Defiant-Class Starship Specifications

1.0 Danube-Class Introduction
1.1 Mission Objectives
1.2 Design Statistics
1.3 General Overview
1.4 Construction History

2.0 Cockpit and Command Systems
2.2 Airlock
2.3 Transporter Systems
2.4 Computer Systems

3.0 Modules
3.1 Module Overview
3.2 Multi-Mission Modules
3.3 Habitat Modules

4.0 Tactical Systems
4.1 Phasers
4.2 Micro Torpedo Launchers
4.3 Deflector Shields
4.4 Additional Packages

5.0 Propulsion Systems
5.1 Warp Propulsion Systems
5.2 Impulse Propulsion Systems
5.3 Reaction Control System

5.0 Tactical Systems
5.1 Phasers
5.2 Micro Torpedo Launchers
5.3 Deflector Shields
5.4 Additional Packages

Pursuant to Starfleet Exploration Directives 911.3 & 983.2, Federation Science Council Initiative 1403A, Starfleet Defense Directive 115.6, and Federation Security Council General Policy, the following objectives have been established for a Danube-class starship:

Length: 23.1 meters
Width: 13.7 meters
Height: 5.4 meters
Mass: 158.7 metric tons
Cargo capacity: Dependent on configuration

The runabout is a true multirole starship with engine efficiencies and cargo capacitates proportional to larger vessels. Starfleet's directive covering the Danube Class Development Project established the major mission objectives. These included the ability to perform rapid-response scientific expedition transportation, the ability to act as an orbital or landed temporary operations base for science missions, the ability to move intact experiment and cargo modules from site to site, and the ability to perform emergency and tactical missions limited only by the onboard supplies of fuel, weapons, and consumables. The tactical missions list is limited to covert activities related to intelligence gathering, personnel insertion and extraction, and undisclosed disruptions of threat activities where feasible.

By the latter half of the 24th Century, it became clear that the growing borders of the Federation would spread existing and planned starship classes across a vast area, whether they be engaged in scientific or tactical endeavors. With most active starships assigned either to patrol spacelanes, borders with hostile empires, or on exploration and scientific duties in remote locations, it became clear that a smaller craft was needed in a support capacity to carry on the rather mundane tasks that would be considered a waste of resources for a full-fledged starship to carry out, such as the transfer of a small number of personnel between locations where large transports visit only in limited numbers.

For some time, the practice of sending these small numbers of persons or cargo in shuttlecraft was the accepted practice, using the limited warp capabilities of the craft merely to get it from one starship's flight path to another's so as not to drag these larger vessels off their course. Existing in limited capacities throughout the 23rd Century, runabouts were often deployed as high-speed couriers when starships were unavailable. A misconception of runabouts is that they are merely large shuttlecraft, when they are in fact starships in their own right with names and NCC numbers assigned to each. The Danube-class starship is no different, and represents the first line of mass produced runabouts that have greatly aided Starfleet both in logistics as well as scientific and tactical missions of limited capacity.

The Danube-class project began as a vehicle study in 2363 at the ASDB for a ship that could perform a variety of scientific, resupply, and personnel-transfer missions. The prototype U.S.S. Danube, NX-72003, was ordered constructed at the ground facilities of Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards in 2365 after two years of extensive planning and development. The design process involved little in terms of new technological developments, but rather made use of largely existing technologies in a more compact form. The idea of the "glorified shuttlecraft" was quickly tossed aside in favor of a "miniature starship" approach, and mandates from Starfleet Operations, Logistics, and Command required that the Danube be outfitted with transporters, warp and impulse engines, crew accommodations, and enough modularity to allow the craft to be outfitted within 24-hours for mission-specific applications.

The prototype vehicle, like all Danube-class vessels to follow it, was composed of seven structural component types to ease the assembly process. The main structural spine was the first assembly component to be set within the construction jig, and ran along the top of the completed vessel. The linear-radial warp engine core and aft RCS package were then put in place, with connections to the nacelle pylons, particularly the power transfer conduits (PTC). The spine also contains an integral corridor with reconfigurable seals that made airtight and EM-protected connections between the various habitat modules and utilities conduits. A small Jefferies tube was also built into the spine to allow access to the warp core and other ship systems. The pylons were then attached to the spine through use of reinforced tritanium beams to bolster hull integrity during warp flight. Set beneath the pylons were the impulse propulsion modules, containing separate deuterium fuel supplies from the warp reactor's fuel supply. The last basic step in the spine assembly was the attachment of the warp nacelles, thus ending the first phase of construction.

Phase 2 of the construction process involved the attachment of the three preassembled underslung body components that comprised the crew habitat modules. The detachable crew cockpit, multimission module pack, and aft living compartment were the final components docked into place.

Fully fueled, the Danube began flight trails off the surface of Mars in early 2368. The finished vehicle measured 23.1 meters in length, 13.7 meters abeam, and 5.4 meters tall. Initial tests focused primarily on atmospheric flights and surface landings, as well as docking with a variety of fixed orbital platforms. Various multimission modules were swapped and field tested across the Martian surface and surrounding space.

As the Danube was making its preliminary warp tests within the solar system, the first production series was well along into its final assembly cycle. The first five runabouts delivered to the fleet inventory after the Danube were the U.S.S. Rio Grande, U.S.S. Mekong, U.S.S. Orinoco, U.S.S. Yangtzee Kiang, and U.S.S. Rubicon, all named after Earth rivers. While the prototype vessel was destroyed while saving the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D in 2370, the Rio Grande, Mekong and Orinoco provided vital flight information from the field after being delivered to Deep Space Nine. Since then, the project has already seen minor upgrades in runabout performance and interior configuration as production has spread from the initial Utopia Planitia plant to three other fleet yards.

Before the outbreak of the Dominion War, the Danube-class runabout underwent a minor refit after years of field data prompted changes to ship's layout. In preparation for the conflict, refits were made to the warp propulsion systems to increase the maximum warp from 5 to 8, and the cockpit transporter was moved further back to an away mission staging area. Increased reactor efficiencies allowed for greater power output from both the WPS and IPS, while an increased variety in possible mission objectives spawned the creation of new multimission modules.

Located at the front of the vessel, the cockpit contains the runabout's computer core, airlocks, transporter, and enough emergency batteries and life support to allow this section of the craft to operate as an independent lifeboat. The design was derived from existing hybrid shuttlecraft-lifeboat escape craft systems and has the ability to detach and either continue in space or land on a planetary surface with acceptable strains on the hull during reentry.

The forward-most section contains all of the flight controls, engineering, and tactical system panels necessary to operate the ship. Though normally piloted by a flight crew of two, the cockpit contains seating for four persons. The primary flight controls are duplicated at the two forward-most stations, though the normal configuration is to have the port station set as the mission commander's controls that duplicates the operations station found on larger starships, while the starboard station is set as the runabout pilot's controls. A central console located between these seats houses a navigational reference indicator and access to the cockpit's isolinear subprocessor. The aft seat on the port side is configured as the engineering station, while between it and the operations panel lies the tactical station. On the starboard aft is the science station, while between it and the flight control stations lies a guidance and navigation panel. A freestanding aft console, just forward of the transporter, is normally configured as a secondary tactical station, allowing a greater surface area to display tactical information during combat situations. The purpose of these additional stations is to lessen the burden of the piloting crew workload when other crew are available. As with almost all consoles and display surfaces onboard starships, these stations can be reconfigured for a variety of tasks.

Dominating the front of the cockpit are two large windows offering a view similar to those aboard a shuttlecraft, allowing pilots to rely on their eyes rather then sensors in certain situations. Like all windows on the runabout, the forward cockpit windows are equipped with blast shudders to shield the occupants inside from harmful radiation that the windows and shields themselves may not be able to filter out. In addition, these blast doors can seal off any breaches caused from cracks or the total shattering of the the windows. The cockpit section also has two windows on both the port and starboard sides, with a pair located in the forward section above the engineering and science stations. Another set of windows is located in the aft section, near the transporter.

Horizontal isolation doors separate the main cockpit cabin with the aft section, which houses the runabout's transporter.

Just aft of the forward stations is a set of airlocks located on both the port and starboard sides of the vessel, allowing entry and egress from the runabout. Each airlock is comprised of a double set of doors with enough space in between them to fit one person wearing a standard EVA suit at a time. The outer door is comprised of the same reinforced duranium as the runabout's hull, while the inner door is similar to those materials found on the interior.

Aft of the main cockpit is a small transporter room, featuring a two-person short-range transporter. This small room also holds much of the Danube's personnel gear, such as weapons, medical kits and tricorders for away missions. Two equipment areas are located on the outside of the transporter chamber, each holding a medical kit, four Type-II phasers, four tricorders, and two Type-III phaser rifles. The upgrading of these phaser rifles to the IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc models was deemed unbeneficial given the mission parameters typically seen onboard runabouts, though equipment stores from home stations and facilities can be swapped when deemed necessary.

The runabout computer core is located within the cockpit subfloor and measures 2.3 by 2.1 by 1.3 meters. The twin-core concept, standard within most Starfleet vessels, applies to the runabout as well, with a total of 186 isolinear banks and fifty-three command preprocessors and data analysis units. Isolinear subnodes distributed throughout the runabout report to the core, though the connections are severed in the event the cockpit detaches. The core maintains reliable flight control for the cockpit module under all conditions, and on-the-fly adjustments are are made automatically during mutli-mission module swap-outs.

The entire habitable area of a Danube-class starships resides within the three module types connected beneath the spine assembly. Because of the runabout's modularity, any of these areas can be swapped out with pre-made or custom-built modules depending on the specific mission type, and each are numbered from fore to aft. Module 1, frequently referred to as the cockpit module, is at the front of the craft. The center of the runabout is comprised of space reserved for the multi-mission modules, with 2 and 3 on the port and 4 and 5 on the starboard. Module 5 is known as the habitat module, and resides at the aft-most section of the vessel. Though these modules can be separated at anytime, only the cockpit is equipped with life support and independent propulsion systems that allow it to operate without the use of the impulse and RTS thrusters built into the spine assembly. Certain types of multi-mission modules do, however, contain independent power supplies that allow them to operate independently.

The runabout modularity offers a wide range of mission options. Currently, there are four main sizes of available multi-mission modules: mono-load, XY half-load, XZ half-load, and quarter-load. The mono-load module is a single large unit possessing a central spine notch. The XY half-load is half the size of the mono-load and spans the width of the cargo section laterally from starboard to port. The XZ half-load is also half the size of the mono-load, but runs lengthwise along one side of the cargo section from fore to aft. Other custom sizes are available, depending on the mission type ordered.

The multimission module area rests between the cockpit and habitat module inside the center of the runabout, protected on either side by the engine nacelle housings. In quarter-load and XZ half-load, a corridor runs the length of the module sections providing access between all three sections of the ship. The ceiling area is removable and allows for servicing of the warp propulsion system. In XY half-load and mono-load configuration, access between sections is built into the module. All modules have individual doors to seal their compartments from the rest of the spacecraft both for privacy or in emergency situations.

Modules can be transported by starship, preloaded for attachment to various large starships, planetary surface facilities, or starbases. In some cases, special laboratory modules can be shipped to orbital or surface sites and left, either tended or automated, for later pickup. Defensive payloads, emergency habitats, and additional runabout living quarters can be outfitted to the standard module spaceframes. Power can be provided by the onboard runabout EPS system through subfloor conduits, or self-contained within fuel cells or microfusion sources.

A partial listing of available module types is included in this technical briefing.

Mono-load modules occupy the entire multi-mission module area of a Danube-class runabout and represent the largest maximum payload area available. A partial listing of available module types includes:

Comprised of several different variants, the Mono-Habitat allows for additional crew habitation facilities to increase the total number of occupants aboard a runabout for long-duration journeys. Facilities include 6 additional crew bunk spaces and a bathing facility equipped with a sonic shower and sink. On the standard module, four bunks line the starboard side with two bunks in a stack, while the port side consists of 2 bunks and the bathing facility. Each bunk is equipped with a wall-mounted terminal with access to the runabout's computer core, while an overhead shelf allows for storage of personal items. A path between the bunks allows access between the cockpit and aft habitat module.

Much like the M-Hab, the XY-Habitat consists of a total of four bunks, with two on both the port and starboard sides of the module while a path in the center allows access between modules. Each bunk is equipped with a wall-mounted terminal with access to the runabout's computer core, while an overhead shelf allows for storage of personal items.

Consisting of two main variants designed for either the port or starboard side, the XZ Torpedo launcher adds a limited number of full-sized torpedoes to a runabout's inventory. The module itself consists of four torpedo or probe devices, antimatter storage, targeting computer, and an underside launching assembly. Three torpedoes rest in the aft section of the module while the fourth is preloaded into the launching assembly at the front. The targeting computer and antimatter storage pod are stored above the forward torpedo. When activated, an underside bay door opens to allow the torpedo to be lowered into place and fired. Because the size of the runabout does not allow for a magnetic launching tube commonly used on larger starships, the runabout's own momentum is the driving force that propels the device forward during initial launch. If the craft is stationary, torpedoes may still be launched though at far slower initial velocities.

Advanced piloting and weapons training is required for precision targeting of moving objects, however the runabout computer is capable of lining the ship up for optimal targeting lock. Once released, the torpedo guidance system takes control of flight operations until the warhead detonates or the probe reaches its destination. The launch system makes use of a fire-and-forget method in that the craft and torpedo share little information after the latter is launched, forcing the torpedo to rely on onboard guidance whereas larger starship torpedo systems allowed for a continued stream of targeting data while the device is in flight. As per Starfleet safety regulations, launched torpedoes may still be auto-destructed by the parent craft. Antimatter is loaded into torpedoes prior to launch, and access panels allow for servicing of torpedo components inside the runabout. Due to the limitations of the launch mechanism, the XZ-Torp is impractical against fast-moving targets.

This fusion reactor, supplied by onboard deuterium reserves, supplements runabout power generation. Though the Danube-class typically has enough power generation facilities to handle most multimission modules, the energy demands of certain modules or outboard equipment packages may deem it necessary to have this module installed. The module makes use of existing EPS power tabs to supplement power reserves.

The runabout frame is optimally equipped with a total of six Type-IX phaser arrays for defensive operations. Two of these arrays are located on the main cockpit module just behind the twin airlocks, and provide 75 degree lateral coverage off of the vehicle centerline, respectively, due to their forward-facing nature and blockage by the cockpit and nacelle housings. An additional set of phaser arrays is located on the starboard and port surfaces of the warp engine nacelles, allowing for 145 degree lateral coverage from each array while a twin set of aft emplacements on the habitat module together have a 160 degree aft firing arc. While various blind spots are present on the dorsal and ventral surfaces, as well as a small area just fore of the cockpit, the high maneuverability of the Danube-class more then makes up for these shortcomings.

Power is supplied through EPS taps in both the impulse and warp systems, though onboard auxiliary power planet modules can be used to supplement available phaser power.

A suite of onboard micro-torpedo launchers allows for greater versatility both in tactical and scientific applications. Present on later models of the Danube-class starship, two launchers are located in the aft section of the cockpit module in an integrated external housing that includes the forward phaser arrays. Previous models were located on the underside of the crew cockpit as a special accessory, forcing the removal of scientific sensor equipment normally located there.

The upgraded model consists of a miniature magnetic launching tube and magazine, housing XX x XX x XX torpedo or probe devices.

Being of a relatively new and unique design compared to other ships in Starfleet’s inventory, it is somewhat surprising that the Defiant-class line of ships makes use of standard graviton polarity source generators, the design of which has not changed much in the past 70 years. Off the shelf generators used in Galaxy-class starships were heavily modified by the original yard engineers at Utopia Planitia to closer pack the twelve 32 MW sources found in each generator, allowing for an additional four sources to be added. Designed in response to the oncoming Borg threat in the 2270’s, all ships of this class make use of automatically rotating shield nutations.

A Defiant makes use of a total of four shield generators located throughout the vehicle space frame. The forward-most generator is located along the vehicle centerline within the Warhead section, and is responsible for keeping it shielded in the event that it must separate from the ship. Two additional generators are located further within the hull from the warp nacelles, port and starboard, while the final generator is located on the centerline just above the main impulse engines and forward of the deuterium storage tanks on Deck 1.

Standard flight operations require that at least two generators be operational at any given moment. To simplify field manipulation, it is desired for two corresponding units to be online, meaning that the forward and aft units should be used in sync, or the port and starboard units. During high-impulse and warp flight, the generators are kept at their minimum output to deflect stray particles in the interstellar medium from impacting the ship and degrading the hull. Should conditions warrant, one generator is capable of protecting the entire space frame. At high levels of alert, all generators are brought online and create a multilayered graviton field around the ship. In combat situations, the field is typically within several meters of the hull, creating an oval shape. If required, the field can be extended outward to protect another vessel or object at the sacrifice of some protection.

Twin isolinear processing cores are situation just aft of the bridge on Decks 2 and 3. The total computer core possesses 675 banks of chromopolymer processing and storage sheets, for a total capacity of 246.97 megaquads. The system is normally powered by an EPS shunt from the aft impulse reactors, but can be powered by a smaller regulated EPS conduit from the warp core. Cooling of the isolinear systems is accomplished by a regenerative liquid nitrogen loop, which incorporates a delayed-venting heat storage block for stealth activities. The typical mission requirements for the main computer involve only 45 percent of the processing and storage capacity; the other 55 percent is reserved for intelligence-gathering or tactical operations, or taking over for a damaged core. Defiant-class vessels can operate on a single core and can even retain some critical data from a damaged area through compression and scattered storage methods.

A network of 48 quadritronic optical subprocessors is distributed throughout the volume of the vehicle spaceframe. The main bridge has a total of 18 dedicated and shared subprocessors, which permit operations even in the event of main computer core failure.

In addition to its obvious defensive capabilities, the Defiant-class was also designed to perform fast-paced reconnaissance missions. In stealth mode, the EM output of the vessel blends in with the natural emissions of the surrounding space while sensors attempt to scan the area with the highest detail. This raw information is dumped into the computer core, and after returning to friendly space, the twin computer cores are easily removed from the ship through hull plates just behind Shuttlebay 3 on Deck 3. This is done so that a fresh core can be swapped in, and the ship can return to its reconnaissance operations while the data from its previous mission is analyzed from the safety of Federation space.

The warp core is located in the aft engineering section and spans the top three decks vertically. The matter-antimatter reaction assembly (M/ARA) is embedded within Deck 3, with the surrounding systems balcony above, on Deck 2. The core is constructed from a central translucent aluminum and duranium reactor with dilithium articulation frame, four-lobed magnetic constriction segment columns, and matter and antimatter injectors. Plasma transfer conduits exit the core on Deck 3 and extend laterally to the nacelles and the warp plasma injectors. The nacelles incorporate an experimental in-line impulse system, which accepts matter intake and heating within the nacelles and exhausts the heated gases through a space-time driver assembly in the nacelle aft cap. Antideuterium is stored in a series of standard Starfleet antimatter pods on Deck 3, forward of the warp core.

The warp field coils, unlike most Federation ships, are located within the main hull as opposed to outboard nacelles. The basic structure of the nacelles is similar to that of the remainder of the starship, however, the entire length of the nacelle housing is augmented with longitudinal stiffeners composed of cobalt cortenide to protect against high levels of warp-induced stress. Throughout the nacelle housing are triply redundant conduits for Structural Integrity Field (SIF) and Internal Dampening Field (IDF) systems. Each nacelle contains a pair of four warp field coils, making Defiant-class vessels have a total of 16.

The Class-7 warp reactor is extremely powerful for a ship of this size, and as such, Defiant-class vessels put out a warp signature equivalent to much larger starships. Advances in variable warp field geometry ensures that all ships of this class will not cause harmful subspace damage. The standard maximum warp speed of the a Defiant is Warp 9.5, however, a speed of Warp 9.982 can be reached if power from the pulse phaser capacitors is used, thus taking that system offline for at least six hours as it recharges. All regulation warp engine controls and procedures apply to Defiant-class vessels.

In the event of a possible warp core breach, the main M/ARA is not designed to be ejected like on larger starships. Instead, a series of four circular plasma exhaust vents on both the port and starboard sides of the ship are used to vent out the highly volatile warp plasma before it has a chance to breach the containment vessel. Deuterium and antideuterium reactants are cut off up stream from the reaction chamber and the core is brought to a cold shutdown. The only portion of the M/ARA that is capable of being ejected is the antimatter storage pods, located on Deck 3. In the event of containment loss, twin hull loading plates are ejected from the underside of the ship and the pods follow shortly after. Total replacement of the M/ARA can be accomplished during a major overhaul at a Starfleet Drydock or Fleet Yard facility and requires the removal of various hull segments not normally accessible during normal operation modes.

The primary impulse system consists of three pairs of redundant fusion reactors, space-time driver coils, and vectored exhaust directors. The exhaust products may be held temporarily in the impulse nozzle cowling, to minimize the ship's ion or EM signature, or they can be vented through electroporous plates along the trailing surface of the cowling. All three main impulse engines are located on both Decks 2 and 3. An experimental in-line impulse system further augments the standard engines, allowing for fuel conservation (See Chapter 4.1).

Standard operational procedures limit impulse speeds to .25c (Full Impulse) due to time dilation problems that occur once an object travels close to the speed of light. Each individual engine is capable of propelling the ship to a speed of .75c. Together, a speed of .994c (Maximum Impulse) can be reached but is only used during extreme circumstances due to relativistic time displacement accompanying objects traveling close to the speed of light.

A pair of smaller impulse engines are located on Deck 3 and provide propulsion and power to the Warhead section during separated flight mode.

The Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters are adapted from thruster packages from Galaxy- and Ambassador-class vessels. A total of eight thruster groups are installed; two are placed in the forward hull, four in the mid-hull, and two in the aft cowling. Deuterium is supplied by the primary tankage on Deck 2 and immediate-use tanks within thruster packages.

Output: Each thruster quad is capable of producing 4.2 million Newtons of exhaust.

Defiant-class starships have a forward-facing twin-deflector system located on Deck-4 in the Warhead. Situated on both sides of the forward torpedo launcher on the uprated version, the main deflector also houses key elements of the long-range sensor system. Like most features on ships of this class, the deflector is reinforced with multiple tritanium struts, but its internal design is characteristic of most Starfleet deflector systems. Each dish is composed of several molybdenum/duranium mesh panels over a tritanium framework. Should one system become severally damaged, the other deflector can compensate by adjusting the ship's deflector field. It should be noted, however, that at speeds exceeding Warp 5 one deflector is unable to sufficiently clear the ship's path and may result in impacts with micrometeoroids and stray interstellar particles since the deflector field is unable to compensate for the added subspace distortion.

Type: Multiphase subspace graviton beam, used for direct manipulation of objects from a submicron to a macroscopic level at any relative bearing to the starship. Each emitter is directly mounted to the primary members of the ship's framework, to lessen the effects of isopiestic subspace shearing, potential inertial imbalance, and mechanical stress.

Output: Each tractor beam emitter is built around three multiphase 15 MW graviton polarity sources, feeding two 475 millicochrane subspace field amplifiers. Phase accuracy is within 1.3 arc-seconds per microsecond, which gives superior interference pattern control. Each emitter can gain extra power from the SIF by means of molybdenum-jacketed waveguides. The subspace fields generated around the beam (when the beam is used) can envelop objects up to 920 meters, lowering the local gravitational constant of the universe for the region inside the field and making the object much easier to manipulate.

Range: Effective tractor beam range varies with payload mass and desired delta-v. Assuming a nominal 15 m/sec-squared delta-v, the multiphase tractor emitters can be used with a payload approaching 116,380,000,000 metric tons at less than 2,000 meters. Conversely, the same delta-v can be imparted to an object massing about one metric ton at ranges approaching 30,000 kilometers.

Defiant-class vessels normally carry one primary and one backup transporter on Deck 1. The modular unit includes a 45 percent scaled version of the standard pattern buffer tank and molecular imaging scanners found on larger starships. The transporter is powered by an impulse system EPS tap and is EM-shielded with a multilayer duranium jacket. The hull-transporter emitter pads are armored with electroporous plating, which requires the computer to maintain tighter control over the ACB in terms of look angle in dwell time on both beam-up and beam-down targets.

All standard RF and subspace communications systems are installed, with additional capacity for narrow-beam and encrypted signal transmission and reception. Stealth com is possible through modulated impulse exhaust streams and navigational deflector beams. A set of three primary and three backup subspace distress beacons is provided for emergency use.

Ships of this class are equipped to perform highly detailed scientific missions, especially those concerned with defensive operations. While not outfitted for extended scanning and analysis tasks, the suite of onboard systems is well suited for 82 percent of the standard astophysical, biological, and planetological sweeps and accompanying data reduction. A load out of ten mixed class-1, -3, and -5 probes is normally provided at nearby starbase layovers and can be supplemented with class-9 and -9 quantum or photon torpedo-derived probes.

The external long- and short-range sensors are adapted from standard sensor pallets and set behind selectively EM-opaque hull plating. In most battle situations, the sensor clusters can retreat into reinforced wells until action levels have been reduced and then brought into closer contact with the hull plates. All sensor inputs are recorded and analyzed within the computer core and displayed at the science panels on the bridge, or on PADDs, tricorders, or other displays around the ship. Most sensor systems have been optimized for reconnaissance and spacecraft combat maneuvers.

Long range and navigation sensors are located behind the main deflector dish, to avoid sensor "ghosts" and other detrimental effects consistent with main deflector dish millicochrane static field output.

A suite of dedicated tactical sensors is located in triangular packages between the warp nacelles and Warhead section. Originally, torpedo launchers were located in this position but field testing aboard the U.S.S. Defiant and information recovered from the sensor logs in the escape pods of the U.S.S. Valiant indicated that dedicated tactical sensors would prove more effective in long term battles, allowing for the pulse phaser cannons to more accurately lock onto threat vessels.

Two dedicated Medical/Science labs are located just behind the Warhead on Deck 2. (See Chapter 8.1)

A probe is a device that contains a number of general purpose or mission specific sensors and can be launched from a starship for closer examination of objects in space. Starfleet makes use of a total nine different classes of probes, which vary in sensor types, power, and performance ratings. The spacecraft frame of a probe consists of molded duranium-tritanium and pressure-bonded lufium boronate, with sensor windows of triple layered transparent aluminum. The standard equipment of all nine types of probes are instruments to detect and analyze all normal EM and subspace bands, organic and inorganic chemical compounds, atmospheric constituents, and mechanical force properties. All nine types are capable of surviving a powered atmospheric entry, but only three are special designed for aerial maneuvering and soft landing.

Due to restrictions in space aboard Defiant-class ships, only three probe types are carried aboard. Starfleet regulations require the presence of at least one type of ejectable buoy capable of acting as an emergency beacon in the event of hazardous events that may result in the destruction of the spacecraft. Three Class VI, one in each torpedo launcher's storage area, are onboard Defiants for this reason. Two additional probe types, the Class VIII and Class IX, are also in place due to the relative ease with which a standard photon or quantum torpedo casing can be converted.

The main sickbay is located on Deck 2 between the mess hall and science labs. Containing four biobeds, this room serves as the primary crew support facility during emergency situations. The room is equipped with limited surgical facilities and is primarily intended to stabilize patients until they can be delivered to a nearby friendly starbase medical facility. Six stasis pods are located just across the main corridor from the sickbay facilities, allowing for patients to be stabilized in the event that their ailment cannot be cured aboard the ship.

In its limited role as a reconnaissance starship, the Defiant-class is equipped with two dedicated science/medical labs for field testing and investigations. These rooms mirror their counterparts on larger Federation starships by making use of scaled down devices that would commonly be found on those ships.

The primary crew-support systems include twenty-two main cabins and ten contingency cabins, each equipped with a minimum of two bunks. These cabins can be outfitted with as many as six bunks, allowing for a potential total crew of 192. Each cabin is equipped with one replicator port and one standard computer terminal. Overall, crew quarters aboard Defiant-class vessels are the most spartan when compared to other ships in the fleet. Obviously, due to the nature of the ship's missions and the lack of facilities, families are not allowed onboard.

A normal class-M environment is maintained throughout the vessel, but can be adapted in three of the crew living quarters for life-forms from class-H, -K, or -L worlds. All atmospheric conditions, heating, and humidity are controllable by deck and by section. All storable gases and fluids, as well as transfer and manipulation hardware, are distributed among all four decks and engineering spaces.

With emphasis towards the tactical systems being the foremost priority in the vessel designers' minds, crewmembers must be prepared to share their quarters with at least one other crewmate during normal times of operation. Only the ship's Captain is given his own room on Deck 1, which doubles as an informal Ready Room.

Ships of the Defiant-class lack any sort of recreational facilities, and the only place for informal gathering is the two mess hall areas located on the port side of Deck 2. Like all the equipment and materials aboard the ship, the mess hall was spartan and compact. At the head of the room were three open slots that served as dispensers for the replicators. A counter extends from the underside and is used for the placement of trays, mugs and eating utensils. Seating inside the mess hall is provided by four metallic tables arranged in a semicircle at the wider end of the room. These tables are approximately one meter square, and each has four stools connected to its legs. In addition, the mess hall doubles as a makeshift meeting area that could be used to conduct crew briefings and mission profiles. A tall screen panel located on one of the walls can be used as a visual aid to display tactical graphics.

It should be of little surprise that the Defiant-class is a spaceframe designed primarily for tactical and defensive operations, and thus, its primary mission types are rather one-sided when compared to most other ships that serve in the Federation fleet. While this may appear to be short-sided of the Defiant, recent evidence suggests that continued hostilities between the Federation and threat forces means that tactical mission types will never be in short supply.

The listed mission types are by no means the only operations that Defiant-class vessels are capable of performing. Even after the initial testing of the NX-74205 pathfinder vessel, Starfleet continues to run projections on possible mission types.

The normal flight and mission operations of the Defiant-class starship are conducted in accordance with a variety of Starfleet standard operating rules, determined by the current operational state of the starship. These operational states are determined by the Commanding Officer, although in certain specific cases, the Computer can automatically adjust to a higher alert status.

During all modes of operation, the ship runs on four six-hour shifts designated Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta.

In extreme circumstances, a Defiant is capable of landing on a planetary surface by making use of four retractable struts built into Deck 4. Originally designed to allow a ship to set down in a large landing bay within a starbase. actually field testing has shown that with all its engines in working order, a Defiant is capable of reaching escape velocity on planets with a mass less then 1.2 Earths. Any planetary bodies with a higher gravity will result in the starship being unable to escape its gravity well. With all available power routed to both the SIF and IDF, the ship is capable of making a controlled landing, preferable on a flat and stable surface. Automated computer algorithms have been preprogrammed to allow greater ease of control for the flight control officer.

Taking off from a planetary body requires much more effort then landing. All secondary and most primary systems must be taken offline to provide further power to the impulse engines and RCS thrusters. The already overrated engines of the Defiant-class require that the ship be launched in a near-vertical manner. SIF, IDF and gravity systems are brought to full enable while all other systems, including life support, are taken offline for the duration of the launch. Seeing as the process typically takes only a few minutes, there is sufficient breathable air still in the system during the entire process.

Aside from the escape options provided by the onboard shuttlepods, the principal survival craft is the Starfleet lifeboat, or escape pod. The current lifeboat is sized to include two main types, a six-person and an eight-person version. Defiant-class vessels carry twenty-six of the six-person types, which measure 3.6 meters tall and 3.5 meters across the hexagonal faces. Each lifeboat contains enough consumable and recycling capabilities to keep the crew alive for eight months, longer with multiple lifeboats connected in standard "gaggle mode." All are equipped with navigational processors and impulse microthrusters, plus emergency subspace communication systems. These units have been specially modified for low-observability and minimal EM signatures due to the general wartime conditions.

Rescue and evacuation operations generally fall into two categories, rescue and evacuation to the ship, and evacuation from the ship. The former will generally involve transport from another ship or planetary surface. The latter will generally involve removal of the ship's company to another ship, a planetary surface, or into space.

Due to the nature of the Defiant, its ability to perform in evacuations is hindered by the limited amount of space onboard, as well as the small number of transporters available. With the cargo transporter reconfigured for quantum resolution transport, the Defiant is capable of beaming aboard 175 persons per hour. Typically, this is deemed an acceptable beam up speed since the Defiant is only capable of evacuating 150 persons from a ship/station/planet in need. The Type-10 shuttlecraft onboard is also capable of assisting in evacuations, however, the shuttlepods are ill-equipped to render such need.

As the Dominion War had indicated, it is quite conceivable that a starship may be lost in battle or due to other unforeseen circumstances. While Starfleet general policy dictates that all efforts must be made to save a starship, situations sometimes warrant the total evacuation of a ship. As stated before, Defiant-class vessels are capable of transporting 175 persons in one hour. Unlike most Federation starships, Defiants lack dedicated emergency transport systems. Instead, they rely heavily on escape pods to evacuate the ship. In addition, all four shuttlepods and the Type-10 shuttlecraft are brought to full operation and are capable of carrying personnel from the ship. After the computer has acknowledged that all personnel have cleared the ship, it begins to lock out all major command functions so that information cannot be stolen from the ship should a hostile vessel board a Defiant before a salvage team can make it to the site. Automated distress beacons are launched shortly after. At the time of this writing, computer simulations suggest that the Warhead section could be used as an escape vehicle if that portion of the ship isn't severely damaged.

Overall Length: 119.5 meters
Overall Draft: 90.3 meters
Overall Beam: 25.5 meters

Standard - 4 Pulse Phaser Cannons, 2 forward torpedo launchers, 2 aft torpedo launchers
Uprated - 4 Pulse Phaser Cannons, 1 forward torpedo launcher, 2 aft torpedo launchers

Deck 1: Main Bridge, Captain’s Ready Room, Transporter Room 1, Pulse Phaser Cannons (2), Upper Main Engineering, Plasma Exhaust Vents, Upper Sensor Array, Officer and Crew Quarters, Deuterium Storage

Deck 2: Lower Main Engineering, Main Impulse Engines, Computer Core, Targeting Sensors, Mess Hall, Warp Coils, Med/Science Lab, Sickbay, Transporter Room 2, Officer and Crew Quarters, Warhead Control Room

Deck 3: Main Impulse Engines, Warhead Impulse Engines, Shuttlebay 1-2, Shuttlebay 3, Antimatter Storage, Cargo Bay 1-4, Airlocks (2), Aft Torpedo Magazine, Warp Coils, Shuttle and Work Bee Maintenance

Deck 4: Landing Struts, Navigational Deflector, Pulse Phaser Cannons (2), Forward and Aft Torpedo Magazines, Aft Torpedo Launchers (2), Forward Torpedo Launcher (1), Lower Senor Array, Shuttlebay 1-2 Exterior Doors and Elevator System, Main Tractor Emitter

This is the one point in this entire page where you'll find that, for the first time, I've stepped out of the Star Trek universe and back into our own 21st Century mindset. The information presented on this page is a result of hours and hours worth of researching, more researching and then a rigorous and intensive process of compiling the best information from canon sources, and making an attempt to fill in the blanks. For the purposes of ACTD, these are the specs for the Defiant-class vessel, like them or not. Now to address some of the problems found in compiling this information, followed by a brief explanation as to why a certain path was taken in these specs.

Defiant History: Why does it seem that the history of the Defiant has just been cut and pasted from many sources? Because it is, all of them being considered canon or semi-canon sources. The history of the starship classes that we create are made to coincide with what is seen on screen, and it is not or duty to rewrite what has already been established without just cause. The history of the Defiant has already been written by a handful of people, all of which are either staff members involved with the production of Deep Space Nine or under authorization from Paramount to do so. There are not many places left in the ship's history to allow for useful writing that would benefit the readers of these specifications without dipping too deep into the realm of fiction.

Hull: While Star Trek: The Magazine lists the original Defiant's hull as being constructed with a castrodium/neutromium composite, none of us on the team has any recollection of a DS9 episode stating this. Our main concern is that neutromium has a very similar spelling to neutonium. The latter happens to be the same substance that the TOS Planet Killer was made of, while the former is what I believe the cargo door to Dominion Headquarters in DS9's "What You Leave Behind" was constructed of. Nonetheless, it isn't mentioned anywhere else, which leaves us to believe it is some sort of exotic substance. Still, to cover our butts, Steve suggested that we say the original NX-74205 hull had what the ST: Magazine said, and all production line ships are of a more standard type.

Size of the Defiant: This is perhaps one of the most widely debated topics when it comes to this starship. As it turns out, backstage information tells us that this ship was designed with no real size in mind, which is why you'll find no identifying marks on the studio model in terms of windows and airlocks; things that would give away the true size of the ship. The DS9 Tech Manual states that the ship is 170.68 meters in length, but onscreen evidence shows the ship to be more around 120 meters in length. The master systems display seen in engineering and throughout the ship was designed with a 120 meter length in mind and in addition, the sizes of the living quarters, sickbay, mess hall and various other studio sets further support the 120 meter design. The two foldout schematics of the Defiant at the back of the DS9 TM also are made around a 120 meter model as well. The purest canon is considered to be the actual onscreen evidence, and therefore, I assume that the Defiant is 120 meters in conjunction with that evidence. The relatively recent publishing of the "Starship Spotter" also supports this size.

Decks: While Worf was heard saying that there was once a plasma leak on a so-called "Deck 5," onscreen evidence and Master Systems Displays (MSD) point towards a 4 deck Defiant. The only support for a Decks 5 and 6 is the appearance of several portholes at the back underside of the Defiant model, but we do not know for sure if these are windows or possibly something else. Because we see more references to a 4 Deck version of the ship as opposed to a 5 deck, I've concluded that the ship only has 4.

Torpedo Launchers: Throughout DS9 we've always seen the Defiant launch torpedoes from the targeting weapons sensor pods near the front of the ship. The DS9 TM and MSD like to tell us that the forward torpedo launcher is located just beneath the main deflector at the front of the ship. This seems to make sense with the Warhead module, which is said to be able to detach from the Defiant and act like a mobile torpedo. If the torpedo launcher were located in the front, then the torpedo magazines for the forward launcher would add to the Warhead's destructive power. MSDs show that the ship has two aft torpedo launchers, which makes sense even if the DS9 TM says there's a total of 2 launchers on the ship. It also says the Galaxy-class has two launchers, but we know for a fact that a third launcher is located in the saucer section as stated in the TNG TM. You'll notice that the torpedo launcher anomaly is discussed in these specs, and appropriate cover-ups and explanations are included for the two variants. For the purposes of ACTD, all Defiant-class ships are of the later design, meaning there's only a total of 3 torpedo launchers. Think that it's a little premature to call this new version the UPRTD one? Well, it needs to be called something... and Production Run 2 Variant didn't sound so good.

Phantom Phaser Arrays: Several times we saw Defiant-class ships fire a standard phaser beam blast from the upper area of the ship, close to the Main Bridge. While on the model we can see two strip-like objects on the upper hull, the phaser blasts seen onscreen are not anywhere near those pseudo-emitters. It was a rare occasion to see a blast from that area, so we're assuming that those ships were perhaps outfitted with a special test module to see if it was feasible to mount standard phaser strips on the Defiant.

Probes: Obviously, the Defiant is simply too small to allow for it to be equipped with all the known types of probes listed in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual. Since the ship already carries a number of photon and quantum torpedoes, the Class VIII and Class IX are the only known types that make use of the same casings. Switching out a warhead with a sensor package takes only a few minutes, and saves a lot of space; especially when the components for the sensor package can be replicated, while the warhead and warp sustainer coils cannot.

Cloaking Device: Only the original Defiant, which was destroyed in battle, carried a Romulan Cloaking Device onboard. This was on loan from the Romulan government, and treaty stipulations still apply for all other starships. Bottom line, no other Federation starships can legally use a cloaking device until we hear onscreen that revisions have been made to the Treaty of Algeron.

Warp Core Ejection Systems: So far, I've yet to see a hatch on the underside or topside of the ship that suggests the warp core can be ejected. However, we do see that the ship has eight plasma exhaust vents on the dorsal side, suggesting a possible new technique in avoiding a core breech. The ventral side of the ship does show a hatch in the exact place of the antimatter pods, suggesting that they can be ejected. The dual computer core also has a hatch on the underside of the ship.

EMH/Holodeck: It's reasonable to assume that Defiant-class vessels have been equipped with the latest version of the EMH series. However, we know for a fact that the ship has no holodecks or holosuites. Holographic emitters have been embedded throughout the immediate sickbay area, but do not spill off into the surrounding science labs or corridors.

Bridge Stations: This became somewhat of a problem because of the accepted number of positions on all ACTD ships and stations. The bridge allows no seating for a Counselor or Executive Officer and the Operations position has little function if the forward console controls both Conn and Ops. That said, I've decided to put in that all of these stations can be reconfigured depending on who is sitting there, and ultimately, that is being left up to the ship's Commanding Officer and Starship Manager. For secondary positions (SO, TO, EO, MO), there is no room to mount additional seating on the bridge, and therefore they must either stand at the various control panels mounted on the walls around the bridge or find themselves another location on the ship to perform their duties, such as Engineering, Sickbay, the Science Lab, etc.

Team Members: Robert Siwiak, Jason Sharp, Robert Pate, Kurt Goring, Mike Stannard

Copyright 2001-2002 Star Trek: A Call to Duty - Technical Specifications Team / Advanced Starship Design Bureau (ASDB). Use of these specifications is restricted to the Star Trek: A Call to Duty (ACTD) Technical Specifications domain at http://techspecs.acalltoduty.com and may only be reproduced with the express permission of the ASDB Team on sites that clearly serve to provide information on ACTD, its various ships and stations, or other related topics. Editing the contents of the information present on this page or reformatting the way in which it is presented is not permitted without the direct permission of the ASDB Team. Wherever possible, published sources were consulted to add to the wealth of knowledge in this document, and in some cases, this text was reproduced here. Sources used are properly cited in the "Credits and Copyright Information" appendix. No copyright infringement is intended.