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The first half of the 2240s was the climax of Starfleet’s attempt to close the gap between Klingon
The first half of the [[2240s]] was the climax of [[Star Fleet]]’s attempt to close the gap between Klingon
and UFP military strength. The Saladin program had provided the fleet with large numbers of antiship
and [[UFP]] military strength. The ''[[Guide: Saladin|Saladin]]'' program had provided the fleet with large numbers of anti-ship
weapon platforms, but even after the dilithium upgrade these vessels could be considered
weapon platforms, but even after the dilithium upgrade these vessels could be considered
attrition units at best. The more potent Detroyats were in theory more to Starfleet’s liking, but were
attrition units at best. The more potent ''[[Guide:Detroyat|Detroyats]]'' were in theory more to Star Fleet’s liking, but were
built in low numbers due to their complexity. In 2239, Starfleet initiated the development of a
built in low numbers due to their complexity. In [[2239]], Star Fleet initiated the development of a
dilithium destroyer that would finally combine the affordability of the Saladins and the potential of
dilithium destroyer that would finally combine the affordability of the ''Saladins'' and the potential of
the Detroyats, and become a worthy stablemate for the Constitution heavy cruisers.
the ''Detroyats'', and become a worthy stablemate for the ''[[Guide:Constitution|Constitution]]'' heavy cruisers.


It was still argued that the warp maneuverability of a two-nacelle system would not be required in
It was still argued that the warp maneuverability of a two-nacelle system would not be required in
destroyer operations; the task of intercepting could be handled by photon torpedoes. Even though
destroyer operations; the task of intercepting could be handled by photon torpedoes. Even though
still rather clumsy and inaccurate, the most recent torpedo designs far outperformed the Detroyat
still rather clumsy and inaccurate, the most recent torpedo designs far outperformed the ''Detroyat''
main weaponry and would thus compensate for the lack of warp agility of the launching vessel. A
main weaponry and would thus compensate for the lack of warp agility of the launching vessel. A
less expensive one-nacelle configuration would then arguably be cost-efficient and battleworthy.
less expensive one-nacelle configuration would then arguably be cost-efficient and battleworthy.
Performance goals were set at an initial-standard cruise speed of warp 5 and a rather high top speed
Performance goals were set at an initial-standard cruise speed of warp 5 and a rather high top speed
of warp 8. The ships would be fielded in relatively large numbers to accompany the already
of warp 8. The ships would be fielded in relatively large numbers to accompany the already
numerous Saladins; the new cruisers and heavily armed twin-nacelle frigates, both featuring
numerous ''Saladins''; the new cruisers and heavily armed twin-nacelle frigates, both featuring
groundbreaking technology from Project Starship, would add to Starfleet’s torpedo firepower as
groundbreaking technology from Project Starship, would add to Star Fleet’s torpedo firepower as
well.
well.


[[File:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|USS Larson (NCC-4400, here ‘ghosting’ as NCC-3702 for an assignment to the Epsilon sector of the Klingon border) pays honors to an entire lineage of Starfleet heroes, from Admiral William Larson, the distinguished leader of Earth’s first true interstellar war, to Captains Glen and Penelope Larson of contemporary career years. The class was virtually the only one in UFP Starfleet to follow the past custom of honoring recent military leaders. Explicit decisions against such naming schemes have never been made, but it is the tacit policy of Committee for Starfleet to avoid the controversy of ‘rewarding large-scale acts of violence’, no matter how just these seem from the viewpoint of the era.]]
[[File:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|''USS Larson'' (NCC-4400, here ‘ghosting’ as NCC-3702 for an assignment to the [[Epsilon sector]] of the Klingon border) pays honors to an entire lineage of [[Star Fleet]] heroes, from Admiral William Larson, the distinguished leader of [[Earth]]’s first true interstellar war, to Captains Glen and Penelope Larson of contemporary career years. The class was virtually the only one in [[UFP]] Star Fleet to follow the past custom of honoring recent military leaders. Explicit decisions against such naming schemes have never been made, but it is the tacit policy of Committee for Star Fleet to avoid the controversy of ‘rewarding large-scale acts of violence’, no matter how just these seem from the viewpoint of the era.]]


Even though the PB-31 engines were lifted directly from the latest Saladin upgrade program, the
Even though the PB-31 engines were lifted directly from the latest ''Saladin'' upgrade program, the
original Saladin field configuration was modified by inverting it and flattening it slightly to imitate
original ''Saladin'' field configuration was modified by inverting it and flattening it slightly to imitate
a two-lobed field. The nacelle was supported above the primary hull by two triangular struts that
a two-lobed field. The nacelle was supported above the primary hull by two triangular struts that
each housed extensive cooling arrays in addition to the plasma conduits. Antimatter power
each housed extensive cooling arrays in addition to the plasma conduits. Antimatter power
Line 103: Line 103:


The ships were armed with three powerful twin 2 GW laser emitters, again in an inverted
The ships were armed with three powerful twin 2 GW laser emitters, again in an inverted
arrangement in comparison with the Saladin systems. Primary firepower was to be provided by a
arrangement in comparison with the ''Saladin'' systems. Primary firepower was to be provided by a
four-tube Mk 2 ‘Wolf’ torpedo system, much developed from the Mk 1 Saladin incarnation. This development did not proceed without problems, though. The first six-tube ‘Wolf’ systems tested aboard heavy cruisers had a progidous rate of misfires, and the four-tubers introduced the further
four-tube Mk 2 ‘Wolf’ torpedo system, much developed from the Mk 1 ''Saladin'' incarnation. This development did not proceed without problems, though. The first six-tube ‘Wolf’ systems tested aboard heavy cruisers had a prodigious rate of misfires, and the four-tubers introduced the further
idiosyncracy of mechanically jamming when commanded to disarm. Selenia struggled hard to make
idiosyncrasy of mechanically jamming when commanded to disarm. [[Corporations_of_the_UFP#Missile_Weapons|Selenia]] struggled hard to make
the systems behave; still, many of the destroyers were initially fielded with a Baton Rouge -type
the systems behave; still, many of the destroyers were initially fielded with a ''[[Guide:Baton Rouge|Baton Rouge]]''-type
particle cannon in place of the torpedo system. When the Mk 2 launcher finally was delivered to
particle cannon in place of the torpedo system. When the Mk 2 launcher finally was delivered to
frontline units, it still proved bulky and somewhat unreliable. Highly capable growth variants were
frontline units, it still proved bulky and somewhat unreliable. Highly capable growth variants were
nevertheless soon mounted on the Surya, Coventry and Constitution classes.
nevertheless soon mounted on the ''[[Guide:Surya|Surya]]'', ''[[Guide:Coventry|Coventry]]'' and ''[[Guide:Constitution |Constitution]]'' classes.


A crew of 195 operated the ship, their living quarters sharing the space on the seven decks with
A crew of 195 operated the ship, their living quarters sharing the space on the seven decks with
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for the crew behind jettisonable hull hatches, but actual onboard auxiliary craft were limited to work
for the crew behind jettisonable hull hatches, but actual onboard auxiliary craft were limited to work
pods; four six-pad transporters were installed for personnel transport needs. A planetary landing
pods; four six-pad transporters were installed for personnel transport needs. A planetary landing
could be performed with the nacelle jettisoned. One such emergency landing did take place in 2261,
could be performed with the nacelle jettisoned. One such emergency landing did take place in [[2261]],
when USS Cromwell (NCC-4477) took refuge on d Canaris VI after the nacelle was ripped out and
when ''USS Cromwell'' (NCC-4477) took refuge on [[d Canaris VI]] after the nacelle was ripped out and
life support compromised by a relativistic-speed meteoroid cloud (perhaps extragalactic visitors,
life support compromised by a relativistic-speed meteoroid cloud (perhaps extragalactic visitors,
perhaps projectiles from an ancient war?). Recovery and repairs were successful and returned the
perhaps projectiles from an ancient war). Recovery and repairs were successful and returned the
vessel to service by 2263. USS Sheridan (NCC-4463) had fared worse, losing all but three of the
vessel to service by [[2263]]. ''USS Sheridan'' (NCC-4463) had fared worse, losing all but three of the
crew on her maiden voyage to a power system explosion that could not be contained. Nacelle
crew on her maiden voyage to a power system explosion that could not be contained. Nacelle
jettison systems were indeed notoriously unreliable even in the case of the largely self-contained
jettison systems were indeed notoriously unreliable even in the case of the largely self-contained
mid-23rd century circumferential engines – and problems are confounded in the modern distributed
mid-[[23rd century]] circumferential engines – and problems are confounded in the modern distributed
designs where high-energy plasma leads to the nacelle have to be cut, sealed and purged before
designs where high-energy plasma leads to the nacelle have to be cut, sealed and purged before
jettisoning.
jettisoning.


As many as eighty-nine of the modern destroyers were built under the class name Larson, in four
As many as eighty-nine of the modern destroyers were built under the class name '''''Larson''''', in four
distinct batches, although just nineteen were procured in the initial configuration, divided more or
distinct batches, although just nineteen were procured in the initial configuration, divided more or
less evenly between phase cannon and torpedo types. Each ship was named after a famous Earth –
less evenly between phase cannon and torpedo types. Each ship was named after a famous [[Earth]] –
or, in the single case of USS Thelenth (NCC-4405), Andorian – military commander, later also after
or, in the single case of ''USS Thelenth'' (NCC-4405), Andorian – military commander, later also after
famous battle sites. Registries were frequently changed, warp signatures fiddled with, and ships
famous battle sites. Registries were frequently changed, warp signatures fiddled with, and ships
shuffled and reshuffled between starbases to hide the true numbers of these ships, the ‘ghost
shuffled and reshuffled between starbases to hide the true numbers of these ships, the ‘ghost
numbers’ ranging from low 3700s to high 4400s. While the trick was beginning to lose its
numbers’ ranging from low 3700s to high 4400s. While the trick was beginning to lose its
effectiveness as Klingon intelligence forces gained in experience, later examining of Klingon
effectiveness as Klingon intelligence forces gained in experience, later examining of Klingon
archives has revealed that the Empire did initially overestimate the number of Larsons by an impressive hundred hulls. Apart from the perimeter ship deceptions, this was the greatest such counterintelligence victory against the Klingons, but also among the last.
archives has revealed that the Empire did initially overestimate the number of ''Larsons'' by an impressive hundred hulls. Apart from the perimeter ship deceptions, this was the greatest such counterintelligence victory against the Klingons, but also among the last.


Even when not backed up by ‘ghost ships’, the destroyers provided Starfleet with considerable antiship
Even when not backed up by ‘ghost ships’, the destroyers provided Star Fleet with considerable anti-ship
attack power at minimum possible cost and maximum effectiveness. Some 34 were added to
attack power at minimum possible cost and maximum effectiveness. Some 34 were added to
Fleet strength in the early fifties. However, the wisdom of Larson procurement was repeatedly
fleet strength in the early [[2250s|fifties]]. However, the wisdom of ''Larson'' procurement was repeatedly
brought to question in reviews ordered by the Ixan administration of 2247-53. Despite initial high
brought to question in reviews ordered by the Ixan administration of [[2247]]-[[2253|53]]. Despite initial high
hopes and continuing insistence, the destroyers were quite unsuitable for exploration, research or
hopes and continuing insistence, the destroyers were quite unsuitable for exploration, research or
rescue operations. Also, as materials and transporter-fabrication technologies advanced, questions
rescue operations. Also, as materials and transporter-fabrication technologies advanced, questions
were raised about the necessity of such ‘contingency’ warships in general. Thanks to the new
were raised about the necessity of such ‘contingency’ warships in general. Thanks to the new
technology, many formerly prohibitively expensive designs like the twin-engine frigates of Miranda
technology, many formerly prohibitively expensive designs like the twin-engine frigates of ''[[Guide:Miranda|Miranda]]''
family were now available for the role of ‘attrition units’. Finally, the mission requirement of
family were now available for the role of ‘attrition units’. Finally, the mission requirement of
challenging enemy capital ships of superior strength began to sound hollow in view of continuing
challenging enemy capital ships of superior strength began to sound hollow in view of continuing
Romulan isolation and post-Axanar Klingon aimlessness. Again, there were factions that claimed
Romulan isolation and post-[[Axanar]] Klingon aimlessness. Again, there were factions that claimed
that the ships would be useless against the Klingons and overarmed for anything else. As a result,
that the ships would be useless against the Klingons and overarmed for anything else. As a result,
three attempts at further production were deferred between 2253 and 2261.
three attempts at further production were deferred between [[2253]] and [[2261]].


[[File:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|A Larson destroyer cruising placidly against a nebula background is by no means a typical sight. Long patrol cruises were not part of the destroyer mission profile, and single deployments of Larsons on deep space missions were exceedingly rare in the 2260s when this picture of USS Coral Sea (NCC-4402) was taken. The Fleet never used its own Larsons in antipiracy or local defense duties, either. However, as distribution of retired Larson vessels to allied fleets was authorized after a token ‘neutering’, many foreign operators subsequently pressed them to independent combat and patrol duty. The Orions were also quick to utilize this design as they had used numerous others, creating true ‘pirate copies’ for their usual purposes.]]
[[File:No Photo Available.jpg|left|200px|thumb|A ''Larson'' destroyer cruising placidly against a nebula background is by no means a typical sight. Long patrol cruises were not part of the destroyer mission profile, and single deployments of ''Larsons'' on deep space missions were exceedingly rare in the [[2260s]] when this picture of ''USS Coral Sea'' (NCC-4402) was taken. The Fleet never used its own ''Larsons'' in anti-piracy or local defense duties, either. However, as distribution of retired ''Larson'' vessels to allied fleets was authorized after a token ‘neutering’, many foreign operators subsequently pressed them to independent combat and patrol duty. The Orions were also quick to utilize this design as they had used numerous others, creating true ‘pirate copies’ for their usual purposes.]]


In the early sixties, all remaining ships were gradually brought to full phaser VII standard and
In the early [[2260s|sixties]], all remaining ships were gradually brought to full phaser VII standard and
equipped with duotronic systems. With a simple change of some plasma seals and MHD turbines,
equipped with duotronic systems. With a simple change of some plasma seals and MHD turbines,
the engine system was uprated to warp 6 operations, of which the coils were already capable. At the
the engine system was uprated to warp 6 operations, of which the coils were already capable. At the
same time, newly militant Klingon attitudes led to growing support of Starfleet escalation, and the
same time, newly militant Klingon attitudes led to growing support of Star Fleet escalation, and the
opposition to destroyer-class ships diminished. However, the period of Klingon aggressions
opposition to destroyer-class ships diminished. However, the period of Klingon aggressions
culminated not in a war, but in the Organian peace treaty; this soon brought back to surface the antidestroyer
culminated not in a war, but in the Organian peace treaty; this soon brought back to surface the anti-destroyer
sentiments. The Larson class was among the classes most affected by budgetary cutbacks,
sentiments. The ''Larson'' class was among the classes most affected by budgetary cutbacks,
first by the bleeding off of funds for the Defender program, then by the early years of the McLaren
first by the bleeding off of funds for the Defender program, then by the early years of the McLaren
administration austerity: requests for engine upgrades to PB-47 standard were categorically denied,
administration austerity: requests for engine upgrades to PB-47 standard were categorically denied,
as were sensor updates. By 2268 the class seemed certain to be retired almost entirely within the
as were sensor updates. By [[2268]], the class seemed certain to be retired almost entirely within the
next five years.
next five years.


The introduction of linear warp engine technology briefly brought promise of a less gloomy future.
The introduction of linear warp engine technology briefly brought promise of a less gloomy future.
In a refit begun in 2268, a baker’s dozen of Larsons were pulled in for the so-called Mk VII modification that would equip them with LN series warp engines and modern sensors. This
In a refit begun in [[2268]], a baker’s dozen of ''Larsons'' were pulled in for the so-called Mk VII modification that would equip them with LN series warp engines and modern sensors. This extensive upgrade is described later in an [[Guide:Larson refit|entry]] of its own. Despite its advanced features, the
extensive upgrade is described later in an entry of its own. Despite its advanced features, the
modernized design did not find a niche in the now frigate-permeated Star Fleet. It ended up playing a
modernized design did not find a niche in the now frigate-permeated Starfleet. It ended up playing a
relatively minor role during the [[2270s]] - [[2280s|80s]] and was relegated to reserves according to Khitomer
relatively minor role during the 2270s - 80s and was relegated to reserves according to Khitomer
treaty cutbacks in the mid-[[2290s]].  
treaty cutbacks in the mid-2290s.  


The heyday of the Larson class was definitely the period between the 2260 upgrade and the
The heyday of the ''Larson'' class was definitely the period between the [[2260]] upgrade and the
Organian peace treaty. The very existence of the ships is credited for keeping the Klingons at bay in
Organian peace treaty. The very existence of the ships is credited for keeping the Klingons at bay in
most fronts. The class enjoyed a ‘threshold weapon’ status similar to that of the Detroyats and
most fronts. The class enjoyed a ‘threshold weapon’ status similar to that of the ''Detroyats'' and
Apaches in the 2220s-40s, presenting the aggressor with an unsolvable equation: how to penetrate
''[[Guide:Icarus/Ashanti/Apache|Apaches]]'' in the [[2220s]]-[[2240s|40s]], presenting the aggressor with an unsolvable equation: how to penetrate
the swarms of medium-cost destroyers to inflict damage to the actual enemy capital ships and
the swarms of medium-cost destroyers to inflict damage to the actual enemy capital ships and
installations, without losing disproportionate numbers of one’s high-cost strike units? Neither the
installations, without losing disproportionate numbers of one’s high-cost strike units? Neither the
Saladins nor the Larsons alone could not have created such a deterrent, not with their poor warp
''Saladins'' nor the ''Larsons'' alone could not have created such a deterrent, not with their poor warp
maneuverability – but a modern destroyer still was quite capable of forcing a Klingon battle cruiser
maneuverability – but a modern destroyer still was quite capable of forcing a Klingon battle cruiser
out of warp with her torpedoes, exposing her to other types of defensive fire. Indeed, no fewer than
out of warp with her torpedoes, exposing her to other types of defensive fire. Indeed, no fewer than
sixteen Larsons are credited with warp intercepts of Klingon ships during the frequent raids these
sixteen ''Larsons'' are credited with warp intercepts of Klingon ships during the frequent raids these
aggressors made to UFP territory between 2260 and 2265; all these engagements ended in Klingon
aggressors made to UFP territory between [[2260]] and [[2265]]; all these engagements ended in Klingon
retreat and minimal Starfleet casualties.
retreat and minimal Star Fleet casualties.


Offensive success using flotilla tactics was limited. An expeditionary five-ship was lost in contested
Offensive success using flotilla tactics was limited. A five-ship expedition was lost in contested
space near Romulan territory in 2263, only the severed warp nacelle of USS Alesia (NCC-4454)
space near Romulan territory in [[2263]], only the severed warp nacelle of ''USS Alesia'' (NCC-4454)
remaining to tell of its demise; this brought total losses for the class to eight hulls. Starfleet reports
remaining to tell of its demise; this brought total losses for the class to eight hulls. Star Fleet reports
cited poor long range sensing and signal analysis capabilities as the main vulnerabilities. Clearly,
cited poor long range sensing and signal analysis capabilities as the main vulnerabilities. Clearly,
the destroyers were far better suited for mixed-type fleet operations where the sensing and analysis
the destroyers were far better suited for mixed-type fleet operations where the sensing and analysis
power of coordination ships or cruisers would be available.
power of coordination ships or cruisers would be available.


The Larsons survived the Organian cutbacks slightly better than the older Saladin lineage. About
The ''Larsons'' survived the Organian cutbacks slightly better than the older ''Saladin'' lineage. About
half the surviving fleet was put in mothballs in the mid-seventies, leaving two flotillas to serve
half the surviving fleet was put in mothballs in the mid-[[2270s|seventies]], leaving two flotillas to serve
alongside the Mk VII –modified units. This force was allocated two Monoceros scouts for
alongside the Mk VII–modified units. This force was allocated two ''[[Guide:Monoceros|Monoceros]]'' scouts for
coordination and sensing, efficiently pairing like performances. The flotillas were disbanded by the
coordination and sensing, efficiently pairing like performances. The flotillas were disbanded by the
end of the decade, however, for the days of the circumferential warp drive were over, in the
end of the decade, however, for the days of the circumferential warp drive were over, in the
destroyer force at least.
destroyer force at least.


Starfleet has never officially regretted its decision to scrap the vast numbers of decommissioned
Star Fleet has never officially regretted its decision to scrap the vast numbers of decommissioned
destroyers. Admittedly, the Larsons were technically outdated, represented a poor balance of
destroyers. Admittedly, the ''Larsons'' were technically outdated, represented a poor balance of
offensive and defensive systems for the post-Khitomer environment, provided inadequate crew
offensive and defensive systems for the post-Khitomer environment, provided inadequate crew
accommodation standards and were economically unviable. Granted, a conversion to linear warp
accommodation standards and were economically nonviable. Granted, a conversion to linear warp
drive had been attempted and found wanting. And to be sure, the factual scrapping only took place
drive had been attempted and found wanting. And to be sure, the factual scrapping only took place
after certain Khitomer clauses made it both mandatory and verifiable by Klingon and impartial
after certain Khitomer clauses made it both mandatory and verifiable by Klingon and impartial
observers. But many starship enthusiasts have expressed anguish over the totality of the extinction:
observers. But many starship enthusiasts have expressed anguish over the totality of the extinction:
not a single Larson remains for display in the Fleet Museum, nor are there recoverable hulls on any
not a single ''Larson'' remains for display in the [[Star Fleet Museum|Fleet Museum]], nor are there recoverable hulls on any
of the Fleet surplus depots or junkyards. The three generations of starship captains trained to
of the Fleet surplus depots or junkyards. The three generations of starship captains trained to
command this type of vessel are long gone, and no good literature has been written on the subject.
command this type of vessel are long gone, and no good literature has been written on the subject.
Thus, the exploits of this significant part of Starfleet strength in the mid-23rd century remain mostly
Thus, the exploits of this significant part of Star Fleet strength in the mid-[[23rd century]] remain mostly
undocumented and unavailable to the public.
undocumented and unavailable to the public.


Revision as of 07:35, 10 October 2018

Larson destroyer
Larson
Class Overview
Category destroyer
Operational 2240-2283
Constructed 89 total
:
Dimensions
Length 268 m
Beam 133.6 m
Height 62.9 m
Mass
  • 332,400 tons (NCC-4300-4308)
  • 332,200 tons (NCC-4309-4318)
  • 330,750 tons (NCC-4319-4352)
  • 337,000 tons (NCC-4353-4378)
Performance
Cruise Speed
  • w 5 (original)
  • w 6 (refit in 2260)
Max Speed w 8.0
Endurance 2 years
Complement
Officers 45
Enlisted
  • 150 (Mk I, II)
  • 155 (Mk VI)


Passengers
  • (up to) 50 researchers (original)
  • (up to) 20 researchers (refits)


Tactical Systems
Beam Weapons

Original

  • 2x laser emitters (2.0 GW), twin bank (fwd of bridge)
  • 4x laser emitters (2.0 GW), 2 twin banks (port/stbd of ventral sensor array)
  • 1x Type L phased particle cannon (1.2 TW) (dorsal primary hull) (NCC-4300-4308)

Refit 2250

  • 6x phaser VI emitters, twin banks (former MK II laser positions)

Refit 2260

  • 6x phaser VII emitters, twin banks (former MK II laser positions)
Missile Weapons

Original

  • none (NCC-4300-4308)
  • 4x fwd medium torpedo tubes (40 photon torpedoes) (NCC-4309-4318)

Refit 2250

  • 4x fwd medium torpedo tubes (40 photon torpedoes)

Refit 2260

  • 4x fwd medium torpedo tubes (40 photon torpedoes)
Shields
  • 1-layer conformal forcefield
  • Navigational deflectors (fwd hull)
Transporters
  • 4x GP (6-pad), Mk II
  • 3x emergency evacuation (22-pad), Mk II
  • 1x cargo, Mk II
Auxiliary Craft
  • 6x work pods
Historical
Ships of Note
  • USS Alesia (NCC-4454)
  • USS Cromwell (NCC-4477)
  • USS Sheridan (NCC-4463)
  • USS Thelenth (NCC-4405)
Canonicity
Design FASA
Name FASA
History own, FASA



The first half of the 2240s was the climax of Star Fleet’s attempt to close the gap between Klingon and UFP military strength. The Saladin program had provided the fleet with large numbers of anti-ship weapon platforms, but even after the dilithium upgrade these vessels could be considered attrition units at best. The more potent Detroyats were in theory more to Star Fleet’s liking, but were built in low numbers due to their complexity. In 2239, Star Fleet initiated the development of a dilithium destroyer that would finally combine the affordability of the Saladins and the potential of the Detroyats, and become a worthy stablemate for the Constitution heavy cruisers.

It was still argued that the warp maneuverability of a two-nacelle system would not be required in destroyer operations; the task of intercepting could be handled by photon torpedoes. Even though still rather clumsy and inaccurate, the most recent torpedo designs far outperformed the Detroyat main weaponry and would thus compensate for the lack of warp agility of the launching vessel. A less expensive one-nacelle configuration would then arguably be cost-efficient and battleworthy. Performance goals were set at an initial-standard cruise speed of warp 5 and a rather high top speed of warp 8. The ships would be fielded in relatively large numbers to accompany the already numerous Saladins; the new cruisers and heavily armed twin-nacelle frigates, both featuring groundbreaking technology from Project Starship, would add to Star Fleet’s torpedo firepower as well.

USS Larson (NCC-4400, here ‘ghosting’ as NCC-3702 for an assignment to the Epsilon sector of the Klingon border) pays honors to an entire lineage of Star Fleet heroes, from Admiral William Larson, the distinguished leader of Earth’s first true interstellar war, to Captains Glen and Penelope Larson of contemporary career years. The class was virtually the only one in UFP Star Fleet to follow the past custom of honoring recent military leaders. Explicit decisions against such naming schemes have never been made, but it is the tacit policy of Committee for Star Fleet to avoid the controversy of ‘rewarding large-scale acts of violence’, no matter how just these seem from the viewpoint of the era.

Even though the PB-31 engines were lifted directly from the latest Saladin upgrade program, the original Saladin field configuration was modified by inverting it and flattening it slightly to imitate a two-lobed field. The nacelle was supported above the primary hull by two triangular struts that each housed extensive cooling arrays in addition to the plasma conduits. Antimatter power machinery, which had become more compact in three years of development, was housed within the saucer hull and a slightly protruding dorsal compartment at the stern. All ships immediately received dilithium drives with multiply-redundant warp core ejection and nacelle jettison systems. However, there was a small deuterium-tritium fusion reactor system for auxiliary power and also for production of impulse engine power and propellant.

The ships were armed with three powerful twin 2 GW laser emitters, again in an inverted arrangement in comparison with the Saladin systems. Primary firepower was to be provided by a four-tube Mk 2 ‘Wolf’ torpedo system, much developed from the Mk 1 Saladin incarnation. This development did not proceed without problems, though. The first six-tube ‘Wolf’ systems tested aboard heavy cruisers had a prodigious rate of misfires, and the four-tubers introduced the further idiosyncrasy of mechanically jamming when commanded to disarm. Selenia struggled hard to make the systems behave; still, many of the destroyers were initially fielded with a Baton Rouge-type particle cannon in place of the torpedo system. When the Mk 2 launcher finally was delivered to frontline units, it still proved bulky and somewhat unreliable. Highly capable growth variants were nevertheless soon mounted on the Surya, Coventry and Constitution classes.

A crew of 195 operated the ship, their living quarters sharing the space on the seven decks with weapons, impulse and warp powerplants, sensors and support machinery. Lifeboats were provided for the crew behind jettisonable hull hatches, but actual onboard auxiliary craft were limited to work pods; four six-pad transporters were installed for personnel transport needs. A planetary landing could be performed with the nacelle jettisoned. One such emergency landing did take place in 2261, when USS Cromwell (NCC-4477) took refuge on d Canaris VI after the nacelle was ripped out and life support compromised by a relativistic-speed meteoroid cloud (perhaps extragalactic visitors, perhaps projectiles from an ancient war). Recovery and repairs were successful and returned the vessel to service by 2263. USS Sheridan (NCC-4463) had fared worse, losing all but three of the crew on her maiden voyage to a power system explosion that could not be contained. Nacelle jettison systems were indeed notoriously unreliable even in the case of the largely self-contained mid-23rd century circumferential engines – and problems are confounded in the modern distributed designs where high-energy plasma leads to the nacelle have to be cut, sealed and purged before jettisoning.

As many as eighty-nine of the modern destroyers were built under the class name Larson, in four distinct batches, although just nineteen were procured in the initial configuration, divided more or less evenly between phase cannon and torpedo types. Each ship was named after a famous Earth – or, in the single case of USS Thelenth (NCC-4405), Andorian – military commander, later also after famous battle sites. Registries were frequently changed, warp signatures fiddled with, and ships shuffled and reshuffled between starbases to hide the true numbers of these ships, the ‘ghost numbers’ ranging from low 3700s to high 4400s. While the trick was beginning to lose its effectiveness as Klingon intelligence forces gained in experience, later examining of Klingon archives has revealed that the Empire did initially overestimate the number of Larsons by an impressive hundred hulls. Apart from the perimeter ship deceptions, this was the greatest such counterintelligence victory against the Klingons, but also among the last.

Even when not backed up by ‘ghost ships’, the destroyers provided Star Fleet with considerable anti-ship attack power at minimum possible cost and maximum effectiveness. Some 34 were added to fleet strength in the early fifties. However, the wisdom of Larson procurement was repeatedly brought to question in reviews ordered by the Ixan administration of 2247-53. Despite initial high hopes and continuing insistence, the destroyers were quite unsuitable for exploration, research or rescue operations. Also, as materials and transporter-fabrication technologies advanced, questions were raised about the necessity of such ‘contingency’ warships in general. Thanks to the new technology, many formerly prohibitively expensive designs like the twin-engine frigates of Miranda family were now available for the role of ‘attrition units’. Finally, the mission requirement of challenging enemy capital ships of superior strength began to sound hollow in view of continuing Romulan isolation and post-Axanar Klingon aimlessness. Again, there were factions that claimed that the ships would be useless against the Klingons and overarmed for anything else. As a result, three attempts at further production were deferred between 2253 and 2261.

A Larson destroyer cruising placidly against a nebula background is by no means a typical sight. Long patrol cruises were not part of the destroyer mission profile, and single deployments of Larsons on deep space missions were exceedingly rare in the 2260s when this picture of USS Coral Sea (NCC-4402) was taken. The Fleet never used its own Larsons in anti-piracy or local defense duties, either. However, as distribution of retired Larson vessels to allied fleets was authorized after a token ‘neutering’, many foreign operators subsequently pressed them to independent combat and patrol duty. The Orions were also quick to utilize this design as they had used numerous others, creating true ‘pirate copies’ for their usual purposes.

In the early sixties, all remaining ships were gradually brought to full phaser VII standard and equipped with duotronic systems. With a simple change of some plasma seals and MHD turbines, the engine system was uprated to warp 6 operations, of which the coils were already capable. At the same time, newly militant Klingon attitudes led to growing support of Star Fleet escalation, and the opposition to destroyer-class ships diminished. However, the period of Klingon aggressions culminated not in a war, but in the Organian peace treaty; this soon brought back to surface the anti-destroyer sentiments. The Larson class was among the classes most affected by budgetary cutbacks, first by the bleeding off of funds for the Defender program, then by the early years of the McLaren administration austerity: requests for engine upgrades to PB-47 standard were categorically denied, as were sensor updates. By 2268, the class seemed certain to be retired almost entirely within the next five years.

The introduction of linear warp engine technology briefly brought promise of a less gloomy future. In a refit begun in 2268, a baker’s dozen of Larsons were pulled in for the so-called Mk VII modification that would equip them with LN series warp engines and modern sensors. This extensive upgrade is described later in an entry of its own. Despite its advanced features, the modernized design did not find a niche in the now frigate-permeated Star Fleet. It ended up playing a relatively minor role during the 2270s - 80s and was relegated to reserves according to Khitomer treaty cutbacks in the mid-2290s.

The heyday of the Larson class was definitely the period between the 2260 upgrade and the Organian peace treaty. The very existence of the ships is credited for keeping the Klingons at bay in most fronts. The class enjoyed a ‘threshold weapon’ status similar to that of the Detroyats and Apaches in the 2220s-40s, presenting the aggressor with an unsolvable equation: how to penetrate the swarms of medium-cost destroyers to inflict damage to the actual enemy capital ships and installations, without losing disproportionate numbers of one’s high-cost strike units? Neither the Saladins nor the Larsons alone could not have created such a deterrent, not with their poor warp maneuverability – but a modern destroyer still was quite capable of forcing a Klingon battle cruiser out of warp with her torpedoes, exposing her to other types of defensive fire. Indeed, no fewer than sixteen Larsons are credited with warp intercepts of Klingon ships during the frequent raids these aggressors made to UFP territory between 2260 and 2265; all these engagements ended in Klingon retreat and minimal Star Fleet casualties.

Offensive success using flotilla tactics was limited. A five-ship expedition was lost in contested space near Romulan territory in 2263, only the severed warp nacelle of USS Alesia (NCC-4454) remaining to tell of its demise; this brought total losses for the class to eight hulls. Star Fleet reports cited poor long range sensing and signal analysis capabilities as the main vulnerabilities. Clearly, the destroyers were far better suited for mixed-type fleet operations where the sensing and analysis power of coordination ships or cruisers would be available.

The Larsons survived the Organian cutbacks slightly better than the older Saladin lineage. About half the surviving fleet was put in mothballs in the mid-seventies, leaving two flotillas to serve alongside the Mk VII–modified units. This force was allocated two Monoceros scouts for coordination and sensing, efficiently pairing like performances. The flotillas were disbanded by the end of the decade, however, for the days of the circumferential warp drive were over, in the destroyer force at least.

Star Fleet has never officially regretted its decision to scrap the vast numbers of decommissioned destroyers. Admittedly, the Larsons were technically outdated, represented a poor balance of offensive and defensive systems for the post-Khitomer environment, provided inadequate crew accommodation standards and were economically nonviable. Granted, a conversion to linear warp drive had been attempted and found wanting. And to be sure, the factual scrapping only took place after certain Khitomer clauses made it both mandatory and verifiable by Klingon and impartial observers. But many starship enthusiasts have expressed anguish over the totality of the extinction: not a single Larson remains for display in the Fleet Museum, nor are there recoverable hulls on any of the Fleet surplus depots or junkyards. The three generations of starship captains trained to command this type of vessel are long gone, and no good literature has been written on the subject. Thus, the exploits of this significant part of Star Fleet strength in the mid-23rd century remain mostly undocumented and unavailable to the public.

Gallery

  • Larson (2245)
    Larson (2245)
  • Larson (2265) (side)
    Larson (2265) (side)


Notes


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