Definitions and Glossary

Ship designations for instance, as you'll see, hail from traditional Naval terms conceived of centuries ago. For Starfleet has always been heavily oriented toward naval tradition.

With each class's page in the Fleet Listings is a box containing the various specifications and statistics of that class ship, a lot of which is conjectural, but is based on feasibility and sensible probabilities.

First of all on this page I've briefly explained some of the functions that certain categorised vessels undertake. I have long conjectured that Starfleet may use these terms (such as Cruisers and Destroyers etc) to describe the designations of certain class ships. But it must be understood that these are their hardware designations. For instance, Galaxy Class is it the top of the list being an Explorer vehicle. In certain publications, such as the TNG Tech Manual it says the Galaxy Class is an Explorer, but it hasn't yet been stated on screen. The term Explorer may seem a little vague, but it's at least plausible that it replaced the older, more militaristic term of Dreadnought. Explorer basically meaning 'big powerful, multipurpose starship' -ie the Galaxy Class. Starfleet uses Cruisers also, this we know, but I haven't heard the Galaxy Class called an Explorer. But here I will stick with this 'virtually canon' info and refer to the big ships, like the Galaxy as Explorers. (in fact there are in only two as this I see being a new term adopted by Starfleet, as one of the primary classes before the Galaxy was the Ambassador, and that is still seen as being a Heavy Cruiser in canon. So the two all-powerful 'Explorers', are the Galaxy Class and Sovereign Class which succeeded it.)


Galaxy Explorer	Sovereign Explorer

You may notice that the wide range of starships that the fleet employs have highly varying dimensions. The fact that they have such disparate dimensions to me suggests they have different designations, be it Heavy Cruiser or Light Cruiser, or whatever. Even though 'Explorer' doesn't say anything at all about the type of ship involved (it could be 20m long, or 800m long) I suspect it is simply a more politically correct term for Battleship, or Dreadnought, the militaristic side Starfleet prefers to play down. So we can just say that Explorer refers to biggest and best Starfleet has; the multi-function starship capable of sustaining whole families that is deployed on long range long term missions of exploration and general patrolling of the Federation. The TNG Tech manual actually outlines 6 types of ships operated by Starfleet: Explorer, Cruiser, Cargo Carrier, Tanker, Surveyor and Scout, but we all know there are others, such as Destroyer (mentioned), Freighter (mentioned many times), Escort (mentioned), and so forth. So these Tech Manual terms have already proved themselves to be incorrect, or least, 'since expanded upon' on screen in Star Trek.


Bradbury Heavy Cruiser	Akira Heavy Cruiser

So, whereas an Explorer sounds like a small Surveyor or a Scout ship, it is at quite the other end of the spectrum. It is massive, has large compliments, the latest sensor and research equipment and a huge arsenal of weapons and even a Battle Bridge - it basically has the best in defensive counter measures. The next down from Explorer on the list would be the Cruisers.


Challenger Medium Cruiser	Freedom Light Cruiser	Prometheus Tactical Cruiser

I'm someone that says 'form over function' is the way, as a Heavy Cruiser is a Heavy Cruiser, and can be deployed whimsically on any number of mission roles, such as reconnaissance, salvage and so forth. There are of course more function-specific vessels such as Hospital Ships, Transports etc. But at the end of the day, nearly all starships in the fleet are going to be 'quasi-Explorers'. By quasi-Explorers I mean a lot of the ships can do this, but of course we also have Frigates, Escorts, Runabouts and so forth. In my book most ships are multipurpose, the Galaxy may 'explore' a lot, but it doesn't mean that it is faster, or has better sensors than other ships, like Akira Class for instance. It is simply larger. A Frigate for instance won't have the weapons of the Galaxy Class Explorer, nor will it have the speed of a Defiant Class Escort, but will still explore the quadrant like a Galaxy. But the term Frigate only describes its size, hardware specifications and capabilities (and the role it would undertake in tactical engagements/wartime scenarios). It's just the way I see it in regards to naval designations.


Apollo Destroyer	Defiant Escort

I'm one to take what occurs and what is said on-screen, in an episode, as ABSOLUTE CANON, and what is said, written or otherwise alluded to by a Technical Manual as VIRTUAL CANON, with room for expansion and embellishment. I love Sternbach and Okuda's TNG Tech Manual, it is 'virtual canon' to me, but the fact than an episode can OVERRULE a publication tells me that a Tech Manual isn't everlastingly absolute. This is one reason why I've slightly 'bent' the rules, or some of the things laid down in the book. If an episode says otherwise I change my views accordingly. The customized designation system I use has naval roots and has been made to fit in with what has been said in dialogue on screen. Where there are grey areas or areas which haven't yet been covered in an episode speculative data has been inserted into the Fleet Listings to fill in the gaps, such as this 'particular class has this many decks', and so forth....


Steamrunner Frigate	New Orleans Frigate

This system, although different to some others is not due to lack of research, or to laziness or unwarranted and whimsical flights of fancy, such as 'Heavy Tactical super Dreadnought', or something equally monstrous! It's just stuff which I take from the episodes, and additional information in the Manuals, where relevant, are sifted through for other bits and pieces, like the Galaxy armaments and mass. You may ask then why the hell have I used some stuff from the TMs and ignored others? It's down to what one's comfortable with as all of it is to my mind not infinite canon. A line could be spoken on screen which says the Galaxy Class is 4.33 million tonnes, even though the TM says it's 4.96m tonnes, because the shows can overrule the publications. This is why I can't take the Manuals as gospel. At the end of the day the only other ship we really know a lot about is the Intrepid Class, thanks to a good deal of information given for it on Voyager. (But then again Rick Sternbach has stated that the Intrepid is a Light Explorer - a designation I detest. In my view you either have a full Explorer, or a ship of the next level below it, being a Cruiser-type. Light Explorer my backside! Voyager didn't even have an Astrometrics Lab for Heck sake! -until Harry built one that is. No, I won't accept Light Explorer until it's mentioned and explained to me on screen!)


Oberth Surveyor	Nova Surveyor

Some may also say, "wait a minute, I've never heard these other terms used to describe starships on the show..." Well you must have missed them because they have been mentioned. Additionally, you may agree that Starfleet might use naval terms, but not Destroyers, they surely don't believe in them... Wrong. This was indeed confirmed in dialogue during the Dominion war. Sisko, in charge of the Federation armada in 'Sacrifice of Angels' monitors the movements of the taskforces that make up the combined fleet. He mentions the 'Galaxy Wings' (Galaxy Class ships obviously leading one squadron), Cruisers, and Destroyer Units (a squadron of Destroyer-type ships). So, what do they mean...?

Explorers are the biggest, strongest and most advanced starships in the fleet. As peace settled during the 24th century the old system of Heavy Cruisers and Dreadnoughts at the top of the pile was replaced with the Explorer designation. This describes the big, all-powerful, all-purpose starships designed for long range missions of exploration. Indeed, so much so, that these super-cruisers were built to accommodate entire families. One could even look upon an Explorer as a floating city-ship.

As well as the exploration mission, these ships are also the most heavily armed, they could even be viewed as being Dreadnoughts (advanced Battleships, although these being the now politically incorrect terms). Having to delegate potentially difficult and hazardous missions the most advanced tactical and defensive counter measures have been employed on these vessels. And during times of war, the Explorers would be on the front line.

Cruisers are primarily built for high speed with great cruising range. They can invariably be of any class and size, but this is further clarified by the fuller terms- 'Light Cruiser', 'Medium Cruiser' or 'Heavy Cruiser'. It is also speculated that 'Light' 'Medium' and 'Heavy' relate to offensive capability of the particular ship, coupled with gross tonnage, for the these two aspects go hand in hand. Light Cruisers include the Miranda Class, with the likes of Akira Class being classified as a Heavy Cruiser, due to its size and armament. This again goes back to Naval designations, with 'Heavy Cruisers' having 'heavy' guns. But these various Starfleet cruisers can have mission specs ranging from exploration, research or reconnaissance.

In many cases Cruisers cover the middle ground in fleet deployments. Whilst not having the general superiority of an Explorer, neither do they have more mission specific tags, such as a Destroyer or Scout..

Constitution Class was considered a Heavy Cruiser in its day, but in the 24th century, a vessel of that size with equivilent weaponry would only be considered a Light Cruiser.

Another old Naval term, here used by Starfleet as not precisely a warship, but a vessel capable of launching a heavy assault in combat situations. Normally Destroyers, being larger than Frigates, would be used for common exploration duty amongst other things. But during combat encounters with multi-ship taskforces they would come into their own. Destroyer Units would be assigned to launch 'fast attacks', flanking the larger Cruisers laying down cover fire.

For larger even more powerful ships, the expanded term of Heavy Destroyer, or even Heavy Escort can be applied (during a time of war for more mission specific roles). But on top of its defence orientated mission specs, exploration and standard patrols can also be within its responsibility during pace time.

A Frigate used to be in Naval tradition a class of ship that was smaller than a 3 decked ship, but still capable of considerable firepower. From this we can determine Starfleet's angle of assigning this designation to what in essence are 'Destroyer-types', (smaller than the capital cruisers) but with a large arsenal for defensive purposes.

An Escort vessel used to be a fast Naval ship in size below a Frigate. In World War II the Royal Navy applied the term to small anti-submarine vessels escorting convoys in the Atlantic. For the Federation, both these designations apply to vessels that would defend a task force of ships that perhaps contain lesser vessels, perhaps the likes of vulnerable Hospital Ships, or damaged starships. Being heavily armed, Escorts excel in combat, and with defence in mind would guard valuable commodities, such as research stations, refineries, dilithium cracking stations, as well as outposts and colonies. In many ways an escort has similar fleet deployments to a Destroyer, but are usually smaller, and faster.

This designation is attributed to some of the smaller cruisers whose task it is to scout Federation borders and sensitive regions for fleet movements and the military activity of rival powers. Such an example would be the Romulan Neutral Zone and the Cardassian DMZ, with specific ships being deployed to these regions from nearby Outposts and Starbases. In multi-fleet combat scenarios Scouts often move ahead of the fleet to conduct long range scans, before compiling the necessary reports of enemy fleet positions and tactics for transmission back to the Admiralty.

A Surveyor is a type of Light Cruiser also known popularly as an Science Vessel. The hardware tag of 'Surveyor' can also encompass the category 'Research Vessel'. These vessels can be assigned either sub-designation depending on the many different and diverse mission parameters. A typical Oberth ship for example, is a Science Vessel, a typical Miranda, or a Nova Class ship can be a Surveyor. A Surveyor is exactly that, a ship whose primary deployment is the exploration and charting of new and unknown territories and star systems. Although other ship types such as various Cruisers and Explorers (the Galaxy Class being a prime example) can carry out these duties, the term 'Surveyor' would normally refer to only the smaller lesser armed vessels, such as Oberth and Nova Classes for instance, or research-type vessels designed specially for planetary and stellar surveying, armed with only standard weaponry.

These are the common frequenters of the shipping lanes throughout Federation space, moving personnel and supplies across the Federation.

Freighters, are fixed freight carriers, separate from cargo container carriers. They have a primary role of transporting cargo from planet to planet, starbase to starbase.

A more or less unknown designation which has appeared in the TNG Technical Manual. One might suppose these ships transport hazardous waste, or Deuterium supplies between shipyards and bases, etc.

Sometimes called Medical Ships, these vessels are considered starships in themselves, and have specific mission parameters. They are commonly deployed behind the front lines of various conflicts, such as the recent Dominion war. They can often have simple, yet functional designs, with medium armaments and a crews ranging from 100 to 250, a large proportion of which are Doctors, Nurses, triage medics and many other medical technicians and specialists, which would either be called upon for relief efforts during wartime, or any number of medical emergencies and sudden outbreaks on the innermost Federation worlds out to the most distant colonies. Many Hospital Ships are named after famous physicians of varied types through history, both from Earth and aligned worlds of the Federation.

Tugs (in this respect) are charged with transporting large cargo containers, hauling anything from common goods and provisions, up to fully automated hydroponic gardens.

Known as 'Craft' rather than 'Ships' these small, durable Fighter craft are deployed on short range combat missions. Usually employing a crew of only one or two, they are warp capable, but only for short duration. Some of the large Explorer-type starships carry units of Fighter squadrons, as do Starbases, and many Federation worlds have orbital Fighter launch platforms and scrambling stations.

These small, versatile and highly manoeuvrable craft are primarily deployed in similar capacities as Executive Shuttles, though the latest Runabouts have enhanced weapons, shields and propulsion systems, which are all far in advance of regular shuttles. Normally used for short range recon and transport (though of limited numbers), they're extremely useful for fast and convenient transport over interplanetary and limited interstellar distances.

Many different type of craft fall under this category of Non Combatants and Utility Ships and Craft, from small Research Vessels to Executive Shuttles.

SHIP TYPE	General Size	General Armaments
Explorers	Extremely Large	Extremely Powerful
Heavy Cruisers	Very Large	Very Powerful
Medium Cruisers	Large	Very Powerful
Light Cruisers	Small	Adequately Armed
Tactical Cruisers	Any Size	Very Powerful
Destroyers	Large	Very Powerful
Frigates	Large	Powerful
Escorts	Small	Very Powerful
Scouts	Any Size	Frigate-type armaments
Surveyors	Small	Limited Power

Explorers -- Heavy Cruisers/Tactical Cruisers -- Destroyers/Escorts -- Medium Cruisers -- Frigates/Scouts -- Light Cruisers -- Surveyors

SHIP TYPE	CLASS IN SERVICE
Explorers	Galaxy Class, Sovereign Class, Nebula Class
Heavy Cruisers	Bradbury Class, Akira Class, Korolev Class, Ambassador Class, Niagara Class, Rigel Class, Excelsior Class
Tactical Cruisers	Prometheus Class
Medium Cruisers	Constellation Class, Challenger Class, Renaissance Class, Sequoia Class, Intrepid Class
Light Cruisers	Miranda Class, Wambundu Class, Surak Class, Freedom Class, Sabre Class
Destroyers	Cheyenne Class, Apollo Class, Hokule'a Class, Medusa Class*
Frigates	Merced Class, New Orleans Class, Norway Class, Steamrunner Class
Escorts	Defiant Class
Carriers	Curry Class*
Scouts	Chimera Class, Zodiac Class, Centaur Class*
Heavy Scouts	Andromeda Class
Surveyors	Oberth Class, Mediterranean Class, Springfield Class, Nova Class,
Runabouts	Danube Class, Yellowstone Class

* Many query whether the Curry, Medusa and Centaur Types are actually 'Classes' and not one-off Starfleet kitbashes. Well I've been convinced that there are at least two Currys in the same shot in 'A Time To Stand'. This in my book constitutes a 'Class'. I also speculate that the Curry might be Carrier... The Centaur on the other hand has significant differences to the Excelsior Class, having now studied photos of the original studio model. Some have posed the question that it could be the Chimera Class, or even the Renaissance. We have no proof of this as yet. (see Class Variants)

Class	Spoken Reference/s
Daedalus Class	Mentioned only once, in TNG: 'Power Play'
Constitution Class	First mentioned in TNG: 'The Naked Now', and again in TNG: 'Relics', also DS9: 'Trials & Tribble-ations'
Soyuz Class	Mentioned only once, in TNG: 'Cause and Effect'
Excelsior Class	Mentioned several times, notably in ST III: The Search for Spock, and in episodes such as TNG: 'Encounter at Farpoint' , and DS9: 'Homefront'.
Antares Class	Was mentioned in TNG: 'Face of The Enemy'.
Erewhon Class	Transport ship mentioned in DS9: 'Paradise'.
Constellation Class	Only mentioned in TNG: 'The Battle'.
Ambassador Class	Only mentioned in TNG: 'Conspiracy'.
Nebula Class	Mentioned (and seen) in TNG: 'The Wounded'.
Galaxy Class	Often mentioned. First mentioned though in TNG: 'Encounter at Farpoint'.
Danube Class	First named in DS9: 'Hippocratic Oath'.
Defiant Class	First mentioned (finally - hence quelling all those 'Valiant Class' theories) in DS9: 'The Dogs of War'.
Intrepid Class	First named in VGR: 'Caretaker'.
Nova Class	Mentioned in VGR: 'Equinox'.

There's been other occasions where a prototype ship has been mentioned which might also count, such as
the Bradbury, Yellowstone and the Prometheus. But there has been no mention in dialogue (but references seen such as on computer displays and dedication plaques), of any other classes,
even the more major ones, like Oberth and Miranda.

Ship Type	Some Active Classes	Common Size Guide (24th century)
Heavy Cruiser	Bradbury Class, Akira Class, Ambassador Class	400+ Metres
Medium Cruiser	Intrepid Class, Challenger Class	300+ Metres
Light Cruiser	Miranda Class, Sabre Class	200+ Metres
Tactical Cruiser	Prometheus Class	- (determined by armament)

Actual Canonicity?
Heavy Cruiser:	Mentioned in TNG 'Conspiracy', with the line "...Ambassador Class Heavy Cruiser."
Medium Cruiser:	None Yet
Light Cruiser:	None Yet
Tactical Cruiser:	This term was generally attributed to the Prometheus in VGR: 'Message In a Bottle'.
Others?:	The Constalltion Class USS Hathaway was referred to as a 'Star Cruiser', in TNG: 'Peak Performance'. 'Cruiser', by itself, was also used as a loose term by Scotty in 'TNG 'Relics'.

Ship Type	Some Active Classes	Common Size Guide (24th century)
Destroyer	Cheyenne Class, Hokule'a Class, Apollo Class	350+ Metres

Ship Type	Some Active Classes	Common Size Guide (24th century)
Frigates	Merced Class, New Orleans Class, Norway Class	300+ Metres

Examples
Explorer	Galaxy Class, Sovereign Class, Nebula Class

Examples
Transport	Sydney Class, Istanbul Class, Yorkshire Class

Examples
Tug	Ptolemy Class (23rd Century) Deneva Class

Examples
Utility	S.S. Raven -type