The Sierran Star-Command operate very few capital ships, their magnificent Nemesis-class battle-cruisers are powerful but few in numbers. They prefer to rely on their highly capable and versatile fighter force. For long-range patrol and strategic-fighter missions the Sierrans rely on a large fleet of Specter strategic fighters. These efficient and versatile gunships combine high flight-performance with long enduranceand are operated by a base crew of 3: Pilot/Commander, co-pilot/navigator, and weapons/systems officer. It is normal, however, to carry a relief crew as well. In alert or combat state ALL crew are active, the relief crew filling in as trouble-shooting engineers or medical supervisor. Specter crews have the most extensive and well-rounded training of any Sierran Star Command personnel. The Commander can choose to pilot the ship or she can simply command, handing the piloting to the co-pilot. As with other Sierran designs, the Specter is capable of operating in space, atmosphere and aquatic environments. Specters are also commonly used as tactical command ships, coordinating single-seat fighter operations. The Specter and Rapier superiority fighters were designed to compliment each other and does so extremely well.

The Specter's crew areas are divided into a forward command-cockpit, an aft galley and automated medbay and a lower crew quarters. There is also a small engineering bay with access to vital systems directly below the airlock, which itself links the forward and aft sections.

Weapons consist of two heavy guided-pulse emitters and one medium emitter in the forward weapons pod, and 4 upper and lower emitters on the wingtips. The Specter is powered by twin integrated reactionless warp/subspace drivers.