Guide:Horizon/Advance: Difference between revisions

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In the [[2170s]], the infamous decade of block obsolescence, funds for Fleet expansion were running
Although the heavy star cruiser was recognized as the mainstay of Starfleet’s strategy of exploration
low. The grim reality of some 150 truly spaceworthy combat ships, of which less than 40 were of
and the de facto capital starship of the defense force early on, keeping the Fleet continuously
cruiser size, did not meet the requirements of the newly defined role of the force. Extra cruisers
supplied with even two dozen heavy cruisers of modern type seemed beyond the scope of the
were sorely needed for effective exploration, but also for defense and support roles, especially as the
organization. In theory, resources would be very efficiently used in building these large, long range
design lives of the already grossly overworked ''[[Guide: Daedalus|Daedalus]]'', ''[[Guide: Marshall|Marshall]]'' and ''[[Guide: Almeida|Almeida]]'' ships in the
ships capable of independent action in all conceivable situations. In practice, allocating the required
respective categories were predicted to end within a decade or at most two. Since the results of the
funds would beggar the rest of the Fleet, which still needed its destroyers, tenders and transports.
''[[Guide: Texas|Texas]]'' light cruiser program were expected to alleviate the problems, however, other remedies were
Starfleet had to strike an undesirable balance between quality and quantity, stressing the former to
delayed till the [[2180]] defense review.
an unhealthy degree, and to keep hoping that circumstances would eventually allow for improving
the latter as well.


[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Floating in a drydock above [[Earth]], ''USS Saphir'' poses for the high-ranking observers of her propulsion tests. The ventral
[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The Victoria (NCC-1013) gets acquainted with a megesti swarm. The energy-hungry spaceborne creatures once numbered
viewpoint reveals the deflector and sensor bulge between the pylons. The ''Saphir'' represents the attack cruiser variant, as is
in the quintillions, yet their ‘natural habitat’ is anything but. The subspace disk around Algol was apparently constructed
evident from her four ventral assault barge berths behind the deflector, empty at the time of the trials.]]
some 23,000 years ago by parties unknown, and has been rapidly degrading for the past millennia. The last megesti are
expected to dissipate by the 40th century, unless means can be found to restore their unique habitat. Meanwhile, arguments
on their possible collective sentience, first launched by the Victoria survey, rage on.]]


When the as-such quite useful ''Texas'' ships failed to provide sufficient capacity, mainly due to their
In the 2180s, as the careers of the wartime capital ship classes began their inevitable downturn, it
low speed that translated to low frontline availability, choices had to be made on further
was again time to develop a heavy cruiser of superior attributes. Despite the problems with the
procurement. It was generally agreed that the solution lay in faster ships, not in greater numbers of
dilithium-regulated powerplants, the basic designs of the preceding cruiser generation had proven completely satisfactory for both exploration and defense purposes. Yet there was a pressing need for
slow ones. Search for a successor to the ''[[Guide: Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' class was ongoing, but a smaller design of equal
more internal volume, which Starfleet felt could no longer be provided by increasing primary hull
speed would also be needed. The important decision of balance was made in [[2185]]: Starfleet chose
size.
to procure twenty heavy and only sixteen light cruisers. The first were to follow the technological
path opened by the ''Enterprises''; the latter would be of simpler design but modern armament. The
modest light cruiser program was given the name '''''Caracal''''', and initial plans were submitted in early [[2187]]
for approval.


Meanwhile, internal stabilization of the [[UFP]] led to an economy upturn that in turn was reflected on
A new approach called for new blood. Invited to participate was the newcomer Chiokis Corporation
[[Starfleet]] funds. Since the basic ''Caracal'' design and the number of hulls were already frozen by May
of Andor, a junior partner at this point. Wartime shipbuilders still did a lion’s share of the work
[[2187]], the additional funding allocated for the project was mainly channeled to improved onboard
regarding both design and construction. When the first Horizon class heavy cruiser, NCC-1000,
equipment. The crucially important modern PB-14 warp engines got a lion’s share of the funds. The
emerged from the dockyards in 2196, family resemblance to preceding capital ship classes was thus
engineers also wanted to test the limits of new materials, however, and the ''Caracal'' hull became an
clear. Even to a casual observer, the two-hulled monster gliding out of the dock was obviously the
ideal springboard for applications. The basically cylindrar structure let the titanium-molybdenum surface take some 50% of dynamic and 85% of static loads, allowing for reduced internal bracing
old Yorktown battle cruiser – whether ‘slightly reworked’, or ‘finally done right’, opinions varied.
and better utilization of interiors. This construct type was to be further developed for the heavy
cruiser project.


Most systems and functions were contained within the eight-deck main hull. Accommodation for
Standing in for the original primary hull was a leaner and meaner Geering saucer 117.1 m across
220 crew was provided, as well as ample room for an advanced medical facility and a pair of
and 8 meters thick on the rim, with a dorsal bridge superstructure offset to bow, and with a ventral
laboratories in addition to the weapons systems and usual support systems. The ventral midsection
torpedo tube bulge. Courtesy of Chiokis, the secondary hull was significantly enlarged in depth and
was reserved for a compression fusion powerplant. An SUE M-2136 impulse engine assembly,
width but at the same time streamlined with sleek, curving shapes and a stern undercut. The two
complete with two small auxiliary reactors of its own, took most of the space aft of this, leaving just
short and broad pylons on the connecting section now sloped down for an improved positioning of
a small central cavity for a shuttle hangar opening astern. Two groups of three nozzles were used,
the warp engine nacelles.
their thrust fully vectorable by forcefields even past the bulky primary hull thanks to innovative
nacelle placement. A ventrally mounted two-deck extension housed e.g. the main deflector and
navigational sensor assembly, ventral defense lasers, tractor beam and shuttle hangar support
facilities.


The warp coil nacelles were slung low below the main hull, spread by an elegantly curving pylon
Internal arrangement took full advantage of the double hull configuration. Ten decks within the
assembly. The layout produced a flat, agility-improving field, as well as healthy separation of warp
command hull held improved accommodation, uprated laser and particle cannon weaponry, hightech
coils to increase survivability. High capacity plasma conduits traversed the pylons. Enhanced
laboratories, two computer cores, and a powerful navigational deflector backed up by steerable
tubular intercoolers were installed in the nacelle aft ends, compensating for the increased plasma
twin auxiliary units on the engineering hull. Protected conduits distributed power from the
energy levels and freeing some room within the main hull engineering section. Drive plasma purge
engineering section to these systems. The main phase cannon had two single retractable mounts aft
verniers and flux chillers could be significantly downsized from earlier designs. Total mass per
of the bridge and two more aft of the ventral bulge; the main 120/1.2 laser mounts were paired
nacelle was roughly 145,000 tons.
ahead of the upper and lower protrusions. A twin-tube torpedo launcher with magazines for 80 shots
could sustain a high rate of fire from the classic location at the bottom of the saucer. Two shield
generators were also nested inside the saucer; the Horizon was the first major Starfleet vessel to be
entirely protected by subspace/graviton fields and omitting armor altogether. The generators were of
Andorian Raakuv LHH manufacture in the first three vessels to be built, but Hycor systems of Earth
origin were introduced for all later units.


However, the pylon arrangement was structurally inferior to the simple straight pylons of earlier
The secondary hull was organized much like the Yorktown one, save for the difference in scale;
cruiser classes, at least with the materials available at the time. While the initial tests of ''USS Caracal'' (NCC-750) revealed no problems, significant fatigue was reported on several ships after
shuttle hangars, workshops, fuel tanks and reactor systems were in their familiar locations. The
the first three years in operational status. Apparently, the sublight maneuvering system, which was
shuttlebay introduced precision tractor beams for approach control, yet the devices proved so
scaled for the more massive original hull design based on older materials, was tearing apart the new,
unreliable at this point that their use was discontinued for flight safety reasons. The uncluttered
lightweight and agile ships. Atomic matter piles aboard ''USS Matanzas'' (NCC-755) were damaged
landing deck, free of mechanical docking and securing aids, nevertheless represented a quantum
and a plasma coupling severed during a violent maneuver in [[2195]]; the plasma and radiation leaks
leap in auxiliary craft operations. The extensive hangars and workshops allowed up to fourteen craft
claimed fifteen lives. After this, strict flight envelope limitations were enforced on the whole
of various types to be operated from onboard the cruiser.
''Caracal'' fleet.


In contrast, warp performance was quite remarkable and the warp engines highly reliable. In the
In addition to the thoroughbred ‘Sternn’ augmented fusion main reactor of 10:1 m/am ratio and
original configuration, ''USS Saphir'' (NCC-756) achieved warp 4.9 in post-delivery testing. A
peristaltic feed, two slightly more mundane auxiliary powerplants were housed in the secondary
powerplant upgrade was performed in [[2205]], based on research done for the ''[[Guide: Mann|Mann]]'' project. The
hull. Total power production was increased almost twofold over the Dauntlesses, 30% over the
installation of a new type of flux guide enabled the ships to more carefully manipulate their warp
Yorktown. Fuel reserves provided an endurance of four years, and a theoretical maximum
fields and sustain warp 4 maximum cruise speed, with surge reserves for acceleration to warp 5.2.
operational radius of some 400 lightyears. In practice, far longer missions could be mounted even in
Fuel economy was not quite as satisfying, though, and the ships in general did not operate at high
primitive fuel replenishment conditions, as the reactors were provided with filtering systems that
warp except in emergencies.
could accept virtually anything from seawater vapor to gas giant upper atmosphere wisps.


[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|After the latest modifications in [[2223]], heavy cruiser ''USS Requin'' (NCC-758), in typical command regalia despite lacking the special C3I facilities) sports a photon torpedo system and latest-standard shields in this scene from the Battle of [[Bettysworld]], one in the endless line of border skirmishes with Klingon raiders. Compare the two ''Caracal'' ships to the
The Scarbak GPM impulse engines cowled onto the lower secondary hull produced almost three
''[[Guide: Mann|Mann]]'' class cruiser ''Cervantes'', escorted in the background by two ''[[Guide: Kovaris|Kovaris]]'' destroyers. While sharing a construction process and some components, the two cruiser classes nevertheless represented totally different philosophies of hull form and engine placement. Neither line as such was continued in the [[23rd century]], even if experiences gained on both later helped shape the starships to come.]]
times as much thrust as the contemporary Caracal impulse units, and avoided all the complications and compromises of the two-stage Enterprise arrangement. The gigantic (200,000 tons, 163 meters)
yet sleek and smoothly cowled PB-18 nacelles represented another drastic increase in propulsive
power. New flux guide systems enabled vertical off-axis control of the field, and facilitated the
change in nacelle positioning. Large tubular intercoolers were mounted in pairs atop nacelle aft
ends, powerful deflectors in turn at the center of the forward domes. Hemispherical plasma exhaust
diffusers astern could be retracted for rapid purging. In a 2199 test run performed by USS Scotia
(NCC-1006), maximum power enabled warp 5.9 for two minutes, although a more reasonable warp
5.3 was set as the official limit. The fact remained that the Scotia had grazed warp six, and would
indeed have exceeded it with just a 5% increase in power output, rather than the at least 45%
suggested by contemporary engineering experience. However, the state of the art at the time did not
allow for such power levels, so the slight but sudden drop in power requirements near warp 6 was
not observed.


An effective weapons balance was found by downplaying the role of heavy lasers and concentrating
[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|It would be very difficult to tell USS Whorfin (NCC-1024) apart from the original Advance standard, or even the Horizon
on torpedo and particle cannon firepower. Two twin 500 GW phase cannon were installed on the
baseline, by looks alone. Yet sturdier internal structures and vastly improved rear hemisphere protection made a decisive
forward hull, offering a somewhat limited cone of fire that was to be compensated by
impact in battle. The Whorfin survived this 2229 Kshatriyan ambush with light casualties and went on to serve the
maneuverability. A modular bridge was located at the top of the tapering bow. The three torpedo
Federation as a deep space survey cruiser on three separate tours of duty, the last ending in 2297.]]
tubes ran below the bridge and the main cannon, each with double loaders and magazines safely
buried inside the main hull. Secondary 750 MW (later 950 MW) lasers were installed on various
positions on the hull.


A single docking port was located on Deck 6, where the hull sloped down to the impulse engines. A
The initial design was fielded in large numbers for a capital ship of this size, 12 more cruisers being
humble contingent of two to four shuttlepods was normally carried within the hangarette between
completed after the prototype in 2196-99 and even more being planned. Independent exploratory
the engines; minimal service facilities were provided.
deployments outside known space were typical assignments, even though the capable vessels were
also called to perform various military duties. The Horizon herself had a distinguished career of
exploration under the command of Captains Mann, Gatulla and Broderick. The three-year
expedition under Captain Mann established first contact with no less than 12 civilizations, a feat no
longer believed to be possible after the early days of Enterprise exploits on a virgin quadrant.


After a round of budgetary evaluations in [[2188]], Starfleet found it had enough funds to equip a few
Yet this mode of heavy cruiser deployment brought up critique as well. The defensive commitments
of the ships far more lavishly than originally planned. The class was thus built in three variants:
of Starfleet were as much compromised by block obsolescence as the exploratory ones, and the
command cruiser, attack cruiser and light cruiser. The heavy command variant (8 ships) featured the
feline Xindi unrest of 2196-97 made ‘Where Is Starfleet?’ a burning question in mass media
maximum number of weapon systems, including a total of eight defense lasers mounted on various
headlines. The Commission for Starfleet had no choice but to reconsider its procurement policy, and
spots of the main hull exterior. She thus provided almost as much firepower as a full-fledged
several Horizon contracts were pre-empted in favor of a type optimized for hearthworld security
''[[Guide: Horizon|Horizon]]'' cruiser, although with smaller energy reserves. However, five of the ships had to make do
duty. On the positive side, the Council released significant funds for increasing the total number of
with reduced-size torpedo magazines due to the voluminous command and control facilities
cruiser hulls from eighteen to twenty-six, now evenly divided between exploratory and defensive
installed aboard. Their principal role was to provide sensing and coordination for destroyer
types.
formations. Although the ships were equipped with versatile orbit-to-surface underpylon sensor
turrets for battlefield awareness, their secondary role in support of planetary assault operations was
relatively seldom practiced.


The attack cruiser variant (5 ships) was dedicated to this type of operations, however. The type
The Advance subclass (with a scattershot range of registries from NCC-1008 on the inaugural ship
eschewed with four defense lasers, and could embark two platoons of Marines and berth four light
to NCC-1029 on the final vessel) made use of the Horizon design and even of some partially
assault barges below the hull, in a modified ventral extension. Thanks to the M-2156T engine
completed spaceframes, yet carried a completely rethought tactical suite featuring new targeting systems, a heavier particle cannon fit and an additional dorsal torpedo launcher. Most of the
enhancement, she also had the highest impulse performance, especially when not carrying an assault
laboratory facilities were displaced by the new weaponry, and the shuttle hangar was rearranged to
force.
accommodate a small flight of tactical craft. The battle cruiser designation could now openly be
applied on this subclass, built in delightful quantity yet at a relatively leisurely pace as military
threats once again receded. The type turned out to be something of a disappointment when finally
pressed to battle; the loss of USS Sentry (NCC-1010) to newly belligerent Klingons in 2209 put
construction on hold before numerous tactical shortcomings (mainly concerning secondary hull
armament, protection and power routing) could be remedied for the final three vessels.


The light cruiser variant (3 ships) carried only single particle cannon mounts and four defense
At the resumption of the Advance run, the flawed original hull NCC-1023 was left uncompleted, yet
lasers, but was dedicated to auxiliary exploration and support missions with the inclusion of
in practice lacking little else besides warp propulsion and tactical systems. She was the ideal subject
advanced sensors and enlarged laboratory and cargo facilities. The limiting shuttle hangarette
for an experimental upgunning when the Klingon offensive began: not pulled off the front lines at a
reduced exploration potential somewhat, especially compared with the ''Texas'' class.
critical moment, nor hogging any of the capacity used in construction of modern combatants, yet
offering promise of revigorating a design that existed in decisive numbers. Key to the
Chiokis/Armscor/CWD upgrade was PB-19, a 180 m monster engine capable of pushing a Horizon
to supercruise. Changes to exterior included longer, stronger pylons that held the nacelles far apart,
beyond saucer width; three nozzles per pylon for the impulse system; and significant expansion of
the secondary hull, to 140 m total length. The latter was an absolute prerequisite for the major
internal change, the installation of two Mann SSWR-IX reactors in parallel. Power aplenty could
now be used to fire up enhanced shields and an increased number of main lasers. Some secondary
weapons were replaced by phase cannon, and two more torpedo tubes added.


Unexpected drainage of funds to starbase construction and maintenance made Starfleet reconsider
The weapon upgrade was an unqualified success, at least in test firings. However, the Indomitable
this up-gunning. For a while, the plan was to build only ten ''Caracals'', mostly of the light cruiser
(as NX-1023) did not get the chance to try the deadly arsenal on Klingon vessels. Trials of the drive
variant, since there seemed to be little need for warships in the category of command cruisers.
system gave disappointing results, not so much because of design flaws but because of the
Luckily, if one forgives the expression, the brief emergence of the Romulan threat in [[2190]] changed this,
disturbing unreliability of the overcharged power system. Starfleet dared not send the ship to the
and all sixteen ships were funded and built after all. Registries for the cruisers ranged from NCC-750
battlefield, even had the embarrassed powerplant provider relinquished her. Nevertheless, the steps
to NCC-765, as Starfleet realized the originally intended 900-999 niche was too limiting even for
forward in weapons integration proved useful in virtually all the following military ship
[[22nd century]] procurement plans, and the 700-799 one would never be filled with pure survey ships in these political conditions. Indeed, were the Romulans to attempt a breakout, Starfleet was
construction and upgrade programs – including that of the Horizons.
prepared to build fifty additional units of both ''Caracal'' and ''Texas'' classes.


The departure from the registry scheme was not completely misleading. Due to the silence of the
[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Emergency shutdown! The Indomitable downwarping hard after yet another test sortie is aborted by main powerplant
Romulan front after the brief false alarm, the light ''Caracals'' were mainly pressed to exploration
failure. The chase ship is USS Altay (NCC-911), a Texas light cruiser extensively used as a range support ship between
duty: although not carrying as much special gear as the ''[[Guide: Venture|Ventures]]'', they could provide meaningful
2205 and 2220.]]
support to the assorted auxiliary cruisers in the efforts to expand the UFP borders of knowledge. Strike
cruisers in turn expanded the borders more literally, establishing Federation claim on worlds
rimward of the Romulan space. In this mission, ''USS Audace'' fell victim to unknown enemies in
[[2223]] – most likely prey to Klingon disruptor cannon. Despite the availability of improved shipboard
subspace transceivers, the cruisers spent most of their missions outside realtime communications
range, and the disappearance of the ''Audace'' was only noticed months after the fact; no flight
recorder marker was found. The command variants dutifully served on the Romulan front,
efficiently coordinating the movements of destroyer and frigate fleets.


The class received a steady string of overhauls and modifications. After the engine upgrade of [[2205]],
In 2218-19, a thorough weapon system upgrade was performed on all members of the Horizon and
the most important of these was the installation of a torpedo loader system compatible with forced intermix
Advance classes. The entire torpedo loader assemblies of the surviving ships were removed and
warheads in [[2221]]. The upgrade, based on experiences from the ''Mann'' class, was supposed
replaced with ones compatible with modern forced-intermix warheads, for which the Horizons were
to extend the lifetime of the ''Caracals'' beyond the [[2230s]]. The refit got off to a bad start, however:
priority recipients. Also, laser fire control was upgraded to Indomitable standard, and the particle
unknown to the public for many years, ''USS Allegany'' (NCC-754) was lost in an early test of the
cannon were given better surge suppressors for 20 % overcharging.
antimatter handling systems in [[2215]]. Even though the explosion killed 86 people and ripped open a
spacedock on [[Arcturas|Arcturan]] orbit, the incident was played down for counter-intelligence reasons and
referred to as a problem with the ship’s fusion reactors. This was the last time a Starfleet Incident
Investigation Board would attempt dishonesty on such a large scale, and backlash from the
inevitable exposure in [[2218]] did significant damage to public relations.


The mounting fatalities only harmed the reputation of the ''Caracal'' class within Starfleet, however.
New units were added to Fleet strength as well, the lead ships USS Essex (NCC-1350) and USS
Klingons were still suitably impressed by the new warhead type, and it was initially to UFP strategic
Archon (NCC-1370) of the respective battle cruiser and heavy cruiser batches becoming further
advantage to keep the ''Caracals'' in service, for what amounted to destroyer-level deterrent. The ships
salutes to acclaimed Daedalus ships in 2222. These newbuilds incorporated the PB-21 engine, a
still were not what Starfleet expected of its cruiser force in the [[2230s]], and relegation to lesser duties
rather minimally improved direct successor of the now dated PB-18. Yet thanks to adopting a
was proposed at the beginning of the decade. Fleet disinterest in the proposal did not stem merely
version of the Indomitable secondary hull, with its vast volumes for fuel and supplies, they enjoyed
from the poor reputation of the class; common sense also dictated that conversions to auxiliary roles
an endurance and range advantage over the converted older cruisers, and represented a higher
be performed exclusively on the more numerous ''Texas'' light cruisers rather than be needlessly
standard of accommodation as well. They are thus often considered subclasses distinct from the
spread across multiple dissimilar classes. Retirements of ''Caracals'' began in [[2232]], with the last unit
upgraded Advances and Horizons, respectively. For a few glorious years before the full operational
gone by [[2239]].
introduction of the Baton Rouge class, they actually formed the defensive strongback of Starfleet.
Yet when the more modern alternatives became available, production of both Essex and Archon
types was cut short at seven vessels.
 
None of the armament changes would have transformed the venerable heavy cruisers into invincible
fighting machines anyway, as power systems still were unable to feed terawatt lasers or rapid-fire
particle cannon. Nor did the acceleration, agility, speed or range of even the latest Horizon variants
quite meet modern military standards or ambitions. While the significant research capabilities of the
Horizons did give them an edge against Klingon cruisers by providing high-quality intelligence and
analysis of enemy tactics and capabilities, a further boost in power and propulsive performance was
decidedly needed.
 
Even though the class was nowhere near the end of useful service life, Starfleet thus began
considering a significantly more extensive upgrade option, mainly as an economical alternative to
all-new dilithium supercruisers. In this prolonged process, modern hardware was mated to Horizon
secondary hulls, as USS Constellation and USS Republic went through a series of experimental
refits to find the ideal way of replacing the command hull with a larger and stronger concave-type
saucer, and the old PB-18 or PB-21 nacelles with significantly more capable PB-3X series solidstate
units. These refits are discussed in the Constitution entry in more detail.
 
On this foundation were laid the plans for innumerable later generations of ships. The basic design
philosophy of the Horizon class has endured for almost 200 years now, both within Starfleet and
among many foreign space forces. It is only fitting that no examples of the class survive in museums
or surplus depots – the continuing influence of the Horizons on today’s starship designers is heritage
enough for the venerable design.
 
[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The last Horizon? Although most surplus secondary hulls were dismantled when their application in Achernar production
ended, this spaceframe was modified for Starfleet Corps of Engineers use, sporting a gigantic spherical workshop section
and numerous additional tractor beam stations. The vessel survived till 2322, well beyond the retirement of USS Sol,
succeeding a series of similarly anachronistic Daedalus conversions in the vital mission of ‘deep space special repair and
maintenance’.]]


Despite the logistic considerations, circumstances forced a brief postscript to the ''Caracal'' story. In
[[2250]], the decommisioned command cruisers ''Palomar, Long Beach, Tayi, Dominium'' and ''R’Sah-Dan'' were taken out of reserve to make up for a shortfall in second-tier cruiser numbers. The ships
were only minimally refitted for duty as planetary assault command centers in the final campaigns
against Klingon-minded pockets of resistance. They were removed from service in [[2251]] when more
modern ships again became available for the role. Several interested parties made offers for
‘efficient disposal’ of the vessels, which ultimately were re-engined for service in the Ktarian
defense fleet.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==

Revision as of 12:36, 20 May 2015

Horizon class heavy cruiser / battle cruiser
Horizon/Advance
Class Overview
Category heavy cruiser / battle cruiser
Operational
Constructed 40 total
  • 13 Horizon heavy cruisers built in 2193-2199
  • 9 Advance battle cruisers built in 2198-2204
  • 3 Whorfin battle cruisers (later survey cruisers) built in 2210-2215
  • 1 Indomitable battle cruiser built in 2210
  • 7 Essex battle cruisers built in 2222-2225
  • 7 Archon heavy cruisers built in 2222-2224
Dimensions
Length
  • 294.1 m (Horizon, Advance, Whorfin, Essex, Archon)
  • 311.8 m (Indomitable)
Beam
  • 117.1 m (Horizon, Advance, Whorfin, Essex, Archon)
  • 193.9 m (Indomitable)
Height
  • 46.0 m (Horizon, Advance, Whorfin, Essex, Archon)
  • 53.2 m (Indomitable)
Mass
  • 562,000 tons (Horizon, typical)
  • 566,800 tons (Advance)
  • 569,200 tons (Whorfin)
  • 578,500 tons (Essex)
  • 574,500 tons (Archon, typical)
  • 771,000 tons (Indomitable)
Performance
Cruise Speed
  • w 3 (Horizon, Advance, Whorfin, Essex, Archon)
  • w 4 (Indomitable)
Max Speed
  • w 5.3 (Horizon)
  • w 5.5 (Advance, Whorfin, Essex, Archon)
  • w 5.1 (Indomitable)
Endurance
  • 4 years (Horizon)
  • 6 years (Archon)
  • 2 years (Indomitable, Advance, Whorfin, Essex)
Complement
Officers
  • 35 (Horizon, Archon, typical)
  • 32 (Advance, Whorfin, Essex)
Enlisted
  • 278 (Horizon, typical)
  • 268 (Advance, Whorfin)
  • 289 (Essex)
  • 294 (Archon, typical)



Tactical Systems
Beam Weapons

Horizon:

  • 2x laser emitters (1.2 GW) (twin bank) (fwd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (1.2 GW) (twin bank) (fwd ventral primary hull)
  • 4x Type I phased particle cannon (900 GW) (single banks) (dorsal primary hull)
  • 4x Type I phased particle cannon (900 GW) (single banks) (ventral primary hull)
  • 2x Type H phased particle cannon (700 GW) (twin bank) (aft secondary hull)

Advance:

  • 2x laser emitters (1.2 GW) (twin bank) (fwd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (1.2 GW) (twin bank) (fwd ventral primary hull)
  • 2x Type I phased particle cannon (900 GW) (single banks) (dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x Type I phased particle cannon (900 GW) (single banks) (ventral primary hull)
  • 2x Type H phased particle cannon (900 GW) (twin bank) (aft secondary hull)

Whorfin:

  • 2x laser emitters (1.2 GW) (twin bank) (fwd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (1.2 GW) (twin bank) (fwd ventral primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (750 MW) (below secondary hull stern)
  • 2x Type I phased particle cannon (900 GW) (single banks) (dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x Type I phased particle cannon (900 GW) (single banks) (ventral primary hull)

Indomitable:

  • 3x laser emitters (1.2 GW) (triple bank) (fwd dorsal primary hull)
  • 3x laser emitters (1.2 GW) (triple bank) (fwd ventral primary hull)
  • 2x Type J phased particle cannon (900 GW) (single banks) (dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x Type J phased particle cannon (900 GW) (single banks) (ventral primary hull)
  • 2x Type J phased particle cannon (900 GW) (twin bank) (aft secondary hull)

Horizon/Advance refit 2218 & Archon:

  • 2x laser emitters (1.0 GW) (twin bank) (dorsal hull centerline)
  • 2x laser emitters (1.0 GW) (twin bank) (ventral hull centerline)
  • 1x laser emitter (950 MW) (below secondary hull stern)
  • 2x Type J phased particle cannon (900 GW) (aft hull)
  • 2x Type J phased particle cannon (900 GW) (dorsal hull rim)
  • 2x Type J phased particle cannon (900 GW) (ventral hull rim)
Missile Weapons

Horizon:

  • 2 fwd torpedo tubes (w/ 80 photonic torpedoes) (ventral primary hull)

Advance:

  • 2 fwd torpedo tubes (w/ 120 photonic torpedoes) (dorsal primary hull)
  • 2 fwd torpedo tubes (w/ 120 photonic torpedoes) (ventral primary hull)

Whorfin:

  • 2 fwd torpedo tubes (w/ 120 photonic torpedoes) (dorsal primary hull)
  • 2 fwd torpedo tubes (w/ 120 photonic torpedoes) (ventral primary hull)

Indomitable:

  • 4 fwd torpedo tubes (w/ 80 photonic torpedoes) (dorsal primary hull)

Horizon/Advance refit 2218 & Archon:

  • 2x fwd torpedo tubes (w/ 55 photon torpedoes and 20 probes) (dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x fwd torpedo tubes (w/ 55 photon torpedoes) (central primary hull)
Shields
  • 1-layer conformal forcefield
  • Navigational deflector on primary hull bow
  • 2x auxiliary deflectors on secondary hull bow
Laboratories

Horizon, Archon:

  • 1x GP
  • 1x astrophysics
  • 2x planetary sciences
  • 1x chemistry/life sciences
  • 1x linguistics

Advance, Whorfin:

  • 2x GP

Indomitable:

  • none
Transporters
  • 2x GP (3-pad); Mk I
  • 3x emergency evacuation (22-pad); Mk I
  • 1x cargo; Mk I
  • Select Advance, Whorfin upgraded to Mk II
Auxiliary Craft

2200s, typical:

  • 4x heavy shuttles
  • 10x light shuttles
  • 6x shuttlepods

Advance, Whorfin:

  • 5x light shuttles
  • 6x sublight tactical craft

2240s, typical:

  • 5x light shuttles
  • 4x shuttlepods
  • 1-2x special environment craft (or 1 scout cutter)
Historical
Ships of Note
  • USS Advance (NCC-1008)
  • USS Constellation (NCC-1017)
Canonicity
Design SFC battle cruiser, ST: Legacy computer game 'Yorktown
Name FSRC, SFC
History FSRC, HCE, own



Although the heavy star cruiser was recognized as the mainstay of Starfleet’s strategy of exploration and the de facto capital starship of the defense force early on, keeping the Fleet continuously supplied with even two dozen heavy cruisers of modern type seemed beyond the scope of the organization. In theory, resources would be very efficiently used in building these large, long range ships capable of independent action in all conceivable situations. In practice, allocating the required funds would beggar the rest of the Fleet, which still needed its destroyers, tenders and transports. Starfleet had to strike an undesirable balance between quality and quantity, stressing the former to an unhealthy degree, and to keep hoping that circumstances would eventually allow for improving the latter as well.

The Victoria (NCC-1013) gets acquainted with a megesti swarm. The energy-hungry spaceborne creatures once numbered in the quintillions, yet their ‘natural habitat’ is anything but. The subspace disk around Algol was apparently constructed some 23,000 years ago by parties unknown, and has been rapidly degrading for the past millennia. The last megesti are expected to dissipate by the 40th century, unless means can be found to restore their unique habitat. Meanwhile, arguments on their possible collective sentience, first launched by the Victoria survey, rage on.

In the 2180s, as the careers of the wartime capital ship classes began their inevitable downturn, it was again time to develop a heavy cruiser of superior attributes. Despite the problems with the dilithium-regulated powerplants, the basic designs of the preceding cruiser generation had proven completely satisfactory for both exploration and defense purposes. Yet there was a pressing need for more internal volume, which Starfleet felt could no longer be provided by increasing primary hull size.

A new approach called for new blood. Invited to participate was the newcomer Chiokis Corporation of Andor, a junior partner at this point. Wartime shipbuilders still did a lion’s share of the work regarding both design and construction. When the first Horizon class heavy cruiser, NCC-1000, emerged from the dockyards in 2196, family resemblance to preceding capital ship classes was thus clear. Even to a casual observer, the two-hulled monster gliding out of the dock was obviously the old Yorktown battle cruiser – whether ‘slightly reworked’, or ‘finally done right’, opinions varied.

Standing in for the original primary hull was a leaner and meaner Geering saucer 117.1 m across and 8 meters thick on the rim, with a dorsal bridge superstructure offset to bow, and with a ventral torpedo tube bulge. Courtesy of Chiokis, the secondary hull was significantly enlarged in depth and width but at the same time streamlined with sleek, curving shapes and a stern undercut. The two short and broad pylons on the connecting section now sloped down for an improved positioning of the warp engine nacelles.

Internal arrangement took full advantage of the double hull configuration. Ten decks within the command hull held improved accommodation, uprated laser and particle cannon weaponry, hightech laboratories, two computer cores, and a powerful navigational deflector backed up by steerable twin auxiliary units on the engineering hull. Protected conduits distributed power from the engineering section to these systems. The main phase cannon had two single retractable mounts aft of the bridge and two more aft of the ventral bulge; the main 120/1.2 laser mounts were paired ahead of the upper and lower protrusions. A twin-tube torpedo launcher with magazines for 80 shots could sustain a high rate of fire from the classic location at the bottom of the saucer. Two shield generators were also nested inside the saucer; the Horizon was the first major Starfleet vessel to be entirely protected by subspace/graviton fields and omitting armor altogether. The generators were of Andorian Raakuv LHH manufacture in the first three vessels to be built, but Hycor systems of Earth origin were introduced for all later units.

The secondary hull was organized much like the Yorktown one, save for the difference in scale; shuttle hangars, workshops, fuel tanks and reactor systems were in their familiar locations. The shuttlebay introduced precision tractor beams for approach control, yet the devices proved so unreliable at this point that their use was discontinued for flight safety reasons. The uncluttered landing deck, free of mechanical docking and securing aids, nevertheless represented a quantum leap in auxiliary craft operations. The extensive hangars and workshops allowed up to fourteen craft of various types to be operated from onboard the cruiser.

In addition to the thoroughbred ‘Sternn’ augmented fusion main reactor of 10:1 m/am ratio and peristaltic feed, two slightly more mundane auxiliary powerplants were housed in the secondary hull. Total power production was increased almost twofold over the Dauntlesses, 30% over the Yorktown. Fuel reserves provided an endurance of four years, and a theoretical maximum operational radius of some 400 lightyears. In practice, far longer missions could be mounted even in primitive fuel replenishment conditions, as the reactors were provided with filtering systems that could accept virtually anything from seawater vapor to gas giant upper atmosphere wisps.

The Scarbak GPM impulse engines cowled onto the lower secondary hull produced almost three times as much thrust as the contemporary Caracal impulse units, and avoided all the complications and compromises of the two-stage Enterprise arrangement. The gigantic (200,000 tons, 163 meters) yet sleek and smoothly cowled PB-18 nacelles represented another drastic increase in propulsive power. New flux guide systems enabled vertical off-axis control of the field, and facilitated the change in nacelle positioning. Large tubular intercoolers were mounted in pairs atop nacelle aft ends, powerful deflectors in turn at the center of the forward domes. Hemispherical plasma exhaust diffusers astern could be retracted for rapid purging. In a 2199 test run performed by USS Scotia (NCC-1006), maximum power enabled warp 5.9 for two minutes, although a more reasonable warp 5.3 was set as the official limit. The fact remained that the Scotia had grazed warp six, and would indeed have exceeded it with just a 5% increase in power output, rather than the at least 45% suggested by contemporary engineering experience. However, the state of the art at the time did not allow for such power levels, so the slight but sudden drop in power requirements near warp 6 was not observed.

It would be very difficult to tell USS Whorfin (NCC-1024) apart from the original Advance standard, or even the Horizon baseline, by looks alone. Yet sturdier internal structures and vastly improved rear hemisphere protection made a decisive impact in battle. The Whorfin survived this 2229 Kshatriyan ambush with light casualties and went on to serve the Federation as a deep space survey cruiser on three separate tours of duty, the last ending in 2297.

The initial design was fielded in large numbers for a capital ship of this size, 12 more cruisers being completed after the prototype in 2196-99 and even more being planned. Independent exploratory deployments outside known space were typical assignments, even though the capable vessels were also called to perform various military duties. The Horizon herself had a distinguished career of exploration under the command of Captains Mann, Gatulla and Broderick. The three-year expedition under Captain Mann established first contact with no less than 12 civilizations, a feat no longer believed to be possible after the early days of Enterprise exploits on a virgin quadrant.

Yet this mode of heavy cruiser deployment brought up critique as well. The defensive commitments of Starfleet were as much compromised by block obsolescence as the exploratory ones, and the feline Xindi unrest of 2196-97 made ‘Where Is Starfleet?’ a burning question in mass media headlines. The Commission for Starfleet had no choice but to reconsider its procurement policy, and several Horizon contracts were pre-empted in favor of a type optimized for hearthworld security duty. On the positive side, the Council released significant funds for increasing the total number of cruiser hulls from eighteen to twenty-six, now evenly divided between exploratory and defensive types.

The Advance subclass (with a scattershot range of registries from NCC-1008 on the inaugural ship to NCC-1029 on the final vessel) made use of the Horizon design and even of some partially completed spaceframes, yet carried a completely rethought tactical suite featuring new targeting systems, a heavier particle cannon fit and an additional dorsal torpedo launcher. Most of the laboratory facilities were displaced by the new weaponry, and the shuttle hangar was rearranged to accommodate a small flight of tactical craft. The battle cruiser designation could now openly be applied on this subclass, built in delightful quantity yet at a relatively leisurely pace as military threats once again receded. The type turned out to be something of a disappointment when finally pressed to battle; the loss of USS Sentry (NCC-1010) to newly belligerent Klingons in 2209 put construction on hold before numerous tactical shortcomings (mainly concerning secondary hull armament, protection and power routing) could be remedied for the final three vessels.

At the resumption of the Advance run, the flawed original hull NCC-1023 was left uncompleted, yet in practice lacking little else besides warp propulsion and tactical systems. She was the ideal subject for an experimental upgunning when the Klingon offensive began: not pulled off the front lines at a critical moment, nor hogging any of the capacity used in construction of modern combatants, yet offering promise of revigorating a design that existed in decisive numbers. Key to the Chiokis/Armscor/CWD upgrade was PB-19, a 180 m monster engine capable of pushing a Horizon to supercruise. Changes to exterior included longer, stronger pylons that held the nacelles far apart, beyond saucer width; three nozzles per pylon for the impulse system; and significant expansion of the secondary hull, to 140 m total length. The latter was an absolute prerequisite for the major internal change, the installation of two Mann SSWR-IX reactors in parallel. Power aplenty could now be used to fire up enhanced shields and an increased number of main lasers. Some secondary weapons were replaced by phase cannon, and two more torpedo tubes added.

The weapon upgrade was an unqualified success, at least in test firings. However, the Indomitable (as NX-1023) did not get the chance to try the deadly arsenal on Klingon vessels. Trials of the drive system gave disappointing results, not so much because of design flaws but because of the disturbing unreliability of the overcharged power system. Starfleet dared not send the ship to the battlefield, even had the embarrassed powerplant provider relinquished her. Nevertheless, the steps forward in weapons integration proved useful in virtually all the following military ship construction and upgrade programs – including that of the Horizons.

Emergency shutdown! The Indomitable downwarping hard after yet another test sortie is aborted by main powerplant failure. The chase ship is USS Altay (NCC-911), a Texas light cruiser extensively used as a range support ship between 2205 and 2220.

In 2218-19, a thorough weapon system upgrade was performed on all members of the Horizon and Advance classes. The entire torpedo loader assemblies of the surviving ships were removed and replaced with ones compatible with modern forced-intermix warheads, for which the Horizons were priority recipients. Also, laser fire control was upgraded to Indomitable standard, and the particle cannon were given better surge suppressors for 20 % overcharging.

New units were added to Fleet strength as well, the lead ships USS Essex (NCC-1350) and USS Archon (NCC-1370) of the respective battle cruiser and heavy cruiser batches becoming further salutes to acclaimed Daedalus ships in 2222. These newbuilds incorporated the PB-21 engine, a rather minimally improved direct successor of the now dated PB-18. Yet thanks to adopting a version of the Indomitable secondary hull, with its vast volumes for fuel and supplies, they enjoyed an endurance and range advantage over the converted older cruisers, and represented a higher standard of accommodation as well. They are thus often considered subclasses distinct from the upgraded Advances and Horizons, respectively. For a few glorious years before the full operational introduction of the Baton Rouge class, they actually formed the defensive strongback of Starfleet. Yet when the more modern alternatives became available, production of both Essex and Archon types was cut short at seven vessels.

None of the armament changes would have transformed the venerable heavy cruisers into invincible fighting machines anyway, as power systems still were unable to feed terawatt lasers or rapid-fire particle cannon. Nor did the acceleration, agility, speed or range of even the latest Horizon variants quite meet modern military standards or ambitions. While the significant research capabilities of the Horizons did give them an edge against Klingon cruisers by providing high-quality intelligence and analysis of enemy tactics and capabilities, a further boost in power and propulsive performance was decidedly needed.

Even though the class was nowhere near the end of useful service life, Starfleet thus began considering a significantly more extensive upgrade option, mainly as an economical alternative to all-new dilithium supercruisers. In this prolonged process, modern hardware was mated to Horizon secondary hulls, as USS Constellation and USS Republic went through a series of experimental refits to find the ideal way of replacing the command hull with a larger and stronger concave-type saucer, and the old PB-18 or PB-21 nacelles with significantly more capable PB-3X series solidstate units. These refits are discussed in the Constitution entry in more detail.

On this foundation were laid the plans for innumerable later generations of ships. The basic design philosophy of the Horizon class has endured for almost 200 years now, both within Starfleet and among many foreign space forces. It is only fitting that no examples of the class survive in museums or surplus depots – the continuing influence of the Horizons on today’s starship designers is heritage enough for the venerable design.

The last Horizon? Although most surplus secondary hulls were dismantled when their application in Achernar production ended, this spaceframe was modified for Starfleet Corps of Engineers use, sporting a gigantic spherical workshop section and numerous additional tractor beam stations. The vessel survived till 2322, well beyond the retirement of USS Sol, succeeding a series of similarly anachronistic Daedalus conversions in the vital mission of ‘deep space special repair and maintenance’.


Gallery


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