KISMET Lore dump: The Republic and Hegemony fleets both largely rely on dreadnoughts equipped a large number of remotely piloted (often with a human-assisted AI) drones.  Skirmishes between opposing forces typically don't result in massive loss of life, though the financial loss from a ruined ship can itself collapse a government.  These dreadnoughts can also carry a large number of human or robotic infantry, though this is typically only done when land-invasion is imminent.