Squadron 42 Bengal Carrier: The UEE Navy Fleet Ship

The Bengal carrier is the largest human ship in Squadron 42 — a 990-meter fleet carrier of the UEE Navy and the centerpiece of the fleet fighting the Vanduul war. Named Bengals in the campaign's footage include the UEES Krugeri and the UEES Paul Steed (CV-023) — the first capital ship ever shown for the universe back in the original Kickstarter campaign. At 990 meters long, a Bengal is a flying city: hangar bays, briefing rooms, corridors, quarters and command decks are all fully modeled. This page explains the ship, its role in the campaign, and what players will actually do aboard it.

The Ship Itself

The Bengal is the UEE Navy's premier fleet carrier — a capital ship designed to project power across the galaxy and to carry, launch and recover squadrons of fighters. In Star Citizen's universe, Bengals serve as the backbone of Navy fleets, and Squadron 42's fleet operations center on them. The ship's 990-meter hull houses fighter squadrons along with the crew, command staff and support infrastructure a carrier needs to fight a war.

The UEES Paul Steed

Named Bengals in the campaign's footage include the UEES Krugeri — commanded by Captain Thomas Wade, played by Mark Strong, under Admiral Ernst Bishop's 65th Battle Group in the 2nd Fleet — and the UEES Paul Steed (CV-023), the first capital ship ever shown for the universe back in the original Kickstarter campaign. The carriers are the flagships the player's missions protect and support; the player's own posting is the smaller Idris frigate UEES Stanton.

Life Aboard

The Bengal's scale is one of the campaign's signature set pieces: fleet battles shown in official trailers feature carriers launching fighter wings, exchanging fire with Vanduul capital ships and anchoring the Navy's response to the war. The player experiences these battles from the cockpit of an F8 Lightning fighter — the carrier is the stage for the war's largest engagements rather than the player's day-to-day home.

The Bengal in the Wider Universe

The Bengal also appears in Star Citizen's persistent universe lore, and CIG has used the ship class in promotional material for both games for years. In Squadron 42, the carrier's role is concrete: it is where the player lives, launches, and returns — the fixed point around which the campaign's war story revolves.

The Bengal's Place in Star Citizen

The Bengal's history with the project is long: the UEES Paul Steed was the first capital ship ever shown for the universe, appearing in the original Kickstarter campaign, and the class has featured in both games' development showcases since. In Star Citizen's persistent universe, the Bengal remains an NPC-operated Navy vessel — players do not own them — which makes Squadron 42 the place where the ship's interior life is most fully experienced. The campaign's fleet battles show the carrier doing what it was designed for: launching fighter wings and anchoring the line against Vanduul capital ships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bengal carrier in Squadron 42?

It is the UEE Navy's fleet carrier class — a 990-meter capital ship. Named Bengals in campaign footage include the UEES Krugeri and the UEES Paul Steed, CV-023.

Is the Bengal explorable?

Bengals are fully modeled capital ships, but the player's between-missions hub is the Idris frigate UEES Stanton. The extent of explorable Bengal interiors is "to be confirmed" until launch.

Who commands the Paul Steed?

The UEES Krugeri is commanded by Captain Thomas Wade, played by Mark Strong, under Admiral Ernst Bishop's 65th Battle Group.