[Classification Prefix][Prefix Modifier]-[Mass Number][Series Number][Model Version]
^ Mass Class ^ Tonnage Range ^
| MC1 | <100 tons |
| MC2 | 100 - <10,000 tons |
| MC3 | 10,000 - <1,000,000 tons |
| MC4 | 1,000,000 - <100,000,000 tons |
| MC5 | 100,000,000 - <10,000,000,000 tons |
| MC6 | 10,000,000,000 - <1E12 tons |
| MC7 | 1E12 - <1E14 tons |
| MC8 | 1E14 - <1E16 tons |
| MC9 | 1E16 - <1E18 tons |
| MC0 | 1E18=< tons |
ASH-343 Illyn The design code before the class name indicates that the Illyn-class is of the Attack Ship (AS) ship type and that it is at the upper end of that type (Heavy; H), mounting heavier weapons and/or shielding than is usual for that type. It further says that the mass of the ship is between 10,000 and 1,000,000 tons. It is the 43 design within the 3rd mass class for the Attack Ship type and is the first version for its model (the ‘A’ for model version was omitted).
PTF-422B Arcturus This means that the Arcturus-class is of the Patrol Ship (PT) type and that is especially fast and/or agile for that ship type (Fast; F). It is of the 4th Mass Class, putting it in the range from 1 million to 100 million tons (on the mid-lower end for a Patrol Ship) and is the 22nd model designed within the 4th MC for the Patrol Ship type. The final ‘B’ indicates it is the second version of the Arcturus model.
The catch-all term for small space-capable craft designed specifically for combat within the fleet, generally carried aboard larger starships. They generally range from 8-20 meters and mass up to several dozen tons. Though they can field substantial firepower, within the Republic Navies Order of Battle they generally serve a supportive and/or defensive function because of their vulnerability and low speed capabilities relative to large ships.
Technically speaking, both Strike Craft are classified as Auxiliary craft but in common usage Auxiliary Craft differentiated from Strike Craft as those space-capable craft intended to perform a supportive non-combat role within the fleet, frequently with cargo or passenger ship-to-ship and ship-to-surface transportation. Note that while primarily non-combat, Auxiliary Craft may be armed and armored to operate within a combat environment. Like Strike Craft, Auxiliary Craft are generally carried aboard larger ships and usually measure 12-30 meters in length and mass up to several hundred tons. Larger transport ships, though classified under Auxiliary Craft within the RN Order of Battle, use the prefix of Transport (T). They are generally used for inter-system short range travel since larger craft usually have much faster speeds, though some special-purpose Auxiliary Craft serve as fast couriers.
Like Strike Craft, Transport Ships technically fall under the heading of Auxiliary Craft within the RN Order of Battle. In practice they distinguish themselves from Auxiliary Craft by virtue of their much larger size, mid-range versions exceeding several hundred meters and mass in the thousands of tons or into kilometers and hundreds of thousands or millions of tons for the most massive fleet logistics ships. Also in common with Auxiliary Craft, Transport Ships serve a primarily non-combat role but may be armed and armored for operations in combat environments. Troop Transports, despite possessing armaments on-par with a Guard ship are officially termed Transports due to their primary role.
Attack ships combine high speed, high maneuverability and heavy firepower in a compact, lethal package. Generally fairly fragile for their firepower, within the RN Order of Battle they operate in groups (codified as an ‘Assault Line’) of 3-4 ships. Attack Ships are intended to attack and destroy larger vessels and are usually designed around one or two large-scale main weapons, though they are quite capable of engaging similarly classified ships. Attack Ships range from 90-300 meters and mass from 4,000-60,000 tons. Attack Ships are similar to the Destroyer classification of other Navies.
Guard ships are intended to function in a primarily supportive position within a Line or Squadron. Compared to Attack Ships they are generally larger (usually substantially) and tend to field larger numbers of smaller weapons so that they can engage multiple small craft or ships. In their support capacity within a Line or Squadron, they tend to carry larger numbers of troops, Strike Craft, and Auxiliary craft (and most carriers are classified as Guard Ships). Guard Ships generally range from 150-500 meters and mass several tens of thousands to several million tons. Guard Ships are similar to the Cruiser classification in other Navies.
Patrol ships are the mainline warships within the Republic Navy. They are designed primarily to be able to engage similar ship classes in head to head combat and prevail. In this, they are quite similar to Attack Ships in terms of their weapons load-out, focusing on very heavy anti-ship weapons. Unlike the Attack Ships, Patrol Ships also posses very strong shields and armor to withstand the firepower other similar ships will field (at least for a time). They are differentiated from the larger Battleships by their focus more on firepower than defense. They also carry a substantial compliment of troops and Strike Craft. They range from 1 to 3 kilometers and mass several million tons and up. Patrol Ships are similar to the Heavy Cruiser and Battle Cruiser classifications of other Navies.
The largest warships within the Republic Navy, Battleships are similar to Patrol Ships but posses a more balanced combination of firepower and defense relative to their mass. Battleships are intended to engage other fleets head on and because of this mount the largest and most powerful weapons available and possess shields and armor strong enough to withstand bombardment by a fleet for a extended period. Battleships start at 2 km and several dozen million tons and go up from there (The RN does not possess a “Dreadnaught”, “Super Battleship”, or equivalent classification even though those descriptors may be used informally). Due to the nature of the RN Order of Battle (which focuses on quick, decisive strikes), Battleships are rare within the fleet.
Though similar in basic function to Guard Ships, Field Support Ships bring immense firepower to a fleet. Most ships of this classification take the form of so called “artillery ships”, focusing on titanic weapons (otherwise only fieldable on planetary installations or space stations) or massive numbers of Autonomous Kill Vehicles (AKV). Relative to ships of their mass they generally have inferior defensive capabilities and because of this they are rarely seen outside of a Squadron. Field Support Ships generally range upwards of a kilometer and mass several dozens of millions of tons.