Starfleet carriers as disaster-relief hubs

The Ranger-class game design uses a carrier frame that can exchange fighters for shuttles or science craft as the mission changes. That flexibility suits Starfleet because the organization conducts exploration, military operations, evacuation, and disaster relief. A populated Federation world in crisis can require far more small craft and personnel than one exploration cruiser can provide. A carrier or a high-volume Galaxy-class conversion fills that gap. Converting an existing exploration-cruiser hull would also reduce the development work required.