Editing Subcraft

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A [[Subcraft]] is a smaller ship carried within a larger ship.
* Most subcraft are [[boat]]s and [[smallcraft]], although larger [[FTL]]-capable [[bigcraft]] are possible, but used much less often. 
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=== Library Data Referral Tree ===
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br>
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== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
The terms subcraft and [[smallcraft]] have semantic overlap in meaning. Subcraft can come in any size. Smallcraft cannot. Smallcraft always weight less then one hundred tons.

And there are similar issues with [[subcraft carrier]]s.
* Militarized subcraft carriers are known as [[Carrier]]s or [[Tender]]s.
* Civilian subcraft carriers are typically known as [[Ship Transporter]]s or [[Tender]]s.

It is possible to have subcraft that carry subcraft, such as a [[Ship Transporter]] carrying a scout ship (subcraft to the transporter) that has [[drone]]s (subcraft to the scout ship). Even this single recursion is rare, as most ships that carry subcraft have no need of a larger ship (though in this example, the scout ship's [[jump drive]] may have been damaged and the transporter sent to rescue it). Going beyond one recursion is extremely rare.

=== Naval Ship Synopsis by Size-Role ===
These vary in tonnage and in their intended function or role.
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=== Ubiquitous Subcraft Usage ===
However, practically speaking, almost any craft can dock a subcraft to an [[airlock]], docking point, or in a [[hangar]]. And when it comes to drones, they can be deployed from a standard [[missile rack]] or tube as well. In this sense, a vast variety of craft can deploy subcraft of varying sizes and types.

=== Design Tradeoffs ===
However, most [[starship]]s are finely balanced for maximum [[jump drive|jump]] performance with just their own tonnage, and would experience problems taking subcraft through [[jumpspace]]. Further, [[spacecraft]] of any stripe accelerate more slowly when carrying subcraft beyond their drives' rated performance. These are the main disadvantages keeping subcraft from being used more widely in practice.

In order to overcome this hurdle, the subcraft must perform some function the carrier either can not perform at all or can only perform at a significanlty lesser level. The most famous example is [[battle tender]]/[[battle rider]] pair, where the subcraft do not have to take [[jump drive]] machinery into battle and the tender can hang back, or the military [[carrier]]/[[fighter]] paradigm, where the subcraft also do not have staterooms or other long-term necessities either (their crews returning to the carrier for that). However, by sheer number produced, the most common example is [[drone]]s which are sent off to "dangerous, dirty, or dreary tasks" (as has been a common [[Anglic]] phrasing since the language was first established, imported from [[English]]), in particular tasks that require continual on-duty performance without a break (such as patrols and surveys) or are inherently hazardous (such as [[mining]]). There are countless other more specialized tasks.

Thousands of years of bad fiction on this specific point has made this into one of the commonly taught ways to spot ill-thought-through works: the presence of some extremely capable [[starship]] that carries subcraft, but can do everything its subcraft would do, as well as or (often) better than the subcraft. While it is possible to have a specific ship design that can outperform specific subcraft designs, few [[naval architect]]s would waste space on hangars in this case without good reason, instead just making more of the ship that can do so well, or reducing the overall tonnage so as to get the same high performance for less cost. (The ''Fightercraft of the Vestige'' series explores and underscores this point, being about a carrier and [[fighter]] squadron that were designed and built for political reasons and not at all for actual military use - though critics have noted it undermines its point, as the [[fighter]]s are of political value that the [[carrier]] Vestige could not deliver by itself, such as by being able to be in - and thus, show the Imperial flag to - a number of separate locations at once.)

=== Impromptu Subcraft Carriers ===
Larger cargo vessels typically can transport entire [[ship]]s, [[vehicle]]s, subcraft, [[bigcraft]], [[largecraft]], and other forms of craft in vast numbers. Under the right conditions, many can launch and/or recover them as well. Almost any [[container ship]] can be converted into an impromptu subcraft carrier in times of need.

=== Dedicated Subcraft Carriers ===
The primary difference is that a dedicated carrier, tender, or ship transporter possesses dedicated facilities to launch, recover, track, coordinate operations, communicate, support pilots, support service personnel, and otherwise maintain subcraft operations over vast distances, time durations, and areas of influence.

There is a tremendous difference between a top of the line launch tube and a simple cargo airlock. A dedicated hangar space is vastly superior to an unpressurized cargo bay. A dedicated subcraft carrier will vastly outperform an impromptu subcraft carrier the vast majority of the time.

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
Almost as soon as engine-driven vehicles are first invented, smaller sub-vehicles or subcraft follow. Smaller craft typically use less resources is it's more resource-efficient and often far more convenient to use.

=== TL:4-6 Epoch Carriers ===
Most sophont societies achieve flight with powered [[aircraft]] in this [[technological epoch]] and the first aircraft carriers are born. On many worlds these are wet navy, maritime vessels, but on others they may be land ships or even more exotic carriers. The [[aircraft]] deployed on these carriers tend to be the first dedicated subcraft that reach mass manufacture.

=== TL:7-9 Epoch Carriers ===
Most sophont societies achieve spaceflight during this [[technological epoch]]. The earliest spacecraft are very dangerous and the cost of lifting mass out of gravity well is horrendously expensive so few spacecraft deploy subcraft during this period. Personal mobility units for individual sophonts in the vacuum are deployed instead. By the end of the epoch, a transition from [[spaceplane]]s to dedicated [[spacecraft]] occurs and a wider variety of spacebourne subcraft are deployed and manufactured. the first [[sleep ship]]s and [[generation ship]]s all use an array of subcraft and [[ship's vehicle]]s. The first vessel using [[FTL]] [[jump drive]]s do as well.

=== TL:10-12 Epoch Carriers ===
This [[technological epoch]] is the first to have achieved mastery over [[gravity control technologies]], which massively lower the cost of bringing mass out of a gravity well. The [[G-Drive]] replaces conventional [[reaction drive]]s on many vessels and makes it vastly easier for larger interstellar trade vessels to move goods and freight. The [[air/raft]] becomes a favored [[ship's vehicle]] on any vessel that can afford it. [[G-Carrier]]s are larger and perform most of the same missions. A whole variety of spacegoing [[smallcraft]] fill in the gaps as [[interface craft]]. Military subcraft become a part of interstellar navies, not just [[fighter]]s, but an array of [[bigcraft]] and [[largecraft]] as well as [[battle rider]]s are experimented with.

=== TL:13-15 Epoch Carriers ===
Great bounds are made in the advancement of [[gravity control technology]] and [[air/raft]]s and [[G-carrier]]s grow more capable. Improved [[G-Drive]]s also are developed. Miniaturized craft grow in new technological directions as [[nanotech]] and microtech are advanced. [[Drone]]s become more commonplace. Military subcraft use newly developed [[naval weapon]]s and [[electronics]] to become even more vital parts of interstellar navies.

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Advanced}}
{{Sources
|S1= {{Ludography cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= TBD}}
|S2= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
|S3= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]] 
}}


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