Guide:Powers
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| Powers | |
|---|---|
| Class Overview | |
| Category | scoutcraft (system patrol craft, 2183) |
| Operational | 2165 - 2185 |
| Constructed | 80 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 75.0 m |
| Beam | 78.2 m |
| Height |
|
| Mass | 4,100 tons |
| Performance | |
| Max Speed | w 2.0 |
| Endurance | 8 months |
| Complement | |
| Officers | 2 |
| Enlisted | 18
|
| Tactical Systems | |
| Beam Weapons |
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| Shields |
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| Historical | |
| Ships of Note |
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| Canonicity | |
| Design | SFC |
| Name | SFC |
| History | SFC
|
Background: Hobbyist's Guide
During the inaugural years of the UFP Star Fleet, shipbuilding was largely a secondary concern, as there were bountiful sources of pre-existing vessels. Surplus from wartime construction programs was only one of these. Even more importantly, the member navies had previously operated overlapping ship types, of which the best could now be selected for joint federal use. The Vulcan fleet was perhaps less eager to donate warships than the others—but the logic of utilizing the best available technology for the common cause was inescapable and there was no question as to whose small craft were the best. The bullet-shaped Tshin craft with their three evenly-spaced impulse engine pods had superior agility for atmospheric and near-space combat. The medium warp capabilities of the Toj Lol survey craft in turn made possible interstellar as well as interplanetary operations and variants of the type had already seen Earth service in roles ranging from courier runs to stealthy operative insertion.
Even when the remains of the once-mighty Vulcan combat fleet were being scrapped, Toj Lol and Tshin transferals continued for Star Fleet use. At first, it was thought that the craft could fill both the in-system interceptor and interstellar scoutcraft roles. The new operating organization—or rather, the new operators themselves—brought about unforeseen problems, though. While a crew of three to five Vulcans could easily perform a twelve-month survey mission within the confines of a hull just a couple of dozen meters long and barely six across at the widest point, crews made up of other species would face insurmountable psychological hurdles. In 2164, Vulcans were asked to consider the construction of markedly larger scoutships. Simple up-scaling was complicated by both technological and industrial policy issues, and the design that emerged a year later was unique rather than derivative of either predecessor.
There were obvious Vulcan influences remaining in the new medium scoutcraft, of course. The shattered-ring warp drive surrounding the stern of USS Legrand Powers was an obvious giveaway as to the origins of the vessel, even for those UFP member species that could not distinguish between Vulcan ceramic red and Earth gunmetal gray. The two lateral impulse assemblies rigged outboard of the warp arches featured mechanical vectoring that facilitated planetary landings even in the most demanding conditions. For a 75-meter vessel with a hull mass of 2,300 tons, plus the two 900-ton warp segments, this was no mean feat.
Standard crew included two officers and 12 ship operations ratings, plus six mission specialists. For the first two decades of Powers operations, these specialists were mainly employed with basic surveys of inner UFP systems and the sectors opened up by the early exploration of the Delphic Expanse. Some patrol duties were also undertaken, although the nose-mounted phase cannon were of greater symbolic than tactical worth.
By the 2180s, the Powers vessels were hopelessly outdated as survey craft, however. Their limited speed on the expanded theater of operations was the primary argument when they were reassigned to system patrol duty. Hardly the equals of modern corvettes, the former scoutcraft barely spent two years on their new assignments before being retired en masse.
This stumbling of Star Fleet’s early attempt at sustaining its strength through continuing procurement and development of prewar types was bad news for the whole fleet. It hit Exploration Command especially badly, though, as block obsolescence of larger scoutships coincided with the withdrawing of Powers assets. Lack of long term procurement planning was beginning to show and the scouting fleet would remain a victim well into the 23rd century.
Gallery
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Impulse engines in landing position and landing gear stowed. -
Line drawing
Notes
- Guide: Tshin indicates no new ships (of that class) were built after 2104, while Guide: Powers writes, "Toj Lol and Tshin production continued for Star Fleet use," up until presumably 2164 (when the "Vulcans were asked to consider the construction of markedly larger scoutships"). I've decided to re-word the Powers statement so that transferals from Vulcan service to Star Fleet was occurring. Afterall, over a thousand were produced.