Force Shield
A magnetic field projected around a starship, used for mild deflective protection and for reshaping the vessel's aerodynamic profile.
Some form of Force Shield is present on most Starships, but can be geared towards two main functions: protection and reshaping the aerodynamic properties of the starship itself.
Protection
Force shields provide mild protection as they are essentially magnetic fields and are better at deflecting weapons fired at an angle. Ships still have to rely on traditional plating and protection.
Aerodynamics
For assisting in atmospheres, only atmospheres with elements that are diamagnetic (repelled by magnetic fields) are effective — in a pure oxygen atmosphere the shield would have no effect.