Ship Mission Code
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.
- This hierarchical designation is also known as Ship Mission, Ship Mission Code, Mission, Ship Hull Designation, or Supraclass.
Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:
Starship:
- Starship User Types
- Ships by Function
- Advanced Ship Classifications
- Ship Mission Code / Supraclass
- Ship Type Code / Superclass
- Ship Class Code / Class
- Model (TL)
- Bloc (Lot)
- Basic Ship Classifications
- Speed of Travel
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.
- 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):
# | Level | Designation | Synopsis | Example/s |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Ship Mission Codes | SUPRACLASS | MISSION | Free Trader AKA Merchant
|
2. | Ship Type Codes | SUPERCLASS | TYPE | Type A class Free Trader
|
3. | Ship Class Codes | CLASS | CLASS | Beowulf class Free Trader
|
4. | Ship Model Codes | MODEL | TL & Model | TL-14 Beowulf Build
|
5. | Ship Bloc Codes | LOT or BLOC | Named Ship | “The Lonesome Wolf” of ‘Bloc 312-1115d’
|
Overview of 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 Dreadnought | 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)
The Vilani Imperium and its successor, the Ziru Sirka, were both large, stable bureaucracies that kept the order for many millennia. They propelled the Vilani people from a planetary bound existence to one of the largest interstellar empires known to sophontdom. The Vilani achieved this due to many reasons and one of the foremost of these reasons was excellent organization, asset tracking, and logistics of their many spacefleets. The First Imperium successfully used the system for several millennia before running into the Terrans and their balkanized chaos. In some ways, the early Terrans were unified, but in many others, they were completely disheveled and disorganized along historically nationalistic and cultural lines. A number of competing fleets each used their own systems of ship organizations and the progenitor organization of the Terrans, the United Nations, was a complete basket case.
After the Terrans won the Interstellar Wars and established the Second Imperium of Rule of Man, they tossed out the older, well-established vilani system of ship organization and tried to institute their own. Much like the United Nations a chaotic mess ensued and numerous competing systems existed side by side, often contributing to mix-ups and sometimes even fatal accidents. Within a few decades, planetary and subsector fleets officially used Terran ship organizations systems, but quietly and unofficially used the traditional vilani methods. These methods had stood the test of time and regime change.
Even after the fall of the Second Imperium and the mess of the Long Night, the ship organization system persisted in use. Those pocket empires which retained spaceflight and even starflight, continued to use the old ways, which continued to work. The Sylean Federation actively used the system and when it grew into the Third Imperium, the system was a tried a true part of human space navies. The system was greatly complicated and confused by Terran additions during the Second Imperium, but it is functional today and most spacers are familiar with the system, even travellers from non-Imperial polities, who use alternate systems.
A - Military Auxiliaries
NOTES: Type A’s do everything well, but are the masters of few roles. Stll, they are flexible and capable within their mission profiles. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- AC: Casuality Vessel, Hospital Ship, Medical Frigate
- AD: Medium Transport
- ADA: Heavy Transport
- ADL: Light Transport
- AE: Fleet Tug
- AEA: Heavy Fleet Tug
- AEL: Light Fleet Tug
- AF: Medium Tanker
- AFA: Heavy Tanker, Supertanker
- AFL: Light Tanker
- AM: Medium Replenishment Vessel
- AMA: Large Replenishment Vessel
- AML: Light Replenishment Vessel
- AO: Medium Ordinance Carrier
- AOA: Heavy Ordinance Carrier
- AOL: Light Ordinance Carrier
- AO-F: Medium Ordinance Carrier (Fast)
- AS: Salvage/Recovery Vessel
- ASA: Mobile dock
- AT: Ship Tender
- ATP: Figher/SDB Tender
- ATC: Cruiser Tender
- AU: Medium Utility Vessel
- AUL: Light Utility Vessel
- AUA: Heavy Utility Vessel
- AX: Medium Refinery Vessel
- AXA: Heavy Refinery Vessel
- AXL: Light Refinery Vessel
- AZ: Medium Tanker/Replenishment Vessel Hybrid
- AZA: Large Tanker/Replenishment Vessel Hybrid
- AZL: Light Tanker/Replenishment Vessel Hybrid
- AZT: Rift Tanker, Long jump tanker
B - Battleships
NOTES: Type B’s are the strong end of the line, battleships and dreadnoguhts, the largest and hardest hitting naval combatants, almost always armed with massive spinal mounts. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- BA: Heavy Battleship, Superbattleship, Dreadnought
- BB: Battleship
- BL: Light Battleship, Pocket Battleship
- BM: Monitor
- BMS: Small/System Monitor
- BR: Battle Rider
- BS: Strike Battleship
- BZ: Battle Rider Hybrid
C - Cruisers
NOTES: Type C’s are line ships. They are meant to survive the enemy and trade blows in fleet combat. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- CA: Heavy Cruiser, Cruiser, Armored
- CAB: Heavy Bombardment Cruiser
- CAM: Heavy Missile Cruiser
- CAP: Heavy Provincial Cruiser
- CAR: Heavy Cruiser Rider
- CB: Battlecruiser
- CL: Light Cruiser
- CLB: Light Bombardment Cruiser
- CLM: Light Missile Cruiser
- CLP: Light Provincial Cruiser
- CLR: Light Cruiser Rider
- CS: Strike Cruiser, Scout Cruiser, Rift Cruiser, Fleet Intruder
- CSM: Strike Missile Cruiser
- CY: Mercenary Cruiser
D - Destroyers
NOTES: Type D’s are considered the smallest viable combatant capable of minimal survival and power projection. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- DA: Destroyer Leader, Heavy Destroyer
- DD: Destroyer, Corvette
- DDM: Missile Destroyer, Missile Corvette
- DE: Destroyer Escort, Sloop
- DEM: Missile Destroyer Escort
- DL: Light Destroyer
- DP: Pursuit Destroyer
- DS: Strike Destroyer, Fast Destroyer
E - Escorts
NOTES: Type E’s defend other ships, often merchants, but also auxiliaries and others. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- EA: Heavy Escort, Fleet Escort
- EE: Escort, Corvette
- EEM: Missile Escort, Missile Corvette
- EL: Close Escort, Light Escort, Escort Corvette
- ELM: Light Missile Escort
- ES: Strike Escort, Escort Raider, Pursuit Escort
F - Frigates
NOTES: Type F’s are small ships meant to project force, fly the flag, and deter lighter enemies. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- FA: Heavy Frigate
- FF: Frigate
- FFM: Missile Frigate
- FL: Light Frigate
- FS: Strike Frigate
G - Civilian Commercial Craft
NOTES: Type G’s explore and exploit the system as well as maintaing a spacefaring industry. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- GC: Construction Vessel
- GCA: Mobile Construction Plant
- GCL: Repair Vessel
- GE: Tugs, Towing Vessel
- GEA: Heavy Tug/Towing Vessel
- GEB: Beacon Maintenance Vessel
- GEL: Light Tug/Towing Vessel
- GF: Fuel Cutter, Medium Gas Skimmer
- GFA: Large Fueler, Large Gas Skimmer
- GFL: Fuel Pinnace, Light Fueler, Light Gas Skimmer
- GM: Miner Craft, Asteroid Miner
- GMA: Heavy Asteroid Miner, Asteroid Processor
- GMC: Prospector's Cutter
- GR: Mercenary Cruiser
- GT: Medium Tender
- GTA: Mobile Repair Dock, Large Tender
- GTL: Ship Repair Vessel
H - Civilian Non-Commercial Craft
NOTES: Type H’s serve paramilitary roles as customs ships, inspectors, police, and the like. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- HC: Customs Boat
- HG: Any government vessel without other designation
- HM: Messenger, Commercial Courier
- HP: Law Enforcement Vessel
- HPA: Heavy Law Enforcement Vessel, Armed Law Enforcement Vessel
- HR: Revenue Cutter
- HS: Settlement Ship, Colony Ship, Settlement Transport
I - Intruder Assault Transports
NOTES: Type I’s serve the vital role of taking and keeping real estate, especially against armed opposition. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- IA: Heavy Assault Transport
- IAI: Heavy Assault Intruder
- II: Assault Transport
- IL: Light Assault Transport, Assault Shuttle, Marine Cutter
- ILI: Light Assault Intruder, Assault Lander
- IM: Medium Assault Transport
- IMI: Medium Assault Intruder
- IS: Small Assault Transport, Assault Gig, Marine Gig
L - Civilian Lab/Research vessels
NOTES: Type L’s are not common, but they are a vital part of research and the furtherment of science and technology. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- L : Laboratory Ship
- LE : Experimental Ship
- LS : Survey Ship
M - Merchants
NOTES: Type M’s are amongst the most common trade ships found on the spacelanes. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- MA: Large/Heavy Merchant
- MAS: Large/Heavy Subsidized Merchant
- MM: Medium Merchant
- MMA: Medium Armed Merchant
- MMJ: Medium Merchant Frontier Trader
- MMS: Medium Subsidized Merchant
- MC: Merchant Cruiser
- ML: Light Merchant
- MLA: Light Armed Merchant
- MLF: Light Merchant Free Trader
- MLJ: Light Merchant Far Trader
- MS: Small Merchant
- MSF: Small Merchant Free Trader
- MSJ: Small Merchant Far Trader
P - Fighters
NOTES: Fighters support capital ships and help to establish space superiority missions despite their fragility. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- PA: Heavy Fighter, Gunned Scout
- PAM: Heavy Missile Fighter
- PF: System Defense Boat
- PFA: Heavy System Defense Boat
- PG: Gunboat/Gunship
- PI: Interface Fighter
- PL: Light Fighter
- PLM: Light Missile Fighter
- PP: Medium Fighter
- PS: Strike Fighter
Q - Military Specialty Craft
NOTES: Type Q’s tend to be quite rare and serve in very specialized roles. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- QE: Experimental Vessel
- QM: Mine Dispensing/Mine Retrieval Vessel
- QP: Military Prison Vessel
- QS: Surveillance Vessel
- QT: Q-Ship
R - Civilian Merchants Liners
NOTES: Type R’s are commonplace traders (…Liners), often in the mid-sized category. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- RA Large Merchant Liner
- RL Small Merchant Liner
- RR: Medium Merchant Liner
- RT: Long Liner
S - Military Smallcraft
NOTES: Type S’s are small, functional craft, usually scouts, couriers, and explorers. They are typically small, relatively cheap, and expendable. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- SA: Heavy Scout
- SAF: Heavy Fleet Scout
- SC: Courier
- SCL: Long Range Courier
- SF: Fuel Cutter, Medium Gas Skimmer
- SFA: Large Fueler, Large Gas Skimmer
- SFL: Fuel Pinnace, Light Fueler, Light Gas Skimmer
- SG: Gig, Pinnace
- SGR: Recon Gig, Recon Pinnace
- SL: Light Scout, Dispatch Boat
- SS: Scout
- SSF: Medium Fleet Scout
- SSM: Medium Medevac Scout
- SSR: Armed Scout, Scout Raider
- SSX: Medium Recon Scout
- ST: Shuttle
- STA: Heavy Shuttle
- STL: Light Shuttle
- STM: Medevac Shuttle
T - Merchant Transport
NOTES: Type T’s tend to be bulk carriers and larger merchant ships, typically resource carriers. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- TBA: Large/Heavy Bulk Cargo Transport
- TBL: Light Bulk Cargo Transport
- TBM: Medium Bulk Cargo Transport
- TFA: Large/Heavy Tanker
- TFL: Light Tanker
- TFM: Medium Tanker
- TOA: Large/Heavy Ore Transport
- TOL: Light Ore Transport
- TOM: Medium Ore Transport
- TV: Agricultural Transport
U - Civilian Utility Craft
NOTES: Type U’s are almost always utility smallcraft (…ship’s boats) although some bigcraft may also receive this designation. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- UCA: Cutter, Pinnace
- UC: Launch, Ship's Boat, Ship's Shuttle
- UCL: Gig
- UCS: Lifeboat
V - Carriers
NOTES: Type V’s carrier smallcraft and bigcraft, typically in a combat role. Tenders and jump carriers are included in this category. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- VA: Heavy Carrier
- VE: Escort Carrier, Pocket Carrier
- VL: Light Carrier
- VI: Assault Carrier
- VS: Strike Carrier
- VT: Carrier Tender
- VTB: Battle Rider Carrier Tender
- VTC: Cruiser Rider Carrier Tender
- VTF: Fighter/SBD Carrier Tender
- VTI: Interdiction Carrier Tender
- VTM: Mixed Rider Carrier Tender
- VV: Fleet Carrier
W - Orbital Complexes
NOTES: Type W’s are typically used a Highports. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- WA : Armored station
- WG : Government station (unspecified)
- WHP: Prison hulk or prison orbital complex.
- WM : Merchant / commercial station
- WMD: Floating Dock/Repair facility
- WMI: Orbital industrial facility
- WR : Residential orbital habitat
- WS : Sensor platform
- WSA: Armed Sensor Platform
- WSB: Sensor/Beacon Platform
- WSM: Manned Sensor Platform
- WV : Agricultural orbital
- WY : Private orbital habitat
Y - Privately owned craft
NOTES: Yachts are privately owned luxury craft. Some of the best known type/s (superclass/es) using this designation are:
- YA : Large Yacht
- YY : Medium Yacht
- YYG: Gunned Medium Yacht
- YR : Racing Yacht
References & contributors (Sources)
- Marc Miller. Starships (Game Designers Workshop, 1977), 17-20.
- Marc Miller, Frank Chadwick, John Harshman. High Guard (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 20.
- MT Starship Operators
- TNE
- T4
- T20
- Citation Missing - Mongoose Traveller Main Rulebook
- Marc Miller. "A Brief History of the Universe." T5 Core Rules (2013): 330.
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science