The Hachiman-Class is the replacement for the Templar-Class Fleet Recovery cruiser. The Templar was one of the most successful support ships on the SDF roster and the design team for the Hachiman kept as many of the features of the old class as well as new features that will make the Hachiman a welcomed replacement.
Recovery Cruisers fill a very important position in the SDF. They act as mobile repair vehicles and recovery vehicles for ships disabled in the field. Since they are full starships they can swoop in during battles to recover damaged and disabled ships before they are destroyed - considering the cost of SDF warships this is a vital operation. This also keeps valuable crew alive and out of the enemies hands. The Recovery Cruiser can also be used to grab damaged enemy vessels and haul them away for capture and analysis. After the battle it sweeps the field for wreckage to keep Sunset technology from falling into enemy hands.
The Hachiman-Class has some new equipment to help with these goals. It's grappling appendages have been fitted with more powerful electo-adhesive pads - only two contacts are needed to haul ships of the same size. It also has more powerful impulse and warp drives, as well as a shield system that allows extension of the shields around an attached vessel. Unlike the Templar it also has a torpedo system as well as an extended anti-missile system. Since it's duties often take it through deep space with a wounded warship under tow this deterance is nessecary.
