Starfleet Ship Classes: Difference between revisions

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{{Ship Types}}
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Starfleet Command classifies vessels according to their primary (and, in some cases, secondary) mission profiles, which in turn determine the sizes, shapes, and systems of vessels in a particular category. A ship whose primary purpose is to explore distant star systems, will have a different shape, and different systems, than one intended to escort merchantmen in times of conflict.
{{LCARS Page Title|Advanced Starship Design Bureau Technical Database|maroon}}
The [[Advanced Starship Design Bureau]] (ASDB) classifies vessels according to their primary mission profiles, which in turn determine the sizes, shapes, and systems of vessels in a particular category. A ship whose primary purpose is to explore distant star systems will have a different shape and different systems than one intended to escort merchantmen in times of conflict.


However, one of Starfleet's primary moral and tactical principles is that of adaptability. Thus, unlike the often more mission-dedicated vessels of the Klingon Empire or Romulan Star Empire, any Starfleet ship can perform a wide variety of missions (even ones for which it is not primarily designed). For example, a Starfleet escort will have more advanced scientific and research systems than a comparative Klingon vessel, but will not be as heavily armed. Nevertheless, Starfleet ships are best used for the primary missions for which they were created.
However, one of Starfleet's primary moral and tactical principles is that of adaptability. Thus, unlike the often more mission-dedicated vessels of the Klingon Empire or Romulan Star Empire, any Starfleet ship can perform a wide variety of missions (even ones for which it is not primarily designed). For example, a Starfleet escort will have more advanced scientific and research systems than a comparative Klingon vessel but will not be as heavily armed. Nevertheless, Starfleet ships are best used for the primary missions for which they were created.


Within any given category of vessel, subcategories exist. In many cases, subcategories include Heavy, Light, and Fast versions of the ship type.
[[File:ASDB.png|center|200px|Advanced Starship Design Bureau|link=Advanced Starship Design Bureau]]


''Heavy'' vessels indicate a subtype which is more heavily armed and protected than the standard vessel of that category. Heavy subtypes often sacrifice a small amount of speed, maneuverability, or sensor capacity to compensate for the additional tactical systems.
{{LCARS Section Heading|Active Starship Classes|maroon}}
Starship classes in active service are listed below. You can also access more information about each specific type of starship by selecting from the menu on the right or read about the various [[Small Craft|small craft]] employed by Starfleet such as [[shuttlecraft]] and [[runabouts]]. Classes no longer in service are listed in the [[Historical Starship Database]].


''Light'' vessels, conversely, are not as well armed or protected as standard vessels of that category. Instead, they typically possess more sophisticated peripheral systems, such as sensors or other scientific systems, and are intended for relatively specific mission profiles.
{{UP Class Link|Oberth|Light Science Vessel • 150.81 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Nova|Surveyor • 165 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Defiant|Escort • 170.68 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Saber|Light Cruiser • 223 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Miranda|Medium Cruiser • 237.6 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Constellation|Heavy Cruiser • 310 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Intrepid|Light Explorer • 345 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Cheyenne|Medium Cruiser • 362 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Norway|Medium Cruiser • 364.77 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Steamrunner|Medium Cruiser • 375 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Chariot|Deep Space Explorer • 382 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Horizon|Research Science Vessel • 400.25 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Dakota|Medium Cruiser • 405 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Prometheus|Heavy Cruiser • 415 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Veritas|Extended-Range Medium Cruiser • 432.5 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Nebula|Explorer • 442.23 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Luna|Explorer • 454.3 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Akira|Heavy Cruiser • 464.43 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Excelsior|Explorer • 511.25 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Ambassador|Explorer • 526 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Oracle|Deep Space Science Vessel • 580 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Achilles|Heavy Cruiser • 612 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Inquiry|Heavy Cruiser • 630.94 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Galaxy|Explorer • 642.51 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Vesta|Explorer • 672 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Sovereign|Explorer • 685.3 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Juneau|Explorer • 699 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Cardiff|Explorer • 735 meters}}
{{UP Class Link|Odyssey|Explorer • 1028 meters}}


''Fast'' vessels are similar to Light ones, but concentrate on speed and maneuverability (and sometimes on the capacity to perform long-range or extended missions). Those built for defense or tactical missions often have heavier weaponry than Light ships, however. Most of the Fast categories, such as Fast Frigates and Fast Cruisers, are relatively new additions to Starfleet and have helped to redefine rapid deployment and response doctrines.
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[[Category:Starfleet ship classes|*]]
==Starfleet Starship Classifications==
* [[Starfleet Starships: Explorers|Explorers]]
** ''examples include the Andromeda, Ascendant, Constitution, Daedalus, Galaxy, Intrepid, Ranger, and Sovereign classes''
* [[Starfleet Starships: Cruisers|Cruisers]]
** ''examples include the Achilles, Akira, Ambassador, Apollo, Armstrong, Centaur, Challenger, Charleston, Cheyenne, Constellation, Defender, Excelsior, Curry, Istanbul, Kitty Hawk, Miranda, Nebula, Niagara, Osaka, Prometheus, Renaissance, Saber, Sequoia, Soyuz, Taurus, Wambundu, Yeager, and Zodiac classes''
* [[Starfleet Starships: Frigates|Frigates]]
** ''examples include the Ariel, Ashanti, Bradbury, Chimera, El Dorado, Freedom, Mediterranean, New Orleans, Newport, Norway, Saladin, Santa Fe, Shi'Kahr, Springfield, Steamrunner, and Ukora classes''
* [[Starfleet Starships: Escorts|Escorts]]
** ''examples include the Capella, Defiant, Frontier, Hellespont, Merced, Nomad, Pinnacle, Pollux, and Surak classes''
* [[Starfleet Starships: Scouts|Scouts]]
** ''examples include the Gage, Hermes, Hokule'a, Mockingbird, Rigel, Talon, and Vigilant classes''
* [[Starfleet Starships: Specialized/Support/Auxiliary|Specialized]]
** ''examples include Medical Vessels, Surveyors, Couriers, Research/Laboratory Vessels, Fighters, and Search and Rescues''
* [[Starfleet Starships: Specialized/Support/Auxiliary|Support/Auxiliary]]
** ''examples include Tenders, Shuttles, Runabouts, Transports, Cargo Carriers, Tugs, and Tankers''
 
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[[Category:Starship Classes]]
[[Category:Starfleet Ship Classes]]