A naval rated ship is a 100 ton plus military space vessel equipped with one or more heavy weapon systems, a propulsion system capable of generating sufficient delta-V for tactical maneuvers, and controlled by either a human crew or one or more dedicated synths to prevent degradation of ships functions under signal jamming. This definition is intended to excludes small combat craft and converted commercial vessels as auxiliaries which operate under a different command structure.

History

    Military space vehicle design can be divided into three historical eras. Ships of the fission thermal-electric era were resource constrained and not capable of producing delta-V for repeated maneuvers, which dictated that capital ships were simple frigates and drone carriers that engaged in long range missile duels followed by chemical rocket powered drone fights, most notably the Battle of the Apex in the Ten-Hour War. The Fusion Engine era lead to the development of long range vessels and the re-introduction of 20th century naval classifications such as destroyers and cruisers to distinguish them from cheaper and less powerful frigates (although in reality all three vessel classes operated more like submarines than ships), as well as a larger variety of missiles such as EMPs. Finally the development of the Antimatter Engine and better robotics allowing for synth only crews has allowed the largest navies to field variants with the capability to burn delta-V to make extremely high-G velocity adjustments, as well as battlecruisers and battleships with large railguns and lasers, energy point defense, and plasma shields, creating a Cambrian explosion of new tactics and doctrine.

Frigates

    Low cost and weighing under 400 tons, they specialise in near planet escort and medium range anti satellite attack. They are used in multiple roles such as patrol, anti-piracy, fuel and ammunition supply, sensor net deployments, disaster response (carrying humanitarian supplies and medical bays), and missile boats. They carry drones and are un-crewed in first class navies. Have sealed modular mini fusion reactors.

Destroyers

    Generally faster and better built than frigates, they act as fleet screens, perform important escort and transport duties, coordinate swarm missile and drone attacks, and act as frigate task force leaders. Fusion engine variants are crewed with reactor techs, mechanics, and marines and are in the 300 to 500 ton range. First class navies generally use lighter un-crewed variants with antimatter engines and repair drones for engine and ship maintenance.

Cruisers

    Expensive ship only fielded by first class navies. Their roles are as long range independent patrol vessels, screen leaders, EW and intelligence gathering, and stealth bombing. Built with a faraday cage body to protect from EMPs. They carry drones, some carry cutters and small defense platforms. Often carry expensive missiles with fusion and emp warheads. They are crewed and most modern cruisers use modular antimatter engines along with stasis pods to allow them to burn as fast as smaller un-crewed screens. Türkiye and the Fatimid Trade Caliphate field simpler cruisers with fusion engines.

    A battlecruiser is a heavier and more expensive cruiser variant with a spinal mount railgun and a graphene composite hull for EMP resistance. The Domino variant is larger than its carriers and acts as that navy's capital ship since they do not use battleships.

Battleship

    A battleship is a 1000 ton plus firepower and fleet support vessel fielded by the Peacekeepers, Greater Zhōngguó, and the Eurasian Bloc. The flagship and pride of the fleet for all three are battleships. Battleships are powered by large refuellable antimatter engines, giving them huge amounts of power which they can use for spinal mount lasers and to run plasma shields, the largest even to a kilometer out to cover close ships. They have large crews along with crew stasis pods to allow them to burn as fast as smaller un-crewed screens, and a graphene composite hull for EMP resistance.

Carrier

    Carriers move drones, troop transports, defense platforms, and cutters into combat. The largest are the capital ships of most first class navies except for Dominio, and the biggest are over 3000 tons and have docks big enough to form a hard seal around a frigate or destroyer for drydock field repairs. There are smaller variants which are used for mass drone deployment by less well equipped navies such as FreeHab, any that are under 100 tons would be considered auxiliaries by inner system navies and ones this size are in fact almost all cheap converted commercial vessels. Carries have secondary roles as fuel, life support, and ammo depots as well as mobile hospitals. Both fusion and antimatter engine variants are normally crewed.