Needle Hull

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Hull-S-Streamlined-THUMB-T5-Core-Rules 01-June-2019b.jpg

A Needle Hull is a kind of ship structure, fuselage, chassis, or 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.
    Hull-Form-S-Streamlined-T5-Core-Rules 01-June-2019a.jpg
  2. The Needle Hull, Cylinder Hull, and Cone Hulls are among the most common streamlined hulls.
    Hull-Variants-T5-RESIZE-Ade-Stewart 07-Sept-2019b.jpg

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

76 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Addaran class Cruiser CM 49,900 10 Addara 4 1 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design.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 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
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
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
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
Musuna class Frigate EF 2,000 11 High Senate 2 2 No No. Unpublished, non-canon fan design.
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
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.
Raptor class Combat Lander MN 20 13 Third Imperium 3 0 No Yes
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
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
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
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
Xarbo class Battle Rider BRL 10,000 11 Regency of Muirimi 6 0 No 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


71 Representative Wedge Hull configuration ships
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
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
Chariot class Dropship DS 20 8 Sath Alliance 1 0 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
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
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
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
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
Lady Charlotte class Yacht MY 200 15 Third Imperium 1 1 No No
Leaping Snowcat class Safari Ship SK 200 12 Third Imperium 1 2 Yes Yes
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
Messenger class Commercial Courier SC 100 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 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
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
Rhapsody class Merchant Trader A 300 11 Third Imperium 2 2 No Yes
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
Starblade class Executive Yacht MY 200 11 Distant Fringe 4 2 Yes
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.
Wingtruck class Interface Craft UM 20 12 Third Imperium 6 No
Wobbegong class Seeker JJ 100 12 Third Imperium 3 1 No No
Worldbooker class Survey Ship SL 400 14 Third Imperium 2 2 No


References & Contributors (Sources)

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