Build:Specialized, Auxiliary and Support Vessels
2.1.9 Specialized, Auxiliary and Support Vessels
Obviously, any fleet of ships the size of Star Fleet requires numerous auxiliary and support vessels to keep it running efficiently. From Cargo Carriers to Medical ships to Research/Laboratory (a.k.a. “Science”) vessels, these ships form a vital, if somewhat unglamorous, link in the Star Fleet chain.
A complete catalog of every specialized, support and auxiliary vessel used by Star Fleet is beyond the scope of this document. Interested readers are advised to consult Document ASDB-1958573-Beta for complete information on this category of ships.
2.1.9.1 Armored Transports
This type of vessel, represented by the Iowa and Utah classes, came into its own during the recent Klingon-Federation and Dominion War conflicts after years of being regarded as something of an “ugly stepchild” by many Star Fleet pilots. While not a sleek, beautiful ship, it makes up in functionality what it lacks in grace. Protected by ablative armor and heavy shields, Armored Transports carry key personnel and troops through extremely dangerous areas, such as war zones. Capable of atmospheric flight, they can set down, release a squad or two of troops, and then take off before enemy weapons can track and attack them.
2.1.9.2 Couriers And Surveyors
Couriers and Surveyors are, in essence, highly specialized Scout and Explorer ships. Couriers, of course, are ships designed for high speeds which Star Fleet uses to transport important messages and personnel. At present Star Fleet fields only two types of Couriers, the Peregrine and Loki class ships, though the proposed Mercury class may soon replace Loki class vessels lost during the Dominion War. Except for those vessels designed specifically for ferrying important dignitaries, Couriers tend to be spartan.
Surveyors, on the other hand, come in a variety of designs, including the venerable Oberth class general science vessel, the Korolev and Sagan class Deep Space Surveyors and the smaller Copernicus class ship. The former are designed for long-term deep survey missions; the latter for astronomic surveys which are quicker or cover a smaller area.
2.1.9.3 Research/Laboratory and Medical Vessels
Scientific pursuits remain at the forefront of Star Fleet’s agenda, and it is justly proud of its Research and Laboratory vessels. Ranging from the small Fermi class “flying laboratory” which conducts experiments in zero-g and other space environments, to the large Nova class planetary surveyor, they tend to be highly specialized. Many are modular, allowing different laboratory modules to be swapped in and out to reconfigure the ship for a specific mission with relatively little effort.
Medical vessels, such as the Geneva, Graceful and Olympic class vessels, are much more predictable in their configuration and missions. Dedicated to healing the injured, treating the sick, and pushing back the frontiers of medical knowledge, they have saved uncounted millions of Federation lives. Instead of flying “patrols,” they go where ordered by Star Fleet Medical or Star Fleet Command, or accompany large contingents of ships heading into battle or other dangerous situations (though they carefully remain to the rear and display their medical emblems prominently).
2.1.9.4 Runabouts
Perhaps the most intriguing of the support and service vessels is the runabout, developed as a sort of “expanded” warp shuttle. Better equipped and more heavily armed than a warp shuttle, a runabout is thus able to travel further and undertake a wider variety of missions. The first ship designated as a runabout, the Danube class, has proven so successful that a second class, the Caspian, has been successfully proposed and is under development.
2.1.9.5 Cargo Carriers, Tenders,Transports, and Tugs
In the eyes of many, the foundation of the fleet is not Explorers or Cruisers, but the unglamorous, often ungainly, service vessels — Cargo Carriers, Tenders, Transports, and Tugs. Without these support ships, the larger vessels could not function for extended periods of time, dock for repairs, or the like. Typically posted to starbases or space stations, or assigned to specific trade routes, these vessels (whose designations indicate their function) come in myriad configurations.
The accompanying table lists several of the more common classes belonging to these types.
Table
| Category | Classification Code |
|---|---|
| Armored Transport | TTA |
| Cargo Carrier | TC |
| Courier | SC |
| Medical | MD |
| Research/Laboratory | SRL |
| Runabout | RU |
| Shuttlecraft (Warp) | SW |
| Shuttlecraft (Impulse) | SI |
| Surveyor | SV |
| Tanker | TA |
| Tender | TN |
| Transport | TT |
| Tug | TG |