Each generation can further be broken down into stages, allowing a more granulated approach and introduces the greater flexibility in the iterative nature of technological progression over time. It also provides a conceptual framework to impliment refits by providing logical pathways for refit upgrades. It is also the first instance of introducing the concept of cost with regards to choice of equipment. Mechanically it is designed to present a balanced trade off options between resource expenditure and ship capability.

Early, Mid and Late Transitional
*Transitional was in my original idea, but it’s been demoted to maybe status

Space frames can vary in scope, range and technology to a significant degree even within the same generation. The Bonnaventure is an early 1st generation starship, while the NX class represents a mid generation vessel that was progressively upgraded to when it is seen at the end of ENT as a Columbia class. It’s warp 6.3 engines are also a great example of a transitional peice of technology appearing, as the few visuals from the final episode show that it required significant modification to the original spaceframe to utilise an engine that had been upgraded to it’s maximum end of life potential.

Note: Primary ships are predominantly built in the Early to Mid stages of a generation and refited in the mid to late stage with occasional transitional peices of technology slipping in. Designers are heavily encouraged to build in the early to mid stage as this allows for greater design life via the refit process. Which I have tried to reflect in the mechanical implimentation of the technological costs associated.

Effect of Generational Stage on Space and Mass costs of system technology. This table conceptually represents that technology over time goes through a process of refinement, with a variety of power, mass and size alterations as technology goes through the various stages of miniturisation.

Example. Computer components usually are boosted through greater voltage/power specs to get faster speeds are large and chunky due to increased chipset and cooling requirements, but over time and miniturisation two or three generations later become more efficient and the same capcity chip takes a fraction of the space power and cooling that it did when it was cutting edge. This principle is applied to all technology in general.

The following modifiers are meant to be applied to two of the SMPC costs of a respective technology. The 0 value reflects the beginning of the Average Tech Range