Guide:Hermes/Monoceros/Indianola: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
|years= [[2224]]-[[2313]] | |years= [[2224]]-[[2313]] | ||
|constructed= 50 total: | |constructed= 50 total: | ||
* ''Hermes'': 15 (built [[2224]]) | * ''Hermes'': 15 (built [[2224]]-[[2228]]) | ||
* ''Monoceros'': 27 total<br> | * ''Monoceros'': 27 total<br> | ||
** 13 (converted ''Hermes'' [[2243]]-[[2245|45]] | ** 13 (converted ''Hermes'' [[2243]]-[[2245|45]] | ||
| Line 88: | Line 88: | ||
|history= FJ, SotSF | |history= FJ, SotSF | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[Starfleet]]’s transitioning from the solo combat doctrine of cruisers back to joint fleet action did not | |||
happen easily, nor quickly. Even in the era of relatively practical shipborne subspace communicators, | happen easily, nor quickly. Even in the era of relatively practical shipborne subspace communicators, | ||
keeping a fleet coherent at warp cruise required significant skill and experience. Also, in order to be | keeping a fleet coherent at warp cruise required significant skill and experience. Also, in order to be | ||
| Line 99: | Line 99: | ||
To meet Starfleet’s requirement for a Deep Space Fleet Coordination Ship with advanced sensors and | To meet Starfleet’s requirement for a Deep Space Fleet Coordination Ship with advanced sensors and | ||
high speed, the Saladin design was in 2224 modified to create the Hermes class. The port and | high speed, the ''[[Guide: Saladin|Saladin]]'' design was, in [[2224]], modified to create the '''''Hermes''''' class. The port and | ||
starboard lasers were omitted along with the torpedo launcher, and the room dedicated to sensors of | starboard lasers were omitted along with the torpedo launcher, and the room dedicated to sensors of | ||
various types. | various types. Down-scaling of fire control systems in turn provided space for various C3I facilities. | ||
Propulsive systems, shielding and life support remained unaltered from the destroyer standard. A | Propulsive systems, shielding and life support remained unaltered from the destroyer standard. A | ||
shuttle hangar, essential for exploration operations, was still missing from the design, even though solo | shuttle hangar, essential for exploration operations, was still missing from the design, even though solo | ||
exploration was to be a secondary mission profile for the vessels if peacetime ever returned. Various | exploration was to be a secondary mission profile for the vessels if peacetime ever returned. Various | ||
plans were made to add an Einstein style dorsal pod, but in the end, the class was fielded with only the | plans were made to add an ''[[Guide: Einstein|Einstein]]'' style dorsal pod, but in the end, the class was fielded with only the | ||
two standard shuttlepods inside saucer docking berths. | two standard shuttlepods inside saucer docking berths. | ||
Fifteen vessels were built to this standard between 2224 and 2228. While the scouts were theoretically | Fifteen vessels were built to this standard between [[2224]] and [[2228]]. While the scouts were theoretically | ||
to be the tactical-level eyes and ears of defense fleets patrolling the Klingon border, they were often pressed to use as strategic reconnaissance assets as well. But the loss of two Hermes scouts in 2231 to | to be the tactical-level eyes and ears of defense fleets patrolling the Klingon border, they were often pressed to use as strategic reconnaissance assets as well. But the loss of two ''Hermes'' scouts in [[2231]] to | ||
light Klingon ships on such long range solo missions prompted Starfleet to narrow down the role of | light Klingon ships on such long range solo missions prompted [[Starfleet]] to narrow down the role of | ||
these vessels. It became evident that the inflexible one-nacelle engine system made the scouts perfect | these vessels. It became evident that the inflexible one-nacelle engine system made the scouts perfect | ||
targets for more nimble vessels – the high top speed of the scouts was of no use in close warp combat. | targets for more nimble vessels – the high top speed of the scouts was of no use in close warp combat. | ||
| Line 117: | Line 117: | ||
cruisers. | cruisers. | ||
[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Destination: Organia. The surviving Hermes scouts were still an integral part of major fleet deployments in the 2260s, working both as outriders and as so-called fleet coordination ships. With a Hermes handing over targeting information to cruisers and destroyers, a Federation battlefleet resembled a single organism with specialized organs for every task. Gone were the days when it was thought that a solo survey cruiser would be the most effective combat unit. Fleet action remained | [[Image:No Photo Available.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Destination: [[Organia]]. The surviving ''Hermes'' scouts were still an integral part of major fleet deployments in the [[2260s]], working both as outriders and as so-called fleet coordination ships. With a ''Hermes'' handing over targeting information to cruisers and destroyers, a [[Federation]] battlefleet resembled a single organism with specialized organs for every task. Gone were the days when it was thought that a solo survey cruiser would be the most effective combat unit. Fleet action remained | ||
important throughout the Klingon crisis, until the end of the century. After that, Starfleet gradually returned to the practice of operating single independent multipurpose ships instead of large formations, resulting in the death of many small-ship classes; current trend is again turning towards small specialized vessels.]] | important throughout the Klingon crisis, until the end of the century. After that, [[Starfleet]] gradually returned to the practice of operating single independent multipurpose ships instead of large formations, resulting in the death of many small-ship classes; current trend is again turning towards small specialized vessels.]] | ||
As the Klingon threat receded somewhat after the 2240s, Starfleet began to regret its major | As the Klingon threat receded somewhat after the [[2240s]], Starfleet began to regret its major | ||
investments in the scouts. Destroyer procurement cutbacks threatened to leave many of the vessels | investments in the scouts. Destroyer procurement cutbacks threatened to leave many of the vessels | ||
without a mission. Since some Hermeses had already been refitted with phaser mounts in place of the | without a mission. Since some ''Hermeses'' had already been refitted with phaser mounts in place of the | ||
lasers, and all had received the powerful PB-31 solid-state/dilithium engines, Mk II transporters, | lasers, and all had received the powerful PB-31 solid-state/dilithium engines, Mk II transporters, | ||
expanded primary hulls and superstructures, and the new low-profile bridge modules, the scouts were | expanded primary hulls and superstructures, and the new low-profile bridge modules, the scouts were | ||
now virtually late-model Saladin destroyers without torpedoes and | now virtually late-model ''Saladin'' destroyers without torpedoes and athwart-ship phasers. Also, fourteen | ||
newbuild ships of this standard (named the Monoceros subclass after the first of these newbuilds, but | newbuild ships of this standard (named the '''''Monoceros''''' subclass after the first of these newbuilds, but | ||
sometimes also known as Hermes | sometimes also known as ''Hermes II'') had been constructed just before the post-[[Axanar]] moratorium | ||
on destroyer production.* | on destroyer production.* | ||
To restore the balance between destroyers and their accompanying scouts, Starfleet in 2250-51 decided | To restore the balance between destroyers and their accompanying scouts, Starfleet in [[2250]]-[[2251|51]] decided | ||
to modify eight of the Monoceros vessels (NCC-608-615) into Siva | to modify eight of the ''Monoceros'' vessels (NCC-608-615) into ''Siva II'' standard. The scouts received | ||
torpedo launchers, targeting computers and sensors, and three double phaser VIIs (one simply inserted | torpedo launchers, targeting computers and sensors, and three double phaser VIIs (one simply inserted | ||
to the existing phaser VI berth, two requiring the | to the existing phaser VI berth, two requiring the re-installation of berths in place of former sensor | ||
mounts). Some internal differences to the orthodox Siva | mounts). Some internal differences to the orthodox ''Siva II'' destroyer remained; but then again, all | ||
ships tended to be individuals due to the flexible internal configurations. Thus, rather than go by the | ships tended to be individuals due to the flexible internal configurations. Thus, rather than go by the | ||
subclass name Indianola (the new identity of the erstwhile Lynx) Starfleet decided to eschew a special | subclass name '''''Indianola''''' (the new identity of the erstwhile ''Lynx''), Starfleet decided to eschew a special | ||
designation for the retro-refits. | designation for the retro-refits. | ||
The fusion of Hermeses into the Saladin main body can be seen as the first sign of the new Starfleet | The fusion of ''Hermeses'' into the ''Saladin'' main body can be seen as the first sign of the new Starfleet | ||
trend of simplifying ship lineages. Subclass designations and names were quickly falling into disuse, | trend of simplifying ship lineages. Subclass designations and names were quickly falling into disuse, | ||
and general class identifiers were used instead. While it may initially have caused some confusion that | and general class identifiers were used instead. While it may initially have caused some confusion that | ||
three different standards of destroyers served under the same name, many of the readers are probably relieved by Starfleet’s decision in 2287 to collectively call the 15 different standards and seven official | three different standards of destroyers served under the same name, many of the readers are probably relieved by Starfleet’s decision in [[2287]] to collectively call the 15 different standards and seven official | ||
subclasses of heavy cruisers Constitution class instead of using specific | subclasses of heavy cruisers ''[[Guide: Constitution|Constitution]]'' class instead of using specific sub-variant names. After mid- | ||
23rd century, and due to increasing flexibility of technology, every starship would practically have | [[23rd century]], and due to increasing flexibility of technology, every starship would practically have | ||
formed her own subclass as far as internal configuration, engine performance and equipment standards | formed her own subclass as far as internal configuration, engine performance and equipment standards | ||
were concerned! | were concerned! | ||
Quite the opposite political environment resulted in another mission swap in the early 2280s. Of the | Quite the opposite political environment resulted in another mission swap in the early [[2280s]]. Of the | ||
eight destroyers converted from Monoceros scouts, four were returned to scouting duty, as the value of | eight destroyers converted from ''Monoceros'' scouts, four were returned to scouting duty, as the value of | ||
their torpedo launchers in self-defense against the newly bellicose Klingons was acknowledged. | their torpedo launchers in self-defense against the newly bellicose Klingons was acknowledged. | ||
Corresponding cuts were made in the now highly vulnerable remains of the original Monoceros fleet. | Corresponding cuts were made in the now highly vulnerable remains of the original ''Monoceros'' fleet. | ||
The vessels retained the individual names they had earned in destroyer service, but again were | The vessels retained the individual names they had earned in destroyer service, but again were | ||
absorbed into ‘parent’ class continuity without the systematic Indianola subclass distinction (which is | absorbed into ‘parent’ class continuity without the systematic ''Indianola'' subclass distinction (which is | ||
used in this entry merely for sake of clarity). Such painless transfers back and forth stand further proof | used in this entry merely for sake of clarity). Such painless transfers back and forth stand further proof | ||
of the increasing flexibility of the Fleet, as well as of the ever greater degree of technological | of the increasing flexibility of the Fleet, as well as of the ever greater degree of technological | ||
standardization. | standardization. | ||
The Hermes design briefly resurfaced in the 2320s in the Merced class scout concept, and later made a | The ''Hermes'' design briefly resurfaced in the [[2320s]] in the ''[[Guide: Merced|Merced]]'' class scout concept, and later made a | ||
more successful comeback in the era of the Border Wars. However, this configuration has not found | more successful comeback in the era of the Border Wars. However, this configuration has not found | ||
much use in other Starfleet roles. The main attraction of single-engined ships, that of low construction | much use in other Starfleet roles. The main attraction of single-engined ships, that of low construction | ||
and operating costs, still holds – while the main drawback, poor warp maneuverability, also remains. | and operating costs, still holds – while the main drawback, poor warp maneuverability, also remains. | ||
<nowiki>*</nowiki> A fifteenth vessel, tentatively named Aries and slotted to receive the registry NCC-602, was damaged beyond salvage during | <nowiki>*</nowiki> A fifteenth vessel, tentatively named ''Aries'' and slotted to receive the registry NCC-602, was damaged beyond salvage during | ||
construction phase in 2245. What at first seemed like a tragic accident was later revealed to have been just one of several Romulan | construction phase in [[2245]]. What at first seemed like a tragic accident was later revealed to have been just one of several Romulan | ||
acts of sabotage on starship construction that year. The events left both the name and the registry of the lost vessel unused for several | acts of sabotage on starship construction that year. The events left both the name and the registry of the lost vessel unused for several | ||
years. | years. | ||
Revision as of 19:31, 28 April 2016
| |
| Hermes / Monoceros | |
|---|---|
| Class Overview | |
| Category | scout |
| Operational | 2224-2313 |
| Constructed | 50 total: |
| Dimensions | |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 127.1 m |
| Height |
|
| Mass |
|
| Performance | |
| Cruise Speed |
|
| Max Speed |
|
| Endurance | 3 years |
| Complement | |
| Officers |
|
| Enlisted |
|
| Tactical Systems | |
| Beam Weapons | Hermes:
Monoceros:
Indianola:
|
| Missile Weapons | Indianola:
|
| Shields |
|
| Laboratories | 1x GP, 1x signal processing |
| Transporters | Hermes:
Monoceros:
Indianola:
|
| Auxiliary Craft | Hermes, Monoceros:
Indianola:
|
| Historical | |
| Ships of Note |
|
| Canonicity | |
| Design | STII/Franz Joseph |
| Name | FJ, SotSF |
| History | FJ, SotSF
|
Starfleet’s transitioning from the solo combat doctrine of cruisers back to joint fleet action did not
happen easily, nor quickly. Even in the era of relatively practical shipborne subspace communicators,
keeping a fleet coherent at warp cruise required significant skill and experience. Also, in order to be
efficient, the fleet would have to know where to strike and when – requiring long-range sensor
platforms in addition to low-observable scouting systems. Mere fleet navigation at warp factor four
stretched the sensor capabilities of cruisers to the extreme, and posed major difficulties for the
destroyers. A dedicated sensor ship of high capacity and fleet speed would help alleviate the problems;
developing a new spaceframe for the ship was deemed unnecessary when the mission was one of
tagging along with existing destroyers.
To meet Starfleet’s requirement for a Deep Space Fleet Coordination Ship with advanced sensors and high speed, the Saladin design was, in 2224, modified to create the Hermes class. The port and starboard lasers were omitted along with the torpedo launcher, and the room dedicated to sensors of various types. Down-scaling of fire control systems in turn provided space for various C3I facilities. Propulsive systems, shielding and life support remained unaltered from the destroyer standard. A shuttle hangar, essential for exploration operations, was still missing from the design, even though solo exploration was to be a secondary mission profile for the vessels if peacetime ever returned. Various plans were made to add an Einstein style dorsal pod, but in the end, the class was fielded with only the two standard shuttlepods inside saucer docking berths.
Fifteen vessels were built to this standard between 2224 and 2228. While the scouts were theoretically to be the tactical-level eyes and ears of defense fleets patrolling the Klingon border, they were often pressed to use as strategic reconnaissance assets as well. But the loss of two Hermes scouts in 2231 to light Klingon ships on such long range solo missions prompted Starfleet to narrow down the role of these vessels. It became evident that the inflexible one-nacelle engine system made the scouts perfect targets for more nimble vessels – the high top speed of the scouts was of no use in close warp combat. At loss of a remedy to the performance problem, Starfleet decided never to deploy the scouts outside protective fleets, and instead used them solely as sensor platforms in conjunction with destroyers and cruisers.
As the Klingon threat receded somewhat after the 2240s, Starfleet began to regret its major investments in the scouts. Destroyer procurement cutbacks threatened to leave many of the vessels without a mission. Since some Hermeses had already been refitted with phaser mounts in place of the lasers, and all had received the powerful PB-31 solid-state/dilithium engines, Mk II transporters, expanded primary hulls and superstructures, and the new low-profile bridge modules, the scouts were now virtually late-model Saladin destroyers without torpedoes and athwart-ship phasers. Also, fourteen newbuild ships of this standard (named the Monoceros subclass after the first of these newbuilds, but sometimes also known as Hermes II) had been constructed just before the post-Axanar moratorium on destroyer production.*
To restore the balance between destroyers and their accompanying scouts, Starfleet in 2250-51 decided to modify eight of the Monoceros vessels (NCC-608-615) into Siva II standard. The scouts received torpedo launchers, targeting computers and sensors, and three double phaser VIIs (one simply inserted to the existing phaser VI berth, two requiring the re-installation of berths in place of former sensor mounts). Some internal differences to the orthodox Siva II destroyer remained; but then again, all ships tended to be individuals due to the flexible internal configurations. Thus, rather than go by the subclass name Indianola (the new identity of the erstwhile Lynx), Starfleet decided to eschew a special designation for the retro-refits.
The fusion of Hermeses into the Saladin main body can be seen as the first sign of the new Starfleet trend of simplifying ship lineages. Subclass designations and names were quickly falling into disuse, and general class identifiers were used instead. While it may initially have caused some confusion that three different standards of destroyers served under the same name, many of the readers are probably relieved by Starfleet’s decision in 2287 to collectively call the 15 different standards and seven official subclasses of heavy cruisers Constitution class instead of using specific sub-variant names. After mid- 23rd century, and due to increasing flexibility of technology, every starship would practically have formed her own subclass as far as internal configuration, engine performance and equipment standards were concerned!
Quite the opposite political environment resulted in another mission swap in the early 2280s. Of the eight destroyers converted from Monoceros scouts, four were returned to scouting duty, as the value of their torpedo launchers in self-defense against the newly bellicose Klingons was acknowledged. Corresponding cuts were made in the now highly vulnerable remains of the original Monoceros fleet. The vessels retained the individual names they had earned in destroyer service, but again were absorbed into ‘parent’ class continuity without the systematic Indianola subclass distinction (which is used in this entry merely for sake of clarity). Such painless transfers back and forth stand further proof of the increasing flexibility of the Fleet, as well as of the ever greater degree of technological standardization.
The Hermes design briefly resurfaced in the 2320s in the Merced class scout concept, and later made a more successful comeback in the era of the Border Wars. However, this configuration has not found much use in other Starfleet roles. The main attraction of single-engined ships, that of low construction and operating costs, still holds – while the main drawback, poor warp maneuverability, also remains.
* A fifteenth vessel, tentatively named Aries and slotted to receive the registry NCC-602, was damaged beyond salvage during construction phase in 2245. What at first seemed like a tragic accident was later revealed to have been just one of several Romulan acts of sabotage on starship construction that year. The events left both the name and the registry of the lost vessel unused for several years.
Gallery
-
USS Crockett on the frontier
