Difference between revisions of "Communications Vessel"
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=== Image Repository === | === Image Repository === | ||
− | + | This image repository contains a selection of communications vessel images: | |
− | + | ||
− | # An image of a [[Xavier class Express Boat]]. <br> [[File: X-boat Ian-Stead 50865284 27-June-2019a.jpg| | + | '''[[Express Boat|Type XB Express Boat]]:''' |
+ | # An image of a [[Xavier class Express Boat]]. <br> [[File: X-boat Ian-Stead 50865284 27-June-2019a.jpg|400px]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''[[Commercial Courier|Type XC Commercial Courier]]:''' | ||
# The familiar [[Wedge Hull|wedge]]-shaped [[Messenger class Commercial Courier|''Messenger'' class Commercial Courier]]. <br> [[File:J2 100dT Courier.jpg|400px]] | # The familiar [[Wedge Hull|wedge]]-shaped [[Messenger class Commercial Courier|''Messenger'' class Commercial Courier]]. <br> [[File:J2 100dT Courier.jpg|400px]] | ||
+ | # The [[Tathoe class Scout/Courier]], one of the most common [[courier ship]]s within the [[Vargr Extents]]. <br> [[File:Tahoe-Courier-MGT- Marco-Morte-RESIZE-pg-73 26-Sept-2019b.jpg|400px]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''[[Express Boat Tender|Type XT Express Boat Tender]]:''' | ||
+ | # A typical [[Purcell class Express Boat Tender]], one of the prototypical [[Express Boat Tender]]s. <br> [[File: Xboat-Tender-Keith-Supp7 Pg11-15 13-Jan-2019a.jpg|400px]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''[[Armed Packet Ship|Type XUA Armed Packet Ship]]:''' | ||
+ | # A top down image of the most common [[Imperial Armed Packet]] in a common livery. <br> [[File: Armed-Packet-T5-Core-Rules-FFE 29-May-2019a.png|250px]] | ||
=== Strategy & Tactics (Doctrine) === | === Strategy & Tactics (Doctrine) === | ||
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# [[Communications Vessel|Frontier Courier]] (XCL) | # [[Communications Vessel|Frontier Courier]] (XCL) | ||
# [[Communications Vessel|Long Range Fleet Courier]] (XCF) | # [[Communications Vessel|Long Range Fleet Courier]] (XCF) | ||
+ | # [[Packet Ship|Mail Ship]] (XU) | ||
# [[Packet Ship|Messenger Ship]] (XU) | # [[Packet Ship|Messenger Ship]] (XU) | ||
# [[Packet Ship|Packet Boat]] (XU) | # [[Packet Ship|Packet Boat]] (XU) | ||
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| [[Xavier class Express Boat]] | | [[Xavier class Express Boat]] | ||
| The [[Express Boat]] (…also called an [[xboat]]) is a small, fast ship filled with a [[pilot]] compartment, [[message data bank]]s, and [[jump drive]]s. The fit is so tight that there is no room even for [[maneuver drive]]s. Each is capable of Jump-4 (…four [[parsec]]s per week); it jumps, relays its messages to the station on arrival, and then waits to be picked up by a tender, to be refuelled and sent on its way with a new load of messages. The local station, meanwhile, accepts messages, encodes them, and transmits them to a tender at the edges of the [[stellar system]]. Messages brought by the arriving xboat and intended for further down the line are consolidated with the new data and all are sent on to another xboat already fuelled and standing ready to leave. The entire network operates like the pony express — messages are always moving at top speed. Transfer time for messages from one xboat to another can be as short as ten minutes, and is rarely more than an hour. {{Page cite|name= Traders and Gunboats |page= 8 |version= Classic Traveller}} | | The [[Express Boat]] (…also called an [[xboat]]) is a small, fast ship filled with a [[pilot]] compartment, [[message data bank]]s, and [[jump drive]]s. The fit is so tight that there is no room even for [[maneuver drive]]s. Each is capable of Jump-4 (…four [[parsec]]s per week); it jumps, relays its messages to the station on arrival, and then waits to be picked up by a tender, to be refuelled and sent on its way with a new load of messages. The local station, meanwhile, accepts messages, encodes them, and transmits them to a tender at the edges of the [[stellar system]]. Messages brought by the arriving xboat and intended for further down the line are consolidated with the new data and all are sent on to another xboat already fuelled and standing ready to leave. The entire network operates like the pony express — messages are always moving at top speed. Transfer time for messages from one xboat to another can be as short as ten minutes, and is rarely more than an hour. {{Page cite|name= Traders and Gunboats |page= 8 |version= Classic Traveller}} | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
* B = Boat | * B = Boat | ||
|- | |- | ||
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| [[Yetsabl class Courier]] | | [[Yetsabl class Courier]] | ||
| [[Courier Vessel]]s are communications ships, ships intended to carry communications in a universe where communications are limited to the speed of travel. This includes vessels that would be XB class but do not fit one or more of the criteria (such as having a Jump rating less than 4, a total crew count other than 1, or any form of [[maneuver drive]]) and thus do not fit into [[Third Imperium|Imperial]] x-boat service. | | [[Courier Vessel]]s are communications ships, ships intended to carry communications in a universe where communications are limited to the speed of travel. This includes vessels that would be XB class but do not fit one or more of the criteria (such as having a Jump rating less than 4, a total crew count other than 1, or any form of [[maneuver drive]]) and thus do not fit into [[Third Imperium|Imperial]] x-boat service. | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
* C = Courier | * C = Courier | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Heavy Communications Vessel]] | | [[Heavy Communications Vessel]] | ||
| XH | | XH | ||
− | | [[ | + | | [[Echtovr Dazhia class Council Cruiser]] |
| None | | None | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
+ | * H = Heavy | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Light Communications Vessel]] | | [[Light Communications Vessel]] | ||
| XL | | XL | ||
− | | [[ | + | | [[Dhaztuen class Far Merchant]] |
| None | | None | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
+ | * L = Light | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Medium Communications Vessel]] | | [[Medium Communications Vessel]] | ||
| XM | | XM | ||
− | | [[ | + | | [[Iris class Armored Packet]] |
| None | | None | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
+ | * M = Medium | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Super Heavy Communications Vessel]] | | [[Super Heavy Communications Vessel]] | ||
| XS | | XS | ||
− | | [[ | + | | [[Kahk'rik'kreng class Yacht]] |
| None | | None | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
+ | * S = Superheavy | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[X-Boat Tender]] | | [[X-Boat Tender]] | ||
− | | XT | + | | XT |
| [[Purcell class Express Boat Tender]] | | [[Purcell class Express Boat Tender]] | ||
| The express boat system would not work without the express boat tender. These [[tender]]s, stationed in each [[system]] that express boats stop at, serve two purposes. First, they tend express boats, recovering them when they arrive, refueling them and repairing minor problems, and then sending them on their way. Second, they serve as a relay station between the planetary surface based message center and the express boat itself. Messages are forwarded to the tender for transmittal to the xboat just before it leaves for the next [[star system]]. {{Page cite|name= Traders and Gunboats |page= 11 |version= Classic Traveller}} | | The express boat system would not work without the express boat tender. These [[tender]]s, stationed in each [[system]] that express boats stop at, serve two purposes. First, they tend express boats, recovering them when they arrive, refueling them and repairing minor problems, and then sending them on their way. Second, they serve as a relay station between the planetary surface based message center and the express boat itself. Messages are forwarded to the tender for transmittal to the xboat just before it leaves for the next [[star system]]. {{Page cite|name= Traders and Gunboats |page= 11 |version= Classic Traveller}} | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
* T = Tender | * T = Tender | ||
|- | |- | ||
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* [[Vessel]]s such as [[Armed Packet]] (UF-CA33) perform unscheduled passenger service for those in a hurry. The [[crew]] can be trusted, but these little [[ship]]s can still find themselves jumping into harm's way. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page=738}} | * [[Vessel]]s such as [[Armed Packet]] (UF-CA33) perform unscheduled passenger service for those in a hurry. The [[crew]] can be trusted, but these little [[ship]]s can still find themselves jumping into harm's way. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page=738}} | ||
* Generally, packet trade is any regularly scheduled [[cargo]], [[passenger]], and [[X-mail]] trade conducted by [[space ship|space]] or [[starship]]. The ships are sometimes called "[[packet boat]]s"—in the same manner as [[IISS]] [[communications craft]] are called "[[x-boat]]s"—since their original function was to carry [[x-mail]]. However, in modern times they only supplement the official system. While "packet" can mean any small parcel, its usage here most likely comes from its meaning during the pre-spaceflight [[Terra]]n ''Age of Sail,'' where it meant a parcel of important correspondence—usually governmental—or valuable items for urgent delivery. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }} | * Generally, packet trade is any regularly scheduled [[cargo]], [[passenger]], and [[X-mail]] trade conducted by [[space ship|space]] or [[starship]]. The ships are sometimes called "[[packet boat]]s"—in the same manner as [[IISS]] [[communications craft]] are called "[[x-boat]]s"—since their original function was to carry [[x-mail]]. However, in modern times they only supplement the official system. While "packet" can mean any small parcel, its usage here most likely comes from its meaning during the pre-spaceflight [[Terra]]n ''Age of Sail,'' where it meant a parcel of important correspondence—usually governmental—or valuable items for urgent delivery. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }} | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
* U = comm'''U'''nication | * U = comm'''U'''nication | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Communications Craft]] | | [[Communications Craft]] | ||
| UQX | | UQX | ||
− | | [[ | + | | [[Yaeai class Recon Pinnace]] |
− | | | + | | Communications and intelligence smallcraft serve at roles below the more common 100 ton scout vessels, often star system monitoring or fleet picket duties not requiring FTL jump capabilities. |
+ | * U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]] | ||
+ | * Q = Quartermaster, Combat Support, Logistics, [[etc.]] | ||
+ | * X = e'''X'''change | ||
|- | |- | ||
!colspan="4"| ''NOTES:'' There is semantic overlap between many of the classes and codes. Some codes organize by mission or capability, others by size and [[ton]]nage, and yet others by other characteristics. | !colspan="4"| ''NOTES:'' There is semantic overlap between many of the classes and codes. Some codes organize by mission or capability, others by size and [[ton]]nage, and yet others by other characteristics. | ||
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''[[Paramilitary Vessel]] - [[Express Boat]]s:'' | ''[[Paramilitary Vessel]] - [[Express Boat]]s:'' | ||
{{:Referral-Tree-Type-X-class-Express-Boat}} | {{:Referral-Tree-Type-X-class-Express-Boat}} | ||
− | + | ||
''[[Paramilitary Vessel]] - [[Courier Vessel]]s:'' | ''[[Paramilitary Vessel]] - [[Courier Vessel]]s:'' | ||
* [[Type XC class Courier Vessel]] | * [[Type XC class Courier Vessel]] | ||
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** [[Columbus class Fleet Courier]] | ** [[Columbus class Fleet Courier]] | ||
** [[Gepard class Express Courier]] | ** [[Gepard class Express Courier]] | ||
+ | ** [[Khadumir class Fast Courier]] | ||
** [[Last Line class Fleet Courier]] | ** [[Last Line class Fleet Courier]] | ||
** [[Marathon class Fleet Courier]] | ** [[Marathon class Fleet Courier]] | ||
+ | ** [[Phidippides class Fast Courier]] | ||
** [[Sundowner class Fleet Courier]] | ** [[Sundowner class Fleet Courier]] | ||
** [[Swift class Fleet Courier]] | ** [[Swift class Fleet Courier]] | ||
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{{Ship summary list|name= Packet Ship |tdes= XU }} | {{Ship summary list|name= Packet Ship |tdes= XU }} | ||
{{Ship summary list|name= Multipurpose Communications Craft |tdes= UM}} | {{Ship summary list|name= Multipurpose Communications Craft |tdes= UM}} | ||
+ | {{Ship summary list|name= Dedicated Communications Craft |tdes= UQ}} | ||
== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) == | == References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) == |
Latest revision as of 02:44, 30 October 2019
X-class Communications Vessels serve communication functions throughout Charted Space.
- The grouping includes X-boats, X-boat Tenders, Courier Vessels, Relay Boats, Packet Boats, and many other kinds of communications vessels.
- The Supraclass designation is also known as Ship Mission, Ship Mission Code, Mission, or Ship Hull Designation.
- It is a starship supraclass.
Library Data Referral Tree[edit]
Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:
Starship:
- Advanced Ship Classifications
- Ship Mission Code / Supraclass
- Ship Type Code / Superclass
- Ship Class Code / Class
- Model (TL)
- Bloc (Lot)
- Astronomical Unit (AU)
- FTL
- Light Speed (c)
- Light-week (lw)
- Light-year (ly)
- NAFAL (STL)
- Parsec (pc)
Description (Specifications)[edit]
Communications Vessels is a ship hierarchy category that covers a variety of vessels that have a primary mission of conducting communications and connecting mainworlds and/or fleets. Not every polity has a well developed X-boat system, but every polity uses starships to conduct communications missions, varying electronic messages, couriers, diplomats, envoys, and a variety of sophont messengers as well as message mediums. [1]
Image Repository[edit]
This image repository contains a selection of communications vessel images:
- An image of a Xavier class Express Boat.
- The familiar wedge-shaped Messenger class Commercial Courier.
- The Tathoe class Scout/Courier, one of the most common courier ships within the Vargr Extents.
- A typical Purcell class Express Boat Tender, one of the prototypical Express Boat Tenders.
- A top down image of the most common Imperial Armed Packet in a common livery.
Strategy & Tactics (Doctrine)[edit]
Communications Vessels are rarely armed or armored. They are combat multipliers meant to affect battles by getting the right information and intelligence to the right forces at the right time. Every combatant fleet protects its auxiliaries and its communications lines, commo vessels included. When engaged, the commo vessel has only two choices, run as fast as possible, or hopefully hide out in jumpspace if the jump drives are charged and ready. [2]
Supraclass Roles[edit]
Communication Vessels typically serve the following roles:
Largecraft & Bigcraft:
- Armored Packet (XUA)
- Commercial Courier (XCL)
- Communications Vessel (X) (Namesake)
- Courier Vessel (XC)
- Diplomatic Courier (XUD)
- Dispatcher (XC)
- Far Courier (XCL))
- Express Courier (XCF)
- Fast Courier (XCF)
- Fleet Courier (XCF)
- Fleet Dispatch Courier (XUD)
- Frontier Courier (XCL)
- Long Range Fleet Courier (XCF)
- Mail Ship (XU)
- Messenger Ship (XU)
- Packet Boat (XU)
- Relay Boat (XC)
- Relay Ship (XC)
- X-Boat (XB)
- X-Boat Tender (XT or VXT)
Size-Class Roles for Communications Vessels[edit]
- Communications Craft (UQX) (1 to 99 tons)
- Light Communications Vessel (XL) (100 to 999 tons)
- Medium Communications Vessel (XM) (1,000 to 1,499 tons)
- Heavy Communications Vessel (XH) (1,500 to 2,499 tons)
- Super Heavy Communications Vessel (XS) (2,500 or more tons)
Civilian Subcraft[edit]
Civilian subcraft (...both smallcraft and bigcraft) are carried by some of these vessels:
- Barge (WB)
- Utility Craft (U)
Supraclass Archetypal Roles[edit]
These vessels typically serve the following archetypal roles:
Selected Communications Vessel Archetypes | |||
---|---|---|---|
Archetype | Type Code/s | Exemplar | Remarks |
Communications Vessel | X (Namesake) | Type X class Express Boat | Charted Space possesses no FTL communications devices or ansibles. Thus, communications is generally limited to a pony express type of communications network, as in a network of couriers, packets, and the like. The Third Imperium maximized the efficiency of its courier system by developing X-boats, ships dedicated solely to communications functions, but there are other solutions used by other polities: relay systems, fleet couriers, postal unions, military express messengers, X-mail, etc.
|
X-Boat | XB | Xavier class Express Boat | The Express Boat (…also called an xboat) is a small, fast ship filled with a pilot compartment, message data banks, and jump drives. The fit is so tight that there is no room even for maneuver drives. Each is capable of Jump-4 (…four parsecs per week); it jumps, relays its messages to the station on arrival, and then waits to be picked up by a tender, to be refuelled and sent on its way with a new load of messages. The local station, meanwhile, accepts messages, encodes them, and transmits them to a tender at the edges of the stellar system. Messages brought by the arriving xboat and intended for further down the line are consolidated with the new data and all are sent on to another xboat already fuelled and standing ready to leave. The entire network operates like the pony express — messages are always moving at top speed. Transfer time for messages from one xboat to another can be as short as ten minutes, and is rarely more than an hour. [3]
|
Courier Vessel | XC | Yetsabl class Courier | Courier Vessels are communications ships, ships intended to carry communications in a universe where communications are limited to the speed of travel. This includes vessels that would be XB class but do not fit one or more of the criteria (such as having a Jump rating less than 4, a total crew count other than 1, or any form of maneuver drive) and thus do not fit into Imperial x-boat service.
|
Heavy Communications Vessel | XH | Echtovr Dazhia class Council Cruiser | None
|
Light Communications Vessel | XL | Dhaztuen class Far Merchant | None
|
Medium Communications Vessel | XM | Iris class Armored Packet | None
|
Super Heavy Communications Vessel | XS | Kahk'rik'kreng class Yacht | None
|
X-Boat Tender | XT | Purcell class Express Boat Tender | The express boat system would not work without the express boat tender. These tenders, stationed in each system that express boats stop at, serve two purposes. First, they tend express boats, recovering them when they arrive, refueling them and repairing minor problems, and then sending them on their way. Second, they serve as a relay station between the planetary surface based message center and the express boat itself. Messages are forwarded to the tender for transmittal to the xboat just before it leaves for the next star system. [4]
|
Packet Boat | XU | Xerxes class Armed Packet Ship | Packet Ships conduct similar missions to liners and courier vessels. They are generally understood to perform unscheduled missions where postal routes do not exist. Most are equipped with mail vaults and secure staterooms. [5]
|
Communications Craft | UQX | Yaeai class Recon Pinnace | Communications and intelligence smallcraft serve at roles below the more common 100 ton scout vessels, often star system monitoring or fleet picket duties not requiring FTL jump capabilities. |
NOTES: There is semantic overlap between many of the classes and codes. Some codes organize by mission or capability, others by size and tonnage, and yet others by other characteristics. |
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
Charted Space possesses no FTL communications devices or ansibles. Thus, communications is generally limited to a pony express type of communications network, as in a network of couriers, packets, and the like. The Third Imperium maximized the efficiency of its courier system by developing X-boats, ships dedicated solely to communications functions, but there are other solutions used by other polities: relay systems, fleet couriers, postal unions, military express messengers, X-mail, etc.. [8]
Selected Variant Types & Classes[edit]
Paramilitary Vessel - Express Boats:
Paramilitary Vessel - Courier Vessels:
- Type XC class Courier Vessel
- Chantoql class Courier
- Express Rock class Mail Drone
- Giciifichu class Dispatcher
- Hummingbird class Courier
- Kankur class Frontier Courier
- Kr'ghrr class Courier
- Ktiyhui class Courier
- Messenger class Commercial Courier
- Orowani Deep Space class Courier
- Ranger class Courier
- Swift Missive class Courier
- Thorez class Courier
- Type VX class Courier
- Type ZC class Courier
- Vehrsabl class Courier
- Venture class Frontier Courier
- Victrix class Courier
- Yetsabl class Courier
- Zofagic class Utility Vessel
Paramilitary Vessel - Fleet Couriers:
Paramilitary Vessel - Express Boat Tenders:
Communication Vessel - Packet Ship:
Civilian ship - Communication Vessel - Packet Ship:
Ship Summary List[edit]
Some of the most commonly used vessels in this role include:
0 Representative Communications Vessel (X) Classes | |
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0 Representative Express Boat (XB) Classes | |
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0 Representative Courier Vessel (XC) Classes | |
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0 Representative Fleet Courier (XCF) Classes | |
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0 Representative Heavy Communications Vessel (XH) Classes | |
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0 Representative Light Communications Vessel (XL) Classes | |
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0 Representative Medium Communications Vessel (XM) Classes | |
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0 Representative Superheavy Communications Vessel (XS) Classes | |
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No results |
0 Representative Express Boat Tender (XT) Classes | |
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No results |
0 Representative Packet Ship (XU) Classes | |
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No results |
6 Representative Multipurpose Communications Craft (UM) Classes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 Representative Dedicated Communications Craft (UQ) Classes | |
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No results |
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
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 article is an amalgamation of many different materials published since 1977.
- Traveller Wiki Editorial Team
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
- ↑ Marc Miller. Traders and Gunboats (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 8.
- ↑ Marc Miller. Traders and Gunboats (Game Designers Workshop, 1980), 11.
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
- ↑ Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), 738.
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak
- ↑ Information provided to the library by Maksim-Smelchak