Guide:Lenthal

Lenthal
Class Overview
Category	escort
Operational	2264 - 2295 Flight I: 2264 - 2278 Flight II: 2274 - 2295
Constructed	31 Flt I: 20 (built: 2264-2265) Flt II: 11 (converted from AIG Mark V Lenthals: 2274)
Dimensions
Length	260.0 m
Beam	110.4 m
Height	39.9 m
Mass	Flt I: 313,700 mt Flt II: 285,300 mt
Performance
Cruise Speed	Flt I: w 5.0 Flt II: w 6.0
Max Speed	Flt I: w 7.0 Flt II: w 9.0
Endurance	3 years
Complement
Officers	28
Enlisted	Flt I: 132 Flt II: 137
Tactical Systems
Beam Weapons	6x phaser V emitters (2 triple banks) (lateral fairings)
Shields	1-layer forcefield 1x navigational deflector (secondary hull bow) #x secondary navigational deflectors (lateral fairings)
Transporters	4x GP (4-pad); Mk III 2x emergency evacuation (22-pad); Mk III 1x cargo; Mk III
Auxiliary Craft	2x light shuttles (Mk II)
Historical
Ships of Note	USS Lenthal (NCC-xxxx)
Canonicity
Design	FASA/Timo
Name	FASA
History	FASA

Background: Hobbyist's Guide

In parallel with the Thufir program, the AIG in the 2260s introduced a lighter and more affordable local destroyer type of a very similar design, merging a saucer with an otherwise traditional Andorian layout. The dimensions chosen were still formidable, and in essence only two factors supported the light destroyer designation over, say, the light cruiser one. One was the choice once again to leave ashore all hardware, software, and personnel distracting from the classic destroyer mission; the other was the omission of torpedo launchers from the lateral weapons wings. Trademark heavy shielding in cowlings of the secondary hull (this time encircling it laterally rather than drooping down), combined with the tucked-in warp engines, made the destroyer a fearsome opponent in head-on attacks nevertheless, and guaranteed at least native interest in the design.

The Mk I version of the destroyer, with DLL-H engines, served with relative indistinction in the AIG for a decade, then bowed out in favor of its Star Fleet-compatible variants.

In contrast with the Thufir project that had courted general Star Fleet interest with common hardware, Salazaar opened with an all-indigenous original production run sporting a pair of DLL-H warp engines, half the size of their Kh-type or PB-31 counterparts. Two flotillas of the vessels were produced until Star Fleet agreed to experimentation with PB-35E propulsion. This proved a technological success, giving the second version (designated as Flight I) admirable performance specs for a twin PB-35 type and making her a serious contestant in the quest for twin-engined deep space escorts. A combination of maneuverability and affordability issues cost the Lenthal the ultimate escort prize, though. Star Fleet did deploy twenty units between 2264 and 2278, but reneged on mass production; the lighter, more limited Griffon type was to be the preferred format of twin-engine escorts.

Undeterred, the AIG proceeded with three further batches for local use, sporting indigenous warp engines and improved phasers and targeting systems but retaining the agility-compromising engine layout, advantageous in classic head-on destroyer attacks. When the escort fleet in the 2270s began receiving the superb LN-61, the class was offered to Star Fleet for a second time. When the 2269-vintage Flight V was in 2274 refitted with this modern engine and with an amidships shuttle hangar module plus modernized deflectors, sales of eleven units were secured. The vessels successfully acted as escort leaders alongside the somewhat jury-rigged Babcock and Keith types, but once again proved too expensive to serve as the rank and file of the escort force.

The “linearized” destroyer escort was a far less awkward construct than her Babcock competitor aesthetically, but suffered from excess bulk, maneuverability shortcomings, and the lack of torpedo armament. A launcher similar to that of the Babcocks could have been carried as an alternative to the modular dorsal shuttle facility. However, Salazaar did not see the need for the integration effort as Star Fleet procurement plans would not have been significantly altered even with this addition.

Linear refitting did not impress the AIG, which dealt less with high speed escort and more with local defense. Its separate destroyer force continued with modest upgrades only, and Andorians soon turned their attention to the emerging light frigate types. The standardized Daran and Ianar frigates were very much to their liking, and their acquisition in strength ended the story of the native destroyers right after the conclusion of the Klingon conflict in 2293.

It is only in dorsal view that the significant difference between the two Andorian destroyer designs becomes apparent. In both the 2260s and 2270s incarnations, with both native and generic warp engines, the Lenthal sports half the coil mass of the Thufir, and operates at one less warp factor in cruise and dash. The humbler weapon wings also consistently lack torpedo launchers. Star Fleet’s decision not to invest in escort ships of such muscle is still rather understandable. (Star Fleet Lenthal Flt II, top; AIG Thufir, bottom)

Gallery

Flight I (Star Fleet)

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Flight II (Star Fleet)

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Notes

• The NCC "escort" registry fits between production runs of the Hellespont class.

• The Lenthal is an Andorian design that was not requested by Star Fleet. However, the second iteration of the vessel met Star Fleet's standards and was accepted.

• All references to the ASDF have been changed to be the AIG.

• Timo's use of "mark" to refer to different variations of the Lenthal (mostly with the AIG) has been replaced by Flights for those represented with Star Fleet service. To be clear, there are six variations of the craft:

1. Original, in use only by AIG as a destroyer
2. Flight I: PB-35E equipped produced for Star Fleet as an escort
3. in use only by AIG as a destroyer
4. in use only by AIG as a destroyer
5. in use only by AIG as a destroyer
6. Flight II: modified fifth version, with linear nacelles (LN-61), as an escort

• None of the Star Fleet Lenthals shall have the name "Lenthal", as that would have gone to one of the first ships operated by the Andorians.

Alt Sources

• STSTCSOLDA

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• Back to the Table of Contents
• Corvettes, Couriers, Escorts, Perimeter Ships & Light Scouts
• Appendix A: Of Ship Statistics
• Appendix B: Glossary
• Appendix C: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline
• Appendix D: Abbreviations From Outside