Guide:2161-2200 - The Federation

2161-2200 - The Federation

The original Federation Seal, featuring a two-dimensional starmap of the founding worlds, as seen from the astrographical center of the early Federation. Design by committee led by F. Joseph III, in 2161.

The years remaining of the 22nd century of Earth history were also the first years of the United Federation of Planets. Despite some early calls for a more universal timekeeping system, the ‘Old Reckoning’ prevailed in the centers of human power. Many saw parallels between the 2060s and 2160s in terms of the challenges and opportunities facing Earth and its allies. Much as in the long aftermath of the devastating WWIII, an alliance of convenience between unequal partners was slowly solidified into a union based on equality and mutual respect. But in many ways, the alliance remained as inhomogeneous as ever. In the best spirit of IDIC, different races undertook different tasks in the UFP, the brunt of defense arrangements falling squarely on the shoulders of Earthpeople.

The decades from the first Treaty of Algeron to the turn of the century saw the modernization of the United Earth Starfleet, the Andorian Self-Defense Forces, the remains of the Vulcan navy and various minor operators into an efficient combined Star Fleet. Only the best ships of the Romulan war era were accepted to the fleet, and replacements were designed for many now-obsolete types – but not for all of them. The balance of the fleet shifted radically towards high endurance survey cruisers and slowish if potent border patrol destroyers, as the fleet assumed a bifurcated mission of exploration and local defense. Severe shortcomings resulted from the lack of proper scoutship types, and the operational profiles of the cruiser fleet were still under development. A sense of missing direction plagued the Fleet as the constant organizational reshuffling of the new defense forces resulted in one doctrine change after another.

Still, what emerged in the late 22nd century was a relatively efficient exploration and defense fleet able to meet most of the requirements of the time, and willing to admit its shortcomings in face of new threats and opportunities presented by the following century.

With the help of interstellar co-operation, the groundwork was laid for major advances in the technology of space warfare. The post-war era did not yet see the full results of this development, but three significant improvements were made: the enhanced subspace/graviton shields, the long-range subspace communications systems, and the warp-accelerated nanometer lasers. These provided immunity from kinetic-kill weaponry, possibility of coordinating maneuvers in real time, and improved capability of warp intercept. Electromagnetic shields and polarizable or ablative physical armor as well as plasma and phased particle beam weaponry were gradually abandoned as outdated, even though UFP adversaries found plenty of destructive potential in further refinements of these technologies.

Two distinctive generations of ships were built to utilize the innovations. One was typical of a war-weary society, and consisted mainly of gradual improvements, growth models and conversions of transport vessels. Another utilized the flattened hulls and improved warp dynamics of the immediate prewar generation in a more optimistic and adventurous quest for future power. The following chapter outlines the early years of Star Fleet, the limitations imposed by the equipment available, and the aspirations to overcome these limitations.

2161-2200 - The Ships

• Columbia class explorer (2162-2192)
• Murmansk class heavy transports/command ships/cultural exchange ships (2167-2246)
• Almeida class heavy multimission cruisers (2168-2188)
• Drexler class frigates (2169-2241)
• Placido class scouts/destroyers (2170-2230)
• Castor class survey cruisers (2174-2208)
• Texas class light cruisers (2175-2259)
• Bryne class hospital ships (2179-2219)
• Boyden class cargo drones (2184-2220)
• Venture class light cruisers (2186-2233)
• Alexandria class corvette tenders (2186-2236)
• Watt class fleet tankers/transports (2189-2225)
• Caracal class command cruisers/attack cruisers/light cruisers (2189-2239)
• Horizon / Advance class heavy cruisers/battle cruisers (2193-2297)
• Sentinel / Armstrong class scout cruisers/light cruisers (2194-2252)/(2197-2231)
• Tritium class testbed (2199-2207)

Updated to August 2014 version (there is no intent to upgrade these existing ships to new versions, due to the potential for extreme historical contradictions)

Ships added to Timo's releases since above version include the following:

• Columbia class explorer: break-out from the previous Enterprise entry; includes additional/modified history

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• Back to the Table of Contents
• Back to Part I: Starships and Other Large Vessels
• Appendix A: Of Ship Statistics
• Appendix B: Glossary
• Appendix C: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline
• Appendix D: Abbreviations From Outside