Starship "types"

[Adam Dray]

Can someone explain to me starship types? Like a Type-A trader or Type-R or whatever.

I get that it's a ship classification. I don't understand what qualities make something a Type-A or not.

Is just that one exact configuration a Type-A, or is it a fairly wide class of ships that fall into that category? What things are necessary to make it Type-A (at least tonnage, power plant, and jump capability, I would guess)?

What classes of ships are listed out there?

How much of this stuff (and your answers) is canonical?

 

[atpollard]

Finding the canon answer will take more time, but from memory ...

Type-A = "Trader"
Type-J = "Prospector"
Type-R = "Merchant"
Type-S = "Scout"

... so the letters are by function

with numbers added after the letters to designate different capabilities
(like A2 for a Jump 2 version of the Type-A)

I believe that the actual class name distinguishes one hull configuration from another ... so any 200 dTon J1 general purpose Free Trader type ship would be a Type-A1, not just the Beowulf Class.

 

[atpollard]

Some OFFICIAL data ... CT: LBB 5: High Guard, pg 26 offers

SHIP TYPE CODES (Primary)
A Merchant
B Battle
C Cruiser; Carrier
D Destroyer
E Escort
F Frigate; Fighter
G Gig; Refinery
I,J Intruder
K Pinnace
L Corvette; Lab
M Merchant
P Planetoid
Q Auxiliary
R Liner
S Scout; Station
T Tanker; Tender
W Barge
X Express
Y Yacht


SHIP TYPE CODES (Qualifiers)
A Armored
B Battle; Boat
C Cruiser; Close
D Destroyer
E Escort
F Fast; Fleet
G Gunned
H Heavy
L Leader; Light
M Missile
N Non-standard
P Provincial
Q Decoy
R Raider
S Strike
T Troop; Transport
U Unpowered
V Vehicle
Y Shuttle; Cutter
Z Experimental

 

[robject]

T5.09, p286. Codes are not always exclusive, but they're compartmentalized.

A Trader
B Monitor or Beagle
C Cruiser ("equal guns and armor")
D Defender
E Escort, Corvette
F Freighter
G Frigate ("more guns than armor")
H Ortillery
J Prospector
K Safari / Expedition
L Lab Ship
M Liner
N Survey
P Picket, Patrol, Privateer, Corsair, Marauder
(Q - Small Craft Indicator)
R Merchant (Subsidized), Raider
S Courier / Messenger, Scout
T Assault, Transport, Tender / Tug
U Packet (Armed, Unscheduled passenger carrier)
(V - Vehicle Indicator)
W Barge
X Express
Y Yacht
Z Unclassified

Two or three modifiers from a set of 24 can be tacked on.

 

[atpollard]

CT: Supplement 7 (1980) confirms both the use of the names for the ship classes and the matching High Guard Codes ...

Express Boat (Type X):
Express Boat Tender (Type XT):
Scout / Courier (Type S):
Subsidized Merchant (Type R):
Free trader (type A1):
Far Trader (Type A2):
Seeker (Type J):
Close Escort (Type CE):
System Defense Boat (Type SB):

TYPE X EXPRESS BOAT
X-51216 Express Boat X-1540041-000000-00000-0 MCr70.65 100 tons

TYPE XT EXPRESS BOAT TENDER
XT-8795 Winston XT-A411132-000000-00000-0 MCr274.77 1000 tons
XT-8796 Purcell XT-A411132-020000-30002-0 MCr280.17 1000 tons
XT-8797 Marabi XT-A411132-000000-30000-0 MCr283.87 1000 tons

TYPE S SCOUTICOURI ER
S-I 6785 Central Axis S-I 2222Rl-000000-00000-0 MCr27.63 100 tons
S-16786 Duplicity S-I 2222 R1-000000-20000-0 MCr29.43 100 tons
S-16787 Restraint S-12222 R1-000000-00001-0 MCr28.305 100 tons

TYPE A2 FAR TRADER
A-8456 Empress Nicholle A2-22211 R1-000000-00000-0 MCr59.56 200 tons
A-8457 Empress Marava A2-22211R 1 -010 000-10 001- 0 MCr61.36 200 tons
A-8458 Empress Margaret A2-22211 R1-000000-30000-0 MCr64.96 200 tons

TYPE R SUBSIDIZED MERCHANT
R-80198 Gyro Natchel R-4211111-000000-00000-0 MCr100.035 400 tons
R-80199 Gyro Cadis R-4211111-000000-10001-0 MCr101.61 400 tons

TYPE J SEEKER
J-6170A Jupiter J-12222R1-000000-10000-0 MCr24.19 100 tons

TYPE CE CLOSE ESCORT
CE-13712 Gazelle CE-3455762-300000-500004-0 MCr353.19 300 tons
CE-13768 Unicorn CE-3455762-300000-401000-0 MCr355.99 300 tons

TYPE SB SYSTEM DEFENSE BOAT
SB-98076 Guardian SB-41069E2-900000-40003-0 MCr777.54 400 tons

WP-768 Jump Shuttle WP-24323S1-000000-00000-0 MCr93.52 200 tons

... but offers no specific explanation for them.

 

[atpollard]

T5.09, p286. Codes are not always exclusive, but they're compartmentalized.
[snip]
Two or three modifiers from a set of 24 can be tacked on.

I like the T5 list better than the original HG.
Any answer on his other questions?

Are all Type-A1 Traders 200 dTon? Jump 1? The same basic hull shape?

 

[whulorigan]

Any answer on his other questions?

Are all Type-A1 Traders 200 dTon? Jump 1? The same basic hull shape?

My understanding is that the Types represent a particular set of mission/performance characteristics, and are thus broad categorizations.

So yes, a Type-A1 Trader is 200 dton (or thereabouts), Jump-1, and configured for Trading for its general mission, but of virtually ANY hull configuration (specific hull configurations would be related to the vessel's specific class, not its more general type). So there are many different (named) classes of vessel that fall under the broad categorization of a Type-A1, which do not necessarily look at all like one another, but they all perform the same basic mission and have the same general performance characteristics. (E.g. The Beowulf Class Free Trader and the FASA Port-of-Call/Alexandria Class Free Trader do not look at all alike in terms of hull configuration, but they are both Type-A1 and have the same basic performance specifications - 200dton/J1 Free Traders).

Deviations from the basic performance characteristics for any given class of vessel would rate a modified Type-specification (i.e. with an additional letter or two appended to the basic "Type").

Note that old 100dton Suleiman/Murphy Class Scouts (Type-S) are often significantly modified into a Seeker-Class Ship (Type-J) by Belters - the ship meriting a new type-classification after the conversion due to its new mission profile.

 

[aramis]

Can someone explain to me starship types? Like a Type-A trader or Type-R or whatever.

I get that it's a ship classification. I don't understand what qualities make something a Type-A or not.

Is just that one exact configuration a Type-A, or is it a fairly wide class of ships that fall into that category? What things are necessary to make it Type-A (at least tonnage, power plant, and jump capability, I would guess)?

What classes of ships are listed out there?

How much of this stuff (and your answers) is canonical?

They are from CT, bk 2, Sup 4, Sup 7, and JTAS, and are by examples.
The canonical types and their specifications... All of these are canon to the OTU and standard designs for all editions.

Type	Name	Td	G	J
A	Free Trader	200	1G	J1
A2	Far Trader (S7)	200	1G	J2
C	Mercenary Cruiser	800	3G	J3
R	Subsidized Merchant Fat Trader	400	1G	J1
S	Scout/Courier	100	2G	J2
S2	Serpent Class Scout/Courier (JTAS)	100	2G	J2
J	Seeker (S4)	100	2G	J2
K	Safari (S4)	200	1G	J2
L	Lab (S4)	400	1G	J2
M	Subsidized Liner	600	1G	J3
P	Corsair (S4)	400	3G	J2
T	Patrol Corvette§ Patrol Cruiser	400	4G	J3
X	Express Boat (S7)	100	0G	J4
XT (S7)	Express Boat Tender	1000	1G	J4
Y	Yacht	200	1G	J1

§ in later editions it's corvette; in CT it's cruiser.

A few are commonly inferred from the above.

Type	Name	Td	G	J
A3	Long Trader	200	1G	J3
R2	Far Merchant Far Subbie	400	1G	J2
R3	Long Trader	400	1G	J3
Y2	Far Yacht	200	1G	J2
Y3	Long Yacht	200	1G	J3

High Guard gives a different nomeclatural system, based upon US Naval type codes.

Note also: 200Td CT 2E hulls cannot get J4 and still have payload of note:

_20 Bridge
__4 Model 4
_25 JD D=4
_13 PP D=4
__1 MD A=1
_80 J-Fuel
_40 P-Fuel
_20 SR PNEEM
_-3 Payload​

Under CT 1E, they get PPA=1, instead, and have 6 tons payload...
Which means, functionally, Neither A4 nor Y4 would make sense.
The 400 Tonners could do it easier

_20 Bridge
__4 Model 4
_45 JD H=4
_25 PP H=4
__3 MD B=1
160 J-Fuel
_40 P-Fuel
_24 SR PNEEEM
_99 Payload​

Again, CT 1E is better still

_20 Bridge
__4 Model 4
_45 JD H=4
__7 PP B=4
__3 MD B=1
160 J-Fuel
_10 P-Fuel
_20 SR PNEEM
151 Payload​

Note that they aren't really a system, per se. Just labels for feature sets. (Labels which some of the new 3rd Party Publishers have presumed differently from canon examples. EG: A-J2 instead of the canonical A2.)

 

[robject]

I like the T5 list better than the original HG.

There's things I liked about the original codes, but maybe I'm just an old grognard.

 

[robject]

I don't understand what qualities make something a Type-A or not.

Is just that one exact configuration a Type-A, or is it a fairly wide class of ships that fall into that category? What things are necessary to make it Type-A (at least tonnage, power plant, and jump capability, I would guess)?
...
How much of this stuff (and your answers) is canonical?

In case Wil and AT haven't answered this thoroughly enough:

The Type A was originally typified in a standard Free Trader design with a certain set of stats, but the Type A has always just been a "Free Trader" with no particulars nailed down.

By convention, "we" see Type A ships as:

• Around 200 tons, though there have been 400 ton versions.
• Jump-1, although it's not necessarily required to be.
• Half cargo, half passengers, although that's not required.
• Unarmored, although that's not a requirement.
• Lightly armed, if at all.

The Beowulf is a Type A ship, but there are probably a hundred unique Type A designs. This convention has been strengthened by adding a jump number after it for variants: the A2 is a Free Trader that can do Jump-2. The A3 can do Jump-3.

This is barely more than convention.


A HUNDRED FREE TRADER DESIGNS

I say only 100 because there are not that many variables that matter to Free Traders.

Very Cheap But Profitable. This probably limits volume and configuration, so [200, 300, 400, 500] tons, and perhaps two configurations.
Jump 1 (and Maneuver 1 and Power 1). This is a strong convention. If we keep it, then there is only one choice here.
Model/1 or worse. A cheap computer. Let's give it two choices (Model/1 or Model/0), although in most rules there's only one choice.
Bridge. Typically ranges from 5 to 20 tons. Call it [5, 10, 20] tons.
Passengers. This could range from, say, four to sixteen passengers: more than that and you get close to being a Liner, which has as its fuzzy borders the idea of carrying around 30 passengers standard. So grade the Type A as having as few (4), standard (8), or lots (16) of passengers.
"The Rest is Cargo". Just as the design systems do it: once you've nailed down particulars, then cargo gets the leftovers.

Four hulls, two configurations, two computers, three bridges, and three passenger loads = 4 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 = 144 unique fundamental Type A's. Of course each instance of a design may vary in many small ways.

 

[atpollard]

There's things I liked about the original codes, but maybe I'm just an old grognard.

I found the original CT codes very Military Ship Centric, which is great for creating fleets to fight using High Guard. Since I am more likely to need to differentiate between a Freighter, a Liner, a Bulk Carrier, or a mixed Passenger/Freight ship (with perhaps a fast, slow, long range, armed, or long duration variant of one of the aforementioned typed), the T5 list offers more civilian options to start with.

IMTU, F for Freighter is more useful than F for Frigate / Fighter.

 

[robject]

I'm still confused by the M = liner, R = meRchant mess. I still tend to think backwards (R = lineR, M = Merchant).

 

[Selandia]

I'm still confused by the M = liner, R = meRchant mess. I still tend to think backwards (R = lineR, M = Merchant).

Good news: if you are confused it is because you are sane. You need to be twisted to figure that one at first glance.

If Trader= speculator, Then Merchant are usually operating a line, so there is no real difference between R and M... unless you consider M to mean Passenger Liners as oppose to Cargo liner (or mixed CL that were so frequent before commercial Airlines).

You could get T=speculator, M liner of any size, R tramps of any size working the seasonnal/special order/lesser runs/replacement runs for which liner are unsuited.

Note that true "Liners" are optimized for a run. That is the reason why they should cream out of business a challenge by competitors using "general purpose" ships. However, some routes have not a demand christalized enough to justify investing in an overly specialized lay-out. The M label in MTU refers to a dedicated ship, if not for a run, at least for a type of run, that gives M a significance. The M 600 tonner of CT is a passenger liner IMHO. Remember that HPas have a ton of luggage in CT, the true cargo capacity of that 600 t is inferior to that of a Fat trader.

have fun

Selandia

 

[atpollard]

I'm still confused by the M = liner, R = meRchant mess. I still tend to think backwards (R = lineR, M = Merchant).

There is a simple explanation for that ... Bwaps.
(it doesn't have to make sense, it is in the Imperial Administrative Code. )

 

[Matt123]

Minor addition to Aramis's table.

Type-A Trader is a 200tn J1 G1 Trader designed using Book2
Type-A1 Trader is a 200tn J1 G1 Trader designed using Book 5 (HG).

The A1 is described in Traders and Gunboats (p.27) as a variant of the A2 (designed using Book 5).

While the Type-A and A1 appear to indicate differing design system/components used, the Type-A2 designation appears to be primarily concerned with performance specifications and might be designed with either system.

 

[flykiller]

is there a distinction between "type" and "class"?

 

[aramis]

is there a distinction between "type" and "class"?

It's canonical that type is a specification set, and classes vary witihin the set.

The only reason the S2 is a type difference is that it has functions the type S doesn't - atmospheric lift, and Air-to-ground ordinance.

 

[flykiller]

It's canonical that type is a specification set, and classes vary witihin the set.

at first thought that seems ridiculous, but on second thought that's a good idea. type specifications could enable common standards across sectors, cultures, tech levels, and centuries.

 

[kilemall]

Looked over the CT rules again on this point, and it's clear the original meant for the very specific specs for the very specific ship types. At the point the plans are in the 100 CR bundle or 'free', they are probably more like an ISO specification then just a ship design.

Try this standard on for size- name a ship type after the lead class ship registration number, using role for the . So A-5231 can be the 600-ton 'Atomic Mercury' trader class, and A-900064 can be the 400-ton J-2 'Cluster' trader class without stepping on the A designation or twisting one into a rules pretzel.

By convention the first 100s of registration numbers are in the distant past, so anything with A2/A30/A91 are standard designs.

 

[kilemall]

at first thought that seems ridiculous, but on second thought that's a good idea. type specifications could enable common standards across sectors, cultures, tech levels, and centuries.

It's probably something every polity came to the realization, a set of standards that allow ships to be repaired anywhere from TL9 to TL15 ports and commonality of parts and design, an ISO standard that facilitates interstellar commerce.

Which of course is what our Imperiums or IMTUs are very interested in doing.