The second part is the huge engine/fuel scoop; so that the ship wouldn't have to keep returning to base every time it emptied its tanks, the massive Avery Super Nova engine also functions in a dual role; first the fuel scoop supplies the main engine, therefore increasing the operating range almost indefinitely. Secondly, the scoop also supplies the fuel tanks which are attached to the back of the craft. Therefore free fuel can be collected from the atmosphere of in-system gas giants and delivered to permanent bases, or in an emergency delivered directly to stranded ships.

The third and final part are the fuel tanks which can be connected to the Swordfish in units of one, two or three and then further sections can be connected to the back of that group. A maximum of 12 tanks can be linked in this way, though the common configuration is just three.

The Swordfish can also be used as a long-range tug, where it has been employed to move sections for orbiting space stations which have been pre-built at a shipyard. This ship has been bought by all three goverments and can be seen in just about every part of the Federation, in or outside the usual shipping lanes.