International Fleet

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The International Fleet, later known as the Interstellar Fleet, was a military organization formed to protect Earth from the Formics after the end of the First Formic War.^[1]

History

SPOILER WARNING: plot details follow.

Creation

After the end of the First Formic War, the nations of the world came together to establish multiple governments, militaries, and leadership positions to defend Earth from future attacks from the Formics. Along with the creation of the Hegemony and the offices of Polemarch and Strategos, the International Fleet was formed to be a military presence in the Solar System, protecting the human race from any hostile aliens who try to invade.^[1]

The Swarm

After its formation, the International Fleet began researching experimental weapons and establishing outposts in the two Belts. However, the organization was plagued with bureaucrats that were more interested in furthering their careers than winning the fight with the Formics.^[2]

Post-Second Invasion

Following the Second Formic War, the Fleet declared that they had positioned a huge navy of ships beyond the comet shield to guard against a future attack. In reality, they had begun sending armed starships to the homeworlds of the Formics, to launch an invasion against their planets.^[3]

The International Fleet also sent Mazer Rackham on a starship in order for him to age slower and still be alive to command the fleet when it arrived at the homeworlds of the Formics. Mazer took himself hostage and said he would not return to Earth unless they found a different fleet commander, and arranged to have the young Hyrum Graff set up the Battle School and other institutions to train possible candidates.^[4]

Third Invasion

When the fleet arrived at the Formics' solar systems, the I.F. had found its commander - Ender Wiggin. Through weeks of grueling battles against an inscrutable opponent, Ender and his Jeesh emerged victorious by firing the Molecular Disruption Device at the Formic Homeworld, annihilating the Hive Queens and destroying the Formics for good.^[3]

After the Third Formic War, the I.F. was banned from operating on Earth except in the event of another alien invasion^[5].

The Investment Counselor

Sometime before 300 AX, the International Fleet was reformed into the Interstellar Fleet.^[6]

Divisions

WAMRED

WAMRED was the International Fleet’s Weapons and Materials Research Division. The purpose of WAMRED was to test any new technologies developed that could be used to attack the Formics. The division was stationed in its own space station. Mazer Rackham and his breach team, consisting of him, Rimas, Shambhani, and Kaufman, were a part of this division.^[7]

Ships

The International Fleet utilizes a variety of ships to accomplish their goals, ranging from simple personnel transfers to interstellar warfare. Though not described in detail in the novel, the film greatly expands on the capabilities of ships in the International Fleet

I.F. Shuttle

This small craft is primarily used to transport I.F. personnel between I.F. installations and bases. The Shuttle makes its first appearance in the novel where it is used to transport Ender and his Launch Group to the orbital Battle School.

I.F. Starfighter

The I.F. Starfighter is the primary attack and defense craft for the Third Invasion in the novel. Aside from Ender mentioning that each warship carried a small compliment of fighters, no other specifications or details are given about the craft. They are replaced by the I.F. Drones in the film.

I.F. Drone

As their name implies, I.F. Drones are small, unmanned fighters carried by the Third Invasion fleet. Unlike the I.F. Starfighters in the novel, their appearance in the film depicts them as having far more versatile roles. While typically used as fighters/attackers against Formic ships, the drones are also used as shields to protect the I.F. Carriers and Dreadnoughts. During one scene in the film, the I.F. drones can be seen being utilized as a bow shield for an I.F. Dreadnought while simultaneously firing on enemy ships. The drones are also showed to be highly agile, quickly speeding across vast distances, weaving through enemy formations and obstacles, and performing snap turns. However, the drones weapons appear to be fairly weak, with a swarm of drones showing no significant damage to a Formic vessel. To compensate for their lack of firepower, drones are usually deployed in massive numbers.

I.F. Interstellar Transporter

The Interstellar Transporter, referred to as "Carriers" in the film, are the most common ship comprising the Third Invasion fleet. The are primarily kept in the rear of the fleet's formations, allowing the I.F. Dreadnoughts a clear line of fire while simultaneously providing drone support. However, as they lack any visible weapons, the carriers are completely reliant on their drone compliments and Dreadnoughts for fire support and protections. Their armor is also shown to be fairly weak, taking only a few hits from Formic fighters before being destroyed. The film also depicts the Molecular Disruption Device as being mounted on an Interstellar Transport, suggesting the transports fulfill a variety of roles within the International Fleet.

I.F. Dreadnought

The I.F. Dreadnoughts are the primary battleships of the Third Invasion fleet. Though similar in appearance to the I.F. Carriers, I.F. Dreadnoughts are outfitted with large energy cannons that comprise their bow, allowing them to directly engage Formic warships. These cannons are shown to be highly powerful, being capable of completely destroying a Formic warship with only a few shots. As depicted in the film, Dreadnoughts are positioned at the front of the fleet and are usually the first to engage in a battle. Their armor is also shown to be far stronger than the I.F. Transporters, though they can still be destroyed through concentrated fire.