PROMETHEUS-CLASS TACTICAL CRUISER (MERGED CONFIGURATION)
When the Odyssey was destroyed in late 2370, war with the Dominion looked inevitable. TacFleet took a frank assessment of their position and the results did not bring them comfort. Dominion polaron weapons had easily penetrated the Odyssey’s shields and the few times the ship could target and hit a Jem’Hadar vessel, even the Type X phaser was surprisingly ineffective. TacFleet knew that the Federation needed a vessel designed for one purpose – to hunt down and destroy any known starship.
Class:
TacFleet knew that such a vessel would seriously upset the balance of power within the Alpha Quadrant, as well as possibly threaten the embryonic alliance forming. It was decided to develop, construct, and test the vessel in secret. TacFleet provided funding to Star Fleet Intelligence, who could provide the secrecy needed. Boeing-Mitsubishi’s Phantom Works was named prime contractor, as they had experience in building “black” projects for Star Fleet.
Classification:
There was some debate about what to classify the ship. Battlecruiser was considered, but it was worried this might “tip the hand”. Instead, the long-disused Tactical Cruiser nomenclature was assigned.
Design:
There has yet to be a design as radical as the Prometheus, which introduces the concept of “Multi-Vectored Attack Mode” to starship design. The Prometheus can split into three separate warp-capable tactical platforms that can then attack a target from three separate angles. Though the two classes look similar, the Prometheus and Intrepid classes share little similarities beyond dimensions. The Prometheus class employs the latest in Federation automation systems and therefore requires a markedly small crew for her size. The vessel incorporates a very small medical staff, assisted by a new Mk IIversion of the Emergency Medical Hologram first deployed on the Intrepid and Sovereign classes. Holoemitters located throughout the vessel allow these EMH’s to travel anywhere they are needed. Facilities aboard allow for the embarkation and training of Marines and other ground forces, as such a vessel is a natural for assault and interdiction duties.
Engineering:
The Prometheus is the first ship since the Peacekeeper class to mount four nacelles, and unique amongst vessels in mounting three separate warp cores. In normal flight mode, only the two directly feeding the upper and lower nacelle pairs are in operation. Only when the ship splits into MVAM does the third core, mounted between the two impulse engines, come on-line. The two cores and four nacelles result in the fastest speed ever attained by a Federation starship — a stupendous Warp 9.999. The ship is designed for a constant cruise speed of Warp 9.9, easily making it the fastest ship in the Fleet.
Tactical:
The Prometheus mounts the latest in Federation weaponry. She literally bristles with thirteen Type XII phaser strips and six Mk. 90 torpedo launchers. This makes her the most powerful vessel in known space, even when compared to the mighty Akira class battlecruiser. Shielding is provided by the FSS system with ablative hull armor though, remarkably, the FCE-2 cloak system has not yet been fitted. The Romulan Star Empire is still smarting over the inclusion of the system in the Galaxy (II) and Griffon classes and at this time Star Fleet does not wish to raise diplomatic hackles. However, space and infrastructure for the generators exists and they can be installed in a matter of days.
Computer Systems:
Balancing the output of two cores into four nacelles is a highly complicated procedure. The Prometheus mounts the most powerful shipboard computer system, the M-16, which is also used on the Galaxy (II), Intrepid, and Sovereign classes.
Builders:
Boeing-Mitsubishi’s Phantom Works was contracted to build the vessel. Construction was done at a special sealed dock at Deep Space Five, which is located in a secluded spot of the Federation. All components were sent to Utopia Planitia, and then shipped on special freighters to Deep Space Five for assembly.
Development and Construction History:
The U.S.S. Prometheus was laid down in January of 2371 and completed in November 2374. Though security regarding the project was tight, the Romulan Empire learned of her existence. Agents of the Tal Shiar hijacked her on her first test flight and attempted to return her to Romulan space. Incredibly, both the Prometheus’ EMH and the EMH from the starship U.S.S. Voyager (at the time, thought lost with all hands) were able to incapacitate the hijackers and assist the Federation pursuit force against three Romulan D’deridex class warbirds. The vessel was heavily damaged in the engagement, and returned to Utopia Planitia for repairs and additional tests. The ship did not see service during the Dominion War, as her possible loss or capture was considered too much of a risk. The ship continued to be tested and developed, and was finally commissioned into service in 2376 and given the NCC of 74913. The Dominion War and other threats have warmed Star Fleet Command to such a class of vessels and funding for additional ships has been fought for by TacFleet. However, both the Klingons and Romulans have expressed serious issues with the idea of a fleet of such powerful ships in service, and so far only the prototype exists.
Current Specifications for the Prometheus class:
Displacement 2,500,000 mt
Overall Length 415 m
Overall Draft 113 m
Overall Beam 170 m
Propulsion:
Two LF-44 Mod 1 energized-energized antimatter warp drive units
One LF-15 Mod 1 dillithium-energized antimatter warp drive units
Two FIG-5 subatomic unified energy impulse units
QASR-2 particle beam maneuvering thrusters
“Trentis IV” pulsed laser reaction control system
Velocity:
Warp 9.0 Standard Cruising Speed (Docked)
Warp 9.8 Maximum Cruising Speed (Docked))
Warp 9.99 Maximum Attainable Velocity (Docked)
Duration:
1 year, standard
Complement: 41 Officers
100 Enlisted Crew
0 Passengers (Normal – Up to 50 maximum)
141 Total Crew (Standard)
Embarked Craft:
0 Danube Class Runabout
2 Type 6 Personnel Shuttle
0 Type 7 Personnel Shuttle
0 Type 9A Cargo Shuttle
4 Type 16 Shuttlepod
Navigation:
RAV / ISHAK Mod 3 Warp Celestial Guidance
Computers:
M-16 Bio-Neural Gel Pack-Isolinear IIIwith LCARS interface software
Phasers:
13 Type XIICollimated Phaser Array
Missiles:
3 Mk 95 Photon Torpedo Launchers
Defense:
FSS Primary Force Field
Life Support:
MM6 Modular Gravity Unit
AL4 Life Support System
