Guide:Lenthal

Lenthal
Class Overview
Category	escort
Operational	2264 - 2295 Flight II: 2264 - Flight V: 2269 -
Constructed	31 Flt II: 20 (built: 2264-xxxx) Flt V: 11 (built: 2269-xxxx)
Dimensions
Length	260.0 m
Beam	110.4 m
Height	39.9 m
Mass	Flt II: 313,700 mt Flt V: 285,300 mt
Performance
Cruise Speed	Flt II: w 5.0 Flt V: w 6.0
Max Speed	Flt II: w 7.0 Flt V: w 9.0
Endurance	3 years
Complement
Officers	28
Enlisted	Flt II: 132 Flt V: 137
Tactical Systems
Beam Weapons	6x phaser V emitters (2 triple banks) (lateral fairings)
Shields	1-layer forcefield 1x navigational deflector (secondary hull bow) #x secondary navigational deflectors (lateral fairings)
Transporters	4x GP (4-pad); Mk III 2x emergency evacuation (22-pad); Mk III 1x cargo; Mk III
Auxiliary Craft	2x light shuttles (Mk V)
Historical
Ships of Note	USS Lenthal (NCC-xxxx)
Canonicity
Design	FASA/Timo
Name	FASA
History	FASA

Background: Hobbyist's Guide

In parallel with the Thufir program, the ASDF in the 2260s introduced a lighter and more affordable local destroyer type of a very similar design, merging a saucer with an otherwise traditional Andorian layout. The dimensions chosen were still formidable, and in essence only two factors supported the light destroyer designation over, say, the light cruiser one. One was the choice once again to leave ashore all hardware, software and personnel distracting from the classic destroyer mission; the other was the omission of torpedo launchers from the lateral weapons wings. Trademark heavy shielding in cowlings of the secondary hull (this time encircling it laterally rather than drooping down), combined with the tucked-in warp engines, made the destroyer a fearsome opponent in head-on attacks nevertheless, and guaranteed at least native interest in the design.

The Mk I version of the destroyer, with DLL-H engines, served with relative indistinction in the ASDF for a decade, then bowed out in favor of its Starfleet-compatible variants.

In contrast with the Thufir project that had courted general Starfleet interest with common hardware, Salazaar opened with an all-indigenous Mk I sporting a pair of DLL-H warp engines, half the size of their Kh-type or PB-31 counterparts. Two flotillas of the vessels were produced until Starfleet agreed to experimentation with PB-35E propulsion. This proved a technological success, giving the Mk II admirable performance specs for a twin PB-35 type and making her a serious contestant in the quest for twin-engined deep space escorts. A combination of maneuverability and affordability issues cost the Lenthal the ultimate escort prize, though. Starfleet did deploy twenty units between 2264 and 2278, but reneged on mass production; the lighter, more limited Griffon type was to be the preferred format of twin-engine escorts.

Undeterred, the ASDF proceeded with three further batches for local use, sporting indigenous warp engines and improved phasers and targeting systems but retaining the agility-compromising engine layout, advantageous in classic head-on destroyer attacks. When the escort fleet in the 2270s began receiving the superb LN-61, the class was offered to Starfleet for a second time. When the 2269- vintage Mk V was in 2274 refitted with this modern engine and with an amidships shuttle hangar module plus modernized deflectors, sales of eleven units were secured. The vessels successfully acted as escort leaders alongside the somewhat jury-rigged Babcock and Keith types, but once again proved too expensive to serve as the rank and file of the escort force.

The “linearized” destroyer escort was a far less awkward construct than her Babcock competitor aesthetically, but suffered from excess bulk, maneuverability shortcomings and the lack of torpedo armament. A launcher similar to that of the Babcocks could have been carried as an alternative to the modular dorsal shuttle facility. However, Salazaar did not see the need for the integration effort as Starfleet procurement plans would not have been significantly altered even with this addition.

Linear refitting did not impress the ASDF, which dealt less with high speed escort and more with local defense. Its separate destroyer force continued with modest upgrades only, and Andorians soon turned their attention to the emerging light frigate types. The standardized Daran and Ianar frigates were very much to their liking, and their acquisition in strength ended the story of the native destroyers right after the conclusion of the Klingon conflict in 2293.

It is only in dorsal view that the significant difference between the two Andorian destroyer designs becomes apparent. In both the 2260s and 2270s incarnations, with both native and generic warp engines, the Lenthal sports half the coil mass of the Thufir, and operates at one less warp factor in cruise and dash. The humbler weapon wings also consistently lack torpedo launchers. Starfleet’s decision not to invest in escort ships of such muscle is still rather understandable.

Alt Sources

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• Corvettes, Couriers, Escorts, Perimeter Ships & Light Scouts
• Appendix A: Of Ship Statistics
• Appendix B: Glossary
• Appendix C: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline
• Appendix D: Abbreviations From Outside