The Capital Ship class of vessels consists of several large,
combat oriented starships used for frontline military combat and defence. As is
standard Federation Policy, all Federation Dreadnoughts ,
Semi
Dreadnoughts, Battle Cruisers and Carriers
have some science capability as well as other standard Starship requirements.
Because of the massive investment associated with their construction, many other
governments also include some basic form of multi mission capability. Capital
Ships are the largest front line Starship in most fleets.
Dreadnoughts are classified as a mission specific, multiple target
engagement platform, designed to attack a specific group of targets and provide
support for military actions both within and outside established boarders. The
most notable aspect of recent dreadnoughts has been the addition of a third warp
nacelle. The controversial decision to add a third nacelle does give the
Dreadnought a tremendous advantage in combat. Because driver coils can be phased
in and out of the warp field, even at high speeds, Dreadnought can use lighter
engines and still maintain power levels equivalent to a Heavy Cruiser or
Battleship. Dreadnoughts can reach higher top speeds than other starships and
can often maintain these speeds longer than other high-speed vessels.
Dreadnoughts are designed for quadrant defence, with weapons grouped to protect
specific quadrants of the combat area while still maintaining a powerful
striking ability against a single target.
The Dreadnoughts unique design does produce a reduced effectiveness for
multi-mission roles. Dreadnoughts have even less space devoted to first contact
and exploration missions, making them ineffective for exploration. The space
disadvantage inherent in Dreadnoughts also extends to the engineering spaces.
Most Dreadnoughts have very limited space for crew comfort due to the enlarged
engineering and extra support systems needed to maintain the third warp engine.
Balance problems with tri-engine designs have plagued Dreadnoughts since first
launched. Even modern Dreadnoughts require larger crews to monitor and maintain
the multi-engine designs. Dreadnoughts are often more expensive than
conventional Battleships but are easier to maintain in the field. Dreadnoughts
also have a significant Command-and-Control system allowing them to act as the
centrepiece of a large fleet. Dreadnoughts, despite their weight and size, are
surprisingly manoeuvrable, and have proved their ability time and again.
The
Semi-Dreadnought is an amalgam of varied projected uses combined in a
single medium to heavy combat platform, used to conduct a combination of ground
assault and fighter support on a smaller scale than the Assault Frigate or
Assault Ship.
The Semi-Dreadnought is more independent than most front line assault
vessels, able to conduct Heavy Cruiser military operations with the added
capability of using two the three fighter wings during it primary mission.
Most missions assigned to the Semi-Dreadnought are of an independent
nature, freeing up escorts and other cruisers to conduct more detailed
operations.
Most Semi-Dreadnought had a very small science department, no research
capability, and limited first contact ability.
None the less, the Semi-Dreadnought can conduct some exploratory
operation while maintaining the ability to operate as a Dreadnought when the
need arises.
During their military missions, Semi-Dreadnought are often used to
assault small outposts
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