Difference between revisions of "Ship Mission Code"
Line 275: | Line 275: | ||
| JG || Commercial Gas || Skimmer | | JG || Commercial Gas || Skimmer | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | JJ || Commercial Prospector || [[Prospector Vessel]] | + | | JJ || Commercial Prospector || [[Prospector Vessel]], [[Type J class Seeker]] |
|- | |- | ||
| JH || Commercial Fuel || [[Fueling Craft]] | | JH || Commercial Fuel || [[Fueling Craft]] |
Revision as of 15:33, 9 April 2022
Naval | Commercial | Non-Commercial | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B - Fleet | C - Independent | D - Defense | E - Auxiliary | A - Trader | J - Resources | M - Liner | R - Freighter | T - General | L - Science | S - Scout | Y - Private |
A Ship Mission Code (also known as a Ship type code or Ship design code) is a classification of a ship's design purpose. Given the cost in materials and time to build and maintain a Starship, they are designed and built with a specific purpose in mind. The ship mission code categorizes these specific purposes into one of twelve primary categories with an optional one or two modifiers to more exactly define ship mission. The purpose being to define and categorize ships designed and built for similar purposes.
There are a great many different mission encoding systems in existence. Almost every space-faring empire has constructed one based upon their specific needs and cultural assumptions. The mission code system used by the Imperial Encyclopedia is a compromise, combining several different systems in an attempt to provide the broadest possible categorization.
Individual governments also assign their own mission code to ships, both their own and those of near by governments. They purpose ranges from simple curiosity about fleets, to tracking economic activity and potential threats, to enforcing policy and treaties.
It is a universal truth that a ship never spends it's entire lifespan performing the mission for which it was designed or build. The mission code assigned in the Encyclopedia are based on the original design specifications. The policy of re-assigning mission codes to specific ships or classes of ships based upon changing circumstances is determined by the governments assigning their own codes.
Mission description
The mission encoding has two parts: A name or short phrase to define the specific primary mission and any modifiers, and a set of letter codes which capture the same primary mission and modifiers. In more precise terminology the Mission Code refers to the short phrase while the type code refers to the letter codes. There is enough overlap the terms are sometimes used interchangeably
The Ship Mission code has the following format
- type code class mission description
The type code is the one to three character encoding of the mission. The expected format is the primary mission code followed by any modifier codes.
The mission description is a short phrase to describe the mission. This generally is not the precise language used by mission code descriptions, but rather a description given by the designer.
For example, a ship may be given the mission code of CA class armored cruiser. The CA gives a mission code of C (Naval independent operations) with a modifier of A (Armored).
Giving specific names to the mission, like cruiser, leads to comparison of the ships with the same mission name, especially with military ships. This in turn causes analysis issues when trying to describe two designs separated by spans of time or availability of resources. Trying to compare a Lightning class Frontier Cruiser to an early Terran Confederation cruiser leads to substantial argument about what qualifies as a "Cruiser".
Primary missions
For each primary mission there is a title and a code given for the mission encoding and the type codes. Each mission has a longer description and list of examples to provide guidance for assigning a primary code.
- Navy
- These are warships designed for combat operations. Their design includes weapons, armor, shields, and the crew to support these operations.
- Fleet - Code B
- Naval fleet ships are designed for primary front-line combat duty to engage and destroy enemy forces. These ship serve as the direct offense and the first line of defense. Frequently designed around a Spinal Weapons Mount or other heavy weapons. Navy fleet ships work in concert with each fleet elements to defeat enemy forces in detail.
- Independent - Code C
- Naval independent ships are designed for combat operations independent of the larger fleet elements, emphasizing mobility. These ships operate alone or in small groups, frequently on extended operations away from support elements. Operations might include quick reaction forces for defending against unexpected feints or operations behind enemy lines to disrupt supply lines and logistics.
- Defenders - Code D
- Naval defender ships are designed for defending important assets like worlds, naval bases, and supply lines. Designs emphasize fire-power and defensive capabilities over strategic mobility.
- Auxiliary - Code E
- Naval auxiliary ships are designed for combat operations other than strategic naval fleet operations. A broad category of designs for specific military operations usually captured by the mission modifiers.
- Commercial
- These ships support profit making enterprises like resource extractions, manufacturing, and trade. Commercial ships may or may not be lightly armed and are not designed for combat.
- Trader - Code A
- Commercial trader ships are designed as general purpose mixed mode cargo and passenger carriers. Their primary goal is the opening of new markets, so designs emphasize independent operation and without specific logistical support.
- Resource Extraction - Code J
- Commercial resource extraction ships are designed for the specific purpose of finding, extracting, and processing raw materials and resources.
- Liners - Code M
- Commercial liners are designed to transport people as comfortably as possible. Commercial liners travel well known scheduled routes and can expect to have specific logistical support at all stops along the way.
- Freighter - Code R
- Commercial freighters are designed for carrying cargo or freight like goods or raw materials. Like Liners these travel well known schedule routes and can expect to have specific logical support at stops along the way.
- General - Code T
- General commercial ships are designed for commercial operations not covered by other mission definitions. A broad category with specific designs for different missions.
- Non-commercial
- Ships for performing missions not directly related to war or profit making like science experiments, experimental ship designs, and private vessels. Like the commercial ships, these may or may not be lightly armed and are not designed for combat.
- Science - Code L
- Science ships are designed for performing scientific research and survey operations. Designs emphasize sensors and on site operations, with a passenger comforts also being important. Many are built for a specific mission rather than general purpose designs.
- Scout - Code S
- Scout ships are designed for long duration independent missions to explore new territory and contact new civilizations.
- Private - Code Y
- Private ships are designed for private operations not covered by other categories. A broad category of designs with specific examples called out by the modifier codes.
Mission Modifiers
Code | Modifier name(s) |
---|---|
A | Alternate, Improved, Armored, Attack |
B | Boat. Bulk. Battle. Big. |
C | Close. Carrier. Communications. Construction. Cutter. |
D | Defense. Defending. Interceptor. Transport |
E | Escort. Essential. Electronic Warfare |
F | Fast. Fat. Frontier. Far. Flag. Free. Fleet. Fighter |
G | Gunned. Upgunned. Gas, Governmental. Gig |
H | Fuel. Tanker. Hydrogen. Heavy |
J | Survey. Prospector. Interface. Intruder |
K | Subsidized. Fast, Diplomatic, Courier |
L | Lifeboat. Exploratory. Light. Leader. Launch. |
M | Military. Militia. Mercenary. Motivator. Tug. Mining, Missile |
N | Naval. Nuclear. Fleet. Non-standard. Pinnace. |
P | Patrol. Plus. Passenger, Mercenary, Pursuit. Provincial |
Q | Disguised. Decoy. Quarantine, Mother |
R | Recon. Rescue. Rider. Resident. Raider |
S | Slow. System. Special. Luxury. Small. Strike. Survey. Shuttle |
T | Tramp. Tender. Transport. Tanker. |
U | Unarmed, Hulk. De-activated. Inoperative |
V | Vehicle Carrier, Drone. Remote. Replenishment. Agricultural |
W | Unpowered. Non-Jump. Barge |
X | Experimental. Special. Express. |
Y | Hull. Subhull. Pod. Rider. Modular. Private. Shuttle. Cutter |
Z | Unassigned, Experimental. |
Type encoding
As a way of providing better application of the mission encoding listed here are several examples.
A-class Commercial Merchant
A-class Ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
A | Commercial Merchant | Merchant Vessel, Tramp Vessel |
AA | Armored Merchant | Armored Merchant |
AC | Commercial Communications | Communications Vessel |
AF | Commercial Far Traders | Far Trader, Free Trader |
AK | Commercial Courier | Courier Vessel |
AP | Commercial passenger | Packet Ship |
AQ | Commercial Mother Ship | Colony Ship, Sleeper Ship, Generation Ship |
AW | Commercial Station | Space Station, Trade Station, X-Boat Station, Far port |
Naval fleet ships are designed for primary front-line combat duty to engage and destroy enemy forces.
B-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
BB | Naval Fleet | Battleship |
BC | Close Fleet | Brigantine |
BL | Light Fleet | Corvette, Patrol Corvette |
BN | Naval Fleet | Destroyer |
BS | Small Fleet | Sloop, War Sloop |
BY | Naval Fleet | Battle Rider |
C-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
CB | Naval Independent | Cruiser |
CJ | Naval Intruder | Intruder |
CL | Light Independent | Frigate |
CP | Naval Pursuit | Marauder |
CR | Naval Raider | Raider Vessel |
CS | Naval Strike | Privateer Vessel, Corsair Vessel |
D-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
DB | Naval Battle Defender | Monitor |
DD | Naval defense interceptor | Picket |
DE | Naval Escort | Escort, Type E class Escort |
DH | Naval heavy defender | Sentinel |
DSB | Naval Defender | System Defense Boat |
DW | Naval Defender Station | orbital fortress |
E-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
E | Naval Auxiliary | Combat Support Ship, Military Specialty Craft, Auxiliary Vessel |
EB | Naval Otillery | Ortillery Ship, Bomber |
EC | Naval Fleet Carrier | Carrier |
ED | Naval Patrol Interceptor | customs enforcement |
EE | Naval Auxiliary Security | Security Vessel |
EF | Naval Fighter | Fighter |
EG | Naval Gunboat | Gunboat |
EJ | Naval planetary assault | Planetary Assault |
EK | Naval Courier | Fleet Courier |
EP | Naval Auxiliary Patrol | Patrol Vessel |
EQ | Naval Decoy | Q-Ship |
ET | Naval Combat Transport | Combat Transport, Fleet Tanker |
EU | Naval Utility | Utility Craft, Type U class Auxiliary |
EV | Naval Carrier | Subcraft Carrier, Escort Tender |
J-class Commercial Resource
J-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
JG | Commercial Gas | Skimmer |
JJ | Commercial Prospector | Prospector Vessel, Type J class Seeker |
JH | Commercial Fuel | Fueling Craft |
JM | Commercial Industrial | Industrial Vessel |
JU | Commercial Salvage | Salvage |
L-class Science
L-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
L | Science | Science Vessel, Biomedical Vessel |
LF | Science Far | Beagle Vessel |
LL | Science Expedition | Expedition Ship |
LS | Science Survey | Survey ships |
LW | Science Platform | Sensor Platforms |
M-class Commercial Liner
M-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
M | Commercial Liner | Liner |
MC | Commercial cutter | Cutter |
MF | Commercial Fast Liner | Clipper |
MR | Commercial Resident | Prison |
R-class Commercial Freighter
R-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
R | Commercial Freigher | Freighter, Mega-Freighter |
RB | Commercial Bulk Cargo | Bulk Cargo |
RH | Commercial Tanker | Tanker |
RT | Commercial Transport | Transport |
RX | Commercial Express Communications | Express Boat, Express Boat Tender, Relay Vessel |
S-class Scout
S-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
S | Scout | Scout Vessel |
SC | Scout Communications | First Contact |
SL | Scout Explorer | Exploration Vessel |
SN | Scout Naval | Military Scout Vessel |
SW | Scout Sensor Platform | System Surveillance |
T-class Commercial Transport
T-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
T | Commercial Transport | Industrial Vessel, Commercial |
TD | Commercial Transporter | Jump Shuttle |
TL | Commercial Life Boat | Life Boat |
TM | Commercial Motivator | Tug |
TN | Commercial Fleet Repair | mobile repair facility |
TT | Commercial Transport | Transport, Tender, |
TP | Medical support | Medical Vessel, Type N class Medical Vessel |
TR | Commercial Rescue | Rescue ship |
TS | Commercial Small craft | Smallcraft |
TU | Commercial Utility | Utility Craft |
TV | Commercial Agricultural | Drone, Agricultural ship |
TW | Commercial Barge | Barge, Type W class Orbital Facility |
Y-class Yacht
Y-class ship mission classification | ||
---|---|---|
Code | Master Ship Mission | Example |
Y | Yacht | Private Vessel, Non-Commercial Vessel, Type Y class Yacht |
YG | Private Governmental | Diplomatic Transport |
YK | Private Safari | Type K class Safari Ship |
YL | Private Expedition | Expedition Ship |
YM | Private Mercenary | Bounty Hunter Vessel |
YP | Private Passenger | Charter Vessels |
YW | Private Station | Private habitat |
See Also
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)
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):
Imperial Ship Classification | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
# | 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
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 Battleship | 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. |
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.
- Marc Miller. Referee's Manual (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), TBD.
- Rob Caswell, William W. Connors, Joe Fugate, Gary L. Thomas. Starship Operator's Manual (Digest Group Publications, 1988), TBD.
- Frank Chadwick, Dave Nilsen. Traveller: The New Era (Game Designers Workshop, 1993), TBD.
- Don Perrin. Starships (Imperium Games, 1996), TBD.
- Doug Stewart, Tony Lee. Naval Architect's Manual (Imperium Games, 1997), TBD.
- Martin Dougherty, Hunter Gordon. The Traveller's Handbook (QuikLink Interactive, 2002), TBD.
- Martin Dougherty, Hunter Gordon. Gateway to Destiny (QuikLink Interactive, 2004), TBD.
- Gareth Hanrahan. Core Rulebook (Mongoose Publishing, 2008), 105.
- Gareth Hanrahan, Dom Mooney. High Guard (Mongoose Publishing, 2008), TBD.
- Bryan Steele, Stuart Machin, Dom Mooney. Fighting Ships (Mongoose Publishing, 2009), TBD.
- Marc Miller. "A Brief History of the Universe." T5 Core Rules (2013): 330.
- Matthew Sprange. High Guard (Mongoose Publishing, 2016), .
- Matthew Sprange. High Guard: Aslan (Mongoose Publishing, 2016), TBD.
- Matthew Sprange. Starter Set (Mongoose Publishing, 2017), TBD.