A Needle Hull is a kind of ship structure, fuselage, chassis, or hull.
Needle Hulls are noted for having long, elognated fuselages, most often coming to an aerodynamic point.
Such a hull is the traditional shape of reaction-powered rockets, of the type typically used by many societies to achieve first spaceflight.
Image Repository[edit]
- A common hull type.
- The Needle Hull, Cylinder Hull, and Cone Hulls are among the most common streamlined hulls.
CBPUSAL Function Designation Streamlining Spectrum[edit]
The Imperial Ship Builders Association (ISBA) qualifies modern naval hulls across this spectrum:
- C. Cluster. An accumulation of compartments.
- B. Braced Cluster. Structured for higher acceleration.
- P. Planetoid. A hollowed nickel-iron asteroid.
- U. Unstreamlined. Protrusions increase drag.
- S. Streamlined. Cowlings and fairings decrease drag.
- A. Airframe. Winged for performance in atmosphere.
- L. Lifting Body. Radically streamlined lifting-surfaces.
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
Before the advent of gravitic control technology, all aircraft were designed around aerodynamic, streamlined airframes. Spaceplanes, designed for performance in an atmosphere and the vacuum, kept to the same conventions. Spacecraft had little to no need for streamlining, in fact, since it represented extra cost, many dedicated spacecraft use no streamlining.
However, wilderness refueling involves diving into a gas giant so many ships use partial or full streamlining despite mission profiles that never involve atmospheric entry.
Despite the many advantages of dedicated spaceflight hulls, the ISBA estimates that most craft built within Imperial Space use streamlined or partially streamlined hulls. The increased efficacy of wilderness refueling and atmospheric flight with a streamlined hull are simply too tempting.
Selected Craft Using Needle Hulls[edit]
62 Representative Needle Hull configuration ships
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Class | Superclass | Tons | TL | Origin | G | Jump | Illustration | Canon | Class | Superclass | Tons | TL | Origin | G | Jump | Illustration | Canon | Addaran class Cruiser | CM | 49,900 | 10 | Addara | 4 | 1 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Adlerstein class Fleet Courier | SN | 400 | 15 | Third Imperium | 2 | 6 | Yes | Yes | Andrew class Commercial Shuttle | AK | 95 | 15 | Third Imperium | 3 | 0 | Yes | No | Asia class Scout | SN | 300 | 11 | Daprolix Juncture of Suns | 4 | 2 | No | | Atlas class Starport Heavy Lift Tug | RB | 100,000 | 15 | Third Imperium | 3 | 0 | No | | Avian class Far Trader | AF | 200 | 11 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | No | Barnett class Fleet Courier | SN | 200 | 14 | Solomani Confederation | 4 | 3 | No | | Ch'kaahi class Battle Rider | BRV | 1,000 | 11 | Sath Alliance | 6 | 0 | No | | Chaiik class Frigate | EF | 800 | 11 | Sath Alliance | 6 | 2 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Chatl class Leader Scout | SC | 150 | 14 | Zhodani Consulate | 3 | 5 | Yes | Yes | Dauntless class Battleship | BM | 100,000 | 12 | Nexus Fleet Forces | 3 | 2 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Desiree Keah class Yacht | AY | 400 | 15 | Third Imperium | 1 | 4 | Yes | No | Dunkle class Fleet Scout | SN | 420 | 12 | Mapepire Cluster | 6 | 3 | No | | Dwarf class Starport Lift Tug | RV | 10,000 | 15 | Third Imperium | 3 | 0 | No | | Eiaikeiar class Intruder Transport | PQ | 3,000 | 14 | Aslan Hierate | 4 | 3 | Yes | No | Eiaikeiar class Intruder Transport | PQ | 3,000 | 14 | Aslan Hierate | 4 | 3 | Yes | No | Fairmile Model G class Scout | S | 200 | 12 | Principality of Caledon | 2 | 2 | No | | Fanzhhienz class Far Trader | AF | 200 | 9 | Zhodani Consulate | 2 | 2 | Yes | Yes | Flyer class Diplomatic Courier | MC | 100 | 13 | Darrian Confederation | 5 | 3 | No | | Gold of Zurrian class Long Liner | M | 1,000 | 15 | Third Imperium | 1 | 4 | Yes | | Ice Pick class Patrol Skiff | HPS | 100 | 11 | Third Imperium | 4 | 2 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Iguna class Trader | RN | 300 | 11 | Distant Fringe | 2 | 2 | No | | Intruder class Shuttle | AY | 30 | 14 | Zhodani Consulate | 6 | 0 | Yes | No | Jeremey class Recovery Boat | AN | 20 | 12 | Jelmiri Marches | 2 | 0 | Yes | | K'shek class Light Cruiser | CL | 10,000 | 11 | Third Imperium | 1 | 2 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | KE3d Korsu class Fast Scout | S | 300 | 13 | Korsumug Empire | 6 | 4 | Yes | | Kforuzeng class Scout | S | 100 | 13 | Vargr Extents | 4 | 4 | No | | Kwang class Missile Cruiser | CGM | 40,000 | 10 | Varellan Empire | 6 | 1 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Lance Marcus class Scout | SC | 100 | 15 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | | Lightning class Frontier Merchant | AK | 400 | 11 | Terran Confederation | 3 | 2 | Yes | Yes | Lintula class Survey Vessel | SK | 300 | 12 | Sylean Federation | 2 | 2 | No | Yes | Machii class Scout Cruiser | S | 1,000 | 13 | Third Imperium | 2 | 4 | Yes | Yes | Magash class Heavy Scout | SC | 300 | 15 | Third Imperium | 3 | 5 | Yes | | Mal'Gnar class Assault Skiff | UIA | 20 | 12 | Mal'Gnar Primarchic | 1 | 0 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Marathon class Fleet Courier | SN | 200 | 14 | Solomani Sphere | 3 | 3 | Yes | No | Ninz class Scout | S | 100 | 14 | Zhodani Consulate | 2 | 2 | Yes | Yes | Parasite class Battle Rider | BRL | 13,000 | 12 | Old Worlds | 6 | 0 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Pathfinder class Fleet Scout | S | 100 | 15 | Third Imperium | 2 | 4 | No | | Phidippides class Fast Courier | SN | 200 | 11 | Terran Confederation | 6 | 2 | No | Yes | Prata class Attack Scout | SN | 100 | 15 | Taakas Yh'Drak | 6 | 1 | No | | Princess Gunnhilde class Far Trader | AF | 200 | 13 | Vargr Extents | 1 | 2 | yes | Yes | Project 122bis Kronshtadt class Pursuit Ship | PG | 325 | 13 | Sindalian Empire | 6 | 3 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Punisher class Light Battle Rider | BRV | 1,000 | 12 | Ras Tennol Force | 6 | 0 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Raptor class Combat Lander | MN | 20 | 13 | Third Imperium | 3 | 0 | No | Yes | S-223 Moon Raven class Covert Surveillance Scout | S | 300 | 13 | Talokan Armed Forces | 4 | 4 | No | | Saladin class Fleet Scout | SN | 600 | 15 | Third Imperium | 6 | 4 | No | | Sering class Scout | SC | 100 | 12 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | No | Serpent class Scout/Courier | SC | 100 | 11 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | No | Suurian Might class Destroyer | DD | 800 | 12 | Vilani Protectorate | 6 | 3 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Swift class Fleet Courier | SN | 400 | 15 | Third Imperium | 1 | 6 | No | | Talon class Scout | SN | 100 | 10 | Tellerian Cluster | 3 | 1 | No | | Tripwire class Early Warning Scout | AN | 200 | 10 | Distant Fringe | 1 | 1 | No | | Turku class Light Escort | EL | 400 | 12 | The Reach | 5 | 3 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Type JL class Espionage Vessel | S | 200 | 15 | Third Imperium | 3 | 3 | Yes | No | Umbra class Battlecruiser | CH | 72,000 | 12 | Distant Fringe | 4 | 2 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Un Vaeg class Troop Transport | PQ | 20,000 | 12 | Vargr Extents | 5 | 3 | No | | Vanguard class Attack Scout | SN | 100 | 12 | Geonee Confederation | 6 | 2 | No | | Wasp class Fleet Scout | SN | 600 | 14 | Malorn Union | 6 | 4 | No | | Wind class Scout/Courier | SC | 150 | 12 | Third Imperium | 3 | 3 | Yes | No | Xero class Scout | S | 100 | 11 | Distant Fringe | 3 | 2 | No | | Zydmnar class Scout | S | 100 | 9 | Zydarian Codominium | 6 | 1 | No | | Aurora class Light Patrol Fighter | FL | 19.00 | 10 | Bain Defense Squadron | 6 | 0 | Yes | no |
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57 Representative Wedge Hull configuration ships
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Class | Superclass | Tons | TL | Origin | G | Jump | Illustration | Canon | Class | Superclass | Tons | TL | Origin | G | Jump | Illustration | Canon | Alexandria class Free Trader | AF | 200 | 12 | Third Imperium | 1 | 1 | Yes | No | Arzhent class Prospector/Surveyor | JJ | 180 | 15 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | No | Assault Lander class Marine Gig | MN | 20 | 15 | Third Imperium | 1 | 0 | No | | Basil class Merchant | AF | 200 | | Third Imperium | 2 | 1 | No | No | Beowulf class Free Trader | AF | 200 | 10 | Third Imperium | 1 | 1 | Yes | Yes | Blakeway class First Response Vessel | MM | 100 | | Third Imperium | 4 | 0 | Yes | Yes | Celestial Star class Luxury Liner | M | 2,000 | 15 | Third Imperium | 1 | 6 | No | | Coeus class Assault Pinnace | MN | 20 | 13 | Third Imperium | 5 | 0 | Yes | No | ColonyCord class Fast Trader | AF | 2,000 | 12 | Second Imperium | 3 | 3 | No | | Condor class Subsidized Liner | M | 400 | 13 | Third Imperium | 1 | 3 | No | | Coriander class Free Trader | AF | 300 | 12 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | No | | Covenanter class Scout Cruiser | S | 500 | 15 | Covenant of Sufren | 3 | 2 | Yes | Yes | Deneb class Modular Starship | RV | 300 | 12 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | No | Diaspora class Battlecruiser | CB | 200,000 | 14 | Third Imperium | 5 | 4 | No | Yes | Gallant class Assault Shuttle | MN | 80 | 11 | Distant Fringe | 5 | 0 | Yes | | Garrison class Troop Transport | PQ | 2,800 | 11 | Distant Fringe | 2 | 2 | Yes | | Gepard class Express Courier | SC | 200 | 13 | Third Imperium | 4 | 4 | Yes | | Gertrude Russel class Troop Transport | PQ | 7,000 | 12 | Distant Fringe | 4 | 2 | No | | Ghent class Medical Frigate | SM | 4,000 | 15 | Third Imperium | 4 | 4 | No | | Giant class Tanker | RG | 600,000 | 15 | Third Imperium | 6 | 4 | No | | Gram class Troop Transport | PQ | 22,000 | 12 | Sword Worlds Confederation | 3 | 3 | No | | Henrick Krueden class Scout/Courier | SC | 100 | 9 | Nist Military Forces | 6 | 1 | Yes | | Herald class Expeditionary Yacht | SK | 800 | 15 | Third Imperium | 3 | 3 | Yes | No | Heward class Troop Transport | PQ | 90,000 | 15 | Third Imperium | 6 | 4 | No | | Houdini class Battle Rider | BRL | 20,000 | 11 | Varellan Empire | 6 | 0 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Hunter class Armored Scout | SN | 100 | 14 | Solomani Confederation | 3 | 3 | Yes | | Huntress class Bounty Hunter | SN | 100 | 12 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | No | Imperial Intruder class Scout | SN | 100 | 13 | Third Imperium | 2 | 4 | No | | Jackie class Seeker | JJ | 100 | 12 | Third Imperium | 1 | 2 | Yes | Yes | Jayhawk class Far Trader | AF | 200 | 12 | Third Imperium | 1 | 2 | Yes | Yes | KA15c Glutton class Transport | RN | 1,500 | 12 | Korsumug Empire | 2 | 3 | Yes | | Kihrvak Platoon Drop Ship class Marine Cutter | M | 50 | 15 | Third Imperium | 3 | 0 | No | | Kurgilash class Medical Scout | SM | 400 | 12 | Third Imperium | 2 | 3 | Yes | No | Leedos class Frigate | EF | 1,200 | 11 | Yimin Jiti | 6 | 2 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Mal'Gnar class Assault Skiff | M | 20 | 12 | Mal'Gnar Primarchic | 1 | 0 | No | | Model 292 class Life Boat | M | 100 | 15 | Third Imperium | 1 | 0 | No | | Moraine class Free Trader | AF | 200 | 10 | Third Imperium | 1 | 1 | Yes | Yes | Nirvana class Modular Dropship | RV | 40 | 14 | Third Imperium | 4 | 0 | Yes | | Prancing Poni class Charter Yacht | MY | 200 | 12 | Third Imperium | 1 | 2 | No | Yes | Pratt class Gig | A | 20 | 14 | Third Imperium | 6 | 0 | No | Yes | Qasar class Scout Cruiser | S | 1,000 | 13 | Third Imperium | 2 | 4 | Yes | Yes | Ranger class Courier | SC | 100 | 10 | Third Imperium | 1 | 2 | Yes | No | Salamander class Far Trader | AF | 200 | 11 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | Yes | Sath class Medium Fighter | FM | 30 | 8 | Sath Alliance | 5 | 0 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Generic Shuttle | R | 95 | 8 | Third Imperium | 3 | 0 | Yes | Yes | Siyuihwye class Armored Trader | R | 300 | 12 | Aslan Hierate | 2 | 2 | No | | Slicer class Assault Shuttle | MN | 50 | 14 | Third Imperium | 6 | 0 | No | | Soho class Light Freighter | AF | 200 | 12 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | No | Solostar class Far Trader | R | 300 | 12 | Rule of Man | 3 | 2 | No | | Star Butler class Yacht | MY | 300 | 12 | Rule of Man | 3 | 2 | No | | Sulieman class Scout/Courier | SC | 100 | 12 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | Yes | Yes | TC02 Grave Endeavor class Dropship | MN | 20 | 11 | Trooles Confederation | 3 | 0 | Yes | | TC04 Valkyrie class Dropship | MN | 40 | 11 | Trooles Confederation | 3 | 0 | Yes | | Type A class Free Trader | A | 200 | 12 | Third Imperium | 1 | 1 | Yes | Yes | Vati class Support Carrier | VL | 3,000 | 9 | Descarothe Hegemony | 1 | 1 | No | No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. | Wobbegong class Seeker | JJ | 100 | 12 | Third Imperium | 3 | 1 | No | No | Worldbooker class Survey Ship | SL | 400 | 14 | Third Imperium | 2 | 2 | No | |
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References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
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