Proposed Ship mission codes

[tjoneslo]

Having five versions of the list of ship mission / type codes inflicted on me over various version of Traveller and fandom I'd like to supply a definition to work from and a worked example.

From my perspective the Mission / Type code determines the design of the ship: Size, shape, internal components like armor, weapons, crew, cargo, sensor setup, drive potential and so on. The lengthy and varied set of modifier codes are meant to more accurately describe the details of the ship design.

Also the categories are relative to the architects TL, budget, and available resources. So for one world their cutting edge Dreadnought would barely be a match for another world's escorts.

Code	Classification	Notes
A	Merchants	General merchants with combined cargo and passengers. Couriers, Packets, unscheduled free traders, Military Auxiliary and transport craft
B	Battleship	Main Naval Combatants, Heavy armor and weapons (spinal mounts), reasonable mobility, and designed for fleet operations: Dreadnoughts, Ship of the Line. Battle Riders, Destroyers
C	Cruiser	Secondary Naval Combatant. Prefers mobility over weapons/armor with long duration independent action. Ships designed to operate behind enemy lines: Cruiser, privateers, Marauders, Raiders
D	Defender	Secondary Naval Combatant, Prefers weapons/armor and defenses over mobility. Orbital fortresses, System Defense craft, Convoy protection, Monitors
E	Auxiliaries	Catchall for armed ships not in the other categories: patrol and picket ships, customs enforcement, mine layers, ortillery and planetary assault ships, Gunships, fighters
G	General Commercial	A catchall category for commercial/non-military ships not covered by other codes. Orbital ports, Far Ports, Mobile Repair bases, Mobile Docks, Tugs, Tenders, Agricultural, Colony ships, orbital prisons
H	Hospital	Medial ships, search and rescue vessels, recovery ships
J	Resource Extraction	Ships to gather resources, gas giant skimmers, mining ships, prospectors, mobile refinery, salvage, Factory ships
L	Science	Lab and science research vessels. Sensor platforms, Lab ship, Beagle
M	Liners	Passenger carriers, Troop transports, Entertainment carriers, Combat transports
R	Freighter	Cargo/freight carriers, bulk cargo, tankers, Container carriers. Usually on scheduled routes. Military resupply and ordinance carriers
S	Scout	Long duration scouting and exploration. Military spy ships
V	Carriers	Ships designed to carry other ships: Battle rider carriers, Fighter carriers, LASH merchant ships
Y	Private	Catchall category for any private ships, safari ships, charter vessels
Z	Special	Unclassified ships, experimental designs

 

[Condottiere]

Politics and diplomatic considerations tend to colour the exact descriptors used for military vessels.

And then you have the phenomenons known as size inflation and mission creep.

 

[tjoneslo]

Yes, the idea is the code covers general capabilities, but not the specific details. There are a lot of variations within each mission, partly covered by the modifiers, partly covered by the TL of construction, and political realities.

 

[whulorigan]

Yes, the idea is the code covers general capabilities, but not the specific details. There are a lot of variations within each mission, partly covered by the modifiers, partly covered by the TL of construction, and political realities.

Perhaps the entire "Classification" Column should be deleted, and let the Code be directly associated with the info in the Notes Column. Classification Names/Types would then arise organically as ships are assigned a Primary Code (from the Notes) when the appropriate additional Modifier Codes are appended.

 

[robject]

^ Then again, the classification seems useful to guide people to the most common ship types.

 

[robject]

I'm not always pedantic (? LOL); However, in this case I worry that Publishers will look at these codes in the wiki and follow that, instead of following T5. Here I focus on peripheral codes that I think are easier to align.

But first I'll talk about the Battleship, which I think probably has to remain a "B".

1. B/Battleships

T5 went forward and merged Cruiser with Principal Naval Combatant;
In short, Dreadnoughts are a type of Cruiser (e.g. Super-Big Mean Battle Strike Cruiser or whatever).
I understand the indigestion this causes.

Since T5 uses the secondary modifier "B" Battle, then I think "B" is ok.

2. G/Frigates

Frigates are a major combatant, but not principal. Class "G". I identify Battle Riders as Frigates ("Battle" and "Rider" both being modifier codes rather than a primary mission code), although Cruiser is also a potential... as is Defender.

3. F/Freighters

Freighters then take over the "F" label. Presumably they are more common to the game than Frigates.

4. M/Liners and R/Merchants and A/Trader

High Guard was the ruleset which confused Liner (M) with Merchant (R). MegaTraveller followed in its footsteps, except with the original ACS, where it kept the older codes, thereby adding to the confusion. In this light, I think it's best to keep the original meanings M = Liners, R = Merchants.

This would re-set A back to "Trader", which yes I understand has some ambiguity.

5. N/Medical Research

T5 uses N for Medical ships, and especially calls them out as research vessels. But I figure that also could include "hospital" ships and auxiliaries.

 

[whulorigan]

But first I'll talk about the Battleship, which I think probably has to remain a "B".

1. B/Battleships

T5 went forward and merged Cruiser with Principal Naval Combatant;
In short, Dreadnoughts are a type of Cruiser (e.g. Super-Big Mean Battle Strike Cruiser or whatever).
I understand the indigestion this causes.

Since T5 uses the secondary modifier "B" Battle, then I think "B" is ok.

2. G/Frigates

Frigates are a major combatant, but not principal. Class "G". I identify Battle Riders as Frigates ("Battle" and "Rider" both being modifier codes rather than a primary mission code), although Cruiser is also a potential... as is Defender.

But remember that these are ACS codes (< 2500 ton), not BCS codes. ACS and BCS codes are independent of one-another.

The ACS Naval Vessels seem to represent Colonial Fleet and/or Planetary Navy assets, not major Imperial Battle Fleet elements. All of the ACS Naval ships noted above would be considered Auxiliaries under BCS, per Agent of the Imperium Appendices. I would suggest that an ACS Cruiser and a BCS Cruiser are two entirely different things. An ACS Cruiser would be an Auxiliary under BCS (think 1200 ton Kinunir or 2000 ton Sydkai, not 50,000 ton Ghalalk), the BCS equivalent of an ACS "Escort / Minor". So (technically) there are no ACS ships that qualify as a "Battleship" or "Dreadnought". On the ACS scale, a "Battle-Rider" would be the equivalent of a Gunboat or Torpedo-Boat (think SDB tied to a Carrier instead of a Star System).

Per AotI, the Big Ships (BCS) use the following Primary Mission Codes:

Ship Identifiers (BCS)
B = Capital/Primary Combatant (colloquially "Battles") - A fighting ship with the strongest of armor and the most powerful of weapons.
C = Cruiser - A fighting naval vessel (other than a Capital) created to operate independently and project power against non-fighting ships.
V = Carrier/Tender (Fleet/Fighter/Assault-Lander, etc) - A naval vessel intended to transport, launch, and support other vessels which participate in a conflict.
S = Siege Engine - A naval vessel intended to launch ordnance against a stationary target (a world or an installation).

A = Minor / Auxiliary - A naval vessel intended to support, refuel, repair, re-arm or communicate between other ships, especially Capitals. Auxiliaries typically have no place in an actual battle, although some may be Armored.

Mission Modifiers (BCS):
R = Rider - The ship is designed to be carried by (to ride) a Carrier
D = Monitor - The ship, while movable, is intended to operate in a fixed location. Typically restricted to one system, and so does not require (or does not have) jump drives.
F = Flag - The ship is equipped for command and control of other ships. The squadron commander Admiral or Commodore commands from a Flag-designated ship.
F = Fighter - The small craft (less than 100 tons) equivalent of a Rider. Shown for completeness. Does not apply to Battles.
F = Fast - The ship has drives that provide acceleration greater than typical within the fleet.
S = Slow - The ship has drives that provide acceleration less than typical within the fleet.
A = Armored. - A ship which normally does not have Armor is provided Armor (usually applies to Auxiliaries).
K = Strike - The ship is designed to attack world or immobile targets
M = Missile - The primary weaponry is missiles
B = Beam - The primary weaponry is beam weapons
O = Orbital - The ship is designed to operate from orbit. Typically applies to siege engines.
L = Lander - The craft carries troops, vehicles, and equipment to a world surface for battle. An Assault Lander delivers directly to the battlefield.
Q = Quarantine (Obsolete) - The ship is dedicated to the Quarantine mission.

Other classification codes are possible.

 

[Spinward Flow]

I worry that Publishers will look at these codes in the wiki and follow that, instead of following T5.

And here I am, still relying on LBB5.80 (with occasional clarification from wiki page entries) as my go to touchstone for this stuff.

 

[whulorigan]

And here I am, still relying on LBB5.80 (with occasional clarification from wiki page entries) as my go to touchstone for this stuff.

For completeness, here are the ACS Military Mission Primary Codes (Colonial/Planetary Navies):

Offensive:
C = Principal - Cruiser - Principal type of offensive fighting ship (in both weapons and defenses).
G = Major - Frigate - Major offensive fighting ship
E = Minor - Corvette - Minor offensive fighting ship
V = Special - Destroyer - Special Mission offensive fighting ship

Defensive:
N = Principal - Monitor - Principal type of defensive fighting ship (favoring armor over firepower).
D = Major - Defender - Major defensive fighting ship
E = Minor - Escort - Minor defensive fighting ship (Often pressed into auxiliary service as a courier.)
B = Special - Boat - Special Mission defensive fighting ship

Siege:
H = Attack - Ortillery - "Orbital Artillery" (Firepower and bombardment)
T = Invasion - Assault - Delivers troops and equipment
S = Defender - Sentinel - Defends the system from invaders


Independent:
P = Anti-Shipping - Corsair - Attacks commercial shipping (specifically to steal its freight or cargo).
R = Anti-Commerce - Raider - Attacks and destroys commercial shipping.
P = Anti-Port - Marauder - Attacks ports and installations.

Auxiliary:
T = Major - Transport - Major multi-purpose ship carrying supplies and personnel
W = Minor - Barge - Unpowered support hull
T = Resupply - Tender/Tug - Provides supplies and support to naval vessels
E = Information - Corvette - (Often pressed into auxiliary service as a courier.)

There are many Secondary Mission Modifier Codes (any ship may have 1 or 2 modifying the above main mission types).

 

[tjoneslo]

I'm not always pedantic (? LOL); However, in this case I worry that Publishers will look at these codes in the wiki and follow that, instead of following T5. Here I focus on peripheral codes that I think are easier to align.

Rob, my problem with the T5 codes is they are incredibly poorly explained. I have no idea how to assign these codes to any given existing ship in the canon let alone in the wider fandom build archives (e.g. the 2000+ ships existing in the wiki). I certainly can't explain how to assign codes to anyone else.

The thread on the Cargo vs Freight and the splitting of hair so fine it could be used an reverse osmosis filter is the most blatant example.

What is the difference between a "principle" and a "major" naval combat ship, for both offense and defense? In the context these words are close synonyms with no inherent ordering. The ordering in the table doesn't help with this confusion.

What defines if a ship should be assigned the "special" category for both naval offense and defense?

Why is the Corvette (Code E) under both Combat offense minor and Auxiliary Supply Information? Are those the same thing or different missions which may have different ships?

Similarly, under Commerce Charter, the Recreation and Active are both assigned the same code. Are these really the same mission, or different missions that need a secondary code to distinguish?

Why are there four separate exploration classes (Look, re-look, Data Collection, data analysis)? are these missions really so different they can not be captured in the secondary codes?

Why are there three separate missions under Private Information (good, data, goods & data)?

 

[Condottiere]

1. Military

2. Governmental

3. Law enforcement

4. Commercial

5. Private

 

[robject]

Rob, my problem with the T5 codes is they are incredibly poorly explained.

Ambiguity granted.

And: We can work that out.



Let's start with my suggestion to swap R and M back to the original, albeit strange, mapping. That would put them in line with T5, with the side benefit of putting them back in line with the original classic Traveller small starships.

 

[robject]

Rob, my problem with the T5 codes is they are incredibly poorly explained. I have no idea how to assign these codes to any given existing ship in the canon let alone in the wider fandom build archives (e.g. the 2000+ ships existing in the wiki). I certainly can't explain how to assign codes to anyone else.

As for that, let's start with what we have, and figure out what we need.
I will filter the list out based on the main points of contention.

T5 Book 2 p69.

Fighting Ships
Fighting ships are ranked Principal or Line (the best available), Major (better than most) and Minor (merely acceptable). A Cruiser is the principal type of offensive fighting ship (in both weapons and defenses). A Frigate (although less than a cruiser) is a major type.

It is no more ambiguous than Battleship - Cruiser - Destroyers and Escorts. It's just re-mapped.

Battleship -> "Battle Cruiser" etc
Cruiser -> Cruiser
(nothing in between Cruiser and Destroyer) -> Frigate
Destroyers and Escorts -> Destroyers and Escorts

Merchant Ships
Merchants are private business vessels.

On scheduled routes: a Liner carries primarily passengers, a Freighter carries primarily freight, a Merchant carries primarily cargo.

For unscheduled routes: a Packet carries primarily passengers, a Trader carries primarily cargo, a Transport carries primarily freight.

An Expedition is chartered for travel to unexplored locations. A Safari is chartered to visit world surfaces for recreation and tourism.

A Yacht is a privately owned and operated pleasure ship.

 

[tjoneslo]

Ship Mission Code/updates - Traveller

wiki.travellerrpg.com

This page is the design notes from one Jmattera regarding the ship mission codes that went into the wiki-1 ship mission code list. Specifically they went through all of the canon and many non-canon references to find the existing uses.

So what I would like to be able to do is go through the in use column for that page and, with a reasonable lack of ambiguity, assign the corresponding T5 code to the design. Having a long list of examples for the different codes would go a long way to clearing up the confusion.

 

[McPerth]

See also that the same ship may have different missions according its deployment. The same ship may be a BR, if carried on a Tender, or a Monitor, if left as "static" system defense...

 

[Condottiere]

Example TV model number breakdown
Here's an example of a recent model number for the 65" Class Q800T QLED 8K UHD HDR Smart TV (2020). We’ve broken down what the different letters and numbers represent in the model code, so you can get a better understanding of what it all means.

We’ll use this example: QN65Q800TAFXZA

Q = QLED

N = North America

65 = Screen size in inches

Q800T = The specific model name

A = First generation

F = ATSC tuner type (USA, Canada)

X = Design code

ZA = Made for USA

 

[robject]

See also that the same ship may have different missions according its deployment. The same ship may be a BR, if carried on a Tender, or a Monitor, if left as "static" system defense...

Kinuniriin, Lightnings, and Leviathans, when sold off, changed their codes to reflect their new jobs.

 

[robject]

Ship Mission Code/updates - Traveller

wiki.travellerrpg.com

This page is the design notes from one Jmattera regarding the ship mission codes that went into the wiki-1 ship mission code list. Specifically they went through all of the canon and many non-canon references to find the existing uses.

So what I would like to be able to do is go through the in use column for that page and, with a reasonable lack of ambiguity, assign the corresponding T5 code to the design. Having a long list of examples for the different codes would go a long way to clearing up the confusion.

And I like the wiki-1 usages, generally.


I've started a long list of examples... uh in a related thread here... yeah here: https://www.travellerrpg.com/index.php?threads/pedantic-ship-missions-and-codes.42761/


Classifying ships, and justifying the classification, and including alternative codes and why they are not preferred, is actually a fun exercise.


The tricky ones, to me, are the fighting ships in Supplement 9. High Guard's military codes tend to be the most different from T5's -- AOTI notwithstanding. (And we need to talk about Agent of the Imperium).

 

[McPerth]

Kinuniriin, Lightnings, and Leviathans, when sold off, changed their codes to reflect their new jobs.

Sure, but those changes may be quite fluid in war, I guess.

I mean, if a system is a hub that must be fortified, a Tender may leave their BRs there and go rearguard for more. So will those BR change their codes to be Monitors? and if, after a battle there, another tender takes them as BRs while damaged ones are left there for defense and repair, will they change it again?

see that those changes amy occur in a relatively short span of time, and I guess changing the codes too often may lead to confusion, mostly if the ships are referred by codes (as in USN, where US Enterprixe in WWII was als orefered as CV-6, while the one in 2000was CV-65).

I mean, if BR-1110 suddenly becomes BD-1110 for two months, then becoming again BR-1110, some confusion may arise...

Not to tell is at some point in between it becomes the flagship of the system defense and so BF.1110, while also keeping being a Monitor. Will it than be BD, BF or something like BD(F)?

 

[robject]

^ Sounds right to me, McPerth. Although a "mission" change might not require paperwork, so much as it is just an acknowledgement. Or even a desire, in the case of commercial vessels. AND it might not even be OFFICIAL... makes my brain explode...

However, it's also the case that other ships change codes for other reasons. In fact those three examples above all changed hands -- and codes -- well outside of war. Leviathans weren't military to begin with -- they're exploratory traders. And one Lightning in question migrated from martial to Oberlindes Vargr commercial service, protecting their interests in Tuglikki and other places.