USS

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USS = Prefix assigned to Starfleet ships from the date of the Federation's founding until (at the latest) 344 CE.

While intended to honor and perpetuate the tradition of United States Ships, Star Trek never clarified exactly what "USS" stood for in a United Earth context. "United Star Ship" seemed likely; "United Starfleet Ship" was also possible. For this reason, "UFS" (United Federation Starship), reflecting the Federation's united interests in stellar exploration, was adopted beginning 315 CE, originally applied to ships of the Quantum Fleet, like Arcadia, later replacing USS throughout Starfleet by 344.

Sasoriza coined the abbreviation "UFS" in 1980s fan stories, since Star Trek never clarified what "USS" signifies.  In Star Trek: Arcadia, "UFS" was applied to avoid clashes with canon "USS" usage; i.e. USS Enterprise, allowing USS to be retained for "standard" ships while Quantum Fleet ships carried "UFS".

As of 347 CE, since "United Federation" no longer applied, Starfleet officially readopted "USS" as "United Systems Ship".