Editing Utility Craft

{{:Starship-Nav-Bar-Two-2019CE}}
[[Utility Craft|U-class Utility Craft]] or [[Ship]]s, whether [[smallcraft]], [[bigcraft]], or otherwise... are ships used to perform routine work such as [[tug]]s, [[ferries]], and the like.  
* The category includes a variety of craft with a variety of missions including civilian, paramilitary, and military roles. 
* Combatant military [[smallcraft]] are typically known as [[Fighter|F-class Fighter]]s. Other non-combatant military types include the [[Combat Transport|I-class Combat Transport]]s and [[Combat Support Ship|Q-class Combat Support Ship]]s.
* The [[Supraclass]] designation is also known as [[Ship Mission]], [[Ship Mission Code]], Mission, or [[Ship Hull Designation]]. 
* It is a [[starship]] [[supraclass]].
[[File: Technical Data.jpg|right]]

=== Library Data Referral Tree ===
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br>
'''[[Starship]]:'''
{{:Referral-Tree-Starship-User-Types}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Advanced-Ship-Classifications}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Basic-Ship-Classifications}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Ships-by-Function}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Speed-of-Travel}}
 
== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
U-class Utility Craft are among the most commonly encountered [[smallcraft]] within [[Charted Space]]. Utility [[bigcraft]] are also common, but far less so than their vastly more numerous smallcraft cousins. Utility craft can be specialized for every sort of mission possible, but multipurpose craft are ubiquitous. Militarized versions are known as UQ-class [[military boat]]s. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
 
There is a huge used market for such vessels and almost every [[shipyard]] and large [[starport]] posses a variety of [[Universal Manufacturing Template]]s ([[UMT]]'s) to build these light [[vessel]]s. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }} 

=== Image Repository ===
'''[[Life Boat|Type UE Life Boat / Escape Pod]]:'''
# A side view [[schematic]] of a [[Deliverance class Lifeboat|''Deliverance'' class Lifeboat]]. <br> [[File:J0 50dT Lifeboat.jpg|400px]]
# A small, sleek [[Marrel Veckor class Lifeboat|''Marrel Veckor'' class Lifeboat]], popular with the [[Distant Fringe]]. <br> [[File:J-0 20dT Lifeboat Pinnace.jpg|400px]]

'''[[Troop Transport|Type UI Troop Transport Smallcraft]]:''' <br>
# A [[Coeus class Assault Pinnace]] approaching a [[Tethys class Mercenary Transport]] and preparing to dock. <br> [[file: Tethys-CT-RESIZE-Keith-FASA 19-Oct-2019b.jpg|400px]]
# A side view of a [[Gallant class Assault Shuttle|''Gallant'' class Assault Shuttle]] [[smallcraft]]. <br> [[File:J0 80dT Assault Shuttle.jpg|400px]]
# Two [[Paulos class Troop Transport]]s streaking to targets, one engaging its non-standard [[stealth device]]. <br> [[File: Paulos-Troop-Transport-CT-RESIZE-P-Jaquays-Supp-9-pg-24 07-Sept-2019b.png|400px]]

'''[[Boarding Craft|Type UIB Boarding Craft]]:''' <br>
# No exemplar yet available.

''[[Core Smallcraft]] - [[Ship's Boat|Type UMB Ship's Boat]]s:''
# A stock [[Ship's Boat]] image by a famous starcraft artist. <br> [[File: Ships-Boat-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-34 03-July-2018a.jpg]]
## A [[Songbird class Ship's Boat|''Songbird'' class Ship's Boat]]. <br> [[File:J0 40dT Ship's Boat.jpg|400px]]
## A side view image of the hardy [[Leo class Ship's Boat]]. <br> [[File: Leo-class-Ships-Boat-IMAGE-Ade-Stewart-T5 08-Aug-2019a.jpg|300px]]

''[[Core Smallcraft]] - [[Cutter|Type UMC Cutter]]s:''
# A stock [[Cutter]] or [[Modular Cutter]] image by a famous starcraft artist. <br> [[File: Mod-Cutter-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-35 03-July-2018a.jpg]]
## Two [[Bathysphere class Prospector's Cutter]]s making planetfall. <br> [[File: Bathypshere-class-Boyd-Stone-THUMB-T5-Jim-K 08-Aug-2019b.jpg]]
## An [[Apollo class Runabout|''Apollo'' class Runabout]]. <br> [[File:J0 50dT Runabout.jpg|400px]]
## A [[Bubble class Fuel Cutter]] cruising through the icy debris of a [[gas giant]]'s [[planetary ring]]. <br> [[File: Bubble-Fuel-Cutter-T5-RESIZE-Boyd-Stone 02-Sept-2019b.jpg|400px]]
## A [[Modular Cutter]] exiting the [[hangar]] of a [[Type C class Mercenary Cruiser]]. <br> [[File: MODULAR-CUTTER-docking-CT-Fighting-Ships-Pg-21 06-Sept-2018b.jpg|300px]]
## A [[Broadsword class Mercenary Cruiser|''Broadsword-class'']] deploying a [[Modular Cutter]]. <br> [[File: Broadsword-near world by shawndriscoll-dbbij3b (1).png|300px]]

''[[Core Smallcraft]] - [[Gig|Type UMG Gig]]s:''
# A stock [[Gig]] image by a famous starcraft artist. <br> [[File: Gig-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-84.jpg|190px]]
## A [[Goblin class Gig|''Goblin'' class Gig]]. <br> [[File:J0 10dT Gig.jpg|300px]]
## A [[Darlene class Gig]] under [[spaceflight]]. <br> [[File: Gig-Darlene-PARTIAL-IMAGE-P-Jaquays-Fighting-Ships-Pg-27 05-Sept-2018a.jpg|300px]]

''[[Core Smallcraft]] - [[Launch|Type UML Launch / Life Boat]]s:''
# A stock [[Launch]] image by a famous starcraft artist. <br> [[File: Launch-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-34 03-July-2018a.jpg]]
## A [[Constance class Launch|''Constance'' class Launch]]. <br> [[File:J0 50dT Launch.jpg|300px]]
## A small, sleek [[Marrel Veckor class Lifeboat|''Marrel Veckor'' class Lifeboat]]. <br> [[File:J-0 20dT Lifeboat Pinnace.jpg|300px]]
## A [[Damgarrii class Passenger Launch]] approaching a [[lab ship]]. View from the aft. <br> [[File:Damgarrii-class-Shuttle-CT-pg-8-Death-Station 16-May-2019a.jpg|300px]]
## A [[Tomar class Industrial Mining Launch]] equipped with two 15-[[ton]] [[Ore Pod]]s, a kind of [[Cargo Container]]. <br> [[File: Tomar-class-Ind-Launch-IMAGE-Tom-Mouat-Fan 20-July-2019b.jpg|300px]]

''[[Core Smallcraft]] - [[Slow Pinnace|Type UMO SLow Pinnace]]s:''
# A [[Slow Pinnace]] image by a famous starcraft artist. <br> [[File: Slow-Pinnace-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-35 03-July-2018a.jpg|190px]]

''[[Core Smallcraft]] - [[Pinnace|Type UMP Pinnace]]s:''
# A stock [[Pinnace]] image by a famous starcraft artist. <br> [[File: Pinnace-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-34 03-July-2018a.jpg]]
## A [[Narva class Pinnace|''Narva'' class Pinnace]]. <br> [[File:J0 20dT Pinnace.jpg|300px]]
## A [[Caroline class Heavy Pinnace|''Caroline'' class Heavy Pinnace]]. <br> [[File:J0 30dT Heavy Pinnace.jpg|400px]]
## The [[MC&S Engineering]] [[Sternplatz class Refueling Pinnace]] with it's bulky, yet portable [[Fuel Treatment Plant]]. <br> [[File: Sternplatz-Pinnace-CT-RESIZE-D-Sering-Starships-and-Spacecraft-pg-27 9-Sept-2019b.png|400px]]

''[[Core Smallcraft]] - [[Shuttle|Type UMS Shuttle]]s:''
# A stock [[Shuttle]] image by a famous starcraft artist. <br> [[File: Shuttle-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-35 03-July-2018a.jpg]]
## A [[Shuttle]] AKA [[Fast Shuttle]] leaving [[orbit]] for a [[spaceport]]. <br> [[File: Shuttle-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-32 03-July-2018a.jpg|190px]]
## [[Excellence class Fast Shuttle|''Excellence'' class Fast Shuttle]]. <br> [[File:J0 90dT Fast Shuttle.jpg|400px]]
## A [[Type 423 class Cargo Shuttle]] returning planetside from a [[moduleship]] [[hangar]]. <br> [[file: Type-423-CT-RESIZE-Ken-Simpson-Doom-Singing-Star-pg-57 18-Oct-2019b.jpg|400px]]

''[[Core Smallcraft]] - [[Slow Boat|Type UMW Slow Boat]]s:''
# A [[Slow Boat]] image by a famous starcraft artist. <br> [[File: Slow-Boat-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-34 03-July-2018a.jpg|190px]]

''[[Medical Craft|Type UN Medical Craft]]:''
# The [[Camel class Medical Launch]] is a first responder [[smallcraft]]. This is a simple [[deck plan]] for the [[vessel]]. <br> [[File: Camel-CT-DECK-PLAN-Poster 27-Oct-2019d.jpg|400px]]
# An [[Olyora class Medevac Pinnace]] in orbit preparing to render first aid to wounded planetary combatants. <br> [[File: Olyora-Aslan-Medevac-Pinnace-CT-RESIZE-pg-7 15-Oct-2019b.jpg|400px]]

''[[Combat Support Smallcraft|Type UY Combat Support Smallcraft]]:''
# An [[Aslan]] [[Yaeai class Recon Pinnace]] under spaceflight. <br> [[File: Yaeai-Aslan-Pinnace-CT-THUMB-FASA-As-Merc-Ships-pg-7 15-Oct-2019c.jpg]]

=== Strategy & Tactics (Doctrine) ===
Utility craft are generally not built to function in more than a self defense role. Except against lightly armed pirate or [[marauder vessel]]s, evasion is the general order of the day. The mission of utility craft is to perform a variety of useful roles: interface transport, light scouting, light cargo transport, passenger conveyance, and a variety of other utility roles.

=== Supraclass Roles ===
''Utility Ship''s typically serve the following roles:

''[[Civilian Ship|Civilian]] [[Smallcraft]] & [[Bigcraft]]:''
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
!colspan="4"| U-class Utility Craft (Civilian) Supraclass Archetypes
|-
! Archetype
! Type Code
|-
| [[Barge]]
| (WB)
|-
| [[Boarding Shuttle]]
| (UQ)
|-
| [[Customs Pinnace]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Cutter]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Drone]]
| (UD)
|-
| [[Employee Shuttle]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Escape Pod]]
| (UE)
|-
| [[Expeditionary Smallcraft]]
| (UK)
|-
| [[Fast Cutter]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Ferry]]
| (GU) ([[Bigcraft]])
|-
| [[Fuel Lighter]]
| (UF)
|-
| [[Fuel Pinnace]]
| (UF)
|-
| [[Fuel Skimmer]]
| (UF)
|-
| [[Fueling Shuttle]]
| (UF)
|-
| [[Gig]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Heavy Lander]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Heavy Pinnace]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Heavy Tug]]
| (GU) ([[Bigcraft]])
|-
| [[Hunter's Launch]]
| (UK)
|-
| [[Industrial Mining Launch]]
| (UG)
|-
| [[Industrial Smallcraft]]
| (UG)
|-
| [[Interplanetary Shuttle]]
| (UMS)
|-
| [[Launch]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Lifeboat]]
| (UE)
|-
| [[Longboat]]
| (U)
|-
| [[Medical Smallcraft]]
| (UN)
|-
| [[Modular Cutter]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Modular Ship's Boat]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Multipurpose Utility Craft]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Pinnace]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Private Smallcraft]]
| (UY)
|-
| [[Refueling Shuttle]]
| (UF)
|-
| [[Remote Fuel Scavenger]]
| (UG)
|-
| [[Research Smallcraft]]
| (UL)
|-
| [[Runabout]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Safari Smallcraft]]
| (UK)
|-
| [[Science Lander]]
| (UL)
|-
| [[Ship's Boat]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Shuttle]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Skiff]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Slow Boat]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Slow Pinnace]]
| (UM)
|-
| [[Special Mission Smallcraft]]
| (UZ)
|-
| [[Towing Vessel]]
| (UT)
|-
| [[Tug]] 
| (GU) ([[Bigcraft]])
|-
| [[Tug]]
| (UT) ([[Smallcraft]])
|-
| [[Utility Craft]]
| (U) (Namesake)
|-
|}

''[[Military Ship|Military]] [[Smallcraft]] & [[Bigcraft]]:''
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
!colspan="4"| Related Military Craft Supraclass Archetypes
|-
! Archetype
! Type Code
|-
| [[Boarding Smallcraft]]
| (UIB)
|-
| [[Combat Barge]]
| (WBI)
|-
| [[Combat Transport Smallcraft]]
| (UI)
|-
| Excluding [[Escort]] ([[Bigcraft]])
| (E)
|-
| Excluding [[Fighter]]s
| (F)
|-
| Excluding [[Gunship]] ([[Bigcraft]])
| (EG)
|-
| [[Militarized Utility Craft]]
| (UQ)
|-
|}

==== Most Common Standardized Smallcraft Types ====
''[[Smallcraft]]:''
# [[Cutter|Cutter (50-ton)]]
# [[Fighter|Fighter (10-ton)]]
# [[Launch|Launch (20-ton)]]
# [[Pinnace|Pinnace (40-ton)]]
# [[Ship's Boat|Ship's Boat (30-ton)]]
# [[Shuttle|Shuttle (95-ton)]]
# [[Slow Boat|Slow Boat (30-ton)]]
# [[Slow Pinnace|Slow Pinnace (40-ton)]]

=== Smallcraft Speed Regimes ===
* M:1-3 G = Slow Speed Smallcraft 
* M:3-4 G = Average Speed Smallcraft 
* M:4-6 G = Fast Speed Smallcraft

=== Supraclass Archetypal Roles ===
These vessels typically serve the following archetypal roles:
{| class="wikitable sortable" 
!colspan="4"| U-class Utility Craft Supraclass Archetypes
|-
! Archetype
! Type Code
! Exemplar
! Remarks
|-
| [[Utility Craft]]
| U
| [[Damgarrii class Passenger Launch]]
| Utility Craft or Utility Smallcraft are an entire grouping of [[smallcraft]] displacing less than a hundred [[ton]]s and only equipped with [[NAFAL]] [[drive]]s. They are not equipped with [[FTL]] [[jump drive]]s. These light craft perform a very wide variety of utility missions and roles.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
|-
| [[Drone]] [[Smallcraft]]
| UD
| [[Zip class Courier Drone]]
| [[Mesodrone]]. A completely automated [[smallcraft]] utility craft will generally be this type, with any other subtype of U-class added afterward. For instance, an [[industrial drone]] is typically UDG rather than UG or UGD.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* D = [[Drone]]
|-
| [[Escape Pod]] / [[Life Boat]] / [[Small Launch]]
| UE
| [[SK-3 class Lifeboat]]
| It is one of the smallest [[spaceship]]s in common use. They typically displace 20 [[ton]]s or less. Although its primary function is to serve as a [[life craft]] in the event that evacuation is required, it can also be used to transport [[passenger]]s. While many [[launch]]es perform a utility role as well as [[life boat]] and/or [[escape pod]] duties, most [[Medical Ship|Type-UE-class smallcraft]] are specialized to only perform [[escape pod]] and/or [[life boat]] duties. Any utility capabilities are an afterthought.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* E = [[Escape Pod]], [[Life Boat]], [[etc.]]
|-
| [[Fuel Shuttle]]
| UF
| [[Bubble class Fuel Cutter]]
| [[Fuel shuttle]]s or [[lighter]]s are [[smallcraft]] that perform a variety of [[fuel]]-purposed missions although the most common act to perform wilderness refueling tasks and then ferry fuel back to a largecraft mothership. Others refine fuel, carry it around like miniature [[tanker]]s, or otherwise do useful things. They also have [[bigcraft]] cousins.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* F = [[Fuel]], Gas, [[Tanker]], [[etc.]]
|-
| [[Industrial Smallcraft]]
| UG
| [[Tomar class Industrial Mining Launch]]
| UG-class smallcraft perform a variety of industrial (G-class duties) and prospecting (J-class duties) missions and roles including [[belter]]-related duties. Many are equipped to extract, process, or transport [[ore]] across the distances of a [[star system]].
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* G = Great Industrial
|-
| [[Combat Lander]] / [[Combat Transport Smallcraft]]
| UI
| [[Sturmge class Assault Shuttle]]
| ''Combat Transport'' [[smallcraft]] or [[combat lander]]s are [[smallcraft]] tasked to bring fighting men, [[soldier]]s, [[mercenaries]], [[marine]]s, etc. to the surface combat environment under fire. Many also carry combat equipment, [[AFV]]s, supplies, and/or carry weapons to suppress defenders.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* I = Infantry Lander, Combat Transport, [[etc.]]
|-
| [[Boarding Smallcraft]]
| UIB
| [[Barrister's Gavel class Boarding Gig]]
| Boarding smallcraft are combat transport smallcraft focused on boarding actions in space, rather than on delivery to planetside. They will typically not carry vehicles larger than an individual soldier, since they would not fit in a typical target's corridors. Likewise, any mounted weapons are typically to secure the docking, and are not able to fire into the target's corridors to support the boarding.
* U = Utility Smallcraft 
* I = Infantry Lander, Combat Transport, [[etc.]]
* B = Boarding
|-
| [[Expeditionary Smallcraft]]
| UK
| [[Denuli class Hunting Launch]]
| ''Expeditionary smallcraft'' are specialized utility craft designed to support the operations of [[expedition ship]]s. They can range from specialized colony support craft, to stealthy [[first contact]] craft designed to unobtrusively observe newly discovered [[sophont]] [[societies]], to [[hunting launch]]es for [[safari ship]]s, and a variety of other craft.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* K = Kiswahili (Name of Terran language used in an area where many significant safari expeditions occurred. Also known as [[Swahili]])
|-
| [[Research Smallcraft]]
| UL
| [[Boquist class Research Pinnace]]
| Research smallcraft are specialized [[utility craft]] used to conduct scientific research, laboratory experiments, [[science lander]] missions, and a variety of missions designed to support [[science vessel]]s. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* L = Laboratory
|-
| [[Multipurpose Utility Craft]]
| UM
| [[Damgarrii class Passenger Launch]]
| ''UM-class Utility Smallcraft'' form the bulk of [[smallcraft]] constructed within [[Charted Space]]. They are carried by the majority of [[starfaring vessel]]s and are easy to construct with [[Universal Manufacturing Template]]s ([[UMT]]'s) stocked at almost every [[shipyard]]. Even the least popular designs have dozens of variants, and the most popular might have a hundred or more popular variants. They are multipurpose craft, easily adaptable to carry [[cargo]], [[passenger]]s, or other needed [[good]]s. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
|-
| [[Ship's Boat|Ship's Boat (30-ton)]]
| UMB
| [[Cigiysna class Ship's Boat]]
| The [[ship's boat]] is a small [[vessel]] ordinarily carried to perform odd jobs and minor operations for a [[larger ship]]. {{Page cite|name= Imperial Encyclopedia |page=78 |version= MegaTraveller}}
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
* B = [[Ship's Boat]]
|-
| [[Cutter|Cutter (50-ton)]]
| UMC
| [[Mineral class Cutter]]
| The [[modular cutter]] is designed to carry one of many modules available Three are the ATV module, which includes an operational ATV; the fuel module, which serves as a fuel skimming vehicle and storage tank; and the open module, which can be customized for passenger couches, [[fuel]], [[cargo space]], [[cabin]]s, or [[stateroom]]s. {{Page cite|name= Imperial Encyclopedia |page=79 |version= MegaTraveller}} Cutters are considered the smallest vessel associated with independent military command.  As such, cutter commanders are called "captain."  Cutters are used in a variety of military and civilian settings.  Although they can fill similar roles to those of the pinnace, they are more likely to be found as work boats and ferrying supplies and equipment around the system.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
* C = Cutter, [[Modular Cutter]], [[etc.]]
|-
| [[Gig|Gig (20-ton)]]
| UMG
| [[Goblin class Gig]]
| These vessel are normally carried on other ships. They are larger than lifeboats and have the capacity to carry passengers and freight. They have a variety of other designations including Launch, Jolly Boat, and confusingly Ship's Boat.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
* G = [[Gig]]
|-
| [[Launch|Launch (20-ton)]]
| UML
| [[Constance class Launch]]
| The [[launch]] is one of the smaller [[spacefaring craft]], and is often carried by another [[vessel]] to serve as a [[lifeboat]]. {{Page cite|name= Imperial Encyclopedia |page=78 |version= MegaTraveller}} Launches are typically smaller craft, but can still perform a very useful multipurpose utility role when needed. While some launches are specialized for the [[escape pod]] or [[life boat]] role, a huge percentage of commercial launches are of the multipurpose variety. Militarized UQ-class versions exist as well, typically with upgraded military [[electronics]] and light [[weapon]]ry. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
* L = [[Launch]]
|-
| [[Slow Pinnace|Slow Pinnace (40-ton)]]
| UMO
| [[Slow Pinnace]]
| The [[slow pinnace]] is similar to a [[pinnace]] but is slower because more space is allocated for [[passenger]]s and [[cargo]], so less space is available for [[power plant]] and [[maneuver drive]]s. {{Page cite|name= Imperial Encyclopedia |page=79 |version= MegaTraveller}} Speed= G:1-3.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
* O = Sl'''O'''w Pinnace
|-
| [[Pinnace|Pinnace (40-ton)]]
| UMP
| [[Ziiguysna class Pinnace]]
| The [[pinnace]] is a larger, farther-ranging [[non-starship]] capable of holding [[passenger]]s and small [[vehicle]]s. {{Page cite|name= Imperial Encyclopedia |page=79 |version= MegaTraveller}} Small craft or boat of interplanetary (though not interstellar) capability. Approximate displacement: 40 tons.  The Pinnace is a larger version of the ship's boat, capable of 5 Gs acceleration, carrying up to 8 passengers and displacing 40 tons. It has a fuel tank capacity of 12 tons and an equal cargo capacity. Pinnaces are usually armed with one beam or pulse laser in a non-turret mount. In some cases, a missile launch rack is installed instead. This vessel is the preferred craft for customs enforcement and policing.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
* P = [[Pinnace]]
|-
| [[Shuttle|Shuttle (95-ton)]]
| UMS
| [[Intruder class Shuttle]]
| The [[shuttle]] is a larger interplanetary passenger vessel. {{Page cite|name= Imperial Encyclopedia |page=80 |version= MegaTraveller}} Shuttles are normally used to access planetary surfaces, or other ships. They are often used by ships which themselves are not capable of landing on planetary services themselves. Large shuttles, up to 95 [[ton]]s, are capable of 3 Gs of acceleration, and can carry up to 30 [[passenger]]s and 80 [[ton]]s of [[cargo]]. [[Fast Shuttle]]s are generally smaller with more thrust in the 5 to 6 G range.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
* S = [[Shuttle]]
|-
| [[Slow Boat|Slow Boat (30-ton)]]
| UMW
| [[Slow Boat]]
| The [[Slow Boat]] is a small [[vessel]] ordinarily carried to perform odd jobs and minor operations for a [[larger ship]]. {{Page cite|name= Imperial Encyclopedia |page=78 |version= MegaTraveller}} Speed= G:1-3.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* M = Multipurpose
* W = Slo'''W''' Boat
|-
| [[Medical Smallcraft]]
| UN
| [[Camel class Medical Launch]]
| Medical smallcraft serve as [[utility craft]]s for [[medical ship]]s. They haul patients back and forth, perform first aid, rescue, and a variety of other life-saving roles and missions. Some are specialized to track down pervasive alien pathogens or hunt down and destroy plagues. At any rate, they serve medical [[largecraft]] or provide some measure of medical capability for non-medical [[largecraft]].
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* N = medici'''N'''e
|-
| [[Militarized Utility Craft]]
| UQ
| [[Yaeai class Recon Pinnace]]
| Militarized smallcraft are relatively rare, but often perform important combat support functions such as communication relay points, sensory reconnaissance, logistics management, and a number of other important roles.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* Q = Quartermaster, Combat Support, Logistics, [[etc.]]
|-
| [[Private Smallcraft]]
| UY
| [[Type UY class Private Smallcraft]]
| Any smallcraft for private or personal use that does not fit one of the other categories (in particular, not [[Industrial Smallcraft]]), and typically operates independently rather than supplementing operations of a larger ship. In other words, anything that would fit in Y-class except for being a [[smallcraft]] of less than 100-[[ton]]s. Being [[smallcraft]], these are more often the property of the working class and/or small business owners, and thus less luxurious. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] & [[Adrian Tymes]] }}
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* Y = Yacht, Private Vessel, [[etc.]]
|-
| [[Special Mission Smallcraft]]
| UZ
| [[Xenon class Heavy Fighter]]
| Special mission smallcraft perform a wide variety of very specialized smallcraft missions as alien technology demonstrators, prototypes, experimental craft, test ships, and a variety of very small production run craft.
* U = Utility, Multipurpose, [[etc.]]  
* Z = Special (...last letter of [[Anglic]] alphabet, a catchall category)
|-
!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.
|-
|}

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
Spaceflight typically begins in most [[sophont]] societies with chemically-fueled rocket programs. As new fuselages are experimented with, typically by the [[TL:7-9]] [[tech epoch]], reusable [[airframe]]s and new engines ([[drive]]s) come into use. These are the first utility craft, [[Shuttle|space shuttle]]s, [[launch]]es, [[spaceplane]]s, and the like. Eventually they culminate in [[SSTO]] ([[Single Stage to Orbit]]) craft, which are direct lineal predecessors to today's utility craft, albeit with vastly less capable [[hull]]s and [[drive]]s. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}

Contemporary [[TL:13-15]] utility craft are often equipped with [[G-drive]]s, [[Heplar]] [[thruster]]s, and advanced fly-by-wire flight controls. They can lift mass into orbit and beyond at such low costs that [[TL:7-9]] [[spacer]]s would be aghast. Many can be used for short endurance intrasystem spaceflight to [[moon]]s, [[mining colonies]], [[agricultural colonies]], [[research station]]s, or other [[planet]]s of note with a [[star system]]. And most have standard docking clamps and [[airlock]]s to be used as [[subcraft]] to a wide variety of space and [[starcraft]]. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}

=== Selected Variant Types & Classes ===
''[[Civilian Ship]]- [[Smallcraft]] - [[Utility Craft]]:'' <br> 
[[Type U class Utility Craft]]
{{:Referral-Tree-UE-Life-Boat-Escape-Pod}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UF-Fuel-Shuttle}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UG-Industrial-Smallcraft}}
# [[Type UK class Expeditionary Smallcraft]]
## [[Denuli class Hunting Launch]]
{{:Referral-Tree-UL-Research-Smallcraft}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UMB-Ship's-Boat}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UMC-Cutter}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UMG-Gig}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UML-Launch}}
# [[Type UMM class Modular Utility Craft]]
## [[Modular Cutter|Generic Modular Cutter]]
## [[Inthe class Modular Cutter]]
## [[Stead class Modular Launch]]
{{:Referral-Tree-UMP-Pinnace}}
{{:Referral-Tree-Type-UMS-Shuttle}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UN-Medical-Smallcraft}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UQ-Militarized-Utility-Craft}}
{{:Referral-Tree-UY-Private-Smallcraft}}

=== Ship Summary List ===
Some of the most commonly used [[vessel]]s in this role or these roles include:
{{Ship summary list|name= Utility Craft |tdes= U}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Drone Smallcraft |tdes= UD}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Lifeboat / Escape Pod |tdes=UE}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Fuel Shuttle |tdes= UF}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Industrial Smallcraft |tdes= UG}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Combat Transport Smallcraft |tdes= UI}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Boarding Craft |tdes= UIB}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Expeditionary Smallcraft |tdes= UK}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Research Smallcraft |tdes= UL}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Multipurpose Utility Craft |tdes= UM}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Ship's Boat |tdes= UMB}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Cutter / Modular Cutter / Runabout |tdes= UMC}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Gig |tdes= UMG}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Launch |tdes= UML}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Slow Pinnance |tdes= UMO}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Pinnace |tdes= UMP}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Shuttle |tdes= UMS}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Slow Boat |tdes= UMW}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Medical Smallcraft |tdes= UN}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Militarized Utility Craft |tdes= UQ}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Private Smallcraft |tdes= UY}}
{{Ship summary list|name= Special Mission Smallcraft |tdes= UZ}}

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Intermediate}}
{{Detail}}
{{Sources
|S1= This article is an amalgamation of many different materials published since 1977.
|S2= {{Ludography cite|name= Starships|page=17|version=Classic Traveller}}
|S3= {{Ludography cite|name= Imperial Encyclopedia|page=TBD|version=}} 
|S4= {{Ludography cite|name= Third Imperium 10 |page=TBD |article=Traveller Craft }}  
|S5= {{Ludography cite|name= Third Imperium 11 |page=TBD |article=Traveller Craft }} 
|S6= {{Ludography cite|name= SGS: Imperial Small Craft |page=TBD |article=}}  (Deck Plans)
|S7= {{Ludography cite|name= SGS: Imperial Small Craft Vol. 2 |page=TBD |article=}}  (Deck Plans)
|S8= {{Ludography cite|name= Traveller: The New Era |page=378 |article=}}  [[Traveller: The New Era]] (Main Rulebook)
|S9= {{Ludography cite|name= Reformation Coalition Equipment Guide|page=TBD|version=}}  
|S10= {{Ludography cite|name= Stellar Reaches 04 |page=TBD |article=}} 
|S11= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
|S12= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]] 
}}


[[Category: Ship Organization]]
[[Category: Ship type definitions]]
[[Category: Supraclass]]
{{LEN|}}