Arcadia Class Exploratory Cruiser

Starship Profile: Arcadia-Class Exploratory Cruiser Originally By: Michael P. Smith, Adapted By: Admiral Alex Rosenzweig - USS Avenger = Region 7 In the 2270s, Star Fleet identified a serious need for cruiser type starships capable of independent exploration duty while maintaining a capability to act as a front-line ship in time of conflict. In 2279, Star Fleet Command directed the Advanced Starship Design Bureau to develop designs for a cruiser type starship to fill this need. Excerpts from the instruction stated that the class should: Be capable of extended independent exploration duty, even in regions where hostile encounters are possible or even likely. Maintain a strong tactical capability for service as a front-line vessel in time of armed conflict. Include adequate facilities for limited research independent of Star Fleet research facilities. Maintain performance consistent with other cruiser type vessels. The designs proposed were designated as the Arcadia (CE 20021)-Class Exploratory Cruiser and the Nineveh (CKE 21050)-Class Large Exploratory Cruiser. Both would see eventual construction, though the Arcadia was developed first. The class design was approved on 10 February 2283, with a low rate of production scheduled to begin in 2285 and continue over the next 10 years. There was a bit of controversy over the class designation prior to approval. Some members of the Federation Security Council felt that a designation of heavy cruiser was appropriate, considering the extensive exploration and defensive capabilities of the class. But Starfleet Command insisted that reduced research facilities differentiated ships of this class from heavy cruisers, making a classification of exploratory cruiser more appropriate. The exploratory cruiser designation was approved on 5 February 2283, thereby reducing the chances of a contentious debate on approving a new heavy cruiser project. The Arcadia-class had particularly notable characteristics in three areas: Design

These ships were similar in overall configuration to the Enterprise and Belknap classes. The primary hull was similar in most respects to other cruisers, but incorporated improved shield grid implementation and a new impulse deck (on CE 20021-20023). The connecting dorsal mounted three photon torpedo tubes (two forward and one aft) (on CE 2002120026). The secondary hull was smaller than that of the Enterprise-class, the space saved coming from reduced cargo capacity and more limited research facilities. The shuttle bay was enlarged significantly in order to accommodate the additional five shuttles that form part of the Extended Sensor Perimeter (ESP) system (see below). The first two vessels of the class were fitted with Daystrom Duotronic II computers during initial trials, but the remainder were fitted with the newer Daystrom Duotronic III systems and the earlier units were replaced. # The Extended Sensor Perimeter (ESP system) The ESP system was a network of sensors mounted on spacecraft and communicating via a high bandwidth subspace data link. It allowed several spacecraft to combine their sensor systems in a large network and to share this information among them in one unified manner. The concept is quite old, but only recently had Star Fleet R&D developed a subspace data link robust enough to be suitable for production of such a system. The system could use a starships full sensor suite, or a special compact sensor pod designed for installation on larger shuttlecraft. The system could be used tactically, to allow the information gleaned by the most advanced starships in the fleet to be shared with lesser equipped vessels, or for exploration purposes, allowing a solitary exploration vessel to survey in detail a very large area of space, or all sides of a celestial body at once. The system was first installed on Arcadia-class ships to enhance their exploratory capabilities. The system as implemented on the Arcadia-class consisted of the ASP-16E sensor package (enhanced for ESP compatibility), the ESP software modules in the computer core, the ESPL subspace data link, and the ARN-43 synthetic geometry antenna. The sensor packages on the five ESP-equipped shuttles were optimized for research and celestial survey purposes and were not intended for tactical use. The ESP was expected to be part of the standard sensor complement on all new classes beginning with the Enterprise (II)-class ships, though without a special

use link or antenna (which will be integrated into the standard subspace communications system), and without the special purpose shuttles. Engineering The Arcadia class represented a significant attempt to improve basic engineering design in cruiser types. The RSX experimental impulse units were fitted on CE 20021-20023. These units were designed to be smaller and more efficient than the standard RSL units. The RSX units proved quite successful once implemented, but turned out to be quite difficult to manufacture and integrate due to the extraordinarily tight tolerances required for the impulse deflection crystal. Hulls 20024-20029 were fitted with standard RSL units. The warp nacelles for these vessels were configured similarly to the Belknap-class strike cruisers in that they were positioned lower and slightly more forward than on the Enterprise-class. This configuration allows for more efficient operation at higher warp speeds. Consideration was given to adopting the Belknaps support pylon configuration, as well, the Belknaps support pylons being a single unit designed to be replaced easily and rapidly (in the field if necessary), but to accomplish this, a more complex EPC system was required in the secondary hull. It was decided that the Arcadia-class would not adopt this system due to the greater reliability of the standard configuration. The nacelles themselves are LN-64 mod 3 units. Vessel Systems Description Form: Arcadia-Class Exploratory Cruiser PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS: Length Overall: 290.0 meters Beam Overall: 141.7 meters Draft Overall: 68.3 meters Primary Hull Length: 145.5 meters Primary Hull Beam: 141.7 meters Primary Hull Draft: 32.6 meters Nacelle Length: 154.8 meters Nacelle Beam: 12.6 meters Nacelle Draft: 18.3 meters DISPLACEMENT: Standard: 205,250 metric tons PROPULSION:

Warp Engines: Number: 2 Type: LN-64 Mod 3 Linear Warp Drive Units Impulse Engines: Number: 2 Type: RSL Subatomic Unified Energy Impulse Units Maneuvering Thrusters Type: QASR particle Beam Maneuvering Thrusters Reaction Control System Type: Trentis Reaction Control System VELOCITY: Cruising (Warp Factor): Warp 8 Maximum (Warp Factor): Warp 13 ACCELERATION (Times in Seconds): Rest - Onset Critical Momentum: 8.23 seconds Onset Critical Momentm - Warp Engage: 1.03 seconds Warp 1 - Warp 4: .70 seconds Warp 4 - Warp 8: .62 seconds Warp 8 - Warp 13: 2.25 seconds CREW COMPLEMENT: Officers: 65 Crew: 400 Total: 465 NAVIGATION: System Type: Astrolabe Warp Celestial Guidance COMPUTERS: System Type: Daystrom Duotronic III

Supplements/Add-Ons (If Any): Extended Sensor Perimeter (ESP) Modules SENSORS: Main Sensor Array Type: ASP-16E Sensor Package ARMAMENT: Phaser Banks/Arrays: Type: RIM-14A Independent Twin Mount Number: 16 Emplacements/Bank: 2 (8 Banks) Type: RSM-19A Single Mount Number: 2 Emplacements/Bank: 1 (2 Banks) Photon/Quantum Torpedoes: Number of Tubes: 2 Torpedo Type(s): Mk 50 Mod 3 Direct Photon Torpedoes; Mk 50 Mod 4 Direct Photon Torpedoes DEFENSES: Deflector Systems Type: Pavis Force Field and Deflector System with Stasis Countermeasures Cloaking Device (Y/N): N Defense Scanning/Computer/Tracking Systems: Type(s): ASP-16E Direct Interrogation Sensor System Extended Sensor Perimeter (ESP) Tactical/Exploration/Research Package LIFE SUPPORT: Gravity/Atmosphere Systems:

Type(s): MM3 Modular Gravity and Atmosphere Maintenance Unit Radiation Shielding: Type: Faraday Radiation Shielding Waste Regeration Systems: Type(s): Cerix 2 Waste Regeneration System