State of the Fleet/Description

Concept

A publication printed every 5 game-years that detail the current status of Starfleet (and possibly of its allies and aggressors).

Preface

The preface introduces the current edition of the publication and describes the general setup of the book, as well as frequently-used terms that may not be commonly known.

Chapter One: State of the Fleet

This chapter describes the last five years since the last publication, in general terms as they relate to the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet, followed by a table of ship strength, broken down by each of the covered years. This table is followed by a similar strength table that shows the same information going back over the previous fifty years, by ten year increments. Following paragraphs describe each of the major types (cruisers, frigates, etc.), a brief listing of the classes that make up each of those types and Starfleet’s intentions in regards to those types.

Chapter Two: New From the Yards

This chapter hails the newest classes to join the fleet (warships, auxiliaries and shuttlecraft). Generally, a prototype will not be profiled here, but only those ships that have entered production runs. (An exception would a singular ship or so from a failed prototype experiment that has entered service without a resultant production run.) Sometimes, new flights of ships that break out as a significant sub-class may also be profiled.

The profiles are the most in-depth of any in the publication, as they represent the primary source of information for that class in the Ships of Starfleet series. They start off with a roster of all ships within that class by naval construction code, commissioned name, builder, laid down date, launch date and commissioning date, as well as the current status. Decommissioned, lost and destroyed ships will remain on this roster. Ships undergoing construction and ships designated to be laid down within the year are also listed.

The list is followed by a design rationale (why the ship was deemed necessary) and any issues that came up during development. Next, the stats (non-game) are provided, such as displacement, manning, speeds and major equipment. If a suitable profile is available, it is shown, with line diagrams depicting the major equipment. This is followed by a ship-by-ship summary of activities of the class since the launch of the class ship.

Chapter Three: Fleet Review

This chapter is similar in scope to the previous, though much more limited. It provides the force list for each class in separate profiles, followed by a brief history of any major activities of class members, as well as any class changes. A ship-by-ship summary of activities of the class since the last edition follows. Shuttlecraft detailed here will provide simple numbers, rather than unit-by-unit information.

Chapter Four: In the Design Stage

This chapter also offers profiles of ship classes, but of those in the design and prototype stage. Often, the profile stats (similar to that of the second chapter) are generalizations (ex: a ship listed in production form as a lower-massed Size 8 may be listed here as an upper-limit Size 7, and vice versa). A force list is not provided in most cases, as the class intentions are usually dictated by prototype tests.

Chapter Five: Units

This chapter provides a complete list of all ships by echelon, or by sector, as currently organized.

Chapter Six: Bases and Ground Units

This chapter describes the makeup of active starbases, stations, ground bases and ground units, as well as a listing of active ones.

Chapter Seven: Equipment

This chapter details all equipment in use by the Fleet (aboard ships and shuttles), as well as a report on emergent technology.

Chapter Eight: Allies

This is an intelligence chapter on allied ships, bases and technology, as it has changed or been discovered by Federation assets. For example, it may include sections similar to all of the above, such as a profile of a new ship class, changes in previous classes and the discovery or release of information on new units, bases and stations.

Chapter Nine: Aggressors

This is an intelligence chapter on aggressor ships, bases and technology, as it has changed or been discovered by Federation assets. For example, it may include sections similar to all of the above, such as a profile of a new ship class, changes in previous classes and the discovery or release of information on new units, bases and stations.

Chapter Ten: Yet To Come

This concluding chapter will detail the primary concerns and goals of the Fleet’s leaders over the next five and ten years.