lead ship
First in formation
A lead ship is the first vessel constructed in a class of ships, serving as the template for all subsequent vessels in that series.
The class typically takes its name from the lead ship: the *Nimitz*-class aircraft carriers are named after USS *Nimitz*, the lead ship.
Also called the class leader or name ship.
- front runnerExpected winner
- flagshipCommander's principal vessel
- vanguardForemost position or group
- warshipArmed naval vessel
- bellwetherTrend-setting leader
captain · fleet commander · USS Constitution · pioneer · fleet · battle group · convoy · trailblazer · admiral · HMS Victory · naval · prototype · pathfinder · armada · Titanic · maritime · command · formation
- ship namingHMS, USS, christening, registry, flagship