Category:Active Command Classes

This category lists the currently active command ship classes.

Guide Definition

Command Ship

Starship dedicated to coordination of multi-ship operations or other large scale military maneuvers. Currently, thanks to increasing fleet-wide integration of command and control systems, the task can be handled by ships of various types; the largest vessel in the task force is usually selected as the command ship. However, dedicated command ships were produced in low numbers in the 22nd and 23rd centuries, including e.g. Capitol, Macintosh, Ford and Etna classes. These classes were conversions of spacious transport ships, and thus auxiliary cruisers rather than primary combatants. They were included in the patrol combatant category, though, being primarily employed as forward headquarters in support of extended patrols or expeditionary deployments of combat fleets.

Game Definition

Though rarely seen, Command Ships were built as separate classes of ships through the 23rd century (replaced by existing ships already equipped and capable of handling multi-vessel coordination) in order to provide command and control functions where ever numerous assets were in play. Oftentimes, they were variants on existing cruiser classes; other times, they were built to more transport-like standards. Their missions in peacetime would generally be limited to fleet exercises, but they were often (slower) responders to planetary disasters or any where a large number of vessels would benefit from dedicated coordination. In wartime, they were the centerpiece of certain larger fleet actions, well protected. Classes of ships intended to provide only peacetime disaster response were rarely more than minimally armed for defensive purposes. Fleet command ships, though, would have a bit heavier loadout of phasers than expected for a vessel that size, but with a standard torpedo network (as defense was a priority, but without intending to attract too much enemy attention). In the game, any ship -regardless of parent type (ex: command cruiser)- where the primary mission is the command and control of other vessels will be categorized as a command ship.

• Role: limited to fleet or emergency operations
• Size: varied, but often of transport or (current) cruiser sizes/designs
• Weapons: light phaser use (for emergency-dedicated versions) to standard-to-light phaser and standard torpedo use (for fleet command)