Starship classification

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference

Unofficially, many starships are classified by their design type. Although Starfleet tries not to classify their vessels in any such categorization, there have been numerous occasions where a Starfleet officer referred to Starfleet or enemy vessels by type during a fleet engagement, such as in Operation Return when Captain Sisko calls upon Galaxy wings to engage Galor-class destroyers. (DS9: "Sacrifice of Angels")

Contents 1 Starship Classifications 1.1 Primary ships 1.2 Support ships 1.3 Other designations 2 Background

[edit] Starship Classifications

[edit] Primary ships

• Attack fighter
• Battleship
• Cruisers
  • Attack cruiser
  • Battle cruiser
  • Heavy cruiser
  • Light cruiser
• Dreadnought
• Destroyer
• Escort
• Explorer
• Frigate
• Interceptor
• Starship

[edit] Support ships

• Auxiliary craft
  • Escape pod
  • Runabout
  • Shuttlecraft
  • Shuttlepod
• Blockade runner
• Cargo drone
• Courier
• Freighter
• Raider
• Science vessel
• Scout
• Survey ship
• Supply ship
• Tanker
• Transport
  • Colony ship
• Tug

[edit] Other designations

• Warbird
• Bird-of-Prey

[edit] Background

In some unclear terms, the designations for several starship classes have been the issue of some confusion. Some examples are:

• The Oberth-class has sometimes been confused with the scout designation, though it is officially a science vessel rather than a scout.

• Similarly, the Constitution-class starship has been classified in multiple categories as well, most notably as a heavy cruiser and as a battle cruiser.

• The Constellation-class has also been the subject of some confusion. It may have been a new kind of heavy cruiser in its early life, then later called a medium cruiser, light cruiser, and possibly even a destroyer in its late life. Another possibility was being classified as an explorer, which is similar to a heavy cruiser. If this is still its unofficial designation, then it would contradict its current status, thus the confusion.

• The Galaxy-class was officially an explorer, but has also been referred to as a heavy cruiser (in one script reference), and a battle cruiser (in an alternate timeline reference).