All man-made space ships belong to one of the following classes :

1. Vector Class.

Although the 'Vector' is the name of one certain ship, the many versions of this shuttle and the multitude of tasks it can be used for, made it a class on its own. The Vector was Alpha's first succes : a small fighter with great manouvrability and which could be equipped with very different weapons or external machines and systems so it could be used as scout, warrior, miner or small cargo ship or any combination.


2. Fighter Class.

These ships are build only to fight, they have good manouvrability and can be equipped with all kinds of small and medium-sized weapons. They need to be launched from a base or carrier ship as they don't have the means to fly long distances nor are they build to stay outside for longer than 36 hours without a nearby base or carrier to refuel and recharge. Usually they are piloted by only one or two pilots maximum as the ship cannot support more crew members. The prime example of this class are the Nagato class ships, both MK I and MK II. The Fighter class ships are also know as interceptors.


3. Heavy Fighter Class.

The main difference with the normal Fighter class is that these ships are much bigger, can support a larger crew and are capable of fullfilling solo-missions without the need for a base or carrier. With stronger engines they can fly faster and further tho are more limited in manouvrability compared to normal fighters. Heavy Fighters can also be equipped with more and heavier types of weapons as well as cloaking devices and shields. Examples : Nagato MK III, Venom and Firewing.


4. Frigate Class.

Frigate class ships are in fact very similar to the Heavy Fighter class in size, capabilities and number of crew members, tho they are not made to be equipped with weapons but with other systems, they usually fullfill support functions for the Fighter classes or solo-missions. They are mostly used as Engineering Frigate, as Tank or as additional shield generator or communication center in complicated missions. Occasionally they're also fitted with heavy weapons as Assault Frigate.


5. Battle Ship Class.

Battle Ships are even bigger, support more crew member and are better equipped for long solo-missions or solo-flights compared to the Heavy Fighter and Frigate classes. They are relatively slow and lack manouvrability, but they are not used as front-line ships in a battle. Mostly equipped with only the heaviest Lance-, Thunder- or Pulse-lasers and Plasma cannons they can engage enemy ships from great distance. Their defence systems contain deflector shields to protect the most important sections of the ship as wel as several turrets.


6. War Ship Class.

Where as Battle Ships are mostly used close-by a base, the War Ships are the perfect ships to fight long battles far away from any base. They are bigger and equipped with stronger armor than Battle Ships, can support more heavy weapons and can even be equipped with small Vector bays. They are also capable of fullfilling support missions as most Frigates are not capable of providing long-term support in the most demanding battles.


7. Battle Carrier Class.

These ships are solely build to transport Vector and Fighter class ships to the battle. They are equipped with minimal weapons, as the on-board fighters will provide enough firepower. Battle Carriers can have up to 4 bays and each bay can support up to 20 Vectors or 8 Fighter Class Ships. Some are also equipped with repair bays and can provide their fighters with enough fuel, power and ammo for long, deep-space battles, often accompanied by several Frigates or Battle Ships for additional support. Prime example : Troy.


8. War Carrier Class.

These are the biggest ships in the man-made fleets, compared to Battle Carriers, they can support up to 8 bays, mostly these bays are also capable of carrying up to 40 Vectors or 16 Fighter Class Ships or even several Heavy Fighter or Frigate Class ships. One such Carrier is basically a fleet on its own, they also have more offensive power as they can be equipped with the heaviest lasers and plasma cannons next to an array of turrets and is equipped with repair and support bays. These ships are the backbone of any armada that needs to fight a long and demanding battle far away from a base, often supported by several Battle Carriers. Prime example : Ravage.


9. Cargo Ship Class.

These ships serve only one purpose  : to get fuel, ore or minerals from one place to another. Their size, often as big as a Battle Carrier requires that they are equipped with heavy engines. Mostly they are not as heavily armored and do not contain any offensive systems but can be equipped with turrets. On delicate transports or dangerous routes they will be accompanied by Vector or Fighter Class ships, some of the biggest cargo ships even have a small Vector bay on board. The first cargo ships had the size of Frigates, over time they evolved to the massive Freigthers used by the Miner Guild to transport their ore and minerals from the asteroid fields to the bases.


10. Civilian Ship Class.

These include all ships that are not allowed to carry any offensive of defensive systems and can be flown by almost anyone without any other license than the usual drivers license. Some Vector MK I, stripped of their weapons are used quite often as cheap shuttle to transport goods and people between planets and nearby bases. Not all Civilian Class ships are capable of flying in space and are limited to stay in a planet's atmosphere. Most ships in this class are made by smaller independent ship builders, the most expensive and luxurious ships in this class are designed by Rune.


11. Heavy Civilian Ship Class.

Also known as Starcruiser class. This class came into existence when Rune started building civilian ships that had the size of Frigates, these new ships were intended to be used to transport people to or between ouposts or bases. The Xyth government created a new license and special flying schools for these heavier ships, certain organisations (travel organisations and small cargo transporters mostly) are allowed to place up to 3 turrents on their Starcruisers as well as have them being escorted by armored Vector or Fighter class ships.