Ship Mission Code

Line Combatants (Primary - Capital)				Escort Combatants (Secondary - Subcapital)				Military Auxiliary (Tertiary)
B- Battleship	C- Cruiser	O- Ortillery	V- Carrier	D- Destroyer	E- Escort	F- Fighter	H- Defense/Security	I- Combat Transport	Q- Combat Support	S- Scout	U- Utility	X- Commo	Z- Special

Mercantile Commercial Ships (Trade & Profit)				Non-Mercantile Commercial Ships (Industry & Profit)					Non-Commercial Ships (Nonprofit)			System Craft (Intrastellar)
A- Tramp	M- Freighter	R- Liner	T- Transport	G- Industrial	J- Prospector	K- Expedition	P- Corsair	U- Utility	L- Science	N- Medical	Y- Private	WB- Barge	WA- Satellite	WO- Space Station

Ship Mission Codes are used somewhat inconsistently throughout Charted Space to identify ships.

• This code is a very generalized approximation of the primary mission of a vessel such as Free Trader.
• They generally consist of a word or phrase such as Corvette, Missile Cruiser, or Bulk Cargo Carrier.
• This hierarchical designation is also known as Ship Mission, Ship Mission Code, Mission, Ship Hull Designation, or Supraclass.

Library Data Referral Tree

Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:
Starship:

• Starship User Types
  • Civilian Ship
  • Military Ship
  • Non-Commercial Vessel
  • Paramilitary Ship

• Advanced Ship Classifications
  • Ship Mission Code / Supraclass
  • Ship Type Code / Superclass
  • Ship Class Code / Class
  • Model (TL)
  • Bloc (Lot)

• Basic Ship Classifications
  • Adventure Class Ship
  • Battle Class Ship
  • Capital Ship
  • Fleet Class Ship
  • Size-Role Classification
  • Subcapital Ship
  • QSP
  • USP
  • World Class Ship

• Ships by Function
  • Bigcraft
  • Boat
  • Capital Ship
  • Largecraft
  • Non-starship
  • Smallcraft
  • Spaceplane
  • Spaceship
  • Starship
  • Subcapital Ship
  • Subcraft
  • System Craft
  • Warship

Speed of Travel

• Astronomical Unit (AU)
• FTL
• Light Speed (c)
• Light-week (lw)
• Light-year (ly)
• NAFAL (STL)
• Parsec (pc)

Description (Specifications)

The List of Hull Designations comprises an alphabetical list of the starship and spacecraft hull classification types (Superclass letter designations) to identify the type of a ship. The base description for the hull designations comes from Ship Type Codes.

• The combination of a letter designation and hull number are used by the Third Imperium to identify Imperial vessels uniquely. A heavily modified or repurposed ship may receive a new designation, and either retain the hull number or receive a new one. Also, the system of letter designations has changed a number of times, so ships' alphanumerical designations sometimes change without anything being done to the physical ship. Some of the ship hull designations listed here may not be presently in use.
• The Imperial Quick Ship Profile (QSP) is an abbreviated form of this measure.
• Additionally, due to changes over the millennia, some ship hull designations may be duplicated with alternate meanings. In other words, some letter codes have multiple meanings.

Imperial Ship Classification Synopsis

The basic system of ship classification and organization for ships within Charted Space and particularly within Imperial Space works on a simple hierarchy of mission (generalized use), type (specific use), class (very specific use), model (technological level), and lot or bloc (production run):

Imperial Ship Classification
#	Level	Designation	Synopsis	Example/s
1.	Ship Mission Codes	SUPRACLASS	MISSION	Free Trader AKA Merchant It is also known as Ship Mission, Ship Mission Code, Mission, Ship Hull Designation, or Supraclass.
2.	Ship Type Codes	SUPERCLASS	TYPE	Type A class Free Trader It is also known as Ship Type, Superclass, Ship Type Code, Craft Type Code, or simply Type.
3.	Ship Class Codes	CLASS	CLASS	Beowulf class Free Trader It designation is also known as Ship Class, Ship Class Code, or simply Class.
4.	Ship Model Codes	MODEL	TL & Model	TL-14 Beowulf Build Models aren’t always mentioned, but if they are, they are usually referred to by a TL designation.
5.	Ship Bloc Codes	LOT or BLOC	Named Ship	“The Lonesome Wolf” of ‘Bloc 312-1115d’ Ship Lots or Bloc Codes are rarely used except by naval shipyards, patrol craft, and the like. They are recorded in the ship’s computer as well as a number of places on the hull.

Overview of Imperial Ship Classification

Imperial Ship Classification
#	Level	Example	Remarks
1.	Supraclass (Function)	Dreadnought	It’s the largest organizational grouping by a generalized function or mission. For instance, battleships and cruisers have different generalized missions although they can perform many of the same jobs.
2.	Type (Superclass)	Type BB class Battleship	It’s a larger type grouping by a specific function or mission. Different kinds of battleships or types may perform different yet broadly similar missions.
3.	Class (Ship)	Tigress class Dreadnought	The ship itself is synonymous with a class. The first produced version becomes the class namesake under most practices. It has an even more specific mission that the craft type code (type) or superclass.
4.	Model (Version)	TL-15 Tigress Model 1105-Q3-9PR	This classification may include incremental improvements often as a result of TL advances. Some classes of ships can be built at several different TL’s. For instance, the ubiquitous Beowulf Free Trader has builds from TL-10 to TL-15.
5.	Lot (Block)	Block 365-1105 Reg-A-4702-4826-9931	This classification is also known as a Production Bloc. Blocs may have differences from lot to lot. Sometimes aftermarket or post-production modification (customization) may yield very different ships from the originally manufactured ship class.

History & Background (Dossier)

If one thing can be said about Charted Space, it might be that non-conformity reigns supreme. Even within the runaway superpower of the Third Imperium, the prototypical Feudal Confederation, naval fleet organization has often been haphazard. At least three major naming and organizational schema have been used since the Holiday Year.

All major race navies use similar yet significantly different systems.

Master Imperial Type Codes

These codes became predominant by 1105 and started being phased in after the (990-1002) Solomani Rim War.

Master Imperial Type Codes (circa 1105)
Ltr	Master Ship Mission Code	Remarks
A	A-class Merchant Vessels (Tramps - Cargo & Low-volume Passengers)	Military Auxiliaries now go to Q-class Traders or Tramps remain All manner of traders: Free, Deep, Far, etc.
B	B-class Battleships	Monitors included Dreadnoughts included
C	C-class Cruisers	No need to change. Weight tonnage cruisers remain Corvettes go to E-class Small (speed) Cruisers go to E-class
D	D-class Destroyers	Anything not a destroyer goes to E-class Defenders and SDBs go to H-class
E	E-class Escorts	Includes all manner of tiny vessels that are not smallcraft Brigs, Corvettes, FACs, Sloops, etc. Patrol ships here if military and Imperial Navy. Otherwise to H-class.
F	F-class Fighters	Only fighters now Fighters = Dedicated combatant smallcraft (...mostly) Fighters bigger than 100 tons go to E-class or elsewhere Non-combat-dedicated utility smallcraft go to U-class Frigates go to E-class Freighters go to A, M, R, or T-class
G	G-class Industrial Vessels (Commercial)	Frigates go to E-class Refinery Ag / Farming Factory Ships Refinery ships
H	H-class Security Vessels	Defenders (SDBs) Hunters remain Sentinels Patrol ships here unless dedicated Imperial Navy escorts at E-class Quarantine Ships here or in special missions at Z-class Ortillery go to O-class Tankers go to T-class
I	I-class Combat Transports	Includes troop transports, assault landers, etc,
J	J-class Prospector Vessels	Prospectors and seekers remain Intruders go to I-class
K	K-class Expedition Ships	Colony Ships Exploration Vessels Safari Ships Beagles Couriers go to X-class or S-class if they are S/Cs
L	L-class Science Vessels	Lab Ships Medical Vessels are under N-class. Exploration Vessels are under K-class. All most any other kind of academic scientific pursuit warranting a ship can be found in this category.
M	M-class Merchant Vessels (Freighters - Bulk Freight)	No changes although most named liners go to R-class
N	N-class Medical Ships	Ferries go to Q-class or U-class
O	O-class Ortillery Vessels	Bombardment Ship Siege Engine etc. Military Ordinance vessels go to Q-class
P	P-class Corsair Vessels	Fighters all go to F-class Planetoids get spread around by their role and function (P is a secondary modifier) Raiders become PR Q-ships become PQ Marauders Privateers
Q	Q-class Combat Support Ship Military Auxiliary/s	Decoys Military Speciality All manner of military auxiliaries Hospital remain at N-class Q-ships go to P-class
R	R-class Merchant Vessels (Liners - Medium Cargo & Medium-volume Passengers)	R now a dedicated merchant code Raiders go to PR Battle riders now classified by role or size (...becomes a secondary modifier)
S	S-class Scout Vessels	NOTES: Sieges go to O-class Ortillery Ships Includes all sorts of other Scout vessels, but not explorers, which go to K-class Expedition Ships Scout/Couriers are included in this class, but pure Courier Vessels are included with X-class Communication Vessels
T	T-class Tankers & Transports (Bulk Trade Freight)	T-class are now dedicated transports and tankers Tenders go to V-class or elsewhere depending on role Patrol ships go to E-class if escorts and H-class if system defenders or security vessels Tugs go to Q-class or U-class
U	U-class Utility Vessels & Utility Craft	Packets ships go to X-class Ferries Jump Ship, Jump Cabooses, Jump Ferry/ies that are not tenders Tugs remain or go to Q-class if military-dedicated Includes U-class smallcraft except fighters, which are F-class
V	V-class Subcraft Carriers	Carriers Tenders Some tenders go to X-class (Xboat tenders) or T-class if commercial Other possibilities are available although rare
W	W-class Space Stations & Satellites & Barges (System Craft - Non-Interstellar)	Includes little to no drive and no mission beyond the star system Might include far system craft or stations
X	X-class Communication Vessels	Courier Vessels Packet Ships Relay Ships X-boats X-boat Tenders Dedicated non-military couriers Alternate mail ships etc.
Y	Y-class Yachts (Private Craft)	All manner of privately owned craft Including commuter or passenger smallcraft if system-dedicated and not elsewhere
Z	Z class Special Mission Ships	Unclassified Ships Experimental Crafts Special missions of all types that don't fit elsewhere Hybrid experimental craft

Early Imperial Type Codes

The earliest Imperial Navy organizational codes were borrowed wholesale from the Sylean Federation Naval Service. They served the Imperium well until the First Civil War.

Ship Hull Designation Codes #1
Code	Primary	Secondary (M)	Secondary (C)	Remarks
A	Military Auxiliary	Heavy	Heavy	None
B	Battleship	Battle	Battle	None
C	Cruiser	Cruiser	Construction Vessel	None
D	Destroyer	Destroyer	Transport	None
E	Escort	Escort	Tug	None
F	Frigate	Frigate	-	None
G	Commercial	Gunned	Governmental	None
H	Non-Commercial	Fuel	Fuel	None
IJ	Intruder	Interfacecraft	Interfacecraft	None
K	Safari Ship	Courier	Courier	None
L	Lab	Light	Light	None
M	Merchant	Missile	Mining Vessel	None
N	-	-	-	None
O	-	Ordnance Vessel	-	None
P	Fighter	Pursuit Fighter	Law Enforcement Vessel	None
Q	Military Specialty Ship	Decoy	-	None
R	Liner	Rider	Residential Vessel	None
S	Military Smallcraft	Strike	Survey Vessel / Scout Vessel	None
T	Transport	Tender	Tender	None
U	Utility Craft	-	-	None
V	Carrier	Replenishment Vessel	Agricultural Vessel	None
W	Orbital Complexes	-	-	None
X	Communications Vessel	-	-	None
Y	Yacht	-	Private	None
Z	Experimental Vessel	Hybrid	-	None

Alternative Ship Type Encoding

There are a number alternative ship type encoding.

• Starship type codes are between one and four or more characters long. In order there is an optional race or empire qualifier, a required primary mission identifier, and an optional mission qualifier.
• MegaTraveller has a subtly different set of ship type codes available. Nothing taken away, but a few additions are made.
• See Military Starship Types and Civilian Starship Types for more information.
• The full list is under the MT Primary and MT Qualifier below.

Mid-Imperium Ship Type Codes

The First Civil War really shook up the Third Imperium and caused naval strategists to rethink fleet organization. By the year 700, this new schema had been implemented.

Ship Hull Designation Codes #2
Code	Race	Primary	Qualifier	MT Primary	MT Qualifier	Remarks
A	Aslan	Merchant Vessel	Armored	Merchant Vessel	Armored	None
B	-	Battle	Battle; Boat	Battle	Battle; Boat	None
C	-	Cruiser; Carrier	Cruiser; Close Escort	Cruiser; Carrier	Cruiser; Close Escort	None
D	Droyne	Destroyer	Destroyer	Destroyer	Destroyer	None
E	-	Escort	Escort	Escort	Escort	None
F	-	Frigate; Fighter	Fast; Fleet	Frigate; Fighter	Fast; Fleet	None
G	-	Gig; Refinery Ship	Gunned	Gig	Gunned	None
H	Hiver	-	Heavy	Hunter Vessel	Heavy	None
I,J	Julian Protectorate	Intruder Ship	-	Intruder Ship	Imperial	None
K	K'kree	Pinnace	—	Pinnace	Courier	None
L	-	Corvette; Lab	Leader; Light	Lab; Corvette	Leader; Light	None
M	-	Merchant Vessel	Missile	Merchant Vessel	Missile	None
N	-	-	Non-Standard	Ferry	Non-Standard	None
P	-	Planetoid Vessel	Provincial	Planetoid Vessel	Provincial	None
Q	-	Auxiliary	Decoy	Auxiliary	Decoy	None
R	-	Liner	Raider Vessel	Liner	Raider Vessel	None
S	Solomani	Scout; Station	Strike	Scout; Station	Strike	None
T	-	Tanker; Tender	Troop; Transport	Tanker; Tender	Troop; Transport	None
U	-	-	Unpowered Vessel	Tug	Unpowered Vessel	None
V	Vargr	-	Vehicle	Carrier	Vehicle	None
W	-	Barge	—	Barge	Slow	None
X	-	Express Boat	—	Express Boat	Alternate	None
Y	-	Yacht	Shuttle; Cutter	Yacht	Shuttle; Cutter	None
Z	Zhodani	-	Experimental Vessel	Special	Experimental Vessel	None

Late Imperial Type Codes

Around the year 900, these codes began to predominate. The Imperial Navy adopted them wholesale before the year 1,000.

Late Imperial Ship Classification
Code Code	A. Mission 1. Supraclass	B, Qualifier 2. Superclass	C. Type 3. Class	D. Activity 4. Model	E. Service 5. Bloc (Lot)	F. Remarks
C	Cruiser	Principal	Offensive	Combat	Military	None
G	Frigate	Major	Offensive	Combat	Military	None
V	Destroyer	Special	Offensive	Combat	Military	None
E	Corvette	Minor	Offensive	Combat	Military	None
H	Ortillery Ship	Attack	Siege	Combat	Military	None
T	Assault	Invasion	Siege	Combat	Military	None
S	Sentinel	Defender	Siege	Combat	Military	None
N	Monitor	Principal	Defensive	Combat	Military	None
D	Defender (SDB)	Major	Defensive	Combat	Military	None
B	Boat	Special	Defensive	Combat	Military	None
E	Escort	Minor	Defensive	Combat	Military	None
P	Corsair Vessel	Anti-Shipping	Independent	Combat	Military	None
P	Marauder	Anti-Port	Independent	Combat	Military	None
R	Raider	Anti-Commerce	Independent	Combat	Military	None
T	Transport	Major	Supply	Auxiliary	Military	None
W	Barge	Minor	Supply	Auxiliary	Military	None
T	Tender, Tug	Resupply	Supply	Auxiliary	Military	None
E	Corvette	Information	Supply	Auxiliary	Military	None
M	Liner	Passenger	Scheduled	Merchant	Civilian	None
R	Merchant Ship	Cargo	Scheduled	Merchant	Civilian	None
F	Freighter	Freight	Scheduled	Merchant	Civilian	None
T	Transport	Freighter	Unscheduled	Merchant	Civilian	None
A	Trader	Cargo	Unscheduled	Merchant	Civilian	None
U	Packet Ship	Passenger	Unscheduled	Merchant	Civilian	None
K	Safari Ship	Recreation	Charter	Merchant	Civilian	None
K	Expedition Ship	Active	Charter	Merchant	Civilian	None
Y	Yacht	Luxury	Charter	Merchant	Civilian	None
S	Courier Ship	Small Goods	Information	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
S	Messenger Ship	Data Files	Information	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
X	Express Ship	Goods & Files	Information	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
S	Scout Ship	First Look	Exploration	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
N	Survey Ship	Re-Look	Exploration	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
B	Beagle	Data Collection	Exploration	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
N	Medical Vessel / Hospital Ship	Medical Data	Exploration	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
L	Lab Ship	Data Analysis	Exploration	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
J	Seeker (Prospector)	Resource Search	Exploration	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
P	Picket Ship	Inspection	Bureaucratic	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
P	Patrol Ship	Enforcement	Bureaucratic	Non-combat	Paramilitary	None
P	Privateer	Anti-Shipping	Privateer	Combat	Paramilitary	None
Z	Unclassified	Unclassified	Unclassified	Unclassified	Unclassified	None

References & Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Marc Miller. Starships (Game Designers Workshop, 1977), 17-20.
• Marc Miller, Frank Chadwick, John Harshman. High Guard (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 20.
• Marc Miller. Referee's Manual (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), TBD.
• Rob Caswell, William W. Connors, Joe Fugate, Gary L. Thomas. Starship Operator's Manual (Digest Group Publications, 1988), TBD.
• Frank Chadwick, Dave Nilsen. Traveller: The New Era (Game Designers Workshop, 1993), TBD.
• Don Perrin. Starships (Imperium Games, 1996), TBD.
• Doug Stewart, Tony Lee. Naval Architect's Manual (Imperium Games, 1997), TBD.
• Martin Dougherty, Hunter Gordon. The Traveller's Handbook (QuikLink Interactive, 2002), TBD.
• Martin Dougherty, Hunter Gordon. Gateway to Destiny (QuikLink Interactive, 2004), TBD.
• Citation Missing - Mongoose Traveller Main Rulebook
• Gareth Hanrahan, Dom Mooney. High Guard (Mongoose Publishing, 2008), TBD.
• Bryan Steele, Stuart Machin, Dom Mooney. Fighting Ships (Mongoose Publishing, 2009), TBD.
• Marc Miller. "A Brief History of the Universe." T5 Core Rules (2013): 330.
• Citation Missing - High Guard
• Citation Missing - High Guard: Aslan
• Citation Missing - Starter Set
• Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science