The Research and Development lab is the part of your station where you’ll carry out your research for everything in Star Trek Fleet Command. Upgrading your R&D Department will unlock new research areas, and increase the speed at which your research is completed.
The R&D Department is generally the third upgrade available at each level, after your Operations Center and Academy.
It’s surrounded by the Foundry, Science Lab, and Engine Technology Lab, available at level 23. Each of those upgrades will make your ships significantly stronger.
R&D Department Upgrade Levels
| Level | Speed Bonus |
| 1 | 0% |
| 2 | 3% |
| 3 | 4% |
| 4 | 5% |
| 5 | 6% |
| 6 | 8% |
| 7 | 9% |
| 8 | 11% |
| 9 | 12% |
| 10 | 14% |
| 11 | 16% |
| 12 | 18% |
| 13 | 20% |
| 14 | 22% |
| 15 | 24% |
| 16 | 26% |
| 17 | 29% |
| 18 | 31% |
| 19 | 34% |
| 20 | 36% |
| 21 | 39% |
| 22 | 42% |
| 23 | 45% |
| 24 | 48% |
| 25 | 51% |
| 26 | 55% |
| 27 | 58% |
| 28 | 62% |
| 29 | 65% |
| 30 | 69% |
| 31 | 73% |
| 32 | 77% |
| 33 | 81% |
| 34 | 85% |
| 35 | 89% |
| 36 | 93% |
| 37 | 98% |
| 38 | 102% |
| 39 | 107% |
| 40 | 111% |
| 41 | 116% |
| 42 | 121% |
| 43 | 126% |
| 44 | 131% |
| 45 | 137% |
| 46 | 143% |
| 47 | 149% |
| 48 | 155% |
| 49 | 161% |
| 50 | 170% |