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Class:
Galaxy
Classification:
Explorer
Service:
2360-
Number
Active: 31
Dimensions
Length:
641m
Beam:
560m
Height:
145m
Decks:
42
Mass:
5,125,000 metric tons
Compliment:
1,000+ (with family)
Tactical:
14
Type X Phaser Emitters
3
Type III Burst Fire Photon Torpedo Launchers
Antimatter
Spread Emitter
Defense:
High
Capacity Deflector Shield System
16cm
Ablative Armor
The
Galaxy Class Starship was a bold leap away from Standard Starfleet
directives which had produced the Excelsior and Ambassador classes.
The overall brief was for a long range explorer type vessel offering
much more comfort, similar to that offered by starbases. This ship
was also to be designed for defending the federation. and must
incorporate the latest weaponsry that the Federation had to offer.
Designers worked for years developing the sweeping curves that
differed from normal starship designs of the previous 70 years. The
result was phenomenal. The ship itself was huge by all comparison
yet very light and maneuverable.
The
Galaxy class starships proved to be very capable and soon, the USS
Enterprise D was named as the flagship of the Federation. The ship
was true to it's heritage and was involved in some of the most
pivotal moments of it's time. At the time of Enterprise's
destruction, Galaxy class ships were the largest and most powerful
starships in the federation.
In
service the Galaxy class at first proved exemplary, but by 2371 no
less than three of the initial six ships had been lost, one with her
entire complement of crew and families. This alarming record led to
many changes being introduced during refits of the remaining three
vessels, and also to the construction of six new Galaxy class ships
from space frames held in reserve against future need. The
unfortunate history of the Galaxy class vessels combined with the
recent escalation's in tensions within the alpha quadrant had led to
all six vessels being subsequently completed, and all were on active
service against the Dominion until the end of the war in 2376.
Major
changes to the Galaxy class have included a new more powerful warp
core, a redesigned shield system intended to perform far better
against phased polaron beam weapons, various changes to the ships
computer systems, plus many minor changes to the ships systems.
There are currently nine Galaxy class vessels in service. Production
of these vessels continues today; five Galaxy class ships took part
in the recent operation to retake Deep Space Nine from the Dominion
and the class gained a fearsome reputation during the war, operating
without loss. Though new Galaxy class ships were produced without
any science or diplomatic facilities included in order to reduce the
vessel mass and so enhance combat performance during the Dominion
war. These ships will be "filled out" in the near future,
considerably enhancing Starfleets exploration capacity. At this
point further production is expected to be terminated in favor of
the new Sovereign class.
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