It's very important for you to know that this is not an official ship within Bravo Fleet, nor is it being planned just yet. This is a personal project of mine that will be submitted to Bravo Fleet HQ with a proposal for the creation of the SCE within the Fleet. Once again, and for emphasis:
this is a personal project and not anything official within Bravo Fleet at this time
Starfleet Corps of Engineers.
Akira Class Vessel.
Use:
Primary use of Akira Class Vessel will be exploration of engineering and technological areas, in addition to rendering aid to ships, bases and planets as needed. The Akira Class Vessel would be considered a perfect candidate for the Starfleet Corps of Engineers as it would be able to hold it's own in case of a fight, it's good speed and maneuverability. Crew compliment would consist of primarily of engineers, though other departments will not be changed except for reduction in size, except for Medical which should have a slightly higher than normal compliment in case of emergencies. Passenger capacity will remain unchanged, though the Akira Class Vessel will carry none except in times of transport of dignitaries, mission specialists (ie-Federation experts in various fields outside of engineering fields), rescuse and transport of survivors. In times of emergencies, crew will double up in cabins and cargo bays will be converted over to temporary quarters during emergiencies as needed. A reduction in size of the Marine Detatchment (approximately 38.3%) is necessary as this Modified Akira Class Vessel is not primarily combat oriented, but will not be further lowered.
Modifications:
The following modifiactions will be necessary for the Akira Class Vessel to serve it's role in the SCE:
Runabouts:
Danube Class Runabout-Excellent for the purposes of transporting engineers to and from work area's in addition to serving as a smaller repair ship.
Blackhawk Class Runabout-Dual purpose use to transport Engineers or Marines with limited ship defense use.
Delta Flyer Class-Excelltent atmospheric flight capabilities to be used in hostile environmental atmospheres
Fighters:
Rogue Class Fighter-6 Each
Razor Class Fighter-6 Each
The use of fighters while limited onboard an SCE vessel, would be necessary due to possible ship defense and long range patrol.
Shuttles:
Type 5 Shuttle-3 Each
Type 11 Shuttle-5 Each
Personnel:
Officers-115
Enlisted Crew-456
Marines-90
Passengers-100
Weaponry:
Torpedo Launchers-15 Convert two launchers to fire probes only
Torpedos
Hellfire-30
Photon-200
Quantum-200
Transphaisic-6
Tricobalt-10
Cargo:
With the removal of some Runabouts, Fighters and Torpedos there is more room in the Akira Class Vessel for more cargo/engineering capacity for the duties of repairs and exploration of technical matters. Roughly 75% of the cargo space should be used for these purposes, though will require some modification to the ship itself in the form of added cargo bays. One suggestion is one the deck holding the shuttle bays. Convert the added space from the removal of Runabouts and Fighters into said cargo bays. Another suggestion is with the conversion of the two torpedo launchers. With the removal of torpedo's there is added space for additional probes (ie-communication, emergency beacons, sensor, scientific).
Also please note that ships specs for the Akira Class Vessel, modified as they are, are from Bravo Fleet.