Crossword Genius

Prototype's trendy - for an army vessel (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

troopship

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'an army vessel' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'prototype's trendy' is the wordplay.
'prototype's' becomes 'troops' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'trendy' becomes 'hip' (I've seen this in another clue).
'troops'+'hip'='TROOPSHIP'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for troopship that I've seen before include "boat" , "Army vessel" , "Military transport vessel" , "As carrier" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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