Operations

File:Operation Squad Selector WIP.jpg

Operation squad selector

Operations are multi-stage, PVE scenarios. There are various objectives like infiltrate a Megaship and rescue people at a surface port. A squad has up to 4 commanders. The Odyssey expansion is required, because it includes on foot gameplay. This major update has been delayed to 30 June 2026.

Overview

File:Megaship Interior Operations 1.jpg

Megaship interior

These can take place both on-foot and in space. It's designed to offer you and up to 3 other commanders challenging obstacles to overcome. Explore some parts of ED never seen before such as the internals of a megaship in a hostile environment.

The initial release will launch with multiple operations, with more being added overtime, and at various levels of difficulty. In the long-term you can expect some operations to revolve around combat, some around mining, and more elements of ED as the feature expands. Operations will be repeatable and give you access to rewards that are hard to obtain elsewhere in the galaxy.

The Operation Runner is a new, non-flyable, capital ship from which team members start an operation, respawn and extract.

Modes

Operation mode	Description
Mercenary	This is the default mode for Operations. It carries no consequences or Powerplay effects, and is fully accessible to any Commanders who meet the scenario requirements.
Powerplay	Adding a layer of strategic depth, squads are able to undermine a chosen Power as part of an Operation. Eligible systems are determined by the Squad Leader's Power alignment and current location, ensuring Commander's can't target their own Power. Unaligned Commanders can join these scenarios but they will not earn any Merits.

Scenarios

Here's a list of operation scenarios.

Operation scenario	Premise	Description	Players	On Foot/In Space	Difficulty	Recommended Gear
Tactical Takedown	"The client's megaship has been compromised by a rival faction, you will need to board the ship and fight your way through the command deck to obtain the flight records and trace the origin of the attack. Then you'll want to bring your firepower to bear on the general responsible for the attack at their home base."	Infiltrate a recently attacked megaship on-foot, learn who is responsible for the attack, travel to their base and take them down.	3 - 4	Both	Easy / Hard	Easy: A Rated Ship (Two players in an evac ship) Hard: Grade 4/5 Engineering
Firestorm Rescue	"There are hostages trapped in a burning station, break the siege and evacuate those that remain. You will need to manage the stations heat to buy enough time to complete the rescue while dealing with the hostile forces trying to stop you."	Rescue the inhabitants of a station that is under siege. Fight off pirates and blow off door clamps whilst guiding the inhabitants to safety.	3 - 4	Space	Easy / Hard	Easy: Grade 1/2 On Foot | A Rated Ship (No Engineering) Hard: Grade 5 On Foot | Full Grade 5 Engineering
Reclamation Point	"The megaship has been hijacked, your job is to eliminate all hostile forces in and around the megaship so the client can recover it. You'll need your best gear and ship to accomplish your goal."	Fight to reach an offline megaship, kill the hostile looters and battle enemy ships on your way back to safety before time runs out.	2 - 4	Both	Easy / Hard	Easy: A Rated Ship (Two players in an evac ship, one in combat ship) Hard: Grade 4/5 Engineering (Two players in an evac ship, one in combat ship)
Biohazard Takedown	"A group of researchers are developing a dangerous weapon, you need to assault the ship, obtain the location and IDs of the researchers and take them out."	Sneak into a Megaship, take out hostile crew members, and let your employers take control of the megaship.	2 - 4	On Foot	Easy / Hard	Easy: Grade 1/2 On Foot | A Rated Ship (No Engineering) Hard: Grade 4/5 On Foot | Grade 4/5 Engineering
Terminal Prosecution	"A criminal element is causing trouble in the system, they've been raiding for weeks now, it's your job to clear them out."	Travel to an area in a system that is being terrorized by pirates. Take out much of the pirate fleet to taunt their boss into a fight.	2 - 4	Both	Easy / Hard	Easy: A Rated Ship (Low Level Engineering) Hard: Full Grade 5 Engineering
Rapid Response	"A planetary port has come under attack, there are still some trapped personnel inside that need rescuing, but you can't delay, a huge hostile enemy fleet is on the way, if the evacuation isn't complete in time there will be no hope for those still trapped inside."	Rescue the inhabitants of a surface port before the attacking forces return with reinforcements and neutralize them.	3 - 4	On Foot	Easy / Hard	Easy: Grade 1/2 On Foot Hard: Grade 4 + Engineering On Foot

Development

Operations was unveiled during the ED Developer Log - 4 November 2025 on the ED YouTube channel. The release date is early 2026. The first stage will be a balancing pass of on-foot combat, and AI improvements in early December 2025.

Operations was further delayed in April 2026 to 30 June 2026, citing a need for 'quality and care'. To compensate for the delay, Frontier Developments will release the new passenger liner Lynx Highliner straight into access for credits on 28 April 2026. It skips the usual ARX period.

Videos

• File:Elite Dangerous - Developer Log - 4 November 2025
• File:Elite Dangerous - Developer Log - 16 February 2026

Gallery

• Megaship Interior Operations 1 WIP
  Megaship Interior Operations 1 WIP
• Burning Rescue WIP
  Burning Rescue WIP
• Squad WIP
  Squad WIP
• Combat WIP
  Combat WIP
• Operation Squad Selector WIP
  Operation Squad Selector WIP