Needle Hull

A Needle Hull is a kind of ship structure, fuselage, chassis, or hull.

• It is a kind of Ship Equipment and a kind of Hull.

Description (Specifications)

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

1. A common hull type.
   
2. The Needle Hull, Cylinder Hull, and Cone Hulls are among the most common streamlined hulls.
   

CBPUSAL Function Designation Streamlining Spectrum

The Imperial Ship Builders Association (ISBA) qualifies modern naval hulls across this spectrum:

1. C. Cluster. An accumulation of compartments.
2. B. Braced Cluster. Structured for higher acceleration.
3. P. Planetoid. A hollowed nickel-iron asteroid.
4. U. Unstreamlined. Protrusions increase drag.
5. S. Streamlined. Cowlings and fairings decrease drag.
6. A. Airframe. Winged for performance in atmosphere.
7. L. Lifting Body. Radically streamlined lifting-surfaces.

History & Background (Dossier)

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

112 Representative Needle Hull configuration ships

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Canon Class Superclass Tons TL Origin G Jump Illustration Canon Addaran class Cruiser CM 49,900 10 Addara 4 1 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design.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 GU 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 Canton class Control Cruiser CH 50,000 11 Esaran Cultural Area 6 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 Danzig class Battlecruiser CL 45,000 12 Four Worlds 6 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Dauntless class Battleship BM 100,000 12 Nexus Fleet Forces 3 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Defiant class Light Fighter FC 7 9 Distant Fringe 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Desiree Keah class Yacht AY 400 15 Third Imperium 1 4 Yes No Dienjzhiae class Fleet Intelligence Corvette B 800 14 Zhodani Consulate 4 4 No Dragon class Yacht MY 300 14 Third Imperium 2 3 No No Dunkle class Fleet Scout SN 420 12 Mapepire Cluster 6 3 No Dwarf class Starport Lift Tug GU 10,000 15 Third Imperium 3 0 No Eiaikeiar class Intruder Transport IA 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 Flash class System Defense Boat HSB 200 15 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Flash class System Defense Boat HSL 200 15 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Flash class System Defense Boat HSL 200 15 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Flyer class Diplomatic Courier MC 100 13 Darrian Confederation 5 3 No Foghoks class Heavy Cruiser CL 10,000 11 Vargr Extents 1 2 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Nexus Gearing class Destroyer DVL 2,000 12 Distant Fringe 5 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Gold of Zurrian class Long Liner M 1,000 15 Third Imperium 1 4 Yes Halsey Keats class Heavy Cruiser CH 60,000 15 Third Imperium 6 4 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Harmal class Missile Cruiser CGM 22,000 10 Maujen Defense Bureau 1 1 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Hotspur class Sloop of War EH 2,000 12 Unity of Sed 5 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Ice Pick class Patrol Skiff HPS 100 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Ice Pick class Patrol Skiff HPS 100 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Ice Pick class Patrol Skiff HPS 100 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 UM 30 14 Zhodani Consulate 6 0 Yes No Jeremey class Recovery Boat AN 20 12 Jelmiri Marches 2 0 Yes Jump-Boat SC 55 15 Regency of Deneb 3 3 Yes 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 Lord Baltimore class Yacht MY 200 15 Third Imperium 4 4 Yes Yes Machii class Scout Cruiser S 1,000 13 Third Imperium 2 4 Yes Yes Mad Anthony class Battalion Transport IL 4,000 9 Descarothe Hegemony 1 1 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Magada class Battleship BB 95,000 11 Firstworlds 3 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Magash class Heavy Scout SC 300 15 Third Imperium 3 5 Yes Majestic class Battle Cruiser CB 100,000 15 Third Imperium 5 5 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 Musuna class Frigate EF 2,000 11 High Senate 2 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Nassin class System Defense Boat HSVL 2,000 9 Rimward Federation 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Ninz class Scout S 100 14 Zhodani Consulate 2 2 Yes Yes Nolrrgarrai class Strike Fighter FS 20 12 Vargr Extents 12 0 NO Yes. Published, canon starship design. Oromet class System Defense Boat HDL 5,000 11 Protectorate of Leset 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 Generic Pinnace R 40 9 Third Imperium 5 0 Yes 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. Rampart class Fighter FL 10 15 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Raptor class Combat Lander MN 20 13 Third Imperium 3 0 No Yes Revenant class Light Fighter FC 7 9 Distant Fringe 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Rodgers class Skiff AK 20 7 Unofficial (world) 2 0 No 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 Sarmonocci Class Light Cruiser CL 10,000 15 Third Imperium 6 4 No Yes. Published, canon starship design. Scorpion class System Defense Boat HSDB 2,000 15 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Scorpion class System Defense Boat HSDB 2,000 15 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Scorpion class System Defense Boat HSVL 2,000 15 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Screaming Fury class Fighter FM 38 10 S'raak Empire 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 SH100K class Battle Cruiser CB 100,000 12 Sorority of Hygiea 3 3 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Sha'a class Destroyer DVL 1,000 11 Sath Alliance 6 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 Tash class War Cruiser CS 10,000 13 Eiaplial Davr 4 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Thaakh class Monitor HMH 60,000 11 Sath Alliance 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Thaakh class Monitor HML 60,000 11 Sath Alliance 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Tleiatre class Battle Leader CY 3,000 14 Aslan Hierate 4 3 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Tleiatre class Battle Leader CY 3,000 14 Aslan Hierate 4 3 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. 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 HT class Bounty Hunter HH 100 10 Third Imperium 2 2 No No Type JL class Espionage Vessel S 200 15 Third Imperium 3 3 Yes No Tyrian Lordship class Light Cruiser CM 28,000 11 Tyrian Lordships 2 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Un Vaeg class Troop Transport PQ 20,000 12 Vargr Extents 5 3 No Val Marin class System Defense Boat HSL 3,000 10 High Senate 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Val Marin class System Defense Boat HSL 3,000 10 High Senate 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Vanguard class Attack Scout SN 100 12 Geonee Confederation 6 2 No Aurora class Light Patrol Fighter FL 19.00 10 Bain Defense Squadron 6 0 Yes no

126 Representative Wedge Hull configuration ships

Class Superclass Tons TL Origin G Jump Illustration Canon Class Superclass Tons TL Origin G Jump Illustration Canon Aethon class Light Fighter FL 20 9 Distant Fringe 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Alexandria class Free Trader AF 200 12 Third Imperium 1 1 Yes No Analex class Heavy Brig EH 2,600 15 Third Imperium 6 4 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Arden class Heavy System Defense Boat HSDB 2,900 8 Federation of Arden 5 0 Yes No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Arzhent class Prospector/Surveyor JJ 180 15 Third Imperium 2 2 Yes No Arzhent class Prospector/Surveyor JJ 180 15 Third Imperium 2 2 Yes No Arzhent class Prospector/Surveyor JJ 180 15 Third Imperium 2 2 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 Athune class Close Escort ECE 400 11 Yimin Jiti 4 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 Bulwark class Armored Fighter FA 13 10 Distant Fringe 6 0 Yes No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Celestial Star class Luxury Liner M 2,000 15 Third Imperium 1 6 No Cerebrus class Strike Fighter FC 8 8 Distant Fringe 5 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Chariot class Dropship DS 20 8 Sath Alliance 1 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Cleaver class Close Escort EL 1,000 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 Condor class System Defense Boat HSB 500 15 Non-Aligned 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Condor class System Defense Boat HSB 500 15 Non-Aligned 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Condor class System Defense Boat HSVL 500 15 Non-Aligned 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. 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 Cudin class Attack Boat FA 40 11 Unity of Sed 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 Dragon class System Defense Boat HSB 400 12 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Dragon class System Defense Boat HSB 400 12 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Dragon class System Defense Boat HSVL 400 12 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Drakkon class System Defense Boat HSVL 400 11 Distant Fringe 6 0 Yes No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Esther class Armored Fighter FA 13 10 Distant Fringe 6 0 Yes No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Firebolt class Light Fighter FL 20 9 Distant Fringe 6 0 No 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 Harrier class System Defense Boat HSVL 600 12 Distant Fringe 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Hatchet class Light Corvette ECE 1,000 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 No 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 HH 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 Jade Serpent class Fleet Support Vessel R 2,600 12 Federation of Alsas 1 1 No Jayhawk class Far Trader AF 200 12 Third Imperium 1 2 Yes Yes Jembyra class Recovery Boat R 20 12 Jelmiri Marches 3 0 Yes Jet Wasp class Corsair PRP 200 15 Mugheen't Sector 5 2 No KA15c Glutton class Transport RN 1,500 12 Korsumug Empire 2 3 Yes Kalarak class Lancer ELM 200 9 Union of Garth 1 1 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. KE11c Ancestor class Frigate EF 1,100 12 Korsumug Empire 6 3 Yes No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Kihrvak Platoon Drop Ship class Marine Cutter M 50 15 Third Imperium 3 0 No Kinunir class Vanguard Cruiser EF 1,200 15 Third Imperium 4 4 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship design. Kurgilash class Medical Scout SM 400 12 Third Imperium 2 3 Yes No Kushiahatai class Superheavy Battleship BS 800,000 13 Glenauran Signatorate 4 4 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Lady Charlotte class Yacht MY 200 15 Third Imperium 1 1 No No Lauritson class Picket Ship H 400 14 Third Imperium 5 5 Yes No Lauritson class Picket Ship HQ 400 14 Third Imperium 5 5 Yes No Leaping Snowcat class Safari Ship SK 200 12 Third Imperium 1 2 Yes Yes Lydia class Medium Cruiser CM 36,000 11 The Last Line 6 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Mal'Gnar class Assault Skiff M 20 12 Mal'Gnar Primarchic 1 0 No Messenger class Commercial Courier SC 100 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 No Midlothian A5 class Dispatch SC 200 12 Principality of Caledon 5 3 No Model 292 class Life Boat M 100 15 Third Imperium 1 0 No Mont-SC class Scout S 100 12 Third Imperium 3 3 No Moraine class Free Trader AF 200 10 Third Imperium 1 1 Yes Yes Narsil class Battle Rider BRL 10,000 11 Sword Worlds Confederation 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Nirvana class Modular Dropship RV 40 14 Third Imperium 4 0 Yes Onyx class Interceptor FI 80 12 Nexus Fleet Forces 6 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. 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 Rambler class Strike Cruiser CS 10,000 14 Katowice Conquest 5 5 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Ranger class Courier SC 100 10 Third Imperium 1 2 Yes No Razor class Strike Fighter FC 8 8 Distant Fringe 5 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Rhapsody class Merchant Trader A 300 11 Third Imperium 2 2 No Yes Royal class Dispatch Vessel SC 100 10 Grand Duchy of Marlheim 6 1 No Sacred class Utility Boat PQ 55 12 Tenjada Moralitate 6 0 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. Shukugan class System Defense Boat HSB 400 12 Third Imperium 6 0 Yes Yes. Published, canon starship 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 PQ 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 Starblade class Executive Yacht MY 200 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 Yes Starfire class Strike Fighter FC 8 8 Distant Fringe 5 0 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Sulieman class Scout/Courier SC 100 12 Third Imperium 2 2 Yes Yes Sutherland class Ship of the Line BP 200,000 12 Unity of Sed 5 2 Yes No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design. Tathoe class Scout/Courier SC 200 12 Vargr Extents 3 3 Yes Yes

References & Contributors (Sources)

This article is missing content for one or more detailed sections. Additional details are required to complete the article. You can help the Traveller Wiki by expanding it.

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 Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), TBD.
• Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science