Guide:Ranger (light cruiser): Difference between revisions

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[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Even if the Rangers sported virtually no exploration gear, random discoveries could befall any vessel, including one
[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Even if the ''Rangers'' sported virtually no exploration gear, random discoveries could befall any vessel, including one providentially named ''USS Coronado'' (NCC-788). The arid surface of the distant [[Cestus III]] was an ideal location for an observation outpost and local stronghold, right at the rimward flank of Klingon expansion, yet seemingly in uncontested space. Had the ''Coronado'' been better equipped for survey duty, signs of Gorn mining activity would have been obvious to her, and heated future conflict might have been avoided.]]
providentially named USS Coronado (NCC-788). The arid surface of the distant Cestus III was an ideal location for an
observation outpost and local stronghold, right at the rimward flank of Klingon expansion, yet seemingly in uncontested
space. Had the Coronado been better equipped for survey duty, signs of Gorn mining activity would have been obvious to
her, and heated future conflict might have been avoided.]]


The destruction of USS Sentry in 2209 came as a rude surprise to Starfleet, in more ways than one.
The destruction of ''USS Sentry'' in [[2209]] came as a rude surprise to [[Starfleet]], in more ways than one.
Clearly, some basic assumptions of the Klingon psyche now had to be abandoned; also puzzling
Clearly, some basic assumptions of the Klingon psyche now had to be abandoned; also puzzling
was the lack of a wider Imperial reaction to the altercation. On a more concrete note, the weak
was the lack of a wider Imperial reaction to the altercation. On a more concrete note, the weak
showing of the modern Advance class battle cruiser had not been anticipated. Nor had Starfleet had
showing of the modern ''[[Guide: Advance|Advance]]'' class battle cruiser had not been anticipated. Nor had Starfleet had
any idea that Klingon territorial claims extended this far spinward, enforced with such irrational vehemence that SF Intelligence could but conclude that crucial industrial resources were hidden on
any idea that Klingon territorial claims extended this far spinward, enforced with such irrational vehemence that SF Intelligence could but conclude that crucial industrial resources were hidden on
the stormy surface of Gamma Demetrius – or Boreth, as the refugees had called the planet before the
the stormy surface of [[Gamma Demetrius]] – or Boreth, as the refugees had called the planet before the
fateful exchange of fire.
fateful exchange of fire.


Starfleet’s only effective countermeasure to unrest in this distant part of space would be its
Starfleet’s only effective countermeasure to unrest in this distant part of space would be its
supercruising fleet. Unnervingly, this force at the time consisted of just twelve Mann light cruisers;
supercruising fleet. Unnervingly, this force at the time consisted of just twelve ''[[Guide:Mann|Mann]]'' light cruisers;
in light of the continuing inactivity of the Imperial fleet, funds were released neither for further
in light of the continuing inactivity of the Imperial fleet, funds were released neither for further
construction, nor for the desired propulsive uprating of the Horizon and Advance force. Yet by
construction, nor for the desired propulsive uprating of the ''[[Guide:Horizon|Horizon]]'' and ''Advance'' force. Yet by
2212, it had become clear that something was amiss in the Empire. The incidence of Klingon-on-
[[2212]], it had become clear that something was amiss in the Empire. The incidence of Klingon-on-Klingon combat engagements, even if never zero, appeared to be increasing drastically. A pattern of
Klingon combat engagements, even if never zero, appeared to be increasing drastically. A pattern of
defections and secessions, followed by punitive expeditions, swept through observable border space.
defections and secessions, followed by punitive expeditions, swept through observable borderspace.
Clearly, the seat of the Emperor no longer was in complete control of the Klingon fighting urge.
Clearly, the seat of the Emperor no longer was in complete control of the Klingon fighting urge.


Federation Council could not dismiss the signs of bellicose intent indefinitely. Grudgingly, six
The Federation Council could not dismiss the signs of bellicose intent indefinitely. Grudgingly, six
further Manns were promised, then just four procured after a bitter interpartisan battle. Frustrated
further ''Manns'' were promised, then just four procured after a bitter inter-partisan battle. Frustrated
with the complete inadequacy of the measure, Starfleet in late 2212 shunted almost 40% of its
with the complete inadequacy of the measure, Starfleet in late [[2212]] shunted almost 40% of its
maintenance budget into the development of a mass-produceable supercruising light cruiser. Self-evidently,
maintenance budget into the development of a mass-produceable supercruising light cruiser. Self-evidently,
the contract went to Chiokis Corporation, keeper of the secrets of supercruise propulsion
the contract went to [[Corporations_of_the_UFP#Shipbuilders|Chiokis Corporation]], keeper of the secrets of supercruise propulsion
and affordable manufacturing of trititanium hulls. Actual construction was mainly performed by
and affordable manufacturing of trititanium hulls. Actual construction was mainly performed by
Star Fleet Division at Sol IV. Against expectations, the crash program was a complete success. In
Star Fleet Division at [[Sol IV]]. Against expectations, the crash program was a complete success. In
June 2215, dockyard mooring clamps first released USS Ranger (NCC-781) to Martian orbit, and to
June [[2215]], dockyard mooring clamps first released ''USS Ranger'' (NCC-781) to Martian orbit, and to
two months of greatly expedited testing.
two months of greatly expedited testing.


Although retaining the 101.7 m diameter of the Mann hull, the Ranger primary structural frame was
Although retaining the 101.7 m diameter of the ''Mann'' hull, the '''''Ranger''''' primary structural frame was
trimmed down on the ventral side to just 20 m thickness (or 27.1 m when including the dorsal
trimmed down on the ventral side to just 20 m thickness (or 27.1 m when including the dorsal
superstructures and ventral sensor dome). The 140,000 ton, 113 m PA-100 engines were mounted
superstructures and ventral sensor dome). The 140,000 ton, 113 m PA-100 engines were mounted
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emission levels. Total conversion power and propulsive systems still took a lion’s share of the
emission levels. Total conversion power and propulsive systems still took a lion’s share of the
primary hull, yet major mission systems were now moved to a wholly new secondary structure,
primary hull, yet major mission systems were now moved to a wholly new secondary structure,
dangling above the stern. The advantageous combining of Mann and Horizon features solved the
dangling above the stern. The advantageous combining of ''Mann'' and ''Horizon'' features solved the
problems of internal volume allocation, and further held promise of modular and efficient mission
problems of internal volume allocation, and further held promise of modular and efficient mission
gear upgrades. Initially housed in the six-deck secondary hull – a tapering cylinder of smoothly
gear upgrades. Initially housed in the six-deck secondary hull – a tapering cylinder of smoothly
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Within the eight-deck primary hull lay berthing and all manner of long duration physiological and
Within the eight-deck primary hull lay berthing and all manner of long duration physiological and
psychological support for the 287 crew. Again, minimal laboratory facilities were included in the
psychological support for the 287 crew. Again, minimal laboratory facilities were included in the
mission suite: the Ranger was built with a specific mission in mind, yielding not a cubic meter to
mission suite: the ''Ranger'' was built with a specific mission in mind, yielding not a cubic meter to
idle scientific curiosity.
idle scientific curiosity.


The service career of the Ranger proved short, culminating ignominiously in Klingon boarding as
The service career of the ''USS Ranger'' proved short, culminating ignominiously in Klingon boarding as
the Empire in 2218 overran Archanis for the first time. Starfleet had been able to get its escalation
the Empire in [[2218]] overran [[Archanis]] for the first time. Starfleet had been able to get its escalation
program started, however, and response was swift. Twenty-eight sisters to the Ranger as well as
program started, however, and response was swift. Twenty-eight sisters to the ''Ranger'' as well as
twenty-five stepsisters of the marginally more modern Triumphant (NCC-1200) class were
twenty-five stepsisters of the marginally more modern '''''Triumphant''''' (NCC-1200) class were
completed by 2220, by expanding the production base of tritanium-hulled ships from Sol to Procyon
completed by [[2220]], by expanding the production base of tritanium-hulled ships from [[Sol]] to [[Procyon]]
and Alpha Centauri. Armed to teeth with latest-standard lasers, the light cruisers ventured out to
and [[Alpha Centauri]]. Armed to the teeth with the latest-standard lasers, the light cruisers ventured out to
meet the tidal wave of Klingons, achieving by careful coordination and superior tactics what they
meet the tidal wave of Klingons, achieving by careful coordination and superior tactics what they
could not manage by strength of numbers or armament alone. In terms of technology, the Rangers
could not manage by strength of numbers or armament alone. In terms of technology, the ''Rangers''
were by the 2220s already obsolescent and stressed well beyond their limits.
were by the [[2220s]] already obsolescent and stressed well beyond their limits.


Thankfully, the same was true of the Klingon fleet, which had been logistically utterly unprepared
Thankfully, the same was true of the Klingon fleet, which had been logistically utterly unprepared
for war in 2209 and had made little progress since. In an acclaimed engagement in 2228, scout
for war in [[2209]] and had made little progress since. In an acclaimed engagement in [[2228]], scout
cruiser USS Bastion (NCC-811) was able to reduce to scrap in a single engagement five of her
cruiser ''USS Bastion'' (NCC-811) was able to reduce to scrap in a single engagement five of her
Klingon counterparts before succumbing; the targeting systems of some of the adversaries could not
Klingon counterparts before succumbing; the targeting systems of some of the adversaries could not
attain lock no matter what, while others were armed with short-ranged disruptors only and were
attain lock no matter what, while others were armed with short-ranged disruptors only and were
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held at bay, and enough time was bought to field a modern range of Starfleet combatants.
held at bay, and enough time was bought to field a modern range of Starfleet combatants.


[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|300px|thumb|The sole survivor of the Sol defense force at the Battle of Ganymede, USS Yamato (NCC-1305) juts out of the side of the
[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|300px|thumb|The sole survivor of the [[Sol]] defense force at the Battle of [[Ganymede]], ''USS Yamato'' (NCC-1305) juts out of the side of the
Klingon flagship. The audacious ramming and boarding counterattack saved Earth from the equally cheeky deep
Klingon flagship. The audacious ramming and boarding counterattack saved [[Earth]] from the equally cheeky deep
penetration raid of Adm. Kesslok’s force, and ensured immortality to the name Yamato in Starfleet history.]]
penetration raid of Admiral Kesslok’s force, and ensured immortality to the name ''Yamato'' in [[Starfleet]] history.]]


In the 2220s, Baton Rouge heavy cruisers and Detroyat and Saladin destroyers sailed out against a
In the [[2220s]], ''[[Guide:Baton Rouge|Baton Rouge]]'' heavy cruisers and ''[[Guide:Detroyat|Detroyat]]'' and ''[[Guide:Saladin|Saladin]]'' destroyers sailed out against a
flow of homebound Manns and Rangers. There was little to be done for the veterans, which no
flow of homebound ''Manns'' and ''Rangers''. There was little to be done for the veterans, which no
longer were combatworthy even in the broadest sense of the word. Converting the ships for
longer were combat-worthy even in the broadest sense of the word. Converting the ships for
homefront duties was patently impossible due to the cramped and inflexible internal arrangements.
homefront duties was patently impossible due to the cramped and inflexible internal arrangements.
Yet the basic Ranger design was sound enough, the two-hull arrangement preferable for many
Yet the basic ''Ranger'' design was sound enough, the two-hull arrangement preferable for many
mission profiles. A simple replacement of the primary hull with a proper saucer would yield warpdynamic
mission profiles. A simple replacement of the primary hull with a proper saucer would yield warp-dynamic
advantages, offsetting the performance loss from necessary total conversion reactor
advantages, offsetting the performance loss from necessary total conversion reactor down-scaling.
downscaling.


Rather than get sucked into yet another primary hull replacement quagmire, Chiokis relinquished
Rather than get sucked into yet another primary hull replacement quagmire, Chiokis relinquished
the Ranger modernization work to Harbin. Funding for the ships, now comparable to destroyers in
the ''Ranger'' modernization work to [[Corporations_of_the_UFP#Shipbuilders|Harbin]]. Funding for the ships, now comparable to destroyers in
size, was less of a hurdle than a decade prior. Fifty contracts in total were secured, chiefly by
size, was less of a hurdle than a decade prior. Fifty contracts in total were secured, chiefly by
Empress and Nunin yards, resulting in the Jidai (NCC-1300) and Pytheas (NCC-1400) classes of
[[Corporations_of_the_UFP#Shipbuilders|Empress]] and [[Corporations_of_the_UFP#Shipbuilders|Nunin]] yards, resulting in the '''''Jidai''''' (NCC-1300) and '''''Pytheas''''' (NCC-1400) classes of
reconnaissance and exploratory light cruisers. Yet in 2227, production was halted at just ten and
reconnaissance and exploratory light cruisers. Yet in [[2227]], production was halted at just ten and
eleven units, respectively. According to Starfleet, the classes were now meeting their respective
eleven units, respectively. According to Starfleet, the classes were now meeting their respective
support commitments, allowing the rest of the cruiser force to carry on the fight.
support commitments, allowing the rest of the cruiser force to carry on the fight.
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instrumentation. As only 202 crew would be needed for the exploratory or military reconnaissance
instrumentation. As only 202 crew would be needed for the exploratory or military reconnaissance
missions, accommodation standards actually went up despite the reduction in volume. Further
missions, accommodation standards actually went up despite the reduction in volume. Further
berthing was provided in the secondary hull, which in the Pytheases omitted the torpedo launchers,
berthing was provided in the secondary hull, which in the ''Pytheases'' omitted the torpedo launchers.
in the Jidais converted them to fire pulse wave rather than photonic torpedoes, and in both replaced
In the ''Jidais'', the launchers were converted to fire pulse wave rather than photonic torpedoes, and both classes replaced
the aft hangar with a sensor dome. The forward sensor array was also downscaled and modernized,
the aft hangar with a sensor dome. The forward sensor array was also down-scaled and modernized,
and the dorsal cargo doors were adopted for launching and recovering the larger exploratory shuttles
and the dorsal cargo doors were adopted for launching and recovering the larger exploratory shuttles
or scoutcraft the ships now carried.
or scoutcraft the ships now carried.


Even the torpedo-less Pytheas was not completely without teeth, of course. Four laser banks were
Even the torpedo-less ''Pytheas'' was not completely without teeth, of course. Four laser banks were
provided in the primary hull, and shielding met the requirements of the modern battlefield. Still, no
provided in the primary hull, and shielding met the requirements of the modern battlefield. Still, no
frontline missions were envisioned. The light cruisers could not maintain fleet speed with Saladin,
frontline missions were envisioned. The light cruisers could not maintain fleet speed with ''Saladin'',
Detroyat or Baton Rouge forces, and freely gave the Hermes class monopoly to fleet coordination
''Detroyat'' or ''Baton Rouge'' forces, and freely gave the ''[[Guide:Hermes|Hermes]]'' class monopoly to fleet coordination
systems and facilities. Independent exploration and judicious old-fashioned spying at a more
systems and facilities. Independent exploration and judicious old-fashioned spying at a more
leisurely pace would serve Federation strategic interests just as well.
leisurely pace would serve [[Federation]] strategic interests just as well.


[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Entering standard orbit, USS Annôn (NCC-1403) flips her shuttlebay towards z Ursae Majoris II. Planet Mizar lay well
[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Entering standard orbit, ''USS Annôn'' (NCC-1403) flips her shuttlebay towards [[Zeta Ursae Majoris II]]. Planet [[Mizar]] lay well within the survey range of the modestly performing light cruiser, but proved a challenge in tactical terms, as the Tzenkethi occupying forces did not look favorably to their subject world having interstellar contact.]]
within the survey range of the modestly performing light cruiser, but proved a challenge in tactical terms, as the Tzenkethi
occupying forces did not look favorably to their subject world having interstellar contact.]]


While the Pytheases went to interstellar fame with discovery after discovery, paving way for future
While the ''Pytheases'' went to interstellar fame with discovery after discovery, paving way for future
generations of deep space cruisers, financial realities back home changed to the better, and the
generations of deep space cruisers, financial realities back home changed to the better, and the
original Ranger fleet gradually received a corresponding upgrade. The first ship to be converted in
original ''Ranger'' fleet gradually received a corresponding upgrade. The first ship to be converted in
2228 was USS Spann (NCC-790), followed by twelve out of the surviving sixteen by 2233. Fitting
[[2228]] was [[USS Spann]] (NCC-790), followed by twelve out of the surviving sixteen by [[2233]]. Fitting
the Harbin saucer into a preexisting spaceframe was more demanding than newbuilding, and the
the Harbin saucer into a preexisting spaceframe was more demanding than new-building, and the
experienced Vickers took over from its Selenite and O’Ryanite competitors. Externally, a
experienced [[Corporations_of_the_UFP#Shipbuilders|Vickers]] took over from its [[Corporations_of_the_UFP#Shipbuilders|Selenite]] and [[Corporations_of_the_UFP#Shipbuilders|O’Ryanite]] competitors. Externally, a
modernized Ranger looked very much like a Pytheas, save for the secondary hull: the stern hangar
modernized ''Ranger'' looked very much like a ''Pytheas'', save for the secondary hull: the stern hangar
was retained, as were both torpedo embankments, even though modern systems were naturally
was retained, as were both torpedo embankments, even though modern systems were naturally
substituted in these positions. The SAB impulse engines were a definite improvement over either
substituted in these positions. The SAB impulse engines were a definite improvement over either
the original M-2196 units or the Pytheas SAA standard, and heavier lasers were also substituted for
the original M-2196 units or the ''Pytheas'' SAA standard, and heavier lasers were also substituted for
the antiquated Tesla units. Overall, the new Rangers were competent combatants, even if lacking in
the antiquated Tesla units. Overall, the new ''Rangers'' were competent combatants, even if lacking in
flexibility and joint operations capability.
flexibility and joint operations capability.


The surviving Triumphants received no refits and were swiftly scrapped at the introduction of
The surviving ''Triumphants'' received no refits and were swiftly scrapped at the introduction of
modern heavy destroyers, vessels that made utter ridicule of the tactical abilities of the light
modern heavy destroyers, vessels that made utter ridicule of the tactical abilities of the light
cruisers. In turn, propulsive performance proved to be the stumbling block of Jidai, Pytheas and
cruisers. In turn, propulsive performance proved to be the stumbling block of ''Jidai'', ''Pytheas'' and
Ranger alike. A fine engine for its day, the PA-100 had little patience for engineers who attempted
''Ranger'' alike. A fine engine for its day, the PA-100 had little patience for engineers who attempted
gradual uprating, and began to leak from all seams when pressed beyond its inherent limits.
gradual uprating, and began to leak from all seams when pressed beyond its inherent limits.
Anything larger, such as the PB-29 of the modern destroyer fleet, would have broken the back of the
Anything larger, such as the PB-29 of the modern destroyer fleet, would have broken the back of the
light cruisers; anything smaller would fail to yield the desired improvements. When even the
light cruisers; anything smaller would fail to yield the desired improvements. When even the
compact PB-35 proved too heavy for successful installation, the Rangers were deemed unfit for
compact PB-35 proved too heavy for successful installation, the ''Rangers'' were deemed unfit for
modern combat tasks, and underwent a humiliating withdrawal from frontline service in favor of the
modern combat tasks, and underwent a humiliating withdrawal from frontline service in favor of the
reborn Texas light cruisers. Many were cut into components for Liberty transports. The Jidai fleet
reborn ''[[Guide:Texas refit|Texas]]'' light cruisers. Many were cut into components for ''[[Guide: Independence|Liberty]]'' transports. The ''Jidai'' fleet
was spared the disgrace by virtue of having died a warrior’s death: by 2259, every last of the
was spared the disgrace by virtue of having died a warrior’s death: by [[2259]], every last of the
spyships had been eliminated by the enemy, the heroic struggle of USS Yamato (NCC-1305)
spyships had been eliminated by the enemy, the heroic struggle of ''USS Yamato'' (NCC-1305)
guaranteeing longevity to her name in Starfleet history. The Pytheas fleet in turn bowed to
guaranteeing longevity to her name in [[Starfleet]] history. The ''Pytheas'' fleet in turn bowed to
Constitution heavy cruisers as Starfleet’s primary instrument of independent deep space exploration.
''[[Guide: Constitution|Constitution]]'' heavy cruisers as Starfleet’s primary instrument of independent deep space exploration.


The last Ranger, USS Duncan (NCC-793), was retired from spacelane patrol in late 2269, her
The last ''Ranger'', ''USS Duncan'' (NCC-793), was retired from spacelane patrol in late [[2269]], her
torpedo launchers long since removed. The Pytheas class kept going longer, even in face of major
torpedo launchers long since removed. The ''Pytheas'' class kept going longer, even in face of major
attrition due to maintenance problems. USS Ibn Rustah (NCC-1409) remained in active service until
attrition due to maintenance problems. ''USS Ibn Rustah'' (NCC-1409) remained in active service until
the Khitomer peace, scoring planetary survey successes till the very last.
the Khitomer peace, scoring planetary survey successes till the very last.


Revision as of 07:11, 10 April 2016

Ranger light cruiser
Ranger
Class Overview
Category light cruiser
Operational
Constructed 75 total:
Dimensions
Length
  • Ranger, Triumphant: 178.5 m
  • Jidai, Pytheas, Ranger refit: 181.8 m
Beam
  • Ranger, Triumphant: 101.7 m
  • Jidai, Pytheas, Ranger refit: 95.0 m
Height
  • Ranger, Triumphant: 63.2 m
  • Jidai, Pytheas, Ranger refit: 55.9 m
Mass
  • Ranger: 356,000 tons
  • Triumphant: 351,000 tons
  • Jidai: 342,500 tons
  • Pytheas: 349,000 tons
  • Ranger refit: 350,000 tons
Performance
Cruise Speed w 4
Max Speed
  • Ranger, Triumphant: w 4.8
  • Jidai, Pytheas, Ranger refit: w 6.1
Endurance 6 years
Complement
Officers
  • Ranger: 16
  • Triumphant, Pytheas: 12
  • Jidai: 13
Enlisted
  • Ranger: 271
  • Triumphant: 197
  • Jidai: 201
  • Pytheas: 190
  • Ranger refit: 254



Tactical Systems
Beam Weapons

Ranger:

  • 2x laser emitters (1.4 GW) (port/stbd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (1.4 GW) (port/stbd ventral primary hull)
  • 2x Type M phased particle cannon (1.4 TW) (fwd ventral primary hull)
  • 4x plasma cannon (2.0 GW) (dorsal primary hull)
  • 4x plasma cannon (2.0 GW) (ventral primary hull)

Triumphant:

  • 2x laser emitters (1.4 GW) (port/stbd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (1.4 GW) (port/stbd ventral primary hull)

Jidai:

  • 2x laser emitters (1.4 GW) (port/stbd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (1.4 GW) (port/stbd ventral primary hull)

Pytheas:

  • 2x laser emitters (1.4 GW) (port/stbd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (1.4 GW) (port/stbd ventral primary hull)

Ranger 2228 refit:

  • 2x laser emitters (2.2 GW) (port/stbd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x laser emitters (2.2 GW) (port/stbd ventral primary hull)

Ranger 2253 refit:

  • 2x phaser VI emitters (port/stbd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x phaser VI emitters (port/stbd ventral primary hull)

Pytheas 2259 refit:

  • 2x phaser VI emitters (port/stbd dorsal primary hull)
  • 2x phaser VI emitters (port/stbd ventral primary hull)
Missile Weapons

Ranger:

  • 2x fwd medium torpedo tubes (w/ 75 photonic torpedoes) (secondary hull)

Triumphant:

  • 4x fwd medium torpedo tubes (w/ 120 photonic torpedoes) (secondary hull)

Jidai:

  • 2x fwd medium torpedo tubes (w/ 75 pulse wave torpedoes) (secondary hull)

Ranger 2228 refit:

  • 2x fwd medium torpedo tubes (w/ 38 photon torpedoes) (secondary hull)

Ranger 2253 refit:

  • 2x fwd medium torpedo tubes (w/ 50 photon torpedoes) (secondary hull)
Shields
  • 1-layer graviton/subspace globular forcefield
  • Navigational deflector (secondary hull bow)
  • 2x auxiliary navigational deflector emitters (bow)
Laboratories

Ranger:

  • 1x GP

Pytheas:
1x GP, 1x astrophysics, 1x planetary sciences, 1x life sciences

Transporters All original sub-classes:
  • 2x GP (3-pad), Mk I
  • 2x emergency evacuation (22-pad), Mk I

All sub-classes 2241-46 refit:

  • 1x GP (6-pad), Mk II
  • 2x emergency evacuation (22-pad), Mk II
  • 1x cargo, Mk II

All Pytheas, some Ranger 2262 refit:

  • 1x GP (6-pad), Mk III
  • 2x emergency evacuation (22-pad), Mk III
  • 1x cargo, Mk III
Auxiliary Craft

Ranger, Triumphant:

  • 6x light shuttles
  • 4x work pods

Jidai, Pytheas:

  • 8-14x light shuttles (or) 4 medium shuttles
  • 4x work pods
Historical
Ships of Note
  • USS Coronado (NCC-788)
  • USS Ibn Rustah (NCC-1409)
  • USS Jidai
  • USS Pytheas
  • USS Ranger
  • USS Triumphant
  • USS Valiant (NCC-1223)
  • USS Yamato (NCC-1305)
Canonicity
Design Ranger: LUG/Randy Asplund; Pytheas: FSRC/aridas sofia
Name FSRC, LUG, Decipher, FASA, et al
History LUG, own



Even if the Rangers sported virtually no exploration gear, random discoveries could befall any vessel, including one providentially named USS Coronado (NCC-788). The arid surface of the distant Cestus III was an ideal location for an observation outpost and local stronghold, right at the rimward flank of Klingon expansion, yet seemingly in uncontested space. Had the Coronado been better equipped for survey duty, signs of Gorn mining activity would have been obvious to her, and heated future conflict might have been avoided.

The destruction of USS Sentry in 2209 came as a rude surprise to Starfleet, in more ways than one. Clearly, some basic assumptions of the Klingon psyche now had to be abandoned; also puzzling was the lack of a wider Imperial reaction to the altercation. On a more concrete note, the weak showing of the modern Advance class battle cruiser had not been anticipated. Nor had Starfleet had any idea that Klingon territorial claims extended this far spinward, enforced with such irrational vehemence that SF Intelligence could but conclude that crucial industrial resources were hidden on the stormy surface of Gamma Demetrius – or Boreth, as the refugees had called the planet before the fateful exchange of fire.

Starfleet’s only effective countermeasure to unrest in this distant part of space would be its supercruising fleet. Unnervingly, this force at the time consisted of just twelve Mann light cruisers; in light of the continuing inactivity of the Imperial fleet, funds were released neither for further construction, nor for the desired propulsive uprating of the Horizon and Advance force. Yet by 2212, it had become clear that something was amiss in the Empire. The incidence of Klingon-on-Klingon combat engagements, even if never zero, appeared to be increasing drastically. A pattern of defections and secessions, followed by punitive expeditions, swept through observable border space. Clearly, the seat of the Emperor no longer was in complete control of the Klingon fighting urge.

The Federation Council could not dismiss the signs of bellicose intent indefinitely. Grudgingly, six further Manns were promised, then just four procured after a bitter inter-partisan battle. Frustrated with the complete inadequacy of the measure, Starfleet in late 2212 shunted almost 40% of its maintenance budget into the development of a mass-produceable supercruising light cruiser. Self-evidently, the contract went to Chiokis Corporation, keeper of the secrets of supercruise propulsion and affordable manufacturing of trititanium hulls. Actual construction was mainly performed by Star Fleet Division at Sol IV. Against expectations, the crash program was a complete success. In June 2215, dockyard mooring clamps first released USS Ranger (NCC-781) to Martian orbit, and to two months of greatly expedited testing.

Although retaining the 101.7 m diameter of the Mann hull, the Ranger primary structural frame was trimmed down on the ventral side to just 20 m thickness (or 27.1 m when including the dorsal superstructures and ventral sensor dome). The 140,000 ton, 113 m PA-100 engines were mounted on short pylons beneath the stern, where they enjoyed greater freedom of field shapes and duonetic emission levels. Total conversion power and propulsive systems still took a lion’s share of the primary hull, yet major mission systems were now moved to a wholly new secondary structure, dangling above the stern. The advantageous combining of Mann and Horizon features solved the problems of internal volume allocation, and further held promise of modular and efficient mission gear upgrades. Initially housed in the six-deck secondary hull – a tapering cylinder of smoothly curving shapes – were a medium-power navigational deflector at bow; an adjoining deep space tactical sensor suite; two Maximpact medium torpedo launchers flanking the deflector/sensor dish; a dorsally accessible cargo hold; and a stern hangar mainly reserved for maintenance auxiliaries. Within the eight-deck primary hull lay berthing and all manner of long duration physiological and psychological support for the 287 crew. Again, minimal laboratory facilities were included in the mission suite: the Ranger was built with a specific mission in mind, yielding not a cubic meter to idle scientific curiosity.

The service career of the USS Ranger proved short, culminating ignominiously in Klingon boarding as the Empire in 2218 overran Archanis for the first time. Starfleet had been able to get its escalation program started, however, and response was swift. Twenty-eight sisters to the Ranger as well as twenty-five stepsisters of the marginally more modern Triumphant (NCC-1200) class were completed by 2220, by expanding the production base of tritanium-hulled ships from Sol to Procyon and Alpha Centauri. Armed to the teeth with the latest-standard lasers, the light cruisers ventured out to meet the tidal wave of Klingons, achieving by careful coordination and superior tactics what they could not manage by strength of numbers or armament alone. In terms of technology, the Rangers were by the 2220s already obsolescent and stressed well beyond their limits.

Thankfully, the same was true of the Klingon fleet, which had been logistically utterly unprepared for war in 2209 and had made little progress since. In an acclaimed engagement in 2228, scout cruiser USS Bastion (NCC-811) was able to reduce to scrap in a single engagement five of her Klingon counterparts before succumbing; the targeting systems of some of the adversaries could not attain lock no matter what, while others were armed with short-ranged disruptors only and were outclassed in a warp laser fight. Clearly, the might of the Klingon war machine was a relative concept, based more on great aggression than on great skill or strength. The multi-front assault was held at bay, and enough time was bought to field a modern range of Starfleet combatants.

The sole survivor of the Sol defense force at the Battle of Ganymede, USS Yamato (NCC-1305) juts out of the side of the Klingon flagship. The audacious ramming and boarding counterattack saved Earth from the equally cheeky deep penetration raid of Admiral Kesslok’s force, and ensured immortality to the name Yamato in Starfleet history.

In the 2220s, Baton Rouge heavy cruisers and Detroyat and Saladin destroyers sailed out against a flow of homebound Manns and Rangers. There was little to be done for the veterans, which no longer were combat-worthy even in the broadest sense of the word. Converting the ships for homefront duties was patently impossible due to the cramped and inflexible internal arrangements. Yet the basic Ranger design was sound enough, the two-hull arrangement preferable for many mission profiles. A simple replacement of the primary hull with a proper saucer would yield warp-dynamic advantages, offsetting the performance loss from necessary total conversion reactor down-scaling.

Rather than get sucked into yet another primary hull replacement quagmire, Chiokis relinquished the Ranger modernization work to Harbin. Funding for the ships, now comparable to destroyers in size, was less of a hurdle than a decade prior. Fifty contracts in total were secured, chiefly by Empress and Nunin yards, resulting in the Jidai (NCC-1300) and Pytheas (NCC-1400) classes of reconnaissance and exploratory light cruisers. Yet in 2227, production was halted at just ten and eleven units, respectively. According to Starfleet, the classes were now meeting their respective support commitments, allowing the rest of the cruiser force to carry on the fight.

The new primary hull was 95 meters in diameter, and featured seven decks in all. Little was retained of the original besides the ventral sensor array, now compatible with improved planetary survey instrumentation. As only 202 crew would be needed for the exploratory or military reconnaissance missions, accommodation standards actually went up despite the reduction in volume. Further berthing was provided in the secondary hull, which in the Pytheases omitted the torpedo launchers. In the Jidais, the launchers were converted to fire pulse wave rather than photonic torpedoes, and both classes replaced the aft hangar with a sensor dome. The forward sensor array was also down-scaled and modernized, and the dorsal cargo doors were adopted for launching and recovering the larger exploratory shuttles or scoutcraft the ships now carried.

Even the torpedo-less Pytheas was not completely without teeth, of course. Four laser banks were provided in the primary hull, and shielding met the requirements of the modern battlefield. Still, no frontline missions were envisioned. The light cruisers could not maintain fleet speed with Saladin, Detroyat or Baton Rouge forces, and freely gave the Hermes class monopoly to fleet coordination systems and facilities. Independent exploration and judicious old-fashioned spying at a more leisurely pace would serve Federation strategic interests just as well.

Entering standard orbit, USS Annôn (NCC-1403) flips her shuttlebay towards Zeta Ursae Majoris II. Planet Mizar lay well within the survey range of the modestly performing light cruiser, but proved a challenge in tactical terms, as the Tzenkethi occupying forces did not look favorably to their subject world having interstellar contact.

While the Pytheases went to interstellar fame with discovery after discovery, paving way for future generations of deep space cruisers, financial realities back home changed to the better, and the original Ranger fleet gradually received a corresponding upgrade. The first ship to be converted in 2228 was USS Spann (NCC-790), followed by twelve out of the surviving sixteen by 2233. Fitting the Harbin saucer into a preexisting spaceframe was more demanding than new-building, and the experienced Vickers took over from its Selenite and O’Ryanite competitors. Externally, a modernized Ranger looked very much like a Pytheas, save for the secondary hull: the stern hangar was retained, as were both torpedo embankments, even though modern systems were naturally substituted in these positions. The SAB impulse engines were a definite improvement over either the original M-2196 units or the Pytheas SAA standard, and heavier lasers were also substituted for the antiquated Tesla units. Overall, the new Rangers were competent combatants, even if lacking in flexibility and joint operations capability.

The surviving Triumphants received no refits and were swiftly scrapped at the introduction of modern heavy destroyers, vessels that made utter ridicule of the tactical abilities of the light cruisers. In turn, propulsive performance proved to be the stumbling block of Jidai, Pytheas and Ranger alike. A fine engine for its day, the PA-100 had little patience for engineers who attempted gradual uprating, and began to leak from all seams when pressed beyond its inherent limits. Anything larger, such as the PB-29 of the modern destroyer fleet, would have broken the back of the light cruisers; anything smaller would fail to yield the desired improvements. When even the compact PB-35 proved too heavy for successful installation, the Rangers were deemed unfit for modern combat tasks, and underwent a humiliating withdrawal from frontline service in favor of the reborn Texas light cruisers. Many were cut into components for Liberty transports. The Jidai fleet was spared the disgrace by virtue of having died a warrior’s death: by 2259, every last of the spyships had been eliminated by the enemy, the heroic struggle of USS Yamato (NCC-1305) guaranteeing longevity to her name in Starfleet history. The Pytheas fleet in turn bowed to Constitution heavy cruisers as Starfleet’s primary instrument of independent deep space exploration.

The last Ranger, USS Duncan (NCC-793), was retired from spacelane patrol in late 2269, her torpedo launchers long since removed. The Pytheas class kept going longer, even in face of major attrition due to maintenance problems. USS Ibn Rustah (NCC-1409) remained in active service until the Khitomer peace, scoring planetary survey successes till the very last.

Gallery

  • Dorsal aspect
    Dorsal aspect
  • Bow aspect
    Bow aspect
  • USS Ranger, pre-refit
    USS Ranger, pre-refit
  • USS Ranger, "Where No Man Has Gone Before"
    USS Ranger, "Where No Man Has Gone Before"
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