How would CIS warships change if Star Wars physics suddenly became Star Trek physics before the Clone Wars?
Short answerTheir power plants, drives and weapons would need major changes. Some hull shapes could survive, but slower strategic travel, replicators and different shipbuilding infrastructure would also change fleet operations.
NotesThe panel disagrees over how much the hull shapes would change: intimidating triangular forms are defended, while reactor, weapon and engine arrangements would need redesign. Hypermatter reactors would give way to antimatter or singularity power, and warp propulsion would replace hyperdrive. Warp is described as slower across strategic distances but able to turn during travel. The weapons discussion considers greater reliance on computerized fire control and the different range and jamming assumptions of the two settings. Replicators would also alter supply dependence and the usefulness of a blockade. A related disagreement over planetary factory rings leads to a distinction between a continuous orbital structure and separate dockyards: Utopia Planitia is described as roughly 200-300 orbital yard installations. Large starbases provide another model of supporting infrastructure, while a Dyson sphere is treated as an exceptional engineering achievement.