Akira-Class Battlecruiser
The Battlecruiser has not been a common class within the Star Fleet structure. Such offensive vessels generally run counter to the tenets of the Federation, and none have been in service since the 2290’s.
Class:
As the 2340’s dawned, relations with the Klingon Empire were souring. TacFleet knew that in the event of a serious incursion, they were ill equipped to engage them. While the Steamrunner class destroyer was in Fleet service at the time, it had been designed to free the Excelsior and Ambassador classes from being called upon to deal with smaller issues. The Ambassador’s and the refit Niagara’s still formed the backbone of the Fleet’s response to serious military threats.
Classification:
The Akira class was originally designed to be a Through-Deck Cruiser, but as the weapons load out was developed, it was decided to change the designation to Battlecruiser.
Design:
The Star Fleet Spacecraft Design Advisory Commission started the Akira class Starship Development Project in 2340 to address the need of an extremely well-armed ship with excellent survivability. Though this went against the general tenet of Star Fleet, with the vessels of the Galaxy class preparing to travel to unexplored parts of the Federation and beyond, Star Fleet worried about possible disastrous first contacts like had happened with the Klingon and Romulan Empires. The Akira class utilizes a unique catamaran-style shape that allows both high-speed and a low sensor profile. A roll bar atop the rear houses most of the torpedo launchers. The bridge, as opposed to almost every other starship, is nestled between two raised areas on the upper saucer, protecting it from enemy fire. For her size, the Akira class carries a large crew of 500. Most of the ship’s staterooms are of the dual-type, maximizing living space while still offering privacy. SSDAC learned from the mistakes in the Steamrunner class and fitted a much more advanced scientific and diplomatic suite on the Akira class. Though not as advanced as those found on the Galaxy, it does give the Akira a multi-mission capability not found in the Steamrunner class.
Engineering:
Star Fleet wanted a drive capable of excellent power and speed with minimal maintenance. Leeding submitted the LF-41, but there had been “teething” issues with them. Shuvinaaljis had been working on a competing system, designated the LF-35, whose warp coils needed 25% less maintenance than the LF-41 while providing 80% of the power of the LF-41. The LF-35 was chosen and provides a sustained cruising speed of Warp 9 and a cruising speed of Warp 7.
Tactical:
The Akira mounts six Type X phaser strips and a total of eight Mk 80 photon torpedo launchers. Two are mounted just above the sensor dish, one more just below it, and three are located in the upper roll bar, and an additional launcher is located port and starboard on the saucer. The Akira is capable of delivering a killing blow with a single salvo against all known Threat starships as well as inflicting damage to ships on either side as it passes through formations. The ship carries the FSQ shield system and the CETIS Mk III with Type 225 TACAR fire-control suite. The Akira class was designed to carry fighters, and has a through-deck hangar bay designed for this purpose. The forward bay is equipped with launching facilities, and the two rear-bays are equipped for retrieval. Standard compliment is twelve Peregrine class fighters, though more can be carried if necessary.
Computer Systems:
The Akira carries the standard M-15 Isolinear III with LCARS found on most ships of the line at her time.
Builders:
All Akira class vessels were built at Mars, with construction contracts spread evenly between the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards and the Chandley Works Yards at Caravalia. Chandley has a long and distinguished history in building powerful starships for the Star Fleet and was a natural choice to help support UP.
Development and Construction History:
The Akira class was approved for construction in 2342, with three hulls being laid down. Two more batches were ordered in 2343 and another set in mid-2344. Oddly enough, the Narendra III incident in 2346 significantly defused tensions between the Federation and Klingons, as the latter shifted their animosity towards the Romulans. Three additional vessels were added during the Cardassian War, with four more added after the battle of Wolf 359. The Akira class saw extensive service during the Dominion War, where they savaged Dominion fleets and facilities. Construction has been approved for additional vessels.
Current Specifications for the Akira class:
Displacement 1,600,000 mt
Overall Length 455 m
Overall Draft 83 m
Overall Beam 292 m
Propulsion:
Two LF-35 Mod 1 energized-energized antimatter warp drive units
Two FIG-4 subatomic unified energy impulse units
QASR-2 particle beam maneuvering thrusters
“Trentis IV” pulsed laser reaction control system
Velocity:
Warp 7 Standard Cruising Speed
Warp 9.0 Maximum Cruising Speed
Warp 9.8 Maximum Attainable Velocity
Duration:
5 years, standard
Complement: 100 Officers
400 Enlisted Crew
0 Passengers (Normal – Up to 50 maximum)
500 Total Crew (Standard)
Embarked Craft:
0 Danube Class Runabout
4 Type 6 Personnel Shuttle
4 Type 7 Personnel Shuttle
2 Type 9A Cargo Shuttle
6 Type 16 Shuttlepod
12 Peregrine Class Fighter
2 S-3 Sentry SWAC Shuttle
Navigation:
RAV / ISHAK Mod 3 Warp Celestial Guidance
Computers:
M-15 Isolinear III with LCARS
Phasers:
6 Type X Collimated Phaser Array
Missiles:
8 Mk 80 Photon Torpedo Launchers
Defence:
FSQ Primary Force Field
Life Support:
NAG2 Modular Gravity Unit
AL3 Life Support System
