In the tumultuous period of 5322-5328 A.E. the appearance of the Royal Ventrian Starforce on the galactic stage and the arrival of Ur-Real vanguard forces had introduced a number of disruptive technologies to interstellar warfare in the Large Magellanic Cloud. By the close of 5233 the Phoenix Empire, the Jardin Republic, and the Space Revolutionary Army had all produced extended range lasers equivalent to the Ventrian model by means of espionage, secret arrangements, and outright theft. A storm of new breakthroughs - including the triumphant reverse-engineering of key Ur-Real technologies - soon followed, resulting in a feverish arms race that outpaced even the impact of beam vectoring on traditional naval architecture of its day.

The turn of events occurred just as the three major powers fell on unforeseen windfalls of economic and social resources permitting massive growths in military expenditures. Under the rule of Empress Mizuiru-Saria the Phoenix Empire was rapidly recovering from the damage of the Phoenix Republican Uprising and the Battle of the Starforge. New economic policies had restored a flagging economy in the Jardin Republic and the platform of the Desmond government urged militarization in preparation of the coming Ur-Real threat. The Free Star League, among other reforms, revitalized a deeply neglected Federal Navy. Smaller regional powers, such as the newly founded CoDominium and Transeisdzarian Commonwealth, were also making significant military investments.

First line ships launched even as late as the final months of 5323 had been obsoleted practically overnight in their original configurations, requiring substantial yard time to meet new standards. Many new hulls of all classes were commissioned while large numbers of older designs without the margins permitting upgrades were laid up in ordinary. Defense contractors and shipyards were in a frenzy of their own to capture the slew of lucrative new military contracts. Heroic efforts were made to draft blueprints and present prototypes for competition.

By the end of 5328 some developments were not yet universal. The classes most effected were cruiser grade and below. Nevertheless, naval architecture had changed almost unimaginably in the space of five years.

Technologies

The stuff relevant to ship design. @Sil, what do they do? @Others, list needs to be corrected and mark which factions have what as this is mostly hazy guessing.

Ubiquitous

The more pedestrian, straight upgrades that at least three faction (including NPCs such as the Free Star League) possess. These may be abstracted as baseline. Factions without will probably take some kind of penalty.

2nd & 3rd Generation Engines (assuming baseline is Ventrian BB speed)
Cruiser Spinal Guns
2nd Generation Spinal Guns
Low observation hull theory
ER Lasers
Second Generation Vector Beams
Hard Shields.

Esoterics

Upgrades with unique gameplay elements or those only one-two factions posses.

Fortress Shields
Distortion Field (anti stutter warp)
Self healing armor.

Uniques

Only one faction can utilize these.

Plasma Weaponry
Stutter Warp

Design Competitions

Each of the military establishment ran design competitions. Each slot represents a design competitions classed unofficially by Janes, the actually classes may be referred to in whatever way the faction pleases. People put in design requirements they want (such as "Stealthy", "Fast", Armed with x and y, etc) for contractors (silence) to meet on the Talk page.

Capital

Dreadnought: Latest capital grade Ship of the Wall equipped with the full suite of the faction's relevant innovations. Rare.
Semi-Dreadnought: The existing first-line capital ship, reengined and upgunned. Common.
Faction Unique:

Cruiser

Heavy Cruiser: Self-explanatory.
Light Cruiser: Self-explanatory.
Faction Unique:

Light

Frigate: A reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and pursuit vessel. Rare.
Dragoon: Sub-FTL combatant. Harder to hit and fights well above tonnage. Common.
Faction Unique:

Jane's Astroforces of 5328

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