DOCKYARD

REVIEW
THE JOURNAL OF THE ADVANCED STARSHIP DESIGN BUREAU

VOLUME FOUR
ISSUE FIVE
JANUARY 2372

The Peacekeeper Class

Diplomatic Cruiser: The
Galaxy Class Goes QuadNacelle.

The Maxwell Class

Heavy Frigate: A
Cheaper Space
Control Ship?

The Sullivans Class

Tactical Cruiser: Some
Added Offense for the
Neutral Zone Patrollers.

DOCKYARD REVIEW
JANUARY 2372

HARD COPY PRINTOUT

GROUP HEADQUARTERS

Advanced Starship Design Bureau

Sol III Orbital Repair and Construction Facility (SpaceDock)
In Orbit Over the San Francisco Metroplex
State of California
United States of America
Terra - Sol System
DIRECTOR

Rear Admiral Chris Wallace

COORDINATOR

Captain Belldandy Morisato

TECHNICAL STAFF

Admiral Alex Rosenzweig

Vice Admiral J. Scott Spadaro
Commander Miyuki Kobayakawa
COVER ART AND COMPUTER MESHES

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1002

CONTENTS
AUTHOR

TITLE

PRINTOUT

Comment

1004

CPT Paul Walker

The Peacekeeper Class Diplomatic Cruiser

1005

The Maxwell Class SDP

The Maxwell Class Heavy Frigate

1009

CMD Mark A. Trent

The Sullivans Class Tactical Frigate Program

1013

RAD Chris Wallace

Is the Galaxy Class A Failure?

1017

ENTER THE FORUM

We welcome brief
comments on material
published in Dockyard
Review and also brief
discussions of interest for
possible publication in
the Comments section.
We are also looking for
articles for future issues.
Any articles or letters
submitted to Dockyard
Review are subject to
editing for content and
length before publication.

The Sovereign Class starship U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-E) undergoing shakedown and PSA trials
near Saturn in the Terran solar system.

COVER
ILLUSTRATION
A painting of an alleged
incident between a
Romulan Dderidex Class
Warbird and the U.S.S.
Bright Star (CKE 71875)
near the Wolf-Ryat star in
Sector 31 on the
Romulan Neutral Zone.
The details surrounding
this alleged incident
remain classified.

The opinions or assertions in the articles here are the personal ones of the authors
and should not be construed as official. They do not necessarily reflect the views of
the Advanced Starship Design Bureau or the publishers of Dockyard Review.
This publication incorporates data and scanned images taken from other various
works relating to the Star Trek seroes and movies. This publication is intended for
recreational and informational purposes and is published on a not-for-profit and
free-distribution basis. The inclusion of this data and imagery is not intended to be a
violation of the copyrights and trademarks of the original works publishers and
authors.

1003

Comment
Courageous Class
(see The Courageous Class Shuttlecarrier: A Supercarrier for Starfleet by Commander Kyoko
Shidara,
October 2371 Dockyard Review)
Admiral Akira Shibahara, Starfleet Operating Forces
Military Operations Command - TacFleet
Few can dispute the awesome power represented by the latest of Starfleets battlewagons. What can be
disputed is whether Starfleet needs such obvious warships. The Courageous is only the most recent of a number
of offensive-oriented designs which include the Olympus, Griffon and Defiant classes. There seems to be the
feeling in the minds of some Admirals at Starfleet Headquarters that the offensive strike capability of the Fleet
should be enhanced so as to allow force projection against potential Threat powers.
There is no doubt that Starfleet needs a strong defense. The Borg, Romulans, Cardassians, Ferengi, and
others have shown that the Federation lives in a dangerous neighborhood. Starfleets charter, however, has
always been to protect the Federation and engage in the exploration of the Federation Treaty Zone. It was never
intended to be a vehicle for intimidating the Federations galactic neighbors. For make no mistake, that is what
they see when vessels like Courageous show up on their borders.
One look at Courageous specs shows that she was designed to plow through enemy defenses like a
bulldozer through an anthill, to use an ancient Earth colloquialism. While she does indeed seem to fulfill her role
as the Borgs Worst Nightmare, is she expected to just sit at a starbase waiting for the Borg like the dreadnoughts
of old? I wonder

Galaxy Class vs. Intrepid Class A Rebuttal

(see Comments,
October 2371 Dockyard Review)
Dr. William Schumacher, Federation Science Council
This letter is in rebuttal to statements made by Rear Admiral Arktur Fallin in the October 2371 issue.
While I do agree with Admiral Fallin that the Galaxy class vessels are very expensive and that a number of
smaller explorer / scout type vessels could be procured for the same price. What the Admiral failed to mention,
however, is that the Galaxy class serves on the outer edge of Federation space, in areas where the smaller vessels
could not operate at all. This ability to operate independently is one of the classes greatest strengths. And while
the Galaxy class has absorbed a large amount of funds, Explorer type vessels still make up the majority of the
Starfleet vessel procurement budget, including four new Intrepid class vessels and continued full funding for the
Cygnus III class, the successor to the retiring Saber class.

1004

The Peacekeeper Class

Diplomatic Cruiser
Making Bigger Ships Go Faster
By:

Captain Paul Walker

Commanding Officer - Starship U.S.S. Peacekeeper * NCC-72300
Director - Peacekeeper Class Starship Development Project

Ever since the decommissioning of the last Constellation class exploratory cruiser, the Starfleet Corps of
Engineers have been pressing for a new generation of quad-nacelle vessel to replace them, though it was a hardfought battle. They finally suceeded in 2345 with the approval of the Cheyenne class superscout.
The Cheyenne was designed to act as a high-speed scout to compliment the Galaxy class Large Exploratory
Cruiser under development at the time. As such, the ship needed a top sustained cruising speed of Warp 8 and
a top speed of Warp 9.7. To achieve these speeds, it was decided to use four nacelles, and the ship soon became
a contemporary version of the Constellation class of the late 2200s.
The lead vessel entered service in 2345 and almost two dozen were built. Most continue to serve in
deep-space exploration roles, though the new Intrepid class is designed to offer better speed at far greater efficiency
and will no doubt be replacing the Cheyennes over time.
DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND
The Advanced Starship Design Bureau has long been opposed to a vessel with four nacelles, siting the
added cost and complexity of such a design. Current tandem-nacelle designs can power vessels of truly enormous
sizes (upwards of 6,000,000mt displacement) to speeds past Warp 9. In addition, as the number of nacelles rise,
so does the fuel consumption. A single nacelle has a Power Index (PI) of 1.0 and a Fuel Consumption Index (FI)
of 1.0. Two nacelles raises the PI to 1.5, but the FI rises only to 1.25. However, three nacelles raises the PI to 2.0
and the FI to 3.0. And four nacelles is even worse, with PI rising to 3.0 and FI to 4.0. So a four nacelle vessel makes
twice as much power as a dual nacelle vessel, but uses over three times as much fuel to generate it.
The Olympus class uses three-nacelles due to the power needs of her weapons and shield systems, and
for attaining a sustained top speed of Warp 9.9 (currently the upper limit of Federation structural design). The
ASDB has been content to work on continued improvements in traditional dual nacelle designs. Nonetheless,
the Corps of Engineers, emboldened by the Olympus class, started a campaign to develop a four-nacelle testbed
using the Galaxy platform. Though against production, the ASDB did agree to fund the simulation testing of
such a ship. Simulations proved that the Corps were on to something, and they were able to convince the ASDB
to designate one of the uncompleted Galaxy class shells as an Engineering testbed. This vessel was named Werner
von Braun in honor of one of the Terran fathers of rocketry.
Shortly after the ship was moved to Utopia Planitia, Leeder Energies announced the new LF-43 series. A
significant improvement on the LF-41 series used in the Galaxy class, it provided 20% more peak power at nearly
the same fuel-index. The ASDB was deeply impressed, and ordered it fitted on the Werner von Braun (as well as
the Galaxy (II) test-bed Bright Star). In addition to yanking the Corps tesbed ship, the ASDB cancelled the four
nacelle simulation program at the same time, siting further development was pointless in lieu of the LF-43.
The Corps of Engineers were outraged, and petitioned the construction of another vessel. Two things
worked in their favor. While it would eventually prove successful, the LF-43s testing was taking longer than
expected, delaying completition of both Bright Star and von Braun. Second, the Office of Diplomatic Affairs had
begun a design study for a specialized ship to serve in First Contact roles with advanced civilizations, serve in
ambassadorial roles with other systems, and enforce peacekeeping duties undertaken by the Federation. The

1005

Corps of Engineers rapidly adapted their original proposal to meet what the ODA was looking for, and the two
successfully forced the design past the SSDAC. This new vessel was to be named Peacekeeper and, again, one of
the uncompleted Galaxy class spaceframes was dedicated to the task. At the demands of the COE, the engineering
spaces and nacelles were installed first, to ensure the ship was completed as designed.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Peacekeeper class looks essentially like a Galaxy class starship, with the exception that she mounts an
additional pair nacelles under the standard two. Additionally, a weapons roll-bar has been grafted to the top
of the saucer section, marring the otherwise sleek lines of the Galaxy class.
PROPULSION AND POWER SYSTEMS
Extensive modification was necessary to the nacelle struts to mount two nacelles each, in addition to the
necessary plumbing to feed both units. Significant upgrades to the SIF and IDF generators have been incorporated,
including modifications to the computer core to maintain proper warp field geometry.
TACTICAL SYSTEMS
In addition to the standard ten Type X phaser strips, an additional two have been added to the roll bar.
A total of six Mk 80 photon torpedo launchers are fitted, with two aft and two forward firing added to the roll
bar. The FSQ/2 shielding system is fitted. The specialized Marine fittings from the Olympus class have been
added to the Peacekeeper. Standard Marine compliment is 500, though more can be carried in emergencies. Twenty
Type 10 combat drop shuttles have been added to the ships embarked craft listing, for use when the combat
transporters cannot be employed.
COMPUTER SYSTEM
It was decided to use the M-15 Isolinear III computer system. The engineering core is a slightly modified
version of the one used on Olympus, with specialized logic to deal with the intricacies of four nacelle warp
dynamics.
SHIPS FACILITIES
The scientific sections have been reduced by 15% to allow the fitting of more VIP quarters and specialized
conference facilities. Both sickbay and the medical staff have been increased by 25%, with most of the personnel
and facilities geared for xenospecialists in various fields.
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION HISTORY
The ASDB and COE finalized the design in 2369. Construction began immediately on the engines, while
the remaining superstructure was quickly fitted out. The ship was launched in December of 2371 and entered
service the following year, undertaking a rigorous testing regimen.
CONCLUSION
At this time there are no plans to build any additional vessels of this type. The LF-43 series of engines
perform extremely well, and their efficiencies cannot be ignored. In addition, the upper roll bar has proven to
have a negative effect on the ships warp geometry, though the sheer power of the ship makes up for it.

Captain Walker previously served on the Olympus class dreadnought U.S.S. Shadowguard and is familiar
with multi-nacelle warships. A member of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, he successfully led the fight
to produce the Peacekeeper. As such, he was chosen to command her.

1006

1007

Peacekeeper Class Diplomatic Cruiser

Displacement
Overall Length
Overall Draft
Overall Beam
Propulsion:

Velocity:

Duration:
Complement:

Embarked Craft:

Navigation:
Computers:
Phasers:
Missiles:
Defense:
Life Support:

1008

5,400,000 mt
642.51 m
190.5 m
463.73 m
Four LF-41 Mod 1 energized-energized antimatter warp drive units
(System Contractor: Leeding Energies, Sydney, Earth)
Two FIG-5 subatomic unified energy impulse units
(System Contractor: Kloratis Drives, Tellar)
QASR-2 particle beam maneuvering thrusters
(System Contractor: Scarbak Propulsion Systems, Earth)
Trentis IV pulsed laser reaction control system
(System Contractor: Orage Ijek, Aksajak, Andor)
Warp 7.0
Standard Cruising Speed
Warp 9.5
Maximum Cruising Speed
Warp 9.9
Maximum Attainable Velocity
5 years, standard
200
Officers
300
Diplomatic Personnel
1000
Enlisted Crew
450
Security Forces
50
Flight Crew
500
Passengers (Normal Up to 5000 Maximum)
2000
Total Crew (Standard)
3
Danube Class Runabout
20
Type 10 Combat Drop Shuttle
4
Type 6 Personnel Shuttle
8
Type 16 Shuttlepod
2
Type 7 Personnel Shuttle
4
Peregrine Class Fighter
2
Type 9A Cargo Shuttle
RAV / ISHAK Mod 3 Warp Celestial Guidance
(System Contractor: Tlixis Ramab RRB, Coridan III)
M-15 Isolinear III with LCARS interface software
(System Contractor: Daystrom Computer Systems, Luna)
12 Type X Collimated Phaser Array
(System Contractor: HiBeam Energies, Earth)
6 Mk 85 Photon Torpedo Launchers
(System Contractor: Loraxial, Andor)
FSQ/2 Primary Force Field
(System Contractor: Charlotte Shields, Earth)
MM6 Modular Gravity Unit
(System Contractor: Morris Magnatronics, Palyria, Mars)
AL4 Life Support System
(System Contractor: AAlakon Landiss, Divallax, Andor)

The Maxwell Class Heavy

Frigate
A Multi-Role Starship in the Tradition of the Chandley Class
By:

Members of the Maxwell class Starship Development Project

The introduction of the Chandley class in the late 22nd century provided Starfleet with an effective way of
conducting troop-based operations such as boarding and capturing enemy starships, outposts, and other
installations. Before this time, the combined boarding parties of a number of starships had to be deployed to
perform these roles, putting a number of ships at risk. Assault ships were found to be too slow and vulnerable to
be used in front-line areas during a firefight, and they carried far too many troops for small operations.
The Chandley class was the first Starfleet heavy frigate specifically designed to carry troops and to operate
in a front-line environment in the strike role. Equipped with the firepower of a standard cruiser, the ships also
carried two-hundred-and-fifty Marines in two wing-like assemblies, along with training areas, equipment, a
specialized shuttlebay, and combat transporters. The vessels were an instant success and served with distinction
in countless operations.
DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND
The only current frigate-type ships in wide-spread service are the New Orleans and Norway classes, and
she is not equipped to carry troops in any great quantity. The Miranda class has morphed over the decades into
a research and support vessel, and is no longer the powerful war machine her Avenger class forebear was.
By the time of the Federation / Cardassian War, the Chandley and Northampton classes had long been
decommissioned and scrapped. Once again, Starfleet found itself unable to get troops quickly to the front line,
and the re-taking of Federation colonies held by the enemy and the capture of Cardassian vessels was timeconsuming and costly.
Though the Akira class is currently the front-line combact vessel in service, she was not designed for
planetary support operations. Therefore, Starfleet commissioned the ASDB to begin a study of possible heavy
frigate designs, with the emphasis on using existing platforms if possible. The Maxwell design, named in honor
of the late Captain Sydney Maxwell of the U.S.S. Aries (a noted proponent of the heavy frigate concept), is an
intriguing design in that it provides a complete strike package in a single ship troops, air support, and ground
support.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Based on the Galaxy class spaceframe, the Maxwell differs only in that there are a set of massive hanger
doors on the fore and aft upper part of the saucer. However, the ship is incapable of saucer separation, for
reasons discussed below.
TACTICAL SYSTEMS
These hangar doors are the external evidence of a massive internal change made to the secondary hull.
The entire front third of decks 3-8 have been turned into a massive hangar bay and staging area. The bay runs the
length of the centerline of the ship, exiting the back just below Shuttlebay One. This system allows simultaneous
egress and ingress, as well as providing a staging area for troops when preparing for ground assaults.
Weapons load is similar to the Galaxy class, with nine Type X phaser rings and two photon torpedo
launchers, uprated to the Mk 90 spec. The FSQ/2 shield system is included.

1009

SHIPS FACILITIES
The Maxwell class carries no scientific staff or facilities. All the space has been removed to allow the
modifications made to the front of the ship. Due to the central corridor, the computer core is now located at the
right side of Deck 9, with special conduits feeding to the bridge.
In addition to the linkable holodecks on the Olympus and Peacekeeper classes, the Maxwell carries
standard holodecks as well as one massive facility, capable of hosting the entire Marine compliment, which can
be upwards of 2000, though normally 500 are carried. Special holo-simulators allow the pilots to train in
conjunction with the ground crew on the holodecks.
Standard ships compliment is 112 officers and 300 enlisted personnel, along with 500 pilots. Marines
sleep as squads in special ten-man barracks and flight crews sleep two to a cabin. General personnel facilities are
in line with those of other class One starships.
CONCLUSION
At this time the Maxwell remains one of a number of designs currently under review by the ASDB to fill
the heavy frigate role. Though it fits all the requirements, the Galaxy class is an expensive platform and the
design may not prove cost-effective in the numbers currently being contemplated by TacFleet.

The Maxwell Class SDP includes Commander Eric Larkin, Lieutenant Commander Tim Clark, Lieutenants
Fred Parsons, Greg Franklin, and David Richardson, and Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Chris Parker.

1010

1011

Maxwell Class Frigate

Displacement
Overall Length
Overall Draft
Overall Beam
Propulsion:

Velocity:

Duration:
Complement:

Embarked Craft:

Navigation:
Computers:
Phasers:
Missiles:
Defense:
Life Support:

1012

3,680,000 mt
642.51 m
195.26 m
463.73 m
Two LF-41 Mod 1 energized-energized antimatter warp drive units
(System Contractor: Leeding Energies, Sydney, Earth)
Two FIG-5 subatomic unified energy impulse units
(System Contractor: Kloratis Drives, Tellar)
QASR-2 particle beam maneuvering thrusters
(System Contractor: Scarbak Propulsion Systems, Earth)
Trentis IV pulsed laser reaction control system
(System Contractor: Orage Ijek, Aksajak, Andor)
Warp 6.0
Standard Cruising Speed
Warp 9.2
Maximum Cruising Speed
Warp 9.6
Maximum Attainable Velocity
5 years, standard
112
Officers
800
Enlisted Crew
144
Flight Crew
250
Marines (Normal Up to 2000 total)
0
Passengers (Normal Up to 500 Maximum)
1056
Total Crew (Standard)
5
Danube Class Runabout
10
Type 6 Personnel Shuttle
10
Type 7 Personnel Shuttle
10
Type 9A Cargo Shuttle
20
Type 10 Combat Drop Shuttles
10
Type 16 Shuttlepod
20
Peregrine Class Fighter
2
3 Sentry SWAC Shuttle
RAV / ISHAK Mod 3 Warp Celestial Guidance
(System Contractor: Tlixis Ramab RRB, Coridan III)
M-15 Isolinear III with LCARS interface software
(System Contractor: Daystrom Computer Systems, Luna)
9 Type X Collimated Phaser Array
(System Contractor: HiBeam Energies, Earth)
3 Mk 85 Photon Torpedo Launchers
(System Contractor: Loraxial, Andor)
FSQ/2 Primary Force Field
(System Contractor: Charlotte Shields, Earth)
MM6 Modular Gravity Unit
(System Contractor: Morris Magnatronics, Palyria, Mars)
AL4 Life Support System
(System Contractor: AAlakon Landiss, Divallax, Andor)

The Sullivans Class Tactical

Frigate
A Patrol Frigate for the Neutral Zone
By:

Commander Mark A. Trent

Director - The Sullivans class Starship Development Project

During her many years of service, the Belknap class strike cruiser performed an important role in guarding
the Romulan Neutral Zone against incursions. With the disappearance of the Romulans, Starfleet decided not
to replace these aging ships with a new class, instead assigning Excelsior and Miranda class vessels. Considering
the total lack of contact, this was an excellent cost-saving measure.
But now the Romulans have returned. And they have shown a desire to return to their ways of old. The
new Ddaridex class warbird seems a match for even the Galaxy class, and hopelessly outguns the third-echelon
Starfleet forces. Vessels of the Akira and Steamrunner classes have been assigned to the Neutral Zone to bolster
our defenses, operating in small squadrons of three to four ships, under the command of Nebula class cruisers.
DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND
The Belknap class was truly a remarkable ship for its day, spawning several specialized sub-variants.
Starfleet has wanted to renew this ability, but has lacked the spaceframe to do it. The New Orleans class is both
too old and small to serve as an adequate independent defense against a Ddaridex. Conversely, the Nebula class
is considered too large and expensive a platform to dedicate in such a role.
The Office of Research and Development was tasked with developing a new class of vessels, to be
designated Tactical Frigates (FT), which would combine the size and firepower necessary to deal with any
Romulan incursion long enough to allow the second-tier forces to mobilize and meet the threat.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Sullivans class bears a rough resemblance to the Miranda class vessels it will be replacing on the
Neutral Zone. Roughly the size of the old Constitution / Enterprise class heavy cruiser, The Sullivans places its
emphasis on large hangar capacity and superior firepower. The ship is a single-hull design, with the back end
being a massive superhangar capable of carrying the ships compliment of Peregrine fighters and other embarked
craft. A large rollbar mounts two dual photon torpedo launchers, and two turrets extending above and below
the ship on fins house Type XII megaphasers.
PROPULSION AND POWER SYSTEMS
The Sullivans class mounts the standard Leeder Energies LF-41 series of warp drive in a dual nacelle
configuration. Additional fusion reactors have been fitted to assist in powering the megaphaser cannon.
TACTICAL SYSTEMS
Easily one of the most powerful vessels in existence, the ship mounts six Type XII megaphaser cannon,
six Type X phaser strips, and eight Mk 80 photon torpedo launchers. The FSQ shield system is fitted as, for a ship
this size, it offers incredible levels of protection. A modified version of the standard CETIS / TACAR fire-control
system is fitted.

1013

SHIPS FACILITIES
In addition to the massive hangar facilities, The Sullivans tactical frigate is designed to carry 100 marines,
in addition to the standard crew of 79 officers and 280 enlisted. There is room for up to 50 additional personnel,
mainly support people for specific missions.
CONCLUSION
The Sullivans class is currently undergoing thorough review at the ASDB. An extremely powerful vessel,
it may just be what Starfleet is looking for. Plans are for the construction of fifty tactical frigates, and it looks
good that at least one ship of this class will be built to further test its suitability to the task.

Commander Trent is the director of The Sullivans Class Starship Development Project. He is assisted by
Lieutenant Commander O.G. Terry Pratt, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) David Dudley, and Petty Officer
Third class Chris Will. The design is named after the five Sullivan brothers who were lost together in
action during the Terran Second World War.

1014

1015

The Sullivans Class Tactical Frigate

Displacement
Overall Length
Overall Draft
Overall Beam
Propulsion:

1,485,000 mt
320 m
80 m
256 m
Two LF-41 Mod 1 energized-energized antimatter warp drive units
(System Contractor: Leeding Energies, Sydney, Earth)
Two FIG-5 subatomic unified energy impulse units
(System Contractor: Kloratis Drives, Tellar)
QASR-2 particle beam maneuvering thrusters
(System Contractor: Scarbak Propulsion Systems, Earth)
Trentis IV pulsed laser reaction control system
(System Contractor: Orage Ijek, Aksajak, Andor)
Velocity:
Warp 6.0
Standard Cruising Speed
Warp 9.0
Maximum Cruising Speed
Warp 9.6
Maximum Attainable Velocity
Duration:
5 years, standard
Complement:
79
Officers
144
Flight Crew
300
Enlisted Crew
100
Marines
0
Passengers (Normal Up to 45 Maximum)
479
Total Crew (Standard)
Embarked Craft:
0
Danube Class Runabout
6
Type 10 Combat Drop Shuttles
4
Type 6 Personnel Shuttle
10
Peregrine Class Fighter
4
Type 7 Personnel Shuttle
2
3 Sentry SWAC Shuttle
4
Type 9A Cargo Shuttle
4
Type 16 Shuttlepod
Navigation:
RAV / ISHAK Mod 3 Warp Celestial Guidance
(System Contractor: Tlixis Ramab RRB, Coridan III)
Computers:
M-15 Isolinear III with LCARS interface software
(System Contractor: Daystrom Computer Systems, Luna)
Phasers:
6 Type X Collimated Phaser Array
(System Contractor: HiBeam Energies, Earth)
Phasers:
6 Type XII Megaphaser Cannon
(System Contractor: HiBeam Energies, Earth)
Missiles:
8 Mk 80 Photon Torpedo Launchers
(System Contractor: Loraxial, Andor)
Defense:
FSQ Primary Force Field
(System Contractor: Charlotte Shields, Earth)
Life Support:
MM6 Modular Gravity Unit
(System Contractor: Morris Magnatronics, Palyria, Mars)
AL4 Life Support System
(System Contractor: AAlakon Landiss, Divallax, Andor)

1016

Is The Galaxy Class a Failure?

By:

Rear Admiral Chris Wallace

Director - Starfleet Department of Technical Services
Chairman - Advanced Starship Design Bureau
Executive Director - Galaxy and Galaxy (II) Class Starship Development Projects
Commanding Officer - Starship U.S.S. Bright Star * NCC-71875

(Note - This article includes information from the Board of Review on the loss of U.S.S. Enterprise * NCC1701-D at Veridian III, chaired by Vice Admiral Alex Rosenzweig)

Is the Galaxy class large exploratory cruiser the pride of the Starfleet a failure? Has the Federation
spent hundreds of trillions of credits on a class of vessels that suffer from one, if not more, serious and possibly
catastrophic design flaws? And are these vessels so complex that even Starfleet crews are unable to properly
man them?
The Galaxy class Starship Development Project, of which I was named head of in 2355, was commissioned
in 2343 to develop a new class of multi-mission starships capable of performing a wide range of duties, including
exploration, military, diplomatic, and colonization, in the tradition of the Constitution and Enterprise classes. This
class was to be the flagship of the late 24th Century fleet and the design goals and mission objectives were
suitably ambitious. The final result was a titanic vessel costing tens of trillions of credits and showcasing the
latest in Federation technologies and designed to last over a hundred years in service.
The lead vessel, U.S.S. Galaxy (CKE 70637) entered service in 2357, followed over the next five years by
Yamato (CKE 71807), Enterprise (CKE 1701-D), Challenger (CKE 71099), Odyssey (CKE 71832), and Venture (CKE
71854). Six additional hulls were taken to the spaceframe stage before work was halted. This was to allow the six
operational hulls to be debugged in service, with any changes or upgrades that might be found to be necessary
could be added to the later vessels, along with general advancements in technology.
Now, less than fifteen years after Galaxys commissioning, she is only one of the three original ships to
remain in service. Yamato was lost due to a complete system failure brought about by an alien computer virus
from the Iconian homeworld. Odyssey was destroyed in combat with the Dominion, and the Enterprise was
destroyed in combat with a Klingon D-22. Though the circumstances varied between the three vessels, the cause
of the loss of each vessel could be traced to the warp drive system. In the case of Yamato, the virus destroyed the
computer systems, resulting in the failure of the containment fields in the anti-matter storage bottles. The resulting
release destroyed the ship with all hands. With Odyssey, she was rammed in the engineering hull by a Jem Hadar
attack ship, resulting in a warp core breach.
But the most serious loss is that of the Enterprise. It appears that it was through what some describe as
incompetence on the part of her crew, the vessel was lost. Based on pure statistics, the D-22 was no match
whatsoever for a Galaxy class starship. Even though the Klingons were able to acquire the shield harmonics
frequency, allowing them to get off two clean shots, reaction times of the crew were slowed by the complexity of
the system. This resulted in ineffectual return fire and the inability to readjust the shield harmonics fast enough
to prevent critical damage to the ships systems. Bypassing these damaged systems also slowed the response
time. This class, with so much cutting edge technology(some would say bleeding edge due to the untested nature
of so many of them), is far more complicated than her forebears. Even with the extensive computerization and
automation, the ship is easily the most complicated ever commissioned.
In numerous incidents, it has been shown that the tactical capabilities of the Galaxy class are woefully
overrated. Though they mount an extensive weapons and shield suite, lesser vessels have time and time again
outmatched them. Though never designed as a gunboat, they were nonetheless expected to be the forefront of
Starfleets force and to be strong enough to operate independently on the frontier. It is hoped that the tactical

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improvements to the Galaxy (II) class will help strengthen her offensive abilities.
Another area where the class has been criticized is, ironically, one of those considered her strengths
her capability as an Explorer. Mounting the largest and most advanced sensor and laboratory suites ever placed
on a Federation starship, these systems require enormous power to run and truly phenomenal computing
capability to be used to their maximum potential. And even then, there are a myriad of scheduling and equipment
conflicts that need to be addressed by the ships Operations Officer. Having all this handled by three people is,
at best, a severe strain on the personnel. Only the Enterprise enjoyed an artificial lifeform capable of juggling all
these requests and data with ease. The remaining ships had to make do with normal lifeforms with all their
frailties and faults. The combination of all this, at times, limits the effectiveness of these vessels in the performance
of their missions, especially against dedicated science and scout vessels such as the Oberth and Intrepid classes.
So, is the Galaxy class a failure? Based on the fact that three vessels have been lost in less than ten years,
one could argue the case. However, with a vessel of such complexity and grandiose mission objectives, and that
all have been called upon to serve in harms path, these losses, while tragic, are not endemic of any design flaw
or failure.
In the end, it is felt by many in Starfleet that while the Galaxy class aspires to follow her heavy-cruiser
forebears as a highly-effective multi-mission vehicle, the system complexities and weaknesses result in a Jack
of all trades, Master of none-type vessel. In other words, a ship that can do a great many things, but none of
them very well. This is in stark contrast to such vessels as the Constitution and Enterprise classes, which were the
workhorses of their fleets.
As for myself, I feel that the Galaxy class is the most ambitious starship project ever conceived by the
Federation. Designed in an area of unparalleled peace and prosperity, she was the manifestation of the dreams
and hopes of her generation. The ship remains the most capable Explorer in the inventory, able to travel far
distances at great speeds and has added immensely to our stores of knowledge about the universe. She has
served with distinction as an ambassador for the Federation to both established worlds and first contact missions.
She has her flaws, but future versions (like the Galaxy (II) and Skylark classes) are addressing these, resulting in
making Starfleets best that much better. As the largest ship in the Fleet, the Galaxy class have been called upon
time and time again to perform duties that they were not truly expected, nor designed, to do.
The Veridian III Review Board recommended a number of courses of action. The first was to explore
smaller, more specialized classes of starship (such as the Intrepid) to perform some of the lesser tasks now assigned
to Galaxy class vessels, freeing the larger ships to perform the roles they were designed to. The second was to
recommend a revised and enhanced training program for all officers, crew, and civilians serving aboard Galaxy
class vessels to improve crew efficiency and prevent a recurrence of the problems that felled the Enterprise.

Admiral Wallace is the Director of the Starfleet Department of Technical Services and Chairman of the
Advanced Starship Design Bureau. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Galaxy and Galaxy (II)
Class Starship Development Projects and is the Commanding Officer of the Galaxy (II) class U.S.S. Bright
Star.

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