Explorer

For other uses, see Explorer.

The term explorer, or exploration cruiser, is a starship classification that is applied to multi-purpose starships that are equipped to perform a variety of duties at the same time. Explorers are similar to heavy cruisers, as they are equipped with strong defenses, and are designed to perform long-duration and long-range missions. During wars, explorers are used as flagships for battle groups and fleets of ships. Explorers are the largest ships in Starfleet. The term explorer was synonymous with battleship in more militant fleets or in alternate timelines. Variants of the explorer classification are the, light explorer, the scientific explorer and the deep space explorer. (ST reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual; Decipher RPG modules: Narrator's Guide, Starships; ST calendar: Ships of the Line 2012, TNG comic: "Thin Ice")

Types of explorers[]

Starship classification
By type	argosy • assault cruiser • assault ship • attack cruiser • attack fighter • battlecruiser • battle frigate • battleship • bird-of-prey • bomber • cargo transport • carrier • colony ship • combat support tender • command battlecruiser • construction ship • corsair • corvette • courier • cruiser • cutter • destroyer • dreadnought • escort • explorer • fast attack ship • fast cruiser • flagship • freighter • frigate • fuel ship • gunboat • heavy cruiser • heavy destroyer • heavy escort • hospital ship • in-system courier • liaison cutter • light cruiser • light frigate • medical frigate • medium cruiser • mining freighter • missile cruiser • monitor • multi-mission explorer • passenger liner • patrol cruiser • personnel carrier • pilot escort • prison barge • repair tender • research vessel • research cruiser • runabout • science vessel • science spearhead • scout • sleeper ship • star battleship • star cruiser • strike cruiser • super carrier • super-heavy cruiser • support frigate • surveyor • tanker • tender • timeship • transport • tug • warbird • warpshuttle • weapon ship
Alphanumeric	I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII • IX • X • XI • XII • XIII • XIV • XV • XVI

By type

Alphanumeric

I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII • IX • X • XI • XII • XIII • XIV • XV • XVI