I think its time to update the readme with some ship roles.
The Federation has one of the most versitile lineups in the mod due to its sheer variety of units. It is the only faction in the mod that is strictly canon as far as the ships appearence is concerned. We had to bend some rules to make them functional, and balanced in the mod. Even the cannon fodder ships have some usefulness to them unlike the other factions.
for the feds the Curry is the colonizer, troop transport, and repair vessel. It serves a dual role. We gave it the repair role so as to still be useful after an Ambassador is built.
The venerable Constitution has always been an explorer so it got the scout role. We are still debating on keeping the ship in the mod, or giving it some kind of ability to keep her usefull in late game. It is the weakest ship in the fed lineup so needless to say she was never intended for any combat role. If combat occurs she usually ether retreats, or provides light fire support for a much larger fleet. It was re-activated to fill the need for fast recon ships.
The Centaur, and Miranda are more or less cannon fodder. They fill roles of light frigate, and long range fire ships. Though the Miranda can also detect minefields. In reality these ships are just there to blow up in a proficient military mannor, and draw fire away from elite units.
The Excelsior is the heavy frigate. It is the strongest of the TMP era lineup. In large enough numbers Excelsiors can do some serious damage. Its role is to support cruiser, and elite armadas. If no cruisers or elites are available. They lead the armadas.
The Constellation also was a decommisioned ship reactivated to fill a role. Planetary Assault, and Orbital Bombardment. Something the Federation is very new at, and something the Federation regret having to do, but they must if they are to survive the new dominion, and borg threats. The Constelation is refitted with new photon torpedos that can withstand atmospheric re-entry.
The cruiser lineups are still being determined. (the ships themselves are set in stone. thier roles are not).
Akira is going to fill the anti structure (as an ability), and heavy cruiser role. Most of you have seen what kind of damage she can do. We did tone it down a bit, but she still is a heavy hitter.
Steamrunner is a long range phaser fire support cruiser. She stays back, and hits targets from range.
Intrepid was intended to be a medium scout. However the need for combat support was greater so she uses her advanced sensors to boost the fleets targetting range, and accuracy, and provides fire support.
The Elite lineups have changed since 0.03c.
Lakota has been removed from the mod. No sense in having TWO Excelsior classes. though i did like the idea of an advanced Excelsior upgrade. We couldnt make it work, and is more trouble than what it is worth.
The Defiant has taken the Lakotas place. She is unique in the fact she is a small, and fast "escort cruiser", but packs the punch of a whole fleet of excelsiors. She is also the only Federation ship equipped with a cloaking device. She was specifically designed to fight the borg.
The Ambassador is a "diplomatic vessel" She colonizes newly discovered worlds, and engages in "aggressive negotiations" on hostile worlds if they dont cooperate 
There are times when an Ambassador has negotiated ceasefires temporarily. In combat she can stand on her own against most threats, but cant take on larger ships like The Dominion Enslaver, and Romulan DDeridex.
The Nebula serves as a support ship to complement the Galaxy class. With an enhanced weapons pod she is capable of raining photon torpedos. Originally a science vessel she also uses that to her advantage with some "special abilities"
The Galaxy Class is a "flagship vessel". Admirals usually command the fleet from a Galaxy class. She is big, and after the 1st dominion war refits she packs quite a punch. She has the capability of carrying a few strike craft, but that was later deemed unneccesary. She is the main ship of the line before the Soveriegn Class.
The Soveriegn is the end all of federation starship design. Not as big as a galaxy, but equipped with type XII starbase calibur phasers, and quantum torpedos. She underwent another refit in 2373 to increase her standard photon firepower. While designated an "explorer". In reality she is a capital ship designed intentionally to fight the borg in case they returned. She has some very impressive firepower.
Q/A
Q: I am researching what seems to be 100 year old ships that should already be buildable.
A: No you are not. You are researching that ships latest REFIT to make them combat worthy in the late 24th century. Which is why the Miranda is at tier 3, and the Excelsior is at tier 2. It takes that much more research to refit a 100 year old ship to modern standards.
Q: Why dont the elites have all of thier abilitys yet?
A: Because abilitys are still a WIP. Once we decide what ships will use what abilitys (and if those abilitys dont break the mods balancing) then all of the ability slots will be filled.
Q: waaaaaah! i want the Prometheus!!
A: NO!
There are some new ships we are working on to fill entrenchment ship slots. Norway, Nova. Slots, and roles will be determined later.
Ill do overviews of the Klingons and Romulans later.
