How plausible is Dune's use of immense carriers to move fleets through space?
Short answerA common carrier keeps jumping ships together, economizes on navigation equipment and lets whoever controls scarce navigators regulate fleet movements.
NotesA common carrier could keep a fleet together when even a small navigation error would leave individually jumping ships widely separated. If navigators are scarce, controlling them would also control which groups can move fleets and wage war. A Warhammer comparison uses Tau parasite craft: one large ship carries the precise jump drive instead of duplicating it across many smaller vessels. Concentrating that equipment is also presented as cheaper. Dune's laser-and-shield interactions receive a separate objection because they are said to risk destroying both ships. Familiarity with the Dune books and combat rules varies across the participants, so these explanations remain tentative.