and Dropships from a Interstellar capable Troopship, but Barges are cheaper and useful for providing an active defense.

Troopship (O-IS)

The largest vessels for the explicit transportation of personnel and equipment, Troopships are interstellar capable vessels that often carry scores of dropships and Transports. Any major assault intending on permanent occupation of a star system's colonies will involve at least a single Troopship, and more likely up to a dozen. Far more would be necessary to attempt invasion of any developed planet and hence why most conflicts fall short of assaults on enemy home worlds... the current expense and feasibility of transporting that many armies is often untenable.

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