Advanced Starship Design Bureau

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Archipelago Class

Design by Robert Heckadon

Type: Antimatter refinery
First commissioned: 2229
Length: 197m
Width: 45m
Height: 127m
Decks: 22
Complement: 35 officers + 215 crew
Armament: 2 - 20 megawatt; 120 megavolt phase modulated hyper-electron particle beam discharge canons; AKA laser cannons
Defense: Magnetic shields; cast rodinium shields
Embarked craft: Personnel shuttles

“You can settle for less in ordinary life, or do you feel you were meant for something better? Something special.” - Captain Christopher Pike

The Archipelago class is an antimatter fuel refinery built to replace the aging Arrakis class refinery first built in the late 21st century. To generate antimatter, the space station uses a quantum charge reversal device to replace the 470 megavolt electron fusion and verteron catalyst techniques used on Arrakis. The 40 metre long, 15 metre diameter unit located in the refinery section on the upper hull reverses the quantum charge of hydrogen. Replacing the positive charge in the nucleus with a negative charge found in electrons. The unit is capable of generating 7.2 cubic units of antimatter per hour.

The antimatter is stored in 16 detachable storage bottles on either side of the refinery section. In the event of a breakdown of the bottle’s magnetic shield, standard procedure calls for transferring the antimatter into an empty bottle and allowing the defective bottle to be repaired. If the breakdown is eminent, the bottle can be ejected and propelled away by rockets on the bottle before the shielding breakdown. In the event of a catastrophic failure of the entire antimatter system, the habitat section located below the refinery separates from the refinery and escapes using an antiproton enhanced impulse engine.

Altogether, the Archipelago class is powered by solar energy. 2 pairs of photovoltaic collectors (solar panels) over the refinery section collects photonic energy from the sun to power the station’s life support systems, artificial gravity, and other primary systems. The refinery systems is fuelled by plasma energy expelled from the sun.

The Archipelago class collects the plasma with a modified Bussard ramscoop and stores them in a fuel cell, inspired by the Xindi fuel refineries. Spears on the solar collectors gathers the electrons expelled from the sun through electrostatic attraction. When the electrons through the spikes flows towards the fuel cell, they generate electric current. When the electrons reaches the fuel cell, they de-ionize the plasma release photoelectric energy.

The de-ionized fuel is then vented at the back of the refinery module. The pressure of the venting then spins a series of turbines to generate additional power for the antimatter generator. Since the amount of energy released from plasma fuel cells is only 5 times greater than hydrogen fuel cells, the station collects and processes an average of 20 times its volume of solar plasma per minute. This also requires the space station’s orbit to be relatively close to its star.

Rather than using an external heat exchanger to cool the station, the Archipelago class uses a series of internal heat exchangers to remove the heat generated by both the sun, power generators and other sources and transfers them to the plasma venting system which heats up the de-ionized plasma, increasing the pressure to generate more power from the venting system. Though the added thermal energy to the venting releases barely enough to power the heat exchangers, it is enough to keep the space station cool.

Based upon the hybrid lights of the 21st century, a series of parabolic mirrors focuses the sun’s light into a series of optical cables which distributes the sun’s light throughout the station. Concave mirrors on the habitat section focuses the sun’s light directly into the station’s greenhouse, which recycles the station’s air and produces food.

With the high value of antimatter, the refinery is defended by a pair of 20 megawatt, 120 megavolt phase modulated hyper-electron particle beam discharge cannons, commonly known as laser cannons, on the habitat section. The lasers uses 120 megavolts to accelerate electrons so close to the speed of light, their mass increases by 234 times due to relative physics, thereby increasing the kinetic energy level of the particle beam. The electrons are then designated as hyper-electrons. Though much of the damage is caused by the physical impact of the particle beam, secondary damage is caused by the deceleration of the electrons from the impact releasing their kinetic energy storage in the form of a coherent beam of X-rays, or an X-ray laser from which the particle cannon’s common name is derived from.

Though an electron beam can be diverted by a magnetic field, the amount they are deflected is largely based upon the both the momentum of the particle beam and the intensity of the magnetic field. The station’s plasma collectors protects the habitat section from intense radiation from the star.

The station is protected by a powerful magnetic shield for plasma based weapons and cast rodinium shields for other particle weapons and projectiles. Power for the shields and weapons comes from a single nuclear fusion reactor in the habitat section.

The space station’s appearance has changed over many decades through refit and commissioning of new refineries, but the overall design remains the same and retaining the class name of Archipelago. Many of the changes ranges from replacing the laser canons with phasers, ramscoop design, and so forth. During the Dominion War, these stations have been targeted by the Jem’Hadar to cripple the Federation. With the war over, only 27% of these stations survived and are among the highest priority list for rebuilding. And during that time, the Rigel Iota antimatter fuel refinery was built in a secured location in orbit around Rigel to supplement the antimatter supply until the restoration is completed. The rebuilding of these stations were further hampered by the Borg’s blitzkrieg in 2381.

 

Attucks Class

Design by M. Christopher Freeman

Type: Cruiser-carrier
First commissioned: 2236
Length: 269.5m
Width: 127.0m
Height: 59.8m
Decks: 16
Displacement: 1118000t
Complement: 97 officers + 386 crew
Speed: Warp 6 (cruise), Warp 9 (max.)
Sublight speed: 0.75c (max.)
Armament: 6 phaser banks (2 emitters each), 4 photon torpedo launchers (2 forward, 2 aft)
Defense: Deflector shields
Embarked craft: 6 Class-F shuttlecraft, 14 Class-D17 fightercraft

Named for 21st century astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and commissioned in 2237, the U.S.S. Tyson – and the entire Attucks class of cruiser-carriers – serves a dual role in Starfleet. Though currently used primarily in an exploration capacity this class was originally conceived for deep space fleet combat in the event of open conflict with the Klingon Empire. To that end, the Tyson is more heavily armed than most ships her size. And in addition to her compliment of shuttlecraft she also carries 14 fightercraft in an expansive hanger bay that runs the full length of the primary hull and features two bay doors on the bow of they vessel. 

Thankfully, full-scale war with the Klingon Empire has never been realized, however vessels of the Attucks class have performed admirably in many minor skirmishes involving Klingon adversaries. The Tyson has served in the Battle of Donatu V in 2245 and provided orbital patrol and fightercraft escorts during the colonization of Archanis IV after it was ceded to the Federation by the Klingon Empire. It was also involved in several minor skirmishes during exploration and mapping missions near Klingon space between 2249 and 2264 and sustained heavy damage at Caleb IV in 2267 when caught in the trap set by Klingon captains Kang and Kor. The Tyson is slated for a major refit following completion of her current five year mission. 

Lineage of the Attucks Class  
NCC-1597 U.S.S. ATTUCKS (Commissioned 2236)
NCC-1598 U.S.S. TYSON (Commissioned 2237) 
NCC-1599 U.S.S. COLTRANE (Commissioned 2237) 
NCC-1600 U.S.S. DU BOIS (Commissioned 2237) 
NCC-1601 U.S.S. JEMISON (Commissioned 2238) 
NCC-1604 U.S.S. PARKS (Commissioned 2238) 
NCC-1605 U.S.S. CARVER (Commissioned 2238) 
NCC-1610 U.S.S. GARVEY (Commissioned 2238) 
NCC-1612 U.S.S. KING (Commissioned 2239) 
NCC-1613 U.S.S. WALKER (Commissioned 2239) 
NCC-1619 U.S.S. WHITNEY (Commissioned 2239) 
NCC-1624 U.S.S. DOUGLASS (Commissioned 2240) 
NCC-1625 U.S.S. POINTIER (Commissioned 2240) 
NCC-1631 U.S.S. TUBMAN (Commissioned 2241) 
NCC-1632 U.S.S. THAXTON (Commissioned 2241) 
NCC-1633 U.S.S. AQUIANO (Commissioned 2242)

 

Class-D17

Design by M. Christopher Freeman

Type: Fightercraft
First commissioned: 2236
Length: 7.3m
Width: 4.5m
Height: 1.7m
Complement: 2 officers + crew
Speed: Warp 2 (max.)
Sublight speed: 0.4c (max.)
Armament: 2 phaser emitters, 1 photon micro-torpedo launcher
Defense: Deflector shields

The Class-D17 is a radical reconstruction and repurposing of the aging Class-D shuttlepod space frame. The Class-D provided the perfect platform on which to build an agile mobile weapons craft for both starbases and the new Attucks class cruiser-carriers. A streamlined hull design has reduced crew capacity from four to two, a flight officer and weapons officer. And with the addition of phaser and micro-torpedo systems as well as modernization of the engine systems the craft is a match for any Klingon equivalent. 

The dual phasers emitters are swivel-mounted to provide a wide forward firing arc and the micro-torpedo launcher provides a little more bite than most existent Starfleet fightercraft. In hazardous environments or to protect from hostile return fire all viewports are equipped with retractable duranium covers. 

The fightercraft's main propulsion units are compact twin impulse engines. The craft is also capable of short-range warp flight. Warp travel, however, burns through its limited fuel reserve quickly and is generally used for quick jumps in combat situations.

 

D-70 / Khin'Vagh Class

Design by Jeff Robb

Affiliation: Klingon
Type: Battleship
First commissioned: 2369
Length: 570m
Width: 434m
Height: 94m
Complement: 127 officers + 1248 crew
Speed: Warp 8 (cruise), Warp 9.6 (max.), Warp 9.9 (max. emergency)
Armament: 6 KD-27v1 and 10 KD-33v1 pulse disruptors, 3 KP-21v2 and 4 KP-22v4 photon torpedo launchers
Defense: KSV-3v1 redundant tactical shields
Embarked craft: 16 shuttlecraft

Background The D-70 is a conjectural design that could exist in an alternate timeline wherein 24th-century Klingon technology is considerably more advanced than has been otherwise portrayed. In this timeline, factors such as a greater impetus for research, successful breakthroughs, and/or acquisition of alternate technologies would change the course of history enough to enable ships like the D-70. It is meant to be the representative starship of the Klingons, as the Galaxy-class cruiser is for Starfleet and the Warbird is for the Romulans. With the D-70 / Khin'Vagh in service, it is likely that ships such as the Vor'Cha and Negh'Var would not exist, since Klingon shipbuilding would be using different resources and techniques. As a point of comparison, a D-70 is intended to be superior to a Vor'Cha, and faster than but not as powerful as a Negh'Var. It would also be a general match for Starfleet's Akira-class tactical cruiser.

Technical Analysis As its designation implies, the D-70 / Khin'Vagh is intended to possess ten times the potential of its direct ancestor, the D-7 / K't'inga-class battlecruiser. It also represents the state of the art in Klingon shipbuilding technology of the mid-24th century, and is thus intended to become the premier flagship across the empire. Specifically, it will fulfill primary roles of sector control, initial assault, and exploratory vanguard. Though more capable than any of its predecessors in operating effectively alone, it is expected to be found operating with at least one other Klingon ship, and most probably in the typical patrol trio. Modern Klingon production capacity enables this class to be as numerous as the D-7.

Physically, the D-70 strikes a dramatic silhouette, one that is both obvious in identity and purposefully crafted to appear dangerous. This unusual amount of esthetic engineering indicates the attainment of a high level of sophistication, one that allows such forms while also satisfying underlying functional requirements. The ship follows the established overall hull configuration for Klingon warships, with a forward command module connected to a wide main hull by a long "boom"; however, the decks within the main hull conform to its arc, an unusual but easily feasible characteristic. Distinctly pointed, curved, and beveled edges across the ship combine to form a strong resemblance to traditional Klingon bladed weapons. Even the warp nacelles, usually a strictly mechanical component, have also been purposefully styled to match the hull. Appropriately, the class name Khin'Vagh refers to a spearhead of multiple points; furthermore, from above, the whole ship also provides a remarkable resemblance to the three-pointed Klingon emblem itself, leaving no doubt as to this ship's origin and mission. It has even been speculated that the D-70's pointed "wing" tips have been specially reinforced in order to cut through the hulls of enemy craft. Although this unorthodox tactic has not been reported, it appears at least technically possible.

Like many large Klingon warships, the D-70's forward command module is separable and capable of sublight maneuvers, although useful occasions for its separation are rare. The large main hull remains capable of independent operation without the command module. A specialized sensor module is usually attached along the aft dorsal centerline. Surprisingly, the D-70 is not equipped with a cloaking device; this may represent a turn in Klingon strategy, wherein a powerful warship crewed by confident warriors need no longer hide themselves. If true, this fits more in character with traditional Klingon concepts of the honorable warrior, with the benefit of intimidating those who detect the battleship's approach. At any rate, it may simply stem from a preference to retain conventional shielding and firepower at all times. Instead of the cloaking device, the D-70 is equipped with versatile and powerful built-in arrays of Class-10 active ECM interference generators typically activated just beyond visual range. By jamming the sensor and comm arrays of its target vessels as it closes for attack, the battleship greatly reduces the accuracy of enemy weapons and may possibly defeat vessels that would be otherwise superior to it.

The D-70's weapon arrays are biased for devastating frontal assaults, enabling it to quickly cripple opponents in the first volley. Twelve pulse disruptors in five banks and no less than five photon torpedo tubes provide an unprecedented level of forward firepower from a single Klingon warship; a typical patrol group of three D-70s now enjoys tactical superiority over any single Alpha Quadrant vessel. Judging from this arrangement of offensive power, the elimination of the cloak, and other tactical features, the Klingon Empire has apparently aimed to find the ideal balance between size, sophistication, and rapid production with the D-70, instead of simply trying to exceed one-for-one the flagships of the Romulans and the Federation. With task forces of numerous D-70s traversing the Empire, the Klingons could aggressively defend their current domain while progressing into unexplored areas away from the Neutral Zones. Even if a larger and more powerful Klingon battleship enters service, the D-70 may remain the most dangerous Klingon warship in light of its superior numbers.

 

Pierre Boitard Class

Design by Robert Heckadon

Type: Timeline explorer
First commissioned: 497457.15
Length: 265m
Width: 80m
Height: 41m
Decks: 13
Displacement: 922000t
Complement: 100 officers + 500 crew, evacuation limit: 7500
Speed: Warp 9 (cruise), Warp 9.999 (max.), Warp 9.99999 (max. emergency)
Sublight speed: 0.99c (max.)
Armament: 6 Transphasic particle canons, 4 torpedo launchers, 100 spatial displacement torpedoes, 10 red matter torpedoes
Defense: Polarized adamantium shields
Embarked craft: Transwarp shuttles

“One cannot choose but wonder. You see, he has all the time in the world.” - Alan Young; The Time Machine (1960)

The Pierre Boitard class is designed and built to explore alternate timelines in the Earth year of 2820. The explorer uses an artificial quantum fissure generator at the back of the ship to open a portal to alternate timelines and a series of subspace pulses to navigate. The ship however is not capable of travelling back in time.

The ship uses 24, 100 km long antennas that are stored in a pocket dimension on the ship to listen to radio and subspace radio in the alternate timeline, and brings back those signals to its home timeline to reconstruct the series of events of the alternate timeline’s history.

The Pierre Boitard class has recorded many alternate timelines and their events. Most notably:

Sadly many of the timelines explored involved the fall of the Federation to the Borg. As a result, the Pierre Boitard class is one of only 3 class of starships authorized to carry decalithium and red matter weapons. The time ship also armed with 6 multidirectional transphasic particle canons, spatial displacement torpedoes and defended by polarized adamantium shields.

The timeline explorer is powered by what is known as a transwarp solar reactor. A transwarp transporter first developed by Montgomery Scott is used to beam raw energy from a star lightyears away into the ship’s dilithium chamber. This solar reactor was first tested on the USS Enterprise; NCC-1701-E under the command of Captain Data (B4) prior to the Hobus star going supernova. However during timeline transition, transwarp speeds, and when the combat shields are activated, power for the ship is provided by solar energy stored in a pocket dimension.

The ship also uses pocket dimensions to give the ship habitat section an internal volume equal to that of an Excelsior class starship, and allowing a massive indoor hydroponic garden for the ship’s life support. The ship’s hyper impulse and warp drive are installed within the ship’s nacelle pylons that support the ship’s transwarp drive.

Another mission of the Pierre Boitard class is to also apprehend Pacabrian pirates who invade alternate timelines to illegally mine dilithium crystals in a timeline where there was no Federation to defend those civilizations from these pirates.

The first 5 Pierre Boitard class includes:
USS Pierre Boitard – NX-500401
USS Michio Kaku – NCC-500402
USS Enterprise – NCC-1701-N
USS Silverberg – NCC-500404
USS Nokikov – NCC-500405

 

Rigel Class

Design by Tim 'Suricata' Davies

Type: Cruiser
First commissioned: 2345
Length: 498m
Width: 267m
Height: 91m
Decks: 24
Complement: 60 officers + 390 crew, evacuation limit: 1400
Speed: Warp 9 (cruise), Warp 9.4 (max.), Warp 9.6 (max. emergency)
Sublight speed: 0.7c (max.)
Armament: 7 Type IX collimated phaser arrays, 2 Mk 70 Direct-Fire photon torpedo tubes
Defense: CIDSS-1 primary force field and deflector control system
Embarked craft: 4 Work Bee general utility craft, 6 shuttlecraft (various classes), 2 shuttlepods (various classes)

Mission profile The Rigel class starship began is design life after Starfleet announced a new replacement was needed for the aging Excelsior class starships. The Rigel class was designed to endure short to medium term missions including border patrols, planetary defence and diplomatic courier duties. 

Class history It was hoped that the Rigel class would replace the Excelsior class. The class was designed with many advanced features from the then new Ambassador class vessels and Starfleet intended the Rigel class to support the Ambassadors as a backbone starship and workhorse of the fleet. Several vessels were completed and successfully entered service, however, shortly after production started, a relatively cheap refit program was announced for the Excelsior class starships, although the Rigel class was technologically superior to the refitted Excelsiors, Starfleet decided that the cost effectiveness was to high to build new ships when there were so many Excelsiors available for refit and thus production was stopped. 

The Rigel class ships that did enter service performed admirably and were the most advanced ships in the fleet until classes like the New Orleans and Nebula classes entered service. However, since only a handful of these vessels were produced they are quite a rare ship to see. Most of the remaining Rigel class vessels now operate on border patrols within the Federation's core.

 

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 Last modified: 22.10.09