Overview
The Federation Charter and Starfleet regulations govern the designations and names used for Starfleet vessels. There are principally four different identifiers associated with each ship and each identifier provides different information. The four identifiers are the Ship's Name, the Ship's Number, the Ship's Class, and the Ship's Designation.
Ship's Name
Names for Starfleet vessels are chosen by the office of the Secretary of Starfleet, under the direction of the Federation Council and in accordance with the rules prescribed by Starfleet’s charter. In general the Charter designates that ships of a certain class should have a theme to their naming and that larger vessels should have more profound names. So one class of cruisers may be named after ‘ideals embraced by the Federation” while another cruiser class is named after “famous Earth naval vessels” and a frigate class is named after “stellar phenomenon” and an escort class after “cities of Andoria” while a class of fleet tug auxiliaries is named after “historical or mythological individuals of prodigious strength.” Generally once a proposed class has reached a certain point in its planning and development a naming scheme for the class will be chosen and reserved for that class and will govern what names are assigned to vessels within the class. There are of course exceptions to this rule, the two most common are when a vessel is named in honor of a person or when a vessel is named after a former Starfleet vessel to preserve its honors.
Ship's Number
While a Name may (rarely ) be duplicated the ships number is always unique to each individual ship. All warp capable Starfleet vessels built under the naval codes of the Federation Charter are numbered by their Navel Construction Contract number or “NCC” number. Ships built under Starfleet’s research and development division are assigned a “NX” number. As the Federation expands and construction has diversified into various shipyards contract numbers are often assigned both to ‘runs’ of a certain ship type built by a certain yard to avoid some of the confusion of the numbers seeming to ‘jump’ around quite so much. There is a single exception permitted to the number conventions under the Federation Charter. The Federation council, under the advisement of Starfleet command, may elect to promote a starship to the “Roles of Honor” where its name and number are kept in perpetual operation to preserve its honors. When a starship on the role is decommissioned or destroyed another ship about to be commissioned is given its name and number, the number is appended with a letter to clearly identify it from the other ships in its lineage. For example. The USS Enterprise, NCC-1701 was added to the role of honor. Since then the name USS Enterprise has been kept in service, but each new vessel to bear the name has an additional letter appended to the number (NCC-1701-A, NCC-1701-B, etc).
Ship's Class
The third identifier used is the ship's Class. The Class is an easy way for Starfleet personnel to identify what type of ship a ship is based on the designs it was built from. Once a ship design is certified and construction is planned the Ship's Class name is selected, which is usually the name of the name of the first starship planned to be built using that design. For example: in the later half of the 23rd century Starfleet designed a new type of heavy cruiser. The first starship built with this set of plans was the U.S.S. Constitution, NCC-1700, and so all later ships built from the same plans were known as "Constitution" class vessels.
Ship's Designation
The fourth and last identifier, and the primary focus of this paper, is the ship's Designation. This is a short code, usually only two or three letters, that identifies in broad terms what a ship is capable of. While their are thousands of individual ships with different names and numbers, and scores of different ship classes, the Designation groups ships together solely on the abilities inherent in that ship's design so mission planners have an easy overview on the strengths and weaknesses of various ships when deciding which ships to send into different types of situations.
The first letter identifies the “Ship Type Identifier”: its general size and primary role. The second and third letters are the “Ship Role Identifier” which tells of other important general characteristics of the of vessel.
Ship Type Identifier
The first letter is the Designation is the Ship Type Identifier. Ship type designates the general size and role of a vessel. The larger ships are the Battleships, Carriers, and Cruisers. The smaller ships include the Frigates, Destroyers, and Escorts with Frigates normally being the larger and Escorts the smallest of the ship types. Auxiliaries are a mixed bag that are usually smaller ships but some, such as fleet tenders, and colonial support vessels are some of the largest ships in Starfleet. Auxillaries are the most numerous of the ship types followed by Escorts, Frigates, Cruisers, and Destroyers. There are only a couple of Carrier Classes and while several Battleship classes were proposed during the Dominion war and Borg incursion none have been produced. For classes where a second designation letter is not necessary the Ship Type identifier is repeated, for example: Templar class destroyers are designated with a DD since they don’t qualify for any Role Identifier except Tactical which is already inherent in their type and so is not applied to Battle or Destroyer class ships.
A – Auxiliary ship type
B – Battle ship type
C – Cruiser ship type
D – Destroyer ship type
E – Escort ship type
F – Frigate ship type
G – Carrier ship type
N – Prototype
Auxiliary Ship Type – AXX
The backbone of any naval fleet are the auxiliary ships which keep the fleet in service. This ship type encompasses the widest variety of classes. They typically are lightly armed and shielded but usually just as fast or faster than their more military cousins. They include cargo ships, transports, science vessels, resupply ships, mobile hospitals, etc
Battle Ship Type – BXX
Even in times of war it is rare that Starfleet builds a Battle Ship, they are extremely expensive to build and operate, and run counter to many of the ideals of the Federation . They are large ships specifically designed for combat with no other purpose in mind. Additionally, by the time these monsters could be designed, tested, refined, built and deployed the conflict is usually long over making them obsolete to the needs of the Federation.
Cruiser Ship Type – CXX
Mid-sized to Large vessels meant for long-term independent cruising, fleet operations, and general purpose missions. Most Cruisers are generally assigned to a specific fleet and so must be assigned to duties that keep it near its fleet rally point and so are not as independent as frigates. Cruisers are multi-mission ships and so have complex mixture of combat, science, exploration, and diplomatic systems. Cruisers are generally the flagships of Starfleet and are commanded by her most senior and experienced officers.
Destroyer Ship Type – DXX
While Battle Ships are massive and usually fairly slow - the claymores of the Federation armory; Destroyers are fast, precise, and still deadly, the rapiers. Not exceptionally fast in warp but at sub-light they are quick and agile fencers designed to protect the flanks and rear of larger combatants and task forces, keeping smaller threats occupied while the Fleet, Battle Ship, Carrier, or Space Station deals with the larger threats. Since they are designed for combat they are uncomfortable ships to serve on with minimal crew space and services. Because of this they are generally ‘based’ from someplace and only deployed on short missions. While the Federation dislikes vessels designed solely for combat the defensive nature of Destroyers has allowed Starfleet to build several classes of this ship which are usually delegated in times of peace to system defense, search and rescue, and training.
Escort Ship Type – EXX
These are the smallest hulls still considered true ‘starships’ massing slightly less than most Destroyers (there are smaller warp capable hulls such as warp shuttles and runabouts but they are not considered starships). They are not large enough to carry a variety of equipment like frigates and cruisers and the crew amenities are very Spartan so they are typically limited to specific types of short term missions. The term ‘Escort’ was originally coined from naval history as a small vessel unable to operate solo for long durations. Because of the variety of missions different classes of this type are designed to fulfill it has also earned an unofficial nickname as the Et cetera ship type.
Frigate Ship Type – FXX
Essentially a small Cruiser meant for long-range and long-term independent cruising, scouting for fleets, and general purpose missions. Generally not assigned to a specific fleet except in times of war ships of this type typically have a high degree of autonomy. These are the smallest of the true multi-purpose ship types as well, including a mixture of combat, science, exploration, and other systems. Serving on one of these ships, especially commanding one, is considered an important step between being a novice and senior Starfleet officer and many starfleet captains look back to their time as a Frigate commander as their favorite period of service. This class is the workhorse of the fleet and their lone wolf nature leads to many of the most exciting stories in the Federation.
Carrier Ship Type – GXX
These are some of the larger ships in the fleet and are designed as mobile bases to project Federation power into an area where it is needed and where regular starbases are unavailable. During times of peace these ships are usually tasked to aiding new or economically troubled colonies, their fighters and drones replaced by cargo, mining, and refining shuttles. Carriers are usually lightly armed and shielded but fast, relying on their fighters and drones for punch and their speed and escort for defense.
Prototype - NXX
Usually, before starting a production run of a new type of ship, one or two working full scale models of the ship will be constructed as proof of concept. These ships carry the N prefix to there designation and it is quite common for them to also carry experimental systems making them NX class ships (see the X designator below). Care should be taken to not confuse the N prefix for prototype ships with the N designator for Guided control ships. The N prototype prefix can be applied to ships of any size and the ship is usually issued a new ID after its trials are over that better identifies its true size and purpose. For example: The Prometheus was originally classified as NX for her trials but later reclassified as CTX when she was placed into active service.
Ship Role Identifier (except Auxiliary ships)
The second, and sometimes a third letter in the Designation provide additional details on the abilities of a ship class. If the class has two such attributes both letters are used which is when the third letter occurs in the Designation. Note that this is a identifier for the class as a whole, not a particular ship’s abilities, unless the ship has been heavily refitted significantly altering its original abilities. Normal refitting and occasional modifications will not change the Designation.H – Heavy designation
J – Fast designation
K – Command designation
L – Light designation
M – Exploration designation
N – Guided designation
P – Pod designation*
Q – Special Services designation
R – Research designation
S – Scout designation
T – Tactical designation
X – Experimental designation
Y – Reserve designation
Z – Classified designation
Heavy role – XH
The heavy identifier designates a ship with greater than normal projected survivability for its size in hostile environments. The means for this may include greater firepower, stronger shields, heavier SIF and inertial dampers, etc. It is often used in the sense of combat survivability but not always. For example, the Icarus class ships designed to study reactions within stellar coronas are classified as EHR (Escort, Heavy, Research) despite being almost unarmed.
Fast role – XJ
The fast identifier is used to identify ships able to travel long distances quickly, rather than ships equipped for short bursts of speed or that are highly maneuverable (which usually fall within the Tactical role). Most ships with this identifier have a very high sustainable warp speed, although a ship with a prototype of the experimental coaxial jump drive is designated as a NJX (Prototype, Fast, Experimental).
Command, Communication, Control, Intelligence role – XK
The 3CI identifier denotes a ship class designed to be a flagship for a fleet or large task force. They typically have a flag deck including a flag bridge, battlefield holo simulator, fleet combat information center, and other specialized systems.
Light role – XL
Starfleet is a great believer in redundancy and protecting its officers and crew. However, occasionally other needs dictate that some of these protections are not available. For example, the Voyager class cruiser (a CLM ship) has fewer backup systems and weapons than other ships her size to make room for more systems to fulfill her exploration role, such as her ability to make planetary landings. The Light identifier warns fleet planners to look twice at the ships actual abilities before assigning it to what may be a role too dangerous for it.
Exploration role – XM
Probably the most sought after identifier with many designers, this identifier means the ship is designed to ‘boldly go…’ To qualify for this identifier the ship must be designed to be able to operate effectively and usually without support in multiple roles often simultaneously. Typically only Cruisers and Frigates will bear this designation, other ship types being too oriented to other roles or too small to contain the necessary diversity of systems.
Guided role – XN
This identifier is for vessels with a greater than normal ability to guide and/or control other vessels, drones, probes, or torpedoes. For example: the Blunderbuss class (CG - Cruiser, guided) was a retrofitted version of the Nebula class cruiser rushed into service for the war, its mission pod replaced with a multiple torpedo launcher deck and hosting a complement of drone fighters. Note that the Blunderbuss did not qualify for the P identifier since Nebula based designs are not true pod carriers nor the T identifier since it lacked the impulse speed and maneuverability necessary for that roe.
Pod role – XP
One of the problems Starfleet encountered during the recent conflicts was that most of its vast fleet of ships were not geared for combat and the Federation did not have the time or resources to do all the retrofitting they truly needed before they were thrown into combat. It became very clear very quickly how useful it was in cases like the Nebula class family to have whole sections of the ship designed to be replaced with greater ease than having to take the ship through a complete refitting program. Several designs currently entering production and others planned for the future make use of this feature to an even greater extent and are being designated ‘Pod carriers’ However this enormous flexibility is going to make it much harder to easily identify whatever the current abilities of a ship is as it will vary depending on what pods it has elected to carry. Studies are currently underway that are looking into adding a short ‘temporary’ designator of some kind after the normal identifier to identify what types of pods a vessel currently has docked to it.
Special Services role – XQ
This is one of the most unusual of the identifiers. It denotes a ship designed to appear as something it is not. While the principles of the Federation generally discourage deceit, it is of too important a strategic and tactical value to ignore entirely. There are several ways to earn this designation, some classes are designed to emit false sensor reading such at The Chameleon class (EQ designation) has both sensor foxers and holo emitters across its hull to appear both on scan and visually as a completely different type of ship. Ships with this identifier are typically used in times of peace to pretend to be unarmed merchant ships in areas of suspected pirate activity; a truly nasty surprise to a criminal that believes they are about to catch an defenseless prize. In war they act as decoy vessels or to infiltrate enemy lines.
Research role – XR
Denotes a dedicated research vessel. Usually lightly armed and shielded with a higher than normal complement of scientists and scientific systems. Smaller vessel classes (escorts and frigates) are usually specialized in a single study or small cluster of related studies (such as the USS Icarus, an EHR vessel that studies stellar high energy physics). Larger vessels can support a wider variety of disciplines but are still usually designed to included all the areas needed to adequately study a certain type of situation (such as a primitive culture or a nebula).
Scout role – XS
These ships are usually small and stealthy. Currently the Federation relies on low-emission and electronic countermeasures for its stealth but several classes have areas set aside for cloaking devices to be integrated into them should it ever become legal to do so (see the Treaty of Algeron). The other aspect of these vessels it their ability to gather information, so they also must have excellent sensors and the ability to interpret the sensor data. While the military aspects of this designation are obvious it is usually not their primary mission. Scouts are more usually used for studying near emergent cultures undetected and escorting civilian ships in dangerous areas.
Tactical role – XT
Sadly, many of our neighbors are less peaceful than the Federation and so we must provide a deterrent and a defense against them. Classes of ships that are designed to be quick and deadly on the battle field than is traditional for Starfleet vessels are branded with this designation although battle and destroyer ships do not need the additional designator to denote their already military role. Examples include the Prometheus (a CTX) and the Defiant (an ET).
Experimental role – XX
This identifier normally means one of two things: a one single ship class designed to evaluate some new concept or set of systems(such as the Prometheus, a CTX ship) or a class of ships specifically designed as a test bed to test new systems before they are approved for general integration into other ship classes. Often these ships are built from funds from Starfleet's Research and Development arm rather than as a normal naval construction contract and so will have an NX-# ship number and also often they are prototypes which means the Ship Type portion of their designation is N. For example the U.S.S. Gateway, NX-62421, is designated a NJX ship (Prototype; Fast and Experimental).
Reserve Role – XY
Starships are expensive, but the cutting edge necessary for Starfleet usually wears away long before the space worthiness of the hull, so Starfleet must constantly replace its vessels with newer and better models. But what happens to those that can no longer keep up with the needs of the fleet? Well this question has three answers. The first is Starfleet’s exhaustive efforts to continually maintain and retrofit its active fleet to prolong their service lifetime. Second is that Starfleet maintains several mothball fleets where ships are retired but not completely decommissioned so they can be reactivated in an emergency. Third is that old but still space worthy ships may be dearmed and leased to trusted civilian organizations such a merchant groups or universities. Ships that meet this third category are given the Y identifier to denote that they are no-longer on Starfleet's active service and would require retrofit before being placed back into service.
Classified Role – XZ
Occasionally Starfleet will incorporate a classified system into a ship, which doesn’t mean the entire ship class earns this identifier. This designation is there in the event that Starfleet ever has an entire ship class with some secret in its overall design and abilities. Proponents argue, and are probably correct, that the last thing Starfleet would do if it had such a situation, is announce it by bestowing this identifier on the class.
Auxiliary Ship Roles
The great variety of auxiliary ships necessitated a separate set of designators to identify their abilities. If the ship class identifier is prefixed with the “A” Ship type then the second and third letters denote their auxiliary abilities rather than the standard Ship Role identifiers of other classes. Thus an AH denotes that a ship is an Auxiliary, Hospital; not an Auxiliary, Heavy.
[authors note: I haven’t delved exhaustively into what auxiliary ship role identifiers would be for the Federation yet but some types of auxiliaries I think Starfleet would have would be and their US naval equivalent designation would be:
AD – Replenishment vessel
AE – Ammunition
AFDL – mobile spacedock, small
AFDM – mobile spacedock, medium
AFDB – mobile spacedock, large
AGB – Space debris clearing
AGDS – Gas giant atmospheric research support vessel
AGER – Experimental Research Ship
AGF – Fleet flagship
AGR – Communication relay ship
AH – Hospital ship
AK – Cargo ship
AOE – Fast Combat support ship
AS – Salvage
AR – Search and Rescue
AT – Tug
AW – Tanker
AX – Training Vessel
A??? - Fleet services ship (R&R facilities, medical, shops, etc that travels to small outposts without)
A??? – Colony ship
A??? – Mining vessel
A??? – Mobile Refinery
Other Starfleet designations
SB – Starbase
DS – Deepspace Starbase
RS – Research Starbase
IS – Small general purpose vehicle without warp capability such as shuttles and personnel pods
WS – Small general purpose vehicle with warp capability such as warp shuttles and runabouts
SF – Small special purpose vehicle without warp capability such as a system defense fighter
WF – Small special purpose vehicle with warp capability such as a starfighter
PT – Medium (escort or frigate) size system defense ship without warp capability such as a cutters and monitors
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