3.6 Mission Endurance & Embarked Craft
Long-patrol endurance and a tactical embarked-craft complement keep the Vanguard on station far from support.
Perimeter action means long deployments far from a starbase, so despite its combat focus the Vanguard retains real endurance: deep consumables and magazine stores, full industrial replication, and the science and medical facilities to operate as an explorer when not in action — a deliberate rejection of the pure-warship trap.
Embarked craft
A ventral captain's yacht supports diplomatic and special operations; two warp-capable runabouts extend its reach; and a shuttlebay operates tactical and assault shuttles alongside standard personnel and cargo craft. The bay doubles as throughput for the 2,000-person surge capacity during evacuation or boarding operations.