New
Orleans-Class Frigate
UNITED
FEDERATION OF
PLANETS:
STARFLEET DIVISION
Advanced
Technical Specifications for
the New Orleans-Class Production Vehicle
2379 Second Refit Edition
Accommodation: 290 Officers and
Crew, 60-110 visiting personnel
Classification:
Frigate [Defensive/Explorer/Diplomatic]
Funding
for New Orleans Class Development Project Provided by:
Advanced Starship Design Bureau, Theoretical Propulsion Group, Jupiter
Station Research and Development, Daystrom Institute, United Federation
of Planets Defense Council
Development
Project Started: 2334
Production
Start Date: 2339
Production
End Date: 2359
Current
Status: In Service - Undergoing Second Design Refit
|
Locations of New
Orleans-Class Construction:
- San
Francisco Fleet Yards, Earth
- Copernicus
Fleet Yards, Luna
- Utopia
Planitia Fleet Yards, Mars
- 40
Eridani-A Starfleet Construction Yards
- Starbase
134 Integration Facility, Rigel VI
- Beta
Antares Fleet Yard, Antares B
Current
Starship Identification and Registration Numbers:
- U.S.S.
Cherokee - NCC-61333
- U.S.S.
Apache - NCC-61491
- U.S.S.
Huron - NCC-61245
- U.S.S.
Dakota - NCC-61914
- U.S.S.
Karelian - NCC-61512
- U.S.S.
Don Johnson NCC-61701
Former
Starship Identification and Registration Numbers:
|
Note:
Information present in this
document should be assumed to be referring to the Second Refit of the New
Orleans-class spaceframe, unless otherwise
specified. Previous advanced
technical specifications for this starship class are currently
declassified and
available in the Starfleet Database.
CONTENTS
1.0
NEW ORLEANS-CLASS INTRODUCTION
1.1
MISSION OBJECTIVES
Pursuant
to Starfleet Exploration Directives
902.3 & 913.6, Starfleet Defense Directives 137.2 &
154.2, Theoretical
Propulsion Group Mandate 317.2 and Federation Security Council General
Policy,
the following objectives have been established for the New
Orleans-Class Starship:
- Incorporate
and improve upon propulsion technologies created for the Springfield
Class Development Project.
- Incorporate
latest advancements in isolinear computer core and subprocessor
technologies.
- Serve
as a platform for ongoing testing of new technologies for projected
ASDB interests.
- Provide
a mobile platform for a wide range of ongoing scientific, and defensive
research projects.
- Replace
aging Excelsior, Renaissance
and Miranda-class starships as the primary
instrument of Starfleet's defensive programs.
- Supplement Constellation,
Nebula
and Ambassador-class starships in medium-sized
multi-mission applications [Added 2360].
- Provide
autonomous capability for full execution of Federation policy options
in outlying border areas, Federation territories, and shipping lines.
1.2
DESIGN STATISTICS
Length:
345 meters
Width: 246 meters
Height: 75 meters
Weight: 1,100,000 metric tonnes
Cargo capacity: Dependant upon mission
type
Hull: Duranium/Tritanium
Hull
Number of Decks: 18
1.3
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Editor's Note: History written by
Robert Siwiak - based on
information found in
Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek Encyclopedia,
Star Trek:
The Next Generation Technical Manual, Star Trek: Deep Space 9 Technical
Manual,
and Star Trek: The Magazine. Please keep in mind that this is
a history developed based on canon information presented in various
sources and
filled in with logical conjecture.
The
New Orleans Class Development Project began
in 2334 with the intent of expanding upon the successful Springfield-class
design and ushering in a new era of warp propulsion originally
conceived for the Transwarp project. While falling far short
of the expected speeds that the
Transwarp project promised, new advances in warp geometry allowed
computer
simulations to postulate that speeds in excess of Warp 9.2 were
possible,
greatly improving over the Warp 8.9 limit that the Springfield
suffered.
While retaining the familiar saucer section of the Springfield,
the most
noticeable addition to the New Orleans spaceframe
is the engineering section and
redesigned warp nacelles. Coupled with a revolutionary
isolinear computer
system and the unique ability to be equipped with mission-specific
pods, the New
Orleans quickly became a favorite during the mid-24th
Century.
Initial
production of the New Orleans-class
began at Starfleet's San Francisco Fleet Yards before spreading to
several other
production areas within the Federation, most notably the nearby
Copernicus Fleet
Yards and the ship building facilities at Starbase 134, as well as
other yards
specialized in the construction of frigates, light cruisers and medium
cruisers.
Taking
the Springfield design to the next
level, an engineering hull was attached to the lower saucer and, unlike
the Ambassador and later Galaxy-class, the absence of a
connecting "neck" between
the primary and secondary hull produced a smaller profile that was more
difficult to hit. This design would see further development
with the Nebula and Intrepid-class
designs, which also lack the vulnerable connecting
segment that was blamed for the loss of several Galaxy-class
starships during
the Dominion War. With the launch of a hull capable of
separating and
then reattaching some 20 years away, as well the New Orleans's
relatively small
size, it was deemed unnecessary to develop the ability to separate the
ship in a
manner similar to the Excelsior and Ambassador
classes.
While
conceived in an era of relative peace in
the United Federation of Planets, Starfleet Intelligence anticipated
potential
flare-ups on the Federation border, most notably the Tholian,
Cardassian and
Talarian frontiers, as well as the anticipated return of the Romulan
Star Empire
to the galactic foreground. Running side-by-side in
development with the Steamrunner-class, Starfleet Command
required that, like the Springfield,
the New Orleans would be superbly equipped to
handle skirmishes and border
conflicts because of developing delays with the Steamrunner,
which was intended
to become the choice defensive cruiser. The standard hull of
the New
Orleans sports a total of six phaser array segments and two torpedo
launchers,
quickly replacing both the Springfield and Merced-class
as the premier frigate
in Starfleet's inventory.
When approached with the daunting task of upgrading the design to
support
further armament midway through the project, a young researcher
proposed the
idea of attaching pods to the outer hull. While opening the
way for
further developments, it also meant that specialized torpedo pods could
be
attached to further increase the fire power of the vessel.
These
pods also saved the New Orleans from
early retirement when the class took heavy losses in the Dominion War
during the
mid-2370's, for it allowed the surviving spaceframes to be equipped
with various pods
types to perform specific tasks outside the ship's original border
patrol
responsibilities, which has now been passed on to the completed Steamrunner
line
of starships.
It
should be noted that the class preformed
admirably during the Galen Border Conflicts of the 2350's, where the
first
production line of New Orleans-class vessels,
serving alongside the aging Constellation-class, mounted a
successful defensive
against Talarian forces encroaching on the disputed Galen
System. While
the colony on Galen IV was destroyed in 2356, the heavy losses in the
Talarian
fleet resulted in the successful peace accords later that
year. The
Cardassian Wars of the 2350's and 60's was the result of the first
large-scale
conflict between the Federation and the Cardassian Union in the
Galactic
Northwestern most portion of the Federation's holdings in the Alpha
Quadrant.
Several New Orleans-class starships represented the
bulk of a mixed fleet that
included Miranda and newly produced Akira-class
vessels responsible for defending established colonies in that
region. The first disappointment in the New
Orleans's service record occurred in the Borg Incursion of
2366, where a
relatively small handful of ships were lost in the total of 39 at Wolf
359. That
handful, however, contained the U.S.S. Kyushu which
acted as the pride of New
Orleans line. Her loss was somewhat dimmed by the overall
scope of the
battle, where many more ships of the line were destroyed while
intercepting the
Borg Cube on its way to Earth.
Many
years prior to the engagement at Wolf 359,
the first production line of the New Orleans-class
was entering their 20th year of
service and in 2359 the first of four scheduled refits in the
spaceframe's
80-year expected lifetime began as the U.S.S. Salzburg
entered Drydock 14 at
Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards. On March 28, 2359, after nearly
three months
of overhauls, the Salzburg left the dock a
practically new ship. The metal
decks that had been a signature design feature for the past 100 years
were now
being replaced with carpeting and softer color tones throughout the
ship, in
some respects reflecting the change in overall look aboard Starfleet
ships as
Nebula and soon-to-be launched Galaxy-class starships did in promoting
a family
environment, even while these ships were on the edge of known
space.
No New Orleans-class
ships were present
when
the Borg attempted a second assimilation attempt of Earth in 2373, but
the class
incurred its heaviest losses to date in the same year as minor
skirmishes
erupted into a war on the Cardassian frontier. Forces of an
alliance
between the Cardassian Union and the Dominion engaged Federation and
Klingon
forces across the former demilitarized zone. Forced to take
on larger Galor-class ships on their own in some
instances, the shortcomings of the New
Orleans became apparent. Further losses occurred at
the unsuccessful
defense in the Battle of Betazed while the Federation Tenth Fleet was
caught out
of position on a training exercise, allowing the planet to be taken and
putting
nearby Federation worlds at risk of invasion. Elements of the
Fifth Fleet,
including several New Orleans-class vessels, did
however help in the
rapid evacuation of key facilities in the area before the Dominion
could secure
its hold on the planet.
Pulled
away from hotspots along the Cardassian
border, the majority of the remaining New Orleans-class
ships still in
service were assigned interior defense duties or attached to outposts
and deep
space stations along the Federation's relatively quiet borders to the
galactic
west. The remaining vessels were immediately put into drydock
where components
originally destined for the class's second refit in 2379 were installed
earlier to
increase the effectiveness of the ship. Now revamped with
Type-X phaser
arrays and increased power output, as well as defense against Breen
energy
dampening weapons, several ships made it back to the frontlines
to participate in Operation Return in 2374 when station Deep
Space Nine was
taken back from its Cardassian captors. Seeing only limited
participation
in the final Invasion of Cardassia Prime in 2375, the New
Orleans remains a
member of the peace keeping force in that area to date.
Approximately
one-third of the remaining New
Orleans-class vessels are presently equipped with their
torpedo pods and on duty
around the Federation border, steadily being replaced by the Steamrunner-class.
The majority of the remaining two-thirds are presently assigned to
various
mission-specific tasks throughout the Federation, ensuring that while
their
numbers have fallen sharply, the class still stands as a proud symbol
of the
Federation. The remaining ships are in drydocks throughout
the Federation,
undergoing their second refit. Projections show that the
class will most
likely be retired before the end of the century, twenty years short of
its
original design lifetime. This early retirement is the result
of current
predictions in overall fleet production. Several hulls that
were
originally decommissioned or only partially completed prior to the end
of the
class's production run in 2359 were brought back to full operational
status
during and after the Dominion War in an effort to reinforce the falling
numbers
in the Federation fleet.
With
most of the New Orleans-class's original
mission objectives taken over by starships developed in the past
half-century,
it is not surprising to see that the ship has been tailored for more
mission-specific applications. The use of the design's pods
has allowed
for the starship to easily be reassigned for multi-mission
applications, making
it one of the smallest designs capable of handling an endless amount of
customized applications in the medium-sized starship range.
Still, design
shortcomings will no doubt eventually lead to the retirement of the
class as
state-of-the-art ships launch from various drydocks. Until
that day,
however, it will continue to be a lasting symbol of Federation
ingenuity and
pride.
1.4 CONSTRUCTION HISTORY
Construction
of the New Orleans pathfinder
vessel, designated NXP-1983NF, began in early 2336 - just one year
after the project's
official start date. The primary research team, based at
Starfleet's San
Francisco Fleet Yard, had already finished the overall hull structure
and shape
of the eventual spaceframe through knowledge gained from the
Springfield
Class Development Project. By the end of 2335, with the aide
of computer
models, sufficient progress had been made to the point that a working
1500
cochrane warp reactor could be used to power a warp field capable of
exceeding
its design specifications for limited amounts of time. While
the reactant
injectors for the primary M/ARA were indeed capable of increased firing
rates
before the project,
problems existed in the containment of the warp plasma through the
transfer
conduits due to the higher rate of energy transfer.
The
hulk of a partially-constructed Springfield-class
starship was towed into Drydock 12 of Starfleet's Copernicus Fleet
Yards in
orbit above Earth's Moon while the primary research team transferred
the final
exterior hull configuration for a full-scale mockup test. By
late 2336,
the warp nacelles and coils had been completely redesigned three times
as models
indicated flaws that would result in microfracturing within the coils
when field
output crossed the Warp 9 threshold. Increased structural
integrity field
output was proposed, but the eventual solution came about when Dr.
Tobin
D'Strata proposed elongating the warp nacelles, allowing for the plasma
output
to be better spread across more warp coils and reduce overall tension
on
individual coils. Marginal improvements were also made to the
three impulse engines mounted on the saucer and aft spine of the ship,
allowing
the starship to literally fly circles around larger vessels.
NXP-1983NF
began warp flight tests within
Sector 001 during Spring of 2337 and made use of an experimental
deflector dish
that preformed well in early test flights. The pathfinder
vehicle, manned
by a crew of 25, managed to reach Warp 9.1 with marginal strain on the
warp
propulsion system. Deemed a design breakthrough, the first
full production
vessel, NX-57012, had its primary frame members gamma-welded at a brief
ceremony at the San
Francisco Fleet Yard. Hull NX-57012, being built from the
ground up, saw
further design improvements while the pathfinder continued to relay
data from
the test site. Disaster came about in November of that year
when a
redesigned structural integrity field failed while at high
warp. In
addition to the shearing of the starboard warp nacelle, various
sections on both
hulls gave way from subspace stress, concentrated mostly at the forward
most portions of the
ship. Questioning of the 12 surviving test crewmembers, as
well as
investigation into salvaged computer records found an error in the
computer-controlled regulation of the system. While some
members of the
Federation Council demanded a halt to the project, the majority
recognized the
need for the ship and pushed onward with NX-57012. The hulk
of NXP-1983NF
was towed back to Utopia Planitia where it participated in full-scale
early
weapons tests of the experimental Type-X phaser emitter and was
subsequently
destroyed.
During
the following year, NX-57012 saw rapid
construction and the spaceframe was ready for testing in late
2338. The New Orleans-class was one of the first
classes to integrate isolinear-based
computer systems, a system which is only recently being improved upon
with
advances in bioneural circuitry. Further design modifications
allowed for
the NX-57012 to reach Warp 9.2, and with all internal spaces and
systems
installed, the ship was ready for its official launch.
However, a new
mandate arrived late in the project from the ASDB as Starfleet
Intelligence had
learned of a powerful warship in development by the Cardassians, later
known as
the Galor-class. Concerns arose that the New
Orleans-class
would not be able to adequately defend against such a target.
Increased
firepower would be required, and the obvious choice was to install more
torpedo
launchers. Advanced computer simulations indicated that
mounting internal
launchers would require the removal of some 65-percent of the science
labs in
the forward saucer section, as well as several residential areas since
the
saucer was the only location to mount additional launchers, due mostly
to the
fact that the main deflector occupied almost the entire forward-most
section of
the secondary hull.
By
April of 2339, two additional New Orleans
spaceframes rested in drydock at San Francisco and Copernicus as
arguments
continued over the internal layout of the ship. It was
obvious by this
point that they would not scrap the overall proven design of the ship,
and many
on the team did not look forward to the ship being turned into the
equivalent of
a torpedo boat (A concept that would only be revisited during the Akira
and Defiant class projects). The solution
finally came later that
month when several members of the development team were being pulled
away to
begin work on a new proposed Miranda-class refit,
and after a heated
discussion, the idea of mounting an outboard roll bar came
about. This
idea was quickly scrapped due to the instabilities that would result in
creating
a warp field to take into account the roll bar, but the idea later
blossomed
into the pod design that is in use on New Orleans-class
ships to this
day. Nathan Thormer, a young researcher being transferred to
the
Miranda team, was responsible for the idea after calculating
locations
within the warp field that would allow for enough manipulation to mount
exterior
pods without causing field degradation. Two areas on the
dorsal surface of
the primary hull, as well as one area on the ventral surface of the
engineering
hull, were chosen to be ideal places to handle exterior
mission-specific pods. Originally designed to handle both a
forward and aft launcher, as
well as torpedo stores, more ideas sprung about as to the possible uses
of the
pod design. Ideas ranging from additional cargo spaces to
sensor packages were discussed, and
more pod designs would spring up long after full production began on
the class.
A
ceremony was held at Earth's Spacedock 1 in
August of 2339 as hull NX-57012, christened the U.S.S. New
Orleans, left
the space doors and warped out of the system to begin its shakedown
cruise near
the Tholian border. In December and January, the U.S.S.
Organia
NCC-57267 and the U.S.S. Rutledge NCC-57295
launched from their
respective drydocks, both bound for the Cardassian border.
The class would
see production until 2369, and while it has taken heavy losses
defending the
Federation during its many wars, the New Orleans is
still a proud and familiar
symbol of Starfleet's power to this day.
The
estimated lifetime of the New Orleans
spaceframe has been projected to be some 80 years, with scheduled
refits and
major overhauls to take place at 20-year intervals. Unlike
minor layovers,
repairs and restocking missions to major fleet yards and bases, these
major
refits were intended to update the class with technologies that have
since
emerged after production of the class began. While the class
is no longer
in production, more then a hundred and fifty New Orleans
frigates are still in
use by Starfleet as of this publication, and the spaceframe was
designed to
allow for easy upgrades during its entire operational
lifetime. To date,
the New Orleans-class starship has had two major
refits after its initial
launch.
First
Refit:
The first refit for the New Orleans-class took
place in January of 2359 when the U.S.S. Salzburg entered
drydock 14 at
Starfleet's Utopia Planitia Fleet
Yards in orbit around Mars. While the average time for the
refit was
approximately 13 weeks, or roughly 3 months, the planning for the
upgrades had
taken some four years to complete.
This
upgrade included:
- Installation
of second-generation isolinear subprocessors throughout the vessel.
- Removal
of both torpedo launchers and related systems, followed by the
installation of two fixed-focus rapid fire torpedo launchers capable of
firing eight torpedoes at one time for simultaneous launch.
- Enhanced
warp plasma transfer conduits.
- Installation
of new Class-5 M/ARA.
- Refurbishment
of Impulse Propulsion System (IPS) and related systems.
- Carpeting
to cover metal floors through most high-traffic areas of the ship, most
notably areas surround crew quarters and support systems.
- Softer
color palettes used on bulkheads and interior designs to coincide with
planned uniform change expected to take place in the 2360's.
- Replacement
of bridge module with upgraded design.
- Upgraded
living accommodations.
- Installation
of three holographic simulation chambers [later replaced with the
standard holodeck after 2367].
- Redesign
of mission-specific pod hard connections and latches for easier
replacement between missions.
Second
Refit: Originally scheduled
to take place around 2379, key events in the local galactic theater
prompted an
early review for the proposed second refit to the New Orleans
class.
In 2371, shortly after the discovery of the Jem'Hadar, Founders and
Vorta on the
Gamma Quadrant side of the Bajoran Wormhole, Starfleet Intelligence and
the
Federation Council expressed major concerns over the status of
Starfleet's
assets. This concern became a reality when all out war broke
loose along
the Cardassian demilitarized zone when the Cardassian Empire joined the
Dominion, and declared its intent to take over the Alpha
Quadrant.
Federation and ally ship production went into full sway, and efforts
were made
to upgrade all existing spaceframes currently active in the fleet
inventory.
In addition, a number of decommissioned and mothballed hulls were
brought back
to operational status, among them were several retired or incomplete New
Orleans spaceframes decommissioned for various reasons during
the past two decades.
Rearmed with Type-X phaser emitters, improved M/ARA for increased power
and
various other upgrades, the New Orleans played an
active role in the defense of
the Federation. With many advances for the spaceframe already
tested in
the field, several ships saw refits during and immediately after the
war to help
maintain the capabilities of the fleet. The remainder of the
ships are
seeing refits in the near future.
This
upgrade includes:
- Installation
of third-generation isolinear subprocessors throughout the vessel.
- Replacement
of both port and starboard main computer cores with updated systems.
- Installation
of Type-X phaser emitters.
- Installation
of a Class-6 M/ARA.
- Refurbished
warp nacelles with variable warp field geometry capabilities.
- Updated
Warp Propulsion System (WPS) software to account for additional
capabilities.
- Refurbishment
of Impulse Propulsion System (IPS) and related systems.
- Replacement
of bridge module with upgraded design.
- Replacement
of primary and secondary graviton field generators.
- Upgrade
to Main Shuttlebay and service facilities.
Notice:
Not all upgrade information
has been made available in this document for various reasons, including
security
concerns as well as length considerations.
2.0
COMMAND SYSTEMS
2.1 MAIN
BRIDGE
The
primary command and control center aboard a
starship is its bridge, located on Deck 1 at the top of the primary
hull.
Though the entire bridge module can be replaced at a starbase layover
with a
variety of types, the most common found aboard New Orleans-class
vessels
is a model originally conceived as an upgrade to the Galaxy-class
starship. Though only slightly different in terms of overall
layout to the
original Galaxy-class bridge that premiered with the launch of the
class's first
ship, and eventually found its way to use aboard Nebula, New
Orleans and a handful of other ship classes.
Just
like the commanding position of the bridge
itself at the top of the saucer, the captain's chair is located at the
center of
the bridge atop a raised platform where all bridge consoles can be
viewed with a
simple rotation of one's chair. The captain's chair itself
has built in
consoles on both armrests, allowing the seat's occupant to access
either issue
commands, view data or even take control of ship functions with proper
authorization. To the captain's right is a seat used by the
ship's first
officer, and while it lacks armrests, it does have a dedicated console
with
various access functions. Another seat mirrors the first
officer's and is
located to the captain's left, normally reserved for either a visiting
dignitary, mission specialist, or one of the ship's senior staff.
Down
a small set of stairs and to the front of
the command area is the Ops and Conn stations, as well as the main
viewscreen.
Dominating the bridge, the main viewer measures 4.8 x 2.5 meters and
often
displays a feed from one of the forward optical scanners, though it can
easily
be reconfigured for communications, as well as displaying various types
of data
like any smaller console viewscreen. The display matrix
includes
omni-holographic display elements, allowing for information to be
displayed in
three dimensions. The flight control station, often simply
referred to as
"Conn," is located to the captain's right and features controls that
regulate
the actual physical movement of the starship, whether it be entering
orbit of a
planet or plotting a course for another starsystem. Mirroring
this station
in general appearance is the Ops station, responsible for helping to
regulate
starship operations, from shuttlecraft clearance, allocation of sensor
time,
communications and even power allocation.
To
the left of the command area and raised on a
platform next to a ramp that leads to the bridge's aft section is a
series of
consoles dedicated for scientific use. A forward console,
reserved for the
Chief Science Officer, gives primary access to the sensor arrays and
allows for
the seat's occupant to have full view of the main viewer.
Three consoles
run along the wall and can easily be reconfigured to display other
types of
data, such as information from the mission-specific pods.
Mirroring the
science station is the engineering station, which too has three
consoles running
along the wall which can be configured for various purposes, including
damage
control, environmental support, etc.
A
large Master Systems Display (MSD) runs
across the aft section of the bridge, flanked by a console on each
side.
The MSD features a cutaway of the starship, and displays information
pertaining
to the ship's status. The console to its left is typically
configured as
an environmental station while its sister console is configured as a
mission
operations center.
Between
the command area and the MSD is the
tactical railing, which is made of sturdy redwood and wraps around the
command
area. Three panels are built into the surface of the railing,
allowing
access to the ship's tactical systems. Though normally
operated by one
person, there is easily enough room for up to three crewmembers to work
side-by-side.
The
port side of the front of the bridge
features access to a turbolift, as well as the Captain's Ready
Room. A
replicator is located just next to this junction allowing on-duty
officers to
take only a few steps to reach a refreshment. The port side
provides
access to an emergency-use turbolift that allows direct access to Main
Engineering, should significant damage to the bridge force the crew to
evacuate
the room.
The
port side of the aft section of the bridge
features a standard turbolift, while the starboard side has access to
the main
observation lounge, as well as the bridge head.
2.2
MAIN ENGINEERING
Main
Engineering is located on Deck 15 and is
the central point for control of all engineering systems aboard the
vessel,
especially those relating to propulsion and power generation.
Main
Engineering also features the dilithium chamber housing for the Matter
Antimatter Reaction Chamber, also known as the Warp Core. The main
entrance to
the room has a large monitor featuring a cutaway of the starship and is
called
the master situation monitor. Warp and impulse propulsion
systems status
displays on opposite walls allow for easy monitoring of starship
propulsion,
while a Master Situation Display (MSD) rests on a table top and permits
duty
engineers to gain an overall understanding of the "health" of the
spacecraft.
Towards the warp core is a duty engineer's station on the right, and
the Chief
Engineer's office on the left. The Chief Engineer's office is
located
behind a transparent aluminum window and has repeater displays of most
key
monitors in engineering. The workstation allows seating for
the Chief
Engineer, as well as two assistants.
The
warp core itself has a railing running
around it, permitting someone to view the entire six stories of the
reactor by
looking in either direction. The entire room can be sealed
off through the
use of isolation doors during emergency situations.
Engineering also
features easy access to surrounding Jefferies tube junctions, and the
room can
act as a command center should the main bridge be damaged.
3.0
TACTICAL SYSTEMS
3.1
PHASERS
The New Orleans
class currently employs
six Type-X phaser arrays at key locations throughout the ship's hull,
although
early versions made use of the older Type-IX phaser array.
This upgrade
was rather relatively simple to do, since the design of the New
Orleans
phaser system took into account the anticipated completion of the then
experimental Type-X emitter. Starships older then the New
Orleans,
such as the Ambassador, Merced
and Renaissance classes, had
been designed during a time when the Type-IX phaser emitter was still
the
state-of-the-art phaser package. Traditionally
the choice defensive weapon onboard Starfleet vessels since close to
the dawn of
the Federation, the standard emitter makes use of a particular class of
superconducting crystals known as fushigi-no-umi,
which allow high-speed
interactions within atomic nuclei that create a rapid nadion effect,
which in
turn is directed into a focused beam at a target. The
resulting
beam is discharged at speeds approaching .986c, and as per standard
tactical
procedures, the frequencies of these beams are rotated to make it more
difficult
for a threat vehicle's shields to adjust to the beam. Through
the use of
ACB jacketed beams, phaser arrays now have limited capabilities in warp
environments, though the power output is greatly limited and is by no
means as
useful as a torpedo weapon in this environment.
Phaser
array arrangement: Two
large phaser arrays located on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the
saucer
section provide the largest firing arcs, and are thus equipped to
handle the
most energy through EPS taps that supply the one hundred plus emitter
segments
with the power needed to generate a sustained beam. Two
additional arrays
are located on the ventral surface of the engineering hull, although
both are
slightly blocked by the lower mission-specific pod - an oversight from
the
rushed production designs. Two final arrays are mounted on
the nacelle
pylons, just below the ejection assemblies for the warp nacelles and
provide
sweeping coverage of targets laterally.
Phaser
Array Range: Maximum effective
range is 300,000 kilometers.
3.2
TORPEDO LAUNCHERS
Even
without torpedo pods mounted
to the ship's exterior, the New Orleans is equipped by default with
both a
forward and aft launcher. Originally, these tubes were
upgraded versions
of launchers designed for the Ambassador and Niagra-class.
During the
class's first refit, these launchers were replaced with custom
assemblies
designed specifically for the New Orleans, with the
added benefit of being able
to fire weapons and probe packages that differ from the traditional
photon
torpedo casing. Like more recent ships in the Federation
fleet, this
allows for the New Orleans to handle quantum
torpedoes and tri-cobalt devices -
although it should be stressed that the class is only equipped with
such devices
for select special operations due to supply limits.
The
forward torpedo launcher,
like the aft, is a fixed-focus system consisting of a standard gas
pressure
chamber, elevator assembly, torpedo magazine and launcher, capable of
holding
eight torpedoes for simultaneous launch. It is located just
above the main
deflector on Deck 12, but due to the relatively short connecting neck
between
the hulls, its firing arc during launch is limited with the primary
hull only a few decks up.
Nonetheless, already-launched torpedoes have internal guidance systems
that can
maneuver the weapon towards targets not directly in the launcher's
arc. The aft launcher is the only defensive weapon aboard the
ship capable of firing
directly to the aft of the starship, and is located on Deck 15.
Torpedo
Pods: New
Orleans-class vessels benefit by the ability to be equipped
with specialized
mission-specific torpedo pods, allowing for greater tactical
flexibility in
combat operations. These pods are equipped with both a
forward and aft
launcher that are both capable of tilting 12-degrees in all directions,
allowing
for the launchers to better line up with targets not directly along the
vehicle
centerline.
Type:
All New
Orleans-class vessels are currently equipped with a total of
85 Mark XXV photon
torpedoes. Individual torpedo pods are capable of containing
an additional
45 photon torpedoes each.
3.3
DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
Quite
well defended for a ship of its size, the New Orleans-class
makes use of a total
of seven symmetrical subspace
graviton generators feeding several strategically located deflector
grids
embedded into the ship's hull. Upgraded since the class's
initial launch,
these graviton field generators consist of a cluster of twelve 32 MW
graviton
polarity sources feeding a pair of 625 millicochrane subspace field
distortion
amplifiers. Three generators are located within the primary
hull, two are
located in the engineering hull and there is one generator located on
each of
the nacelle pylons, just below the nacelles themselves.
When
compared to her precursor, the
Springfield-class, the potential shield output on the New
Orleans is a great
improvement, thanks not only to the larger number of actual shield
generators,
but the additional clustering of graviton polarity sources to the total
of
twelve, up from the nine clustered sources on the
Springfield. These same
generators would be used throughout the rest of the design lineage,
spreading on
to the Cheyenne, Nebula and Galaxy
classes. Shield
regulation software continues to see upgrades, most notably during the
last two
Borg Incursions and the Dominion War. These relatively simple
algorithms
automatically cycle through shield nutations when being fired upon by
both
energy and projectile weapons. In the case of a particle beam
or
projectile energy device (such as a torpedo), the incoming beam or
torpedo's
energy signature is recorded, then analyzed by the ship's tactical
officer.
The shields can then be adjusted to match the energy frequency of the
incoming
energy signature, but switch to a different nutation to dramatically
increase
efficiency.
Near
full-spectrum shielding prevents onboard
sensors from gathering scientific and tactical information, so the
operation of
shields at full output is deemed undesirable and unrealistic if a ship
is to
make full use of its onboard sensors. Instead, Cruise Mode
operating
procedures dictate that the system always operate at 5% output at
specific
frequency bands necessary to protect the spacecraft's habitable volume
to SFRA-standard
347.3(a) levels for EM and nuclear radiation.
Shields
operate at two basic ranges when fully
activated. The first is a large bubble field that has a
common center
within the ship and expands outward in the rough shape of the starship,
allowing
for objects close to the hull, such as smaller vessels, to be
protected.
The other is a mode that operates at a uniform distance from the hull,
averaging
ten to twelve meters. Both modes make use of relatively new
design
modifications that protect the spacecraft from new energy weapons, such
as the
Breen dampening device.
4.0
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
4.1
COMPUTER CORE
Number
of computer cores: Two. Two twin
computer cores rest near the center of the primary hull, each spreading
across a
total of three decks. While a single core is capable of
operating all
computer functions aboard the ship, a second core not only offers
redundancy
should the first core fail, but gives the added benefits of increased
storage
capacity and processing speeds. The upper third of each core
is capable of
faster-then-light (FTL) processing speeds accomplished through the
usage of
subspace fields. Additionally, a network of 160 quadritronic
optical
subprocessors throughout the ship augment these processing
abilities.
These subprocessors also operate as a redundant backup system in the
event that
both cores are inoperable.
Currently,
computer simulations indicate that
upgrading the entire computer system to make use of bioneural gelpack
processors
is unfeasible and too costly in terms of labor and time. Like
all other
ships, the New Orleans class will receive periodic
upgrades to various
components and software through minor refits.
4.2
LCARS
Acronym
for Library Computer Access and
Retrieval System, the common user interface of 24th century computer
systems,
based on verbal and graphically enhanced keyboard/display input and
output. The
graphical interface adapts to the task being performed,
allowing for maximum ease-of-use and efficiency. The New
Orleans class operates on
the most up-to-date LCARS build
version to account for increases in processor speed and
power. The operating version receives minor upgrades any time
they are available when
contact with another Starfleet vessel or facility is made.
4.3
SECURITY LEVELS
Access
to all Starfleet data is highly
regulated. A standard set of access levels have been programmed into
the
computer cores of all ships in order to stop any undesired access to
confidential data.
Security
levels are also variable, and
task-specific. Certain areas of the ship are restricted to unauthorized
personnel, regardless of security level. Security levels can also be
raised,
lowered, or revoked by Command personnel.
Security
levels in use aboard the New
Orleans class
are:
- Level
10 – Captain and Above
- Level
9 – First Officer
- Level
8 - Commander
- Level
7 – Lt. Commander
- Level
6 – Lieutenant
- Level
5 – Lt. Junior Grade
- Level
4 - Ensign
- Level
3 – Non-Commissioned Crew
- Level
2 – Civilian Personnel
- Level
1 – Open Access (Read Only)
Note:
Security Levels beyond current rank can
and are bestowed where, when and to whom they are necessary.
Often,
members of the ship's senior staff are granted higher levels of access
due to
the their position. High-ranking staff in the tactical
department, for
instance, have access to key data regarding the ship's
defenses. Medical
staff have access to crew personnel reports and medical
information. Aside
from the command crew, the Operations Manager and Chief Engineer
perhaps have
the most unrestricted access to ship's files due to the
responsibilities that
come with their positions. All levels, however, are by
default not allowed
to access files marked private or files marked with specific eyes-only
designations, such as Top Secret and so forth. Access logs
are maintained
by the main computer to monitor usage and possible abuse of access
privileges.
The
main computer grants access based on a
battery of checks to the individual user, including face and voice
recognition
in conjunction with a vocal code as an added level of security for
access to
certain files.
4.4 UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR
All
Starfleet vessels make use of a computer
program called a Universal Translator that is employed for
communication among
persons who speak different languages. It performs a pattern analysis
of an
unknown language based on a variety of criteria to create a translation
matrix.
The translator is built into the Starfleet commbadge, as well as
handheld devices
like PADDs and Tricorders.
The
Universal Translator matrix aboard New
Orleans-class starships consists of well over 100,000
languages and increases with every
new encounter.
5.0
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
5.1
WARP PROPULSION SYSTEM
At
the time of its launch, the New Orleans was
equipped with the most capable Warp Propulsion System (WPS) Starfleet
had to
offer, breaking performance records with its revolutionary
design. While
the Niagara-class had already tested the general
shape and structure of these
new nacelles, they had not yet been fitted onto a starship with a
similar shape
of the ultimate accomplishment of this research - the Galaxy-class
starship.
While the New Orleans represented a scaled down
version that appears to be most
closest with the Nebula-class starship, the
components in both of these classes
would be the foundation upon which the Galaxy would
be built. Many lessons
had been learned through the failed Transwarp Development Project, and
Starfleet
made sure all of these advances were adequately tested. The
most
noticeable difference between the nacelles of the New Orleans
and her cousins of
larger size is the increased length. This was essentially a
shortcut at
the time to better regulate warp plasma to produce more efficient warp
fields,
though later advances would prove that procedure obsolete.
Upgrades to the New Orleans WPS now allow ships of this
class to travel up to Warp 9.98 for
limited amounts of time.
The
Matter/Antimatter Reaction Assembly (M/ARA)
spreads across Deck 12-17, with the reaction chamber itself being
located within
Main Engineering on Deck 15. It is well protected within the
engineering
hull, located just forward of the area where the warp nacelle pylons
meet the
secondary hull, and just aft of the main deflector. The warp
plasma
transfer conduits, after exiting the reaction chamber, run vertically
through
Deck 10-15 before making 90-degree turns to travel through the nacelle
pylons to
be injected into the warp coils. EPS power taps allow for the
transfer of
produced energy to be used for ship functions at regular intervals
throughout
this expanse.
Ejection
of the entire M/ARA and the ship's
antimatter containment pods can be accomplished through a three-stage
procedure.
Should a mission-specific pod be attached to the underside of the
secondary
hull, explosive bolts blow the pod in a downward-aft direction to clear
the way
for ejected systems. Antideuterium and deuterium feeds to the
M/ARA are
cut off upstream, and the entire assembly is ejected from the
ship.
Shortly after, the antimatter pods exit the ship and all ejected
devices can be
programmed to detonate after reaching a safe distance, should the
situation
allow such leeway. Alternately, individual components may be
ejected
separately and/or recovered should scans show all components to be
working
properly. Both warp nacelles are held to the nacelle pylons
by a series of
explosive bolts that can also be detonated, should an undesirable
overload or
other incident warrant the need to remove these components from the
ship.
Type:
Theoretical Propulsion Group [TPG]
Class-6 Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Drive feeding two warp nacelles,
developed by Theoretical Propulsion Group in
conjunction with the Advanced Starship Design Bureau - San Francisco
Division.
Limited access to information about this drive is currently available
on
Starfleet Omnipedia Databases.
Normal
Cruising Speed: Warp 6
Maximum
Speed: Warp 9.98 for twelve hours
Note:
Vessels equipped with the TPG M/ARA
Drive System no longer have the maximum cruising speed limit of Warp 5,
thanks
to innovations discovered and utilized in the development of the Intrepid-
and Sovereign-class starships. Pursuant
to Starfleet
Command Directive 12856.A, all starships have received upgrades to
their WPS to prevent further pollution of subspace.
5.2
IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEM
Like
the Ambassador-class, the New
Orleans utilizes space-time driver coils within its impulse
engines to
create a non-propulsive symmetrical subspace field that effectively
lowers the
ship's mass, making it capable of pushing the entire spacecraft using
less fuel.
There are three impulse engines on the ship, two at the aft section of
the
saucer, and one along the main structural spine of the secondary
hull.
While all three engines are capable of propelling the entire vehicle up
to .25c,
or full impulse, alone, the main impulse engine in the secondary hull
is
typically used to provide all impulse propulsion in cruise
mode. During
combat situations, the saucer engines supplement the main impulse
engine and,
together with the main impulse engine, allow the ship to reach speeds
approaching .75c, or maximum impulse. Due to time
displacement concerns,
speeds greater then .25c are avoided except during emergency
circumstances.
The saucer impulse units also provide additional thrust should the ship
be
equipped with a tractor towing pod, allowing it to ferry ships much
larger then
the New Orleans.
Type:
Series 6 Mark-IV HighMPact
impulse units, developed in conjunction between HighMPact Propulsion
and the
Theoretical Propulsion Group for usage by the Advanced Starship Design
Bureau.
5.3
REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The
Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters are adapted
from thruster packages from Ambassador-class
vessels. A total
of fourteen thruster groups are installed; four on the primary hull,
two on the
secondary hull and four at the aft of each nacelle. Deuterium
is supplied by the
primary tankage on Decks 14 and 15, as well as immediate-use tanks
within thruster
packages.
Output:
Each thruster quad is capable of producing 4.2 million Newtons of
exhaust.
6.0
UTILITIES AND AUXILIARY
SYSTEMS
6.1
NAVIGATION DEFLECTOR
Without
some sort of deflector system, space
travel at high velocities, let alone warp speeds, would be impossible
due to
collisions with objects ranging from stray hydrogen atoms to large
planetary
fragments. Vessels of the New Orleans
class make use of two scaled down
deflectors systems of what was later developed to become the standard
deflector
systems aboard Nebula and Galaxy-class
starships. The main navigation
deflector is located at the forward-most part of the engineering hull
and
spreads across Decks 14-18, with the dual subspace field distortion
amplifiers
located on Deck 15. Composed of molybdenum/duranium mesh
panels over a duranium framework, the dish can be manually moved
7.2° in any direction off the ship's Z-axis. The main deflector
dish's
subspace field and sensor power comes from three graviton polarity
generators located on
Decks 14 and 17, each capable of generating one hundred twenty-eight
megawatts which feed
into the two 550 millicochrane subspace field distortion
amplifiers.
A
backup deflector is located on the ventral
side of the primary hull, and in addition to its role as a backup, the
secondary
deflector serves to reinforce the ship's warp field at speeds exceeding
Warp
8.5. Originally seen as a means to augment the warp field due
to
technological limitations in graviton field generation during the
development of the pathfinder vehicle, the
saucer deflector is actually identical to the primary deflector of the Springfield-class
and is more or less a carry-over in the design process.
6.2 TRACTOR BEAM
Type: Multiphase
subspace graviton beam,
used for direct manipulation of objects from a submicron to a
macroscopic level
at any relative bearing. Each emitter is directly mounted to the
primary members
of the ship's framework, to lessen the effects of isopiestic subspace
shearing,
inertial potential imbalance, and mechanical stress. Large
steerable
tractor emitters are located on the underside of the engineering hull
at both
the front and aft, allowing for easy towing or pushing of
objects. Smaller
mooring tractor emitters are located on each RCS thruster quad, which
are
located throughout the ship. A series of emitters, located
around the Main
Shuttlebay, allow for automated guiding of shuttles and small vessels
into the
ship's bay.
Output:
Each tractor beam emitter
is built around two variable phase sixteen megawatt graviton polarity
sources,
each feeding two 475 millicochrane subspace field amplifiers.
Phase accuracy is within 2.7 arc-seconds per microsecond. Each
emitter can gain extra power from the Structural Integrity Field by
means of
molybdenum-jacketed waveguides. The subspace fields generated around
the beam
(when the beam is used) can envelop objects up to one thousand meters,
lowering
the local gravitational constant of the universe for the region inside
the field
and making the object much easier to manipulate.
Range: Effective
tractor beam range
varies with payload mass and desired delta-v (change in relative
velocity).
Assuming a nominal five m/sec-squared delta-v, the primary tractor
emitters can
be used with a payload approaching 7'500'000 metric tons at less than
one
thousand meters. Conversely, the same delta-v can be imparted to an
object
massing about one metric ton at ranges approaching twenty thousand
kilometers.
6.3
TRANSPORTER SYSTEMS
Number
of Systems: 13
Personnel Transporters: 4 (Transporter Rooms
1-4)
Cargo Transporters: 4
Emergency Transporters: 5
6.4
COMMUNICATIONS
Standard
Communications Ranges:
- RF:
5.2 AU
- Subspace:
22.65 LY
Standard
Data Transmission Speed: 18.5
kiloquads per second
Subspace Communications Speed: Warp 9.9997
7.0
SCIENCE AND REMOTE
SENSING SYSTEMS
7.1 SENSOR
SYSTEMS
Long-range
and navigational sensors are located
behind the main deflector dish to avoid sensor "ghosts" and other
detrimental
effects consistent with the millicochrane static graviton field output
of the
deflector system.
Lateral sensor pallets are located around the rim of the entire
starship,
providing full coverage in all standard scientific fields, but with
emphasis in
the following areas:
- Astronomical
phenomena
- Planetary
analysis
- Remote
life-form analysis
- EM
scanning
- Passive
neutrino scanning
- Parametric
subspace field stress
- Thermal
variances
- Quasi-stellar
material
Each
sensor pallet, one hundred sixty in all,
can be interchanged and recalibrated with any other pallet on the ship,
including those in storage. In addition, the New
Orleans class can
be equipped with mission-specific sensor pods of various types to
increase range
and power.
7.2 TACTICAL
SENSORS
There
are twelve independent tactical
sensors on the New Orleans Class. Each
sensor automatically tracks and locks onto
incoming hostile vessels or hazardous objects and reports bearing,
aspect, distance, and
vulnerability percentages to the tactical station on the main
bridge. Each
tactical sensor is approximately seventy-nine percent efficient against
Electronic Counter Measures (ECMs).
7.3
STELLAR CARTOGRAPHY
The
entrance to the main stellar cartography
bay is located on Deck 9, within the Stellar Sciences
Division. This
dedicated bay has been recently upgraded with new holographic systems
that are
capable of rendering stellar locations in three dimensions.
Comparable in
ability to other medium-sized Federation vessels, the bay is only as
good as the
information it is capable of receiving. When equipped with
dedicated
sensor pods, the abilities of the bay are increased substantially
thanks to the
additional sensor power.
7.4 SCIENCE LABS
There
are typically some thirty-five scientific
research labs aboard a New Orleans-class vessel,
though like almost all
medium to large-sized starships developed in the last century, the
internal volume of the ship can be
rearranged to accommodate more labs for surveys, or less labs for other
mission
types. Only a handful of labs will remain under the same
discipline of
science during the ship's lifetime, and are typically in areas of basic
sciences
vital to Starfleet's mandates of knowledge and exploration.
Most labs
share the same basic design due to their modular nature, and can
actually be
compacted to fit into storage if space is at a premium. This
modular
design also creates a standard, which makes it relatively easy for
mission
specialists with specialized equipment to quickly come aboard and
setup.
All scientific experiments fall under the direct authority of the Chief
Science
Officer, as well as the Chief Medical Officer depending on the nature
of said
experiment or study. Sensor allocation time is still approved
by the
Operations Manager.
7.5
PROBES
A
probe is a device that contains a number of
general purpose or mission specific sensors and can be launched from a
starship
for closer examination of objects in space.
There
are nine different classes of probes,
which vary in sensor types, power, and performance ratings.
The spacecraft frame
of a probe consists of molded duranium-tritanium and pressure-bonded
lufium
boronate, with sensor windows of triple layered transparent
aluminum. With a
warhead attached, a probe becomes a photon torpedo. The
standard equipment of
all nine types of probes are instruments to detect and analyze all
normal EM and
subspace bands, organic and inorganic chemical compounds, atmospheric
constituents, and mechanical force properties. All nine types
are capable of
surviving a powered atmospheric entry, but only three are special
designed for
aerial maneuvering and soft landing. These ones can also be
used for spatial
burying. Many probes can be real-time controlled and piloted
from a starship to
investigate an environment dangerous hostile or otherwise inaccessible
for an
away-team.
The
nine standard classes are:
- 7.5.1 Class
I Sensor Probe:
- Range:
2 x
10^5 kilometers
- Delta-v
limit: 0.5c
- Powerplant:
Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion
- Sensors:
Full
EM/Subspace and interstellar chemistry pallet for in-space applications.
- Telemetry:
12,500 channels at 12 megawatts.
-
- 7.5.2 Class
II Sensor Probe:
-
Range: 4 x 10^5 kilometers
- Delta-v
limit: 0.65c
- Powerplant:
Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion, extended deuterium fuel
supply
- Sensors:
Same
instrumentation as Class I with addition of enhanced long-range
particle and field detectors and imaging system
- Telemetry:
15,650 channels at 20 megawatts.
-
- 7.5.3 Class
III Planetary Probe:
- Range:
1.2 x
10^6 kilometers
- Delta-v
limit: 0.65c
- Powerplant:
Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion
- Sensors:
Terrestrial and gas giant sensor pallet with material sample and return
capability; onboard chemical analysis submodule
- Telemetry:
13,250 channels at ~15 megawatts.
- Additional
data: Limited SIF hull reinforcement. Full range of terrestrial soft
landing to subsurface penetration missions; gas giant atmosphere
missions survivable to 450 bar pressure. Limited terrestrial loiter
time.
-
- 7.5.4 Class
IV Stellar Encounter Probe:
- Range:
3.5 x
10^6 kilometers
- Delta-v
limit: 0.6c
- Powerplant:
Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion supplemented with continuum
driver coil and extended deuterium supply
- Sensors:
Triply redundant stellar fields and particle detectors, stellar
atmosphere analysis suite.
- Telemetry:
9,780 channels at 65 megawatts.
- Additional
data: Six ejectable/survivable radiation flux subprobes. Deployable for
nonstellar energy phenomena
-
- 7.5.5 Class V
Medium-Range Reconnaissance Probe:
- Range:
4.3 x
10^10 kilometers
- Delta-v
limit: Warp 2
- Powerplant:
Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine; extended duration sublight plus
limited duration at warp
- Sensors:
Extended passive data-gathering and recording systems; full autonomous
mission execution and return system
- Telemetry:
6,320 channels at 2.5 megawatts.
- Additional
data: Planetary atmosphere entry and soft landing capability. Low
observatory coatings and hull materials. Can be modified for tactical
applications with addition of custom sensor countermeasure package.
- 7.5.6 Class
VI Comm Relay/Emergency Beacon:
- Range:
4.3 x
10^10 kilometers
- Delta-v
limit: 0.8c
- Powerplant:
Microfusion engine with high-output MHD power tap
- Sensors:
Standard pallet
- Telemetry/Comm:
9,270 channel RF and subspace transceiver operating at 350 megawatts
peak radiated power. 360 degree omni antenna coverage, 0.0001
arc-second high-gain antenna pointing resolution.
- Additional
data: Extended deuterium supply for transceiver power generation and
planetary orbit plane changes
- 7.5.7Class
VII Remote Culture Study Probe:
- Range:
4.5 x
10^8 kilometers
- Delta-v
limit: Warp 1.5
- Powerplant:
Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine
- Sensors:
Passive data gathering system plus subspace transceiver
- Telemetry:
1,050 channels at 0.5 megawatts.
- Additional
data: Applicable to civilizations up to technology level III. Low
observability coatings and hull materials. Maximum loiter time: 3.5
months. Low-impact molecular destruct package tied to antitamper
detectors.
- 7.5.8 Class
VIII Medium-Range Multimission Warp Probe:
- Range:
1.2 x
10^2 light-years
- Delta-v
limit: Warp 9
- Powerplant:
Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 6.5 hours at
warp 9; MHD power supply tap for sensors and subspace transceiver
- Sensors:
Standard pallet plus mission-specific modules
- Telemetry:
4,550 channels at 300 megawatts.
- Additional
data: Applications vary from galactic particles and fields research to
early-warning reconnaissance missions
- 7.5.9 Class
IX Long-Range Multimission Warp Probe:
- Range:
7.6 x
10^2 light-years
- Delta-v
limit: Warp 9
- Powerplant:
Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 12 hours at
warp 9; extended fuel supply for warp 8 maximum flight duration of 14
days
- Sensors:
Standard pallet plus mission-specific modules
- Telemetry:
6,500 channels at 230 megawatts.
- Additional
data: Limited payload capacity; isolinear memory storage of 3,400
kiloquads; fifty-channel transponder echo. Typical application is
emergency-log/message capsule on homing trajectory to nearest starbase
or known Starfleet vessel position
8.0
CREW SUPPORT SYSTEMS
8.1 MEDICAL
SYSTEMS
Sickbay: Protected
within the inner-hull on Deck 8, the
medical facilities actually consist of several separate areas
surrounding
the main sickbay. The primary sickbay facility houses some of
the finest
crew support technology available in Starfleet. A biobed at
the center of
the room is located directly beneath an overhead sensor cluster, which
feeds a
wall mounted display capable of showing vital statistics of a person or
other
lifeform. Four other biobeds line one of the walls, providing
for care
several individuals at one time. Attached to this area is the
Chief
Medical Officer's office.
Directly
attached to sickbay is a secondary
ward and the primary medical laboratory. Nearby also rests an
intensive-care ward, a nursery, two dedicated surgical suites, and a
physical
therapy facility. All of these areas have recently been
upgraded with
holographic emitters that allow for the latest version of the Emergency
Medical
Holographic System to be used.
Counselor's
Office:
Located near the Arboretum on Deck 9, this office is a medium sized
room created
with comfort in mind to provide a relaxing environment for the ship's
Counselor
to perform his or her duty. Away from the busy medical
centers on Deck 8,
the Counselor's quarters are usually not far from the office.
8.2 CREW
QUARTERS SYSTEMS
General
Overview: Between the
development of the Ambassador and Galaxy-class
starships there was a major shift
in the overall look and feel of Starfleet ships, turning away from the
more
militaristic bare-metal decks of a previous generation to the more
family-friendly designs of today. During the first major
refit of the
class, the standard living quarters on Decks 2, 6, 7, and 9 were
upgraded to
residential apartments that provide more appropriate facilities for
ship's crew
with family aboard, as well as better accommodations for high-ranking
officers
and senior staff.
The
arrangement of living quarters was designed
to be modular, so that at any time, a particular area could be
reconfigured to
create larger or smaller residential areas. Individual areas
make up what
has come to be known as a "bay," which is equal to the size of the
smallest
available module. These modules are connected together to
create all
available standard living accommodations on the ship.
Standard
Living Quarters: Located
on Decks 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16, these quarters are where the
majority of the crew
live.
Crew
Quarters: Standard Living Quarters
are provided for both Starfleet Non-Commissioned Officers, attached
civilian
personnel and officers holding the rank of Ensign.
These persons are expected to share their room with another crewmate
due to
space restrictions aboard the starship, and after serving aboard the
ship for
six months, are eligible to bring family aboard and be relocated to
Family
Quarters.
Two
NCO's or two Ensigns are assigned to a suite. A large living
area spreads
across two bays at the center of the dwelling. Furnished for
comfort, it
typically holds a personal holographic viewer, couch, two chairs and a
work
station as well as a standard replicator. This room is
flanked on both
sides with identical bedrooms, which each take up one bay in length and
house
room for a double-sized bed and room for personal belongings.
A
half-bathroom is located on the opposite side from the bedroom's
entrance, and
has a sonic shower, wash basin, mirror and several drawers.
Provisions for
small pets can be made available.
Enlisted crewmembers share quarters
with up to
four other people of the same gender.
A large living area spreads across two bays at the center of the
dwelling.
Furnished for comfort, it typically holds a personal holographic
viewer, couch,
two chairs and a work station as well as a standard
replicator. This room
is flanked on both sides with identical bedrooms, which each take up
one bay in
length and houses a bunk for two occupants, as well as space for their
belongings. A half-bathroom is located on the opposite side
from the
bedroom's entrance, and has a sonic shower, wash basin, mirror and
several
drawers. Pets are not allowed for enlisted crewmen.
Crewmen
can request that their living quarters
be combined to create a single larger dwelling.
Residential
Apartments: Located
on Decks 2, 6, 7, and 9, these quarters
offer more privacy and flexibility for officers, as well as those with
family
onboard. Unlike the standard living quarters, these
apartments can be
configured to suit the needs of those living in them. Listed
below is the
base configuration for the living space, which can then be tailored by
the
resident for his needs.
Officers'
Quarters: Starfleet personnel
from the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade up to Commander are given one
set of
quarters to themselves. In addition, department heads and
their first assistant
are granted such privileges as well, in an effort to provide a private
environment to perform off-duty work. After six months,
officers are
permitted to bring family aboard the ship and a slightly larger room is
allocated to them. Members of the Captain's Senior Staff can
have these
restrictions waved with the Captain's permission.
These
accommodations typically include a
two-bay living area at the center of the dwelling, which usually holds
a
personal holographic viewer, personal workstation, couch, replicator
and a small
dining area. Connected to this is a bedroom that occupies one
bay and
features a double-sized bed and room for personal belongings.
Normally,
the bedroom is connected by a half-bathroom with wash basin, mirror,
several
drawers and a sonic shower. This can be upgraded to a
full-sized bathroom
with a bathtub with permission from the Operations officer.
Provisions can
also be made available for pets.
Officers
may request that their living quarters
be combined to form one larger dwelling.
Family
Quarters: The
specifications for this type of living area mirrors that of an
Officer's
Quarters, however, more features are added to it depending on the size
of the
family. For wedded couples, the only differences made to the
base
specifications is the addition of a one-bay extension to the living
area.
For the first child, and every pair following the first, another
bedroom module
is added with space available for up to four children and two
parents.
Special permission is needed from the commanding officer for families
larger
then this to be stationed aboard a ship.
Executive
Quarters: Executive
quarters are specially designed to give both the Commanding Officer and
Executive Officer added comfort and privacy to perform their duties.
The
accommodations are similar to that of the
Officer's Quarters, however, they feature a longer three-bay living
area and a
full bathroom by default. Slightly more luxurious furniture
is also
provided, since the Captain often uses this room as an informal meeting
area for
both private conferencing and reception of guests.
VIP/Diplomatic
Guest Quarters:
Located on Deck 2 near the conference lounges, diplomatic quarters are
the same
as Executive Quarters, but feature private communications terminals for
secure
conferencing and an additional living area(s) for diplomatic
aides. Such
facilities on Deck 2 are limited, and in cases involving transport of
large
numbers of diplomats, VIPs and ambassadors, several areas on Deck 7 can
be
converted to these quarters. In addition, these quarters can
be
immediately converted to class H, K, L, N, and N2 environments within a
few
hours notice.
Understandably,
only a limited number of
residential apartments exist aboard a starship. Allocation of
available
rooms falls under the authority of the Executive Officer, who is then
responsible to make arrangements with Operations, Engineering, and the
ship's
Counselor concerning assignment of personnel.
8.3
RECREATION SYSTEMS
General
Overview: Serving the
Federation's needs on both extended border patrol and scientific
missions, the
New Orleans class is equipped with a large number of dedicated
recreational
areas that help to maintain the crew's morale.
Holodecks:
There are three standard
holodeck facilities on the New Orleans class
located on Deck 7.
Phaser
Range: Normal phaser recreation and practice is
used
with a Type-III phaser rifle or Type-II hand unit set to level 3 (heavy
stun). The person stands in the
middle of the room, with no light except for the circle in the middle
of the
floor that the person is standing in. Colored circular dots
approximately the
size of a human hand whirl across the walls, and the person aims and
fires. After completing a round, the amounts of hits and
misses, along with the
percentage of accuracy is announced by the computer.
The
phaser range is also used by security to
train ship's personnel in marksmanship. During training, the
holo-emitters in
the phaser range are activated, creating a holographic setting, similar
to what
a holodeck does. Personnel are "turned loose" either
independently or in an Away
Team formation to explore the setting presented to them, and the
security
officer in charge will take notes on the performance of each person as
they take
cover, return fire, protect each other, and perform a variety of
different
scenarios. All personnel on board are tested every six months
in phaser
marksmanship.
There
are 25 levels of phaser marksmanship. All
personnel on board are trained in the operation of Types-II and I up to
level 14. All security personnel on board must maintain a level 17
marksmanship
for all phaser types. The true marksman can maintain at least
an eighty
percent hit ratio on level 23.
Gymnasium: Some
Starfleet personnel
can find solace from the aggravations of day-to-day life in exercising
their
bodies. The Security department on board encourages constant use of
this
facility; tournaments and competitions are held regularly in this room.
There
is also a wrestling mat in the weight
room, which can be used for wrestling, martial arts, kickboxing, or any
other
sort of hand-to-hand fighting. There are holo-diodes along
the walls and ceiling
which generate a holographic opponent,
trained in the combat field of one's choice. The computer
stores
personal patterns of attack and defense as it gains experience on a
particular
user's style of
fighting, and adapts to defeat him.
There
are also racks of hand-to-hand combat
weapons, for use in training. Ancient weapon proficiencies
for Starfleet
personnel are recommended by Starfleet's security division as phasers
may not
always be available for use in contingencies.
Swimming
Pool: Located immediately
next to the gymnasium, the swimming pool features four lanes which are
each 25
meters in length. While most personnel choose to use the
holodeck for their
swimming needs, the pool exists mainly for physical fitness.
Arboretum: This
area on Deck 9 is
housed within the interior of the deck and is unique to each
starship.
Artificial sunlight simulates both day and night to the many different
plant
types that grow here.
Recreation
Rooms: There are
several such rooms located aboard the starship that provide
entertainment in
various forms. Such rooms can be used to feature films both
ancient and
holographic based to large audiences. Many tend to be
equipped with
various games such as terrestrial pool, dom-jot, dabo, kal-toh while
some can be
converted into small auditoriums for musical recitals or theatrical
performances.
8.4 SEVEN-FORWARD
This
large lounge is located at the
forward-most portion of Deck 7, and serves as a place of social
gathering for
all members of the crew and their guests. Serving as the
social center of
the ship, it has a number of tables that line the six windows that
grant a
spectacular view of what lies ahead of the ship. A bar lines
the length of
the aft-facing wall of the room and is serviced by an on-duty
bartender.
Two replicators provide the crew with beverages and food, while a
limited stock
of alcoholic beverages is available beneath the counter. Most
crews decide
to give the lounge a nickname that in someway relates to the ship's
name or
history.
9.0
AUXILIARY SPACECRAFT
SYSTEMS
9.1 MAIN
SHUTTLEBAY
General
Overview: One Main
Shuttlebay serves all the necessary auxiliary flight needs of the
starship.
Spreading across Decks 3 and 4, the bay is also supported by machine
shop and
maintenance facilities below it on Deck 5. Approximately 35%
of bay
storage compartments is
reserved for mission-specific craft of various types, as well as
leaving space
for craft from other vessels or stations to dock for the duration of
their stay. Due to the nature of the ship's ability to be
customized for
mission-specific applications, Cargo Bays 7-9 are equipped with fuel
transfer
lines and necessary equipment to convert them into limited launch and
recovery
facilities for shuttle operations. This practice normally
comes into use
when the vessel is used for colonization activities, where the need for
transfers
of large amount of materials and people is hampered by local phenomena
that
prevent safe transport, such as some worlds undergoing terraforming
activity
that may interfere with transporter beams.
A
landing on Deck 3 houses a sealed
space/air-traffic control room known as "Flight Ops," which handles all
flight
operations locally. Flight Ops works in conjunction with the
duty
Operations Officer on the bridge by taking much of the burden of
coordination
involving scheduling, launch and recovering of shuttles and other
auxiliary
craft.
9.2 SHUTTLECRAFT
The
standard shuttle loadout aboard a New
Orleans-class vessel is as follows:
- Two
Type-16 Shuttlepods
- Four
Type-6 or Four Type-8 Shuttlecraft
- Two
Type-9 Shuttlecraft
- One
Type-10 Shuttlecraft
- Two
Work Bees
9.2.2
TYPE-16 SHUTTLEPOD
Type:
Medium short-range sublight shuttle.
Accommodation: Two; pilot and
system manager.
Power Plant: Two 750
millicochrane impulse driver engines, four RCS
thrusters, four sarium krellide storage cells.
Dimensions: Length, 4.8 m;
beam, 2.4 m; height 1.6 m.
Mass: 1.25 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v,
12,250 m/sec.
Armament: Two Type-IV phaser
emitters.
Like
the
Type-15, the
Type-16 Shuttlepod is a two person craft primarily used for
short-ranged
transportations of personnel and cargo, as well as for extravehicular
inspections of Federation starships, stations and associated
facilities.
Lacking the ability to obtain warp speeds, the Type-16 is a poor
candidate for
even interplanetary travel, and is traditionally used as a means of
transport
between objects only a few kilometers apart. The craft is
capable of
atmospheric flight, allowing for routine flights between orbiting craft
or
stations and planetside facilities, and its cargo capacity is slightly
higher
then that of the Type-15. Ships of this type are stationed
aboard various
starship classes and stations, both spaceborne and planetside.
9.2.3
TYPE-6 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE
(UPRTD)
Type:
Light short-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight
crew, six passengers.
Power Plant: One 50 cochrane
warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse
engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 6.0 m;
beam, 4.4 m; height 2.7 m.
Mass: 3.38 metric tones.
Performance: Sustained Warp 3.
Armament: Two Type-IV phaser
emitters.
The
Type-6
Personnel
Shuttlecraft is currently in widespread use throughout Starfleet, and
is only
recently being replaced by the slightly newer Type-8 Shuttle of similar
design.
The Uprated version of this vessel is considered to be the ideal choice
for
short-range interplanetary travel, and its large size makes it suitable
to
transport personnel and cargo over these distances. A
short-range transporter
is installed onboard, allowing for easy beam out of cargo and crew to
and from
their destination. Atmospheric flight capabilities allow for
this shuttle type
to land on planetary surfaces. Ships of this type are
currently in use aboard
virtually every medium to large sized starship class, as well as aboard
stations
and Starbases.
The
Type-6 is
perhaps
the most successful shuttle design to date, and its overall structure
and
components are the foundations upon which the Type-8, -9, and -10
spaceframes
are based.
Major
technological
advancements in the 2370’s allowed for further upgrades to be
made to the engine
systems aboard shuttlecraft. These upgrades make this craft
more capable of
long-range spaceflight and, like its starship counterparts, no longer
damages
subspace.
9.2.4
TYPE-8 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE
Type:
Light long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight
crew, six passengers.
Power Plant: One 150 cochrane
warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse
engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 6.2 m;
beam, 4.5 m; height 2.8 m.
Mass: 3.47 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 4.
Armament: Two Type-V phaser
emitters.
Based
upon
the frame of
the Type-6, the Type-8 Shuttlecraft is the most capable follow-up in
the realm
of personnel shuttles. Only slightly larger, the Type-8 is
equipped with a
medium-range transporter and has the ability to travel within a
planet’s
atmosphere. With a large cargo area that can also seat six
passengers, the
shuttle is a capable transport craft. Slowly replacing its
elder parent craft,
the Type-8 is now seeing rapid deployment on all medium to large
starships, as
well as to Starbases and stations throughout the Federation.
9.2.5
TYPE-9 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE
Type:
Medium long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight
crew, two passengers.
Power Plant: One 400 cochrane
warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse
engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 8.5 m;
beam, 4.61 m; height 2.67 m.
Mass: 2.61 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 6.
Armament: Two Type-VI phaser
emitters.
The
Type-9
Personnel
Shuttle is a long-range craft capable of traveling at high warp for
extended
periods of time due to new advances in variable geometry warp
physics. Making
its debut just before the launch of the Intrepid-class, this shuttle
type is
ideal for scouting and recon missions, but is well suited to perform
many
multi-mission tasks. Equipped with powerful Type-VI phaser
emitters, the
shuttle is designed to hold its own ground for a longer period of
time.
Comfortable seating for four and moderate cargo space is still achieved
without
sacrificing speed and maneuverability. As is standard by the
2360’s, the
shuttle is equipped with a medium-range transporter and is capable of
traveling
through a planet’s atmosphere. With its ability to
travel at high-warp speeds,
the Type-9 has been equipped with a more pronounced deflector dish that
houses a
compact long-range sensor that further helps it in its role as a
scout. The
Type-9 is now being deployed throughout the fleet and is especially
aiding
deep-space exploratory ships with its impressive abilities.
9.2.6
TYPE-10
PERSONNEL SHUTTLE
Type:
Heavy long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight
crew, two passengers.
Power Plant: One 250 cochrane
warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse
engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 9.64 m;
beam, 5.82 m; height 3.35 m.
Mass: 19.73 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 5.
Armament: Three Type-V phaser
emitters, two micro-torpedo launchers,
jamming devices.
Developed
specifically
for the Defiant-class starship project, the Type-10
Personnel Shuttle is the
largest departure from the traditional role of an auxiliary craft that
Starfleet
has made in the past century. Short of a dedicated fighter
craft, the Type-10
is one of the most powerful auxiliary ships, with only the bulkier
Type-11 being
more heavily equipped. Nonetheless, the shuttle sports
increased hull armor and
the addition of micro-torpedo launchers, as well as a suite of tactical
jamming
devices. A larger warp coil assembly, as well as torpedo
stores, makes the
Type-10 much more heavier then other shuttles. Elements from
the Defiant-class
project that were incorporated into the shuttle include armored bussard
collectors, as well as a complex plasma venting system for use during
possible
warp core breech situations. This bulky craft is equipped
with a powerful
navigation deflector that allows it to travel at high-warp, and a
complex sensor
system makes this shuttle suitable for reconnaissance work.
Able to hold its
own in battle situations, the Type-10 is seeing limited deployment on Defiant-class
starships, as well as
border patrol vessels and combat-ready
ships.
9.2.7
WORK BEE
Type:
Utility craft.
Accommodation: One operator.
Power Plant: One microfusion
reactor, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 4.11 m;
beam, 1.92 m; height 1.90 m.
Mass: 1.68 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v,
4,000 m/sec.
Armament: None
The
Work Bee
is a
capable stand-alone craft used for inspection of spaceborne hardware,
repairs,
assembly, and other activates requiring remote manipulators.
The fully
pressurized craft has changed little in design during the past 150
years,
although periodic updates to the internal systems are done
routinely. Onboard
fuel cells and microfusion generators can keep the craft operational
for 76.4
hours, and the life-support systems can provide breathable air,
drinking water
and cooling for the pilot for as long as fifteen hours. If
the pilot is wearing
a pressure suit or SEWG, the craft allows for the operator to exit
while
conducting operations. Entrance and exit is provided by the
forward window,
which lifts vertically to allow the pilot to come and go.
A
pair of
robotic
manipulator arms is folded beneath the main housing, and allows for
work to be
done through pilot-operated controls. In addition, the Work
Bee is capable of
handling a cargo attachment that makes it ideal for transferring cargo
around
large Starbase and spaceborne construction facilities. The
cargo attachment
features additional microfusion engines for supporting the increased
mass.
10.0
FLIGHT OPERATIONS
10.1 MISSION
TYPES
Officially
designated as a Heavy Frigate, the New Orleans class has taken
on
increasingly more mission-specific
applications during the past three decades. Unlike
Starfleet's older
workhorse, the Miranda class, a single New
Orleans spaceframe can
take on a variety of mission-specific roles during its operational
lifetime.
The Miranda, while later being converted into
multipurpose work, was not
as flexible and required the starship to be constructed to fit the
primary role
it would play, resulting in several variants. The pods and
reconfigurable
spaces within the hull of the New Orleans allows
the class to be easily
refitted for virtually any task.
However,
it should be noted that the New
Orleans is unlike its larger cousin, the Galaxy-class,
in that it is
not a true multi-mission platform. While the baseline
configuration of the
class makes it adequate to perform nearly all of the objectives set
forth in
Starfleet's charter, a ship of the class must undergo a great deal of
reworking
for these mission-specific applications, resulting in almost a
relatively new
ship in some cases. Approximately 35% of the internal
habitable space of
the vehicle can be customized, as can the bridge module and
mission-specific
pods. Even though these hardware swap-outs can be done in a
relatively
short amount of time, the aforementioned reasons force the ship to be
classified
as a Frigate, as opposed to an Explorer. In addition, the
default build
for the New Orleans makes the ship much like a
"torpedo boat," for the
internal arrangements and pods make it ideal for combat
situations. While
somewhat versatile, the class is foremost a defensive vessel.
Missions
for a New Orleans-class starship may include, but
are not limited to, the following:
- Tactical/Defensive
Operations:
With the ability to be equipped with increased firepower, the New
Orleans class is capable of being deployed alone on border
patrols or supplement larger taskforces in large operations.
- Ongoing
Scientific Investigation: Even
without the benefit of sensor pods, the New Orleans-class
starship is equipped with a versatile array of scientific equipment to
aide in increasing the knowledge bank of the Federation and her allies.
- Federation
Policy and Diplomacy: A New
Orleans-class starship may also
serve a role in diplomatic operations on behalf of Starfleet and the
United Federation of Planets. These missions may include transport of
delegates, hosting of negotiations or conferences, courier for
important people and/or items, and first contact scenarios.
- Contact
with Alien Lifeforms:
Pursuant to Starfleet policy regarding the discovery of new life,
facilities onboard include a variety of exobiology and xenobiological
suites, and a small cultural anthropology staff, allowing for limited
deep-space life form study and interaction.
- Emergency/Search
and Rescue:
Typical missions include answering standard Federation emergency
beacons, extraction of Federation or Non-Federation citizens in
distress, retrieval of Federation or Non-Federation spacecraft in
distress, and small-scale planetary evacuations - medium or large scale
planetary evacuation is not feasible.
- Deep-space
Exploration:
The New Orleans is an ideal platform for deep-space
exploration and long-term missions. Several vessels have already
returned from three-year deep-space missions with great success.
The
ability given to the New Orleans-class by the
mission-specific pods allows
for the ship to perform many different mission types required by
Starfleet
Command.
10.2
OPERATING MODES
The
normal flight and mission operations of the New Orleans-class
starship are conducted
in accordance with a variety of
Starfleet standard operating rules, determined by the current
operational state
of the starship. These operational states are determined by
the Commanding
Officer, although in certain specific cases, the Main Computer can
automatically
adjust to a higher alert status if it detects objects or events that
may put the
ship in jeopardy.
The
major operating modes are:
- Cruise
Mode: The
normal
operating condition of the ship.
- Yellow
Alert: Designates
a
ship wide state of increased preparedness for possible crisis
situations.
- Red
Alert: Designates
an
actual state of emergency in which the ship or crew is endangered,
immediately impending emergencies, or combat situations.
- External
Support Mode: State of
reduced activity that exists when a ship is docked at a starbase or
other support facility.
- Reduced
Power Mode:
this
protocol is invoked in case of a major failure in spacecraft power
generation, in case of critical fuel shortage, or in the event that a
tactical situation requires severe curtailment of onboard power
generation. This mode is sometimes referred to as "Grey" mode.
During
Cruise Mode, the ship’s operations
are run on three 8-hour shifts
designated Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Should a crisis develop,
it may revert to a
four-shift system of six hours to keep crew fatigue down.
Typical
Shift command is as follows (though is subject to change at the CO's
discretion):
- Alpha
Shift
– Captain (CO)
Beta Shift – Executive Officer (XO)
- Gamma
Shift - Second Officer /
Night Conn
10.3 MAINTENANCE
Though
much of a modern starship’s systems are
automated, they do require regular maintenance and upgrade.
Maintenance is
typically the purview of the Engineering, but personnel from certain
divisions
that are more familiar with them can also maintain specific systems.
Maintenance
of onboard systems is almost
constant, and varies in severity. Everything from fixing a
stubborn replicator,
to realigning the Dilithium matrix is handled by technicians and
engineers on a
regular basis. Not all systems are checked centrally by Main
Engineering; to do
so would occupy too much computer time by routing every single process
to one
location. To alleviate that, systems are compartmentalized by
deck and location
for checking. Department heads are expected to run regular
diagnostics of their
own equipment and report anomalies to Engineering to be fixed.
Systems
Diagnostics
All key operating systems and subsystems aboard the ship have a number
of
preprogrammed diagnostic software and procedures for use when actual or
potential malfunctions are experienced. These various
diagnostic protocols are
generally classified into five different levels, each offering a
different
degree of crew verification of automated tests. Which type of
diagnostic is used
in a given situation will generally depend upon the criticality of a
situation,
and upon the amount of time available for the test procedures.
Level
1 Diagnostic - This refers to the most
comprehensive type of system diagnostic, which is normally conducted on
ship's
systems. Extensive automated diagnostic routines are
performed, but a Level 1
diagnostic requires a team of crew members to physically verify
operation of
system mechanisms and to system readings, rather than depending on the
automated
programs, thereby guarding against possible malfunctions in
self-testing
hardware and software. Level 1 diagnostics on major systems
can take several
hours, and in many cases, the subject system must be taken off-line for
all
tests to be performed.
Level
2 Diagnostic - This refers to a
comprehensive system diagnostic protocol, which, like a Level 1,
involves
extensive automated routines, but requires crew verification of fewer
operational elements. This yields a somewhat less reliable
system analysis, but
is a procedure that can be conducted in less than half the time of the
more
complex tests.
Level
3 Diagnostic - This protocol is similar
to Level 1 and 2 diagnostics but involves crew verification of only key
mechanics and systems readings. Level 3 diagnostics are
intended to be performed
in ten minutes or less.
Level
4 Diagnostic - This automated procedure
is intended for use whenever trouble is suspected with a given
system. This
protocol is similar to Level 5, but involves more sophisticated
batteries of
automated diagnostics. For most systems, Level 4 diagnostics
can be performed in
less than 30 seconds.
Level
5 Diagnostic - This automated procedure
is intended for routine use to verify system performance.
Level 5 diagnostics,
which usually require less than 2.5 seconds, are typically performed on
most
systems on at least a daily basis, and are also performed during crisis
situations when time and system resources are carefully managed.
11.0
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
11.1 EMERGENCY MEDICAL
OPERATIONS
In
some situations, the starship may be
required to render aide to large numbers of people where rapid response
is of
the utmost importance, and the sickbay facilities are unable to handle
such a
load. The three holodecks aboard the ship are preprogrammed
with
holographic medical facilities that serve to supplement
sickbay. The
main shuttlebay, as well as the cargo bays throughout the ship, also
have
ready-to-use equipment modules in nearby storage that are designed to
foldout
into triage centers, with at least one module being dedicated as a
morgue
facility. Many living quarters on Deck 9 also feature hidden
hookups that
allow for gas and liquid feeds, and contain their own foldout medical
supplies.
All recreation areas, including the lounges and mess halls throughout
the ship,
are equipped with emergency medical equipment.
11.2
LIFEBOATS
The
very nature of a starship's duties often
require the vessel and crew to be taken into less then ideal
circumstances that
can vary well lead to the destruction of the entire vehicle
spaceframe. As
such, the New Orleans class has been equipped with
a 3 x 3 x 3 m escape
pod designated as an ASRV, or autonomous survival and recovery
vehicle.
With their successful testing aboard the last of the Renaissance-class
starships, the U.S.S. Hokkaido, the standard ASRV
is capable of
supporting life for eighty-six person days, as well as being able to
enter a planet's atmosphere
and land on the surface. In addition, survivability while in
space can
be increased through use of a "gaggle" mode that connects various
lifeboats
together, sharing their resources amongst the larger group.
All lifeboats
are equipped with navigational sensors, microthrusters, and emergency
subspace communication equipment.
11.3 RESCUE AND EVAC OPERATIONS
Rescue
and Evacuation Operations for an New
Orleans-class starship will fall into one of two categories -
abandoning
the starship, or rescue and evacuation from a planetary body, space
station or another
starship.
Rescue
Scenarios
Resources
are available for rescue and
evacuation to an New Orleans-class starship include:
- The
ability to transport 350 persons per hour to the ship via personnel
transporters.
- The
availability of the 4 Type 6 & 8 shuttlecraft to be on
hot-standby for immediate launch, with all additional shuttlecraft
available for launch in an hour's notice. Total transport
capabilities of these craft vary due to differing classifications but
an average load of 150 persons can be offloaded per hour from a
standard orbit to an M Class planetary surface.
- Capacity
to support up to 4200 evacuees with conversion of the shuttle bays and
cargo bays to emergency living quarters.
- Ability
to convert Holodecks, recreation rooms, spare quarters and lounges to
emergency triage and medical centers.
- Ability
to temporarily convert select crew quarters and Cargo Bays to type H,K,
or L environments, intended for non-humanoid casualties.
Abandon-Ship
Scenarios
Resources
available for abandon-ship scenarios
from an New Orleans-class starship include:
- The
ability to transport 350 persons per hour from the ship via personnel
and emergency transporters.
- The
availability of the 4 Type 6 & 8 shuttlecraft to be on
hot-standby for immediate launch, with all additional shuttlecraft
available for launch in an hour's notice. Total transport
capabilities of these craft vary due to differing classifications but
an average load of 150 persons can be offloaded per hour from a
standard orbit to an M Class planetary surface.
- Protocols
also include the use of ASRV lifeboats, capable of moving the entire
ship's compliment from the vessel.
- Environmental
suits are available for evacuation directly into a vacuum. In
such a scenario, personnel can evacuate via airlocks, the shuttle and
cargo bays, or through exterior turbolift couplings.
Environmental suits are available at all exterior egress points, along
with survival lockers spaced through-out the habitable portions of the
starship.
APPENDIX A - COMMISSIONED
STARSHIPS
The
following starships have been commissioned
by the Federation:
- NXP-1983NF
- Class pathfinder vessel. Destroyed during test flight.
- U.S.S.
New Orleans NX-57012 - First starship of the class.
- U.S.S.
Organia NCC-57267 - Second starship of the class.
- U.S.S.
Rutledge NCC-57295 - Fought in the Cardassian Wars of 2350's and 60's. *
- U.S.S.
Salzburg NCC-59170 - First class ship to undergo refit.
- U.S.S.
Huron NCC-61245 - ST:ACTD Fourth Fleet
- U.S.S.
Cherokee NCC-61333 - ST:ACTD Fifth Fleet
- U.S.S.
Apache NCC-61491 - ST:ACTD Second Fleet
- U.S.S.
Don Johnson NCC-61701 - ST:ACTD Third Fleet
- U.S.S.
Mohawk NCC-61777 - ST:ACTD Sixth Fleet
- U.S.S.
Renegade NCC-63102 *
- U.S.S.
Kyushu NCC-65491 - Lost in the Battle of Wolf 359. *
- U.S.S.
Thomas Paine NCC-65530 *
*
- Denotes canon Star Trek vessel.
APPENDIX
B - VARIANT DESIGNATIONS
NF
– Frigate
NFU – Frigate Uprated
NFR – Frigate Refit
NFS – Frigate Second Refit
APPENDIX
C - BASIC
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ACCOMMODATION
Officers
and Crew: 290
Visiting Personnel: 60-110 (Additional)
Evacuation Limit: 4,200
DIMENSIONS
Overall
Length: 345 meters
Overall Width: 246 meters
Overall Height: 75 meters
PERFORMANCE
Maximum
Velocity:
Warp 9.2, Warp 9.6 (NFR), Warp 9.98 (NFS)
ARMAMENT
NF
- 6 Type IX phasers, 2 torpedo launchers
NFU - 6 Type IX phasers, 2 torpedo launchers
NFR - 6 Type IX phasers, 2 torpedo launchers
NFS - 6 Type X phasers, 2 torpedo launchers
TRANSPORT
EQUIPMENT
Shuttlecraft
- Two
Type-16 Shuttlepods
- Four
Type-6 or Four Type-8 Shuttlecraft
- Two
Type-9 Shuttlecraft
- One
Type-10 Shuttlecraft
- Two
Work Bees
Transporters
- Four
personnel
- Four
cargo
- Three
emergency
APPENDIX D
- DECK LAYOUT
Deck
1: Bridge,
Captain's Ready
Room, Observation Lounge
Deck
2: VIP
Guest Quarters,
Conference Lounges
Deck
3: Upper
Main Shuttle Bay,
Escape Pods (4), Ship’s Museum/Forward Observation Lounge
Deck
4:
Lower Main Shuttle Bay, Shuttlebay
Support and
Maintenance, Science Labs, Maintenance
Deck
5:
Shuttlebay Support and Maintenance, Machine Shop,
Transporter Rooms 1-2, Armory, Security Office, Phaser Targeting Range,
Holding
Cells, Main Science Labs,
Escape Pods (10)
Deck
6:
Residential Apartments, Captain's
Quarters, Holodecks 1-3
(Upper Bay), Captain’s
Personal Mess,
Officer's Mess (S), Crew Mess (P), Main Galley, Upper Pod Maintenance
Access,
Plasma Injector Control Room (Upper Level), Escape Pods (32)
Deck
7:
Upper Computer Cores 1-2, Executive Officer's Quarters, Fusion Reactor
1-2, Residential Apartments,
Holodecks 1-3 (Main Entrance), Recreation
Rooms 1-6, Seven-Forward Lounge,
Plasma Injector Control Room (Lower Level)
Deck
8:
Mid Computer Cores 1-2, Living Quarters, Transporter Rooms 3-4,
Sickbay, Medical
Laboratories, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Saucer Impulse Engines (P/S),
IPS
Maintenance, Saucer RCS Thruster
Quads (4),
Docking Ports 1-3, Escape Pods (50)
Deck
9: Lower
Computer Cores
1-2,
Residential
Apartments,
Arboretum,
Counselor's Office and Quarters, Stellar Cartography, Stellar Sciences,
Hydroponics Bays 1-4,
Biological Laboratories
Deck
10:
Living Quarters, Environmental
Support, Secondary Graviton Generators
1-2, Secondary Deflector Dish, Upper Cargo Bays 1-4, Escape
Pods (14)
Deck
11:
Main Impulse Engines, IPS Maintenance, Phaser Control, Living Quarters, Lower Cargo
Bays 1-4
Deck
12:
Main Impulse Engines, Deuterium Storage Tanks and Injection Assembly,
Forward
Torpedo Launcher,
Docking Ports 4-5
Deck
13:
Deuterium Storage Tanks and Fill Ports, Living Quarters, Science Labs
Deck
14:
Living Quarters, Umbilical Connect Hardpoints, Emergency Batteries
Deck
15:
Main Engineering, M/A Reaction Chamber, Aft Torpedo Launcher, Graviton
Polarity Generators 1-2
Deck
16:
Main Deflector Dish, Living Quarters, Environmental Support, Long-Range
Sensors
Deck
17:
Antimatter Storage Pods and Injection Assembly, Upper Cargo Bays 5-9,
Brig,
Graviton Polarity Generator 3
Deck
18:
Antimatter Storage Pods, Antimatter Generator, Lower Cargo Bays 5-9,
Secondary
Graviton Polarity Generator 3, Main Forward and Aft Tractor Emitters,
Lower Pod Maintenance Access, Escape Pods (12), M/ARA Exterior
Hull Plate, Antimatter Loading Port
APPENDIX E -
MISSION-SPECIFIC
POD TYPES
Unique
to only a few starship classes in the
Federation fleet, mission-specific pods are outboard equipment vessels
that are
attached to the ship's exterior.
Torpedo
Pod: Equipped with both a
forward and aft launcher, the torpedo pod was one of the two pod types
originally designed for the New Orleans and was the default type
equipped to
newly launched vessels. Its internal stores are capable of
holding 45
photon torpedoes in each pod, and service to the pod can be made by use
of a
maintenance walkway that allows access to the torpedo stores, elevator
and
conveyor assembly, as well as manual launch controls. Torpedo
pods are
normally deployed either as a set of three or as a pair on the saucer
in
conjunction with another pod, such as a towing pod when on police
patrols of
Federation shipping lanes and borders.
Towing
Pod: This pod type is
equipped with two fusion reactors that power both a forward and aft
tractor
emitter. In environments that interfere with graviton fields,
the tow pod
is also equipped with an aft-mounted grappler that has a range of ten
kilometers. When having all three pods equipped with towing
pods, New
Orleans-class vessels have aided in the towing of prefabricated
starbase and
space station facility components from fleet yard to construction
area. In
addition, ships equipped with a lower-mounted tractor pod have aided in
patrol
activities along trade lanes and borders where impounding of vessels
most
commonly takes place.
Science
Pod: The science pod
group is actually a suite consisting of two different pod
types. The
lower-mounted pod consists of specialized planetary survey sensors
which can
perform geological, biological and meteorological scans of high
resolution at
faster rates that most Federation starships. The two upper
pod
emplacements are occupied by long-range sensor systems and lateral
scanners
designed primarily to assist in investigations of astronomical
phenomena,
greatly aiding in stellar cartography-related scans. Due to
the
complexities involved with establishing a stable warp field, usage of
the
long-range sensors on the pods is only permitted during select
situations while
the ship is at warp. Should such a situation arise, computer
algorithms
reshape the warp field surrounding the ship to create two additional
holes in
the field, allowing only little subspace interference. This
process is
similar to that of reconfiguring the warp field to allow for use of the
bussard
collectors.
Cargo
Pod: The cargo pod is
basically an enlarged storage facility that accomplishes the same task
as
shipboard cargo bays. The added advantage of having it
detachable is that
the cargo pod can easily be loaded on a starbase or station
facility.
Attachment to a ship, provided that there is an unoccupied pod bay, can
be done
in as little as two hours, allowing for the craft to depart for its
cargo
destination in rapid order. A single one-person turbolift
allows for
maintenance of the pod, which contains onboard backup batteries to
power
atmospheric processors and coolant for perishable cargo
types.
Colony
Pod: Two twin upper pods
provide supplemental housing for colonists, allowing for the entire
ship to
carry some 500 colonists in decent comfort. Obviously, the
ship is capable
of transporting even larger numbers, into the thousands though
accommodations
throughout the ship will be severely taxed. The lower pod is
actually a
quick-deploy command center for the new colony and has enough fuel for
a
controlled automated landing from standard orbit. This
command center also
contains sufficient supplies for the new colony, though the starship's
cargo
bays do contain more which is transported down to the surface
separately, along
with the colonists. Once a permanent colony command hub is
constructed,
the colony landing pod is usually used for storage and lacks the
necessary
propulsion systems to reach orbit for another use.
Hospital
Pod: Rarely seen outside
of major disaster areas, the hospital pod group consists of two large
elongated
bubble-shaped pressure vessels which house medical facilities for use
in
emergency operations. Transporter pads are located near the
center of the
pod where they can easily be reached by medical personnel moving
injured into
the various triage centers. In addition, the pod is also
equipped with
stasis chambers to stabilize patients for later care and a morgue
facility.
Spare living quarters aboard the starship are often used to house
treated
patients, and emergency medical operations apply during this
time. The
lower pod is a converted cargo pod filled with various medical supplies
for use
in emergencies, as well as two large transporter emitters that serve to
increase
the speed with which injured may be transported aboard. This
pod type is
designed to be attached to a waiting starship in under two hours,
though
calibration of the transporter systems must be performed in route and
warp
travel is restricted to 8.5 due to the energy requirements of
projecting a
larger warp field to accommodate the larger pods.
Experimental
Pod: Usually custom
builds, the experimental pod is a generic label used to describe a
large number
of pod types used in various experiments. These range from
testing
upgraded torpedo launchers and weapons packages to dedicated scientific
research
pods and beyond. Some contain internal support systems that
allow the pod
to act as a free-floating craft, and all typically involve some sort of
special
starship operating mode.
APPENDIX
F - AUTHOR'S NOTES
This
is the one point in this entire page where
you'll find that, for the first time, I've stepped out of the Star Trek
universe
and back into our own 21st Century mindset. The information
presented on this
page is a result of hours and hours worth of researching, more
researching and
then a rigorous and intensive process of compiling the best information
from
canon sources, and making an attempt to fill in the blanks.
For the purposes of
ST:ACTD, these are the specs for the New Orleans-class
vessel, like them or not. Now to
address some of the problems found in compiling this information,
followed by a
brief explanation as to why a certain path was taken in these specs.
The
Size: For those who have taken
the time to memorize the specs for their New Orleans-class
starship based upon
ST:ACTD's old specs, you'll no doubt notice some rather large changes
in terms of
the ship's dimensions, crew compliment and a handful of other
things. But
in order to explain to everyone why these drastic changes were made, I
must
clear up the size of the ship. It is my best guess that the
original
ST:ACTD
specs were based off of the popular notion years ago that a New
Orleans was
basically an Ambassador class with pods mounted on
it. I base this guess
off an actual quote from the original specs: "The New Orleans
class was
built upon similar design specifications as the Ambassador
class ships, with the
addition of two modules on the aft of the saucer section that can be
mission-outfitted with different sensor or weapons packages."
This once
popular belief was based largely off of the only official shot of the New
Orleans on the screen, in the Next Generation episode "Best
of Both Worlds" (BoBW),
which featured the aftermath of the Borg battle at Wolf 359.
As you can
see in Figure 1, the ship is barely visible and only on screen for a
matter of
seconds before a new view is brought forth. It's blurry,
gives no sense of
real scale and quite difficult to make any guess at what an undamaged
version
looks like. Fortunately, other sources became available over
the years.
|
|
Figure
1 (Courtesy of EAS) |
Figure
2 (Courtesy of EAS) |
The various
versions of the Star
Trek: Encyclopedia have each brought forth new images of the New
Orleans, based
on slightly touched up images of the original model before its damage
effects
were added for BoBW. Figure 2 is from the first edition,
which only had
black and white images. Figures 3 and 4 can both be seen in
the second and
third editions of the Encyclopedia, and add much detail to a previously
unknown
starship.
|
|
Figure
3 (Courtesy of EAS) |
Figure
4 (Courtesy of EAS) |
Figures 5 and
6 are photos of the
actual studio model after damage effects were added to it.
These six
images make up all of the known canon images of a New Orleans-class
starship,
yet somehow it has become one of the most popular "unknown" starships
in the
Star Trek universe.
|
|
Figure
5 (Courtesy of EAS) |
Figure
6 (Courtesy of EAS) |
Well, now you
have before you all
the visual evidence of the ship, and as you can tell, the entire ship
is
constructed from model parts similar to Galaxy-class Enterprise-D.
It was
an AMT/ERTL 1/1400 Enterprise-D model kit to be exact, and it took two
of them
to create the ship. For exact model parts, I will refer you
to Figure 7,
which like most of the information here, was compiled by the good
people at Ex
Astris Scientia. After
you're done here, I recommend you read their entire section covering
the Battle
of Wolf 359 in their "Starship
Articles" section. Continuing on, the saucer
section was sanded down
and different window features added in to make the ship appear much
smaller then
a Galaxy-class. The size of the bridge,
however, is much larger in
proportion to saucer. The features appear to be the exact
same size as that of the Enterprise-D.
Since we know the dimensions of the Enterprise-D, it is
possible to
determine the length of the bridge module
itself, then find the length of the New Orleans
based off of that knowledge,
which comes out to approximately 345 meters as opposed to ST:ACTD's
original
estimate of 425 meters. The engineering section is actually
made up of two
model Enterprise-D sections, which is why you see
two phaser arrays on the
ventral side. The longer warp nacelles are the result of
adding on an
additional end segment, and the equipment pods are actually painted
highlighters. The eighteen deck number was based off of the
rows of
windows.
|
|
Figure
7 (Courtesy of EAS) |
Figure
8 |
Visual
observations of the ship's
windows reinforce this size estimate for the ship, and Figure 6 will
show you a
scale image of some other familiar starship classes that we've seen
countless
times on screen. Please make note of the size relation
between the New
Orleans and that of the Intrepid and Excelsior-class ships.
Crew Size:
Yes, the size of the crew was brought down from the original 550 to
reflect the
change in size. While some may think that it was too much,
many on the
team would have liked to see that number drop even more. An
Intrepid-class
starship, such as the U.S.S. Voyager, has only 150
crewmembers aboard the ship,
and you'll find that a New Orleans isn't that much
bigger. I've given the
ship a large number of "visiting personnel" to reflect the fact that
crew can be
swapped out depending on the mission, and more importantly, because of
the pods. For
the most part, the majority of the people coming and going are science
personnel, since the ship requires a static number of engineers and
security
officers to maintain operations. Nonetheless, certain mission
types may
see many engineers coming aboard because a pod type might require
specialized
overseeing, or the equipping of tactical pods might require additional
security
personnel to assist in its operations.
Room
Locations: As
mentioned before, the number of decks was based largely off of the
location of
windows throughout the physical model. Deck 1 has the same
dimensions as
that of Galaxy class, so the rooms are
similar. The isolated location of
Deck 2 made it ideal for VIP quarters and conference lounges.
Deck 3 has
several large forward-facing windows, which I decided to make a Ship's
Museum,
similar say to the room aboard the Enterprise-A in
Star Trek V: The Final
Frontier. The ship's main lounge was placed on Deck 7 due to
the large
number of forward-facing windows. Crew quarters and
residential apartments
were placed on decks that had the most windows. Support
facilities, such
as sickbay, were placed on decks with less or no windows.
Deck 8 is the
deck that is in the middle of the saucer when looked at from the side,
basically
the rim of the ship. It's also got the largest internal
volume of any
ship, and no large windows, making it ideal to place many of the
support
facilities. Docking ports were also placed on this deck,
similar once
again to the Galaxy class. All other
locations were placed in a manner
that mirrors the Galaxy and Nebula
class.
Refits and
Upgrades:
Those of you who have at least glanced over many of our other starships
specs
are probably wondering why the New Orleans has had
so many refits.
According to the TNG Technical Manual, starships receive periodic
upgrades at
starbase layovers, and major upgrades every twenty years.
Well, the class
itself is rather old. The only ST:ACTD ships that beat it in
terms of age are
the Ambassador and Excelsior-class
starships. For a ship to
have a refit, it doesn't have to be something as dramatic as what the
original Constitution-class Enterprise
received in "Star Trek: The Motion
Picture," or even the exterior design change that the Excelsior-class
Enterprise-B was seen with in "Star
Trek: Generations." Much of the
changes take place within the starship, and I've tried to give the
class much
more depth in terms of history when it went from looking like a
militaristic
Ambassador-class Movie-era design to the softer tones and
carpeted decks of
the TNG-era.
Frigate Type
V(a): I
honestly don't know how that designation
came about to begin with, but there has been nothing seen to date that
refers to
the class, or any ships in it, as being Type V(a). Once
again, it seems
like this was created to help distinguish the ship during the time that
many
felt it looked like an Ambassador-class, despite the fact that it was
constructed exclusively from Galaxy-class
parts. I really don't see a need
for calling it a Type V, especially when it conflicts with the variant
types
established in Appendix B. I considered creating some sort of
designation
system based on the pod type that the ship was carrying, but this
proved very
time consuming in the end, as ships may be equipped with multiple pod
types, and
experimental pods may very well have their own designations.
As with much
of the information present in this document, I doubt that the average
player
would want to be burdened with a ship designation that's overly long.
Bridge: Close
ups of the saucer do show that the bridge
module appears to be similar
to that of the Enterprise-D, so that's the course I took.
Earlier model
bridges would, however, be similar to that of the Ambassador-class
Enterprise-C seen in TNG "Yesterday's
Enterprise," but for ST:ACTD's timeline,
the bridge you'll find aboard your ship is similar to a Galaxy
class. For
the sake of argument, I felt that the bridge seen aboard the Enterprise-D
in the movie "Generations" would be the most ideal for this ship
class.
Why not just use the bridge module that that ship used for seven
seasons of TNG?
The simple answer is because of the structure that ST:ACTD has in terms
of player
positions. The CSO and SO both would have the Science and
Science II
stations, and perhaps there's room for both the CTO and TO on the
tactical
railing. The CEO has his station, but that leaves the EO,
CMO, MO and CIV
fighting for the last two open stations seeing that all others are
filled with
their traditional occupants. On top of that, think of how
cramped the back
of such a large bridge would be if seven people where standing
there.
One of the nice features
that the "Generations"
bridge gives us is several
extra stations located on the sides of the bridge. After a
lot of
squinting and magnifying on my DVD player, you can see that the names
of the
five stations in the back remain as their usual Science I, Science II,
Mission
Ops, Environmental and Engineering. In the image to your
right, you can
make out "Communications" as the header on the console just over
Riker's
shoulder. Once again, due to ST:ACTD's format, I changed
around the stations
in the bridge layout to best accommodate our various positions in a
roomy
fashion. Also, controls for the mission-specific pods can
easily be
projected on the extra terminals as indicating in Section 2.1
As with the majority of
information in here, these
specs are meant to serve
as a common baseline. While adding in another warp core or
permanently
giving the ship quantum torpedoes would involve a great leap in logic,
having a
different bridge module does not. Like whatever pods you
chose to add onto
your hull, this bridge is meant to be what the common New
Orleans would
have, but yours can be different. You could just as easily
have the
original Enterprise-D bridge, one of the various Nebula-class bridges
or
possibly even an Ambassador's bridge. However, I should point
out that a
Defiant, Sovereign and Intrepid bridge would have a hard time fitting
atop your
ship's hull in terms of size and shape, and the color schemes are much
different
than the TNG style that the ship's interior has. In addition,
those
bridges make use of bioneural gelpack subprocessors which I'm keeping
out of
this class's specs.
Weapons: By
their
very nature, frigates tend to be packed with a
good deal of firepower in the traditional sense, and our fictional
starship
should be of a similar equivalent. Phasers were given the
ST:ACTD standard of
Type X, but because the Galaxy-class starship is
established as being the
first class with such phasers (TNG TM), the back history states the
class was
launched with Type IX, which is what the Ambassador
class had (DS9 TM).
As for torpedoes, popular speculation has been that those pods are
capable of
being equipped with both a forward and aft launcher, and so that was
easy.
Since the physical model was constructed using all Enterprise-D model
parts, it
was easy to locate the two shipboard torpedo launchers in their usual
spots, one
in the aft just like on a Galaxy, and one just
above the deflector
similar to the Nebula and Galaxy.
It's pretty much an ASDB
mandate that no ship classes other then the Defiant and Sovereign be
equipped
with quantum torpedoes on a regular basis. Tri-cobalts are
even more
volatile then quantums, and are not routinely carried aboard
starships.
This notion is based off of onscreen evidence, for in the Battle of
Earth in
First Contact only the Enterprise-E fired quantums and throughout DS9
and during
the war sequences, all ships used photon torpedoes except the
Defiant.
Tri-cobalt knowledge is based off several onscreen situations,
including Seven
of Nine's comments in VGR "Voyager Conspiracy." These two
weapon types
will only be onboard the ship if they have a particular need during a
specific
mission.
Shuttles: The
only
bay visible on the physical model is in the
same location as a GCS's main shuttlebay. The loadout for
this ship, I
think, gives it a variety of craft to perform many of its mission
objectives.
I'd like to discourage the use of a runabout aboard the New Orleans,
firstly
because there's barely any room in those bays to fit such a large thing
and
still have room for visitors to dock, and second because the shuttles
onboard
can all do the same thing. Type-9s are nice and fast, great
for scouting.
Type-6s and Type-10s can easily fit your entire bridge crew for an away
mission.
Runabouts are actual starships, and it would be a waste of allocation
to have
one stationed aboard a starship, much less a frigate. If
something as
large as the Enterprise-D only had a runabout for one episode (TNG
"Timescape")
where it was simply used to transport four officers, then there is no
need to
have ships much smaller then a Galaxy being equipped with
runabouts.
However, should a specific mission arc call for one, it will fit in
your bay all
the way and you shouldn't have trouble closing the bay door.
Just don't
expect to have one permanently assigned to your ship.
Captain's Yacht: Figures
3 and 5 will do the best job of
explaining why this ship does not have a Captain's Yacht, despite
several ship
Captains trying push the issue on me. First off, you'll
notice that the
connecting neck between the saucer and engineering hulls covers the
usual spot
where the yacht would be located on a Galaxy or Nebula
class.
Second, you have to remember that the NO is much smaller then a Galaxy
in terms
of scale, and the Yacht would be even smaller still to fit into that
location.
There are no outboard locations on the ship giving any indication of a
possible
yacht location, and it is unlikely that a frigate would be so
equipped.
Sorry my four-pipped friends, the closest thing you have is a Type-10
shuttle...
Robert
Siwiak, December 25, 2001 - May 27, 2002
APPENDIX
G - CREDITS
AND COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
NEW
ORLEANS-CLASS SPECIFICATIONS
CREATED BY: ROBERT SIWIAK
SOURCES
USED:
- Star
Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual
- Star
Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual
- The Star Trek
Encyclopedia
- Ex Astris
Scientia, www.ex-astris-scientia.org
- Star
Trek: The Magazine (Various Issues)
- Star Trek:
TNG "Conspiracy," TNG "Best of Both Worlds, Part II," TNG "The
Wounded," DS9 "Paradise"
Copyright
2001 -
Star Trek
: A Call to Duty. Use of these specifications is
restricted to the Star Trek:
A Call to Duty (ST:ACTD) Technical Specifications domain at
http://techspecs.acalltoduty.com and may only be reproduced
with the express permission of the ST:ACTD on sites that clearly serve
to provide
information on ST:ACTD, its various ships and stations, or other
related
topics. Editing the contents of the information present on this page or
reformatting the way in which it is presented is not permitted without
the
direct permission of ST:ACTD. Wherever possible, published
sources were consulted to add
to the wealth of knowledge in this document, and in some cases, this
text was
reproduced here. Sources used are properly cited in the
"Credits and
Copyright Information" appendix. No copyright infringement is
intended.
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