Assegai class

Inscription on Commissioning Plaque:
 "A boy carrying a cat by the tail is learning something he can learn no other way"    --Mark Twain

General Specifications:
Length: 250m
Width: 173m
Height: 35m
Max Warp: 9.95 (burst speed 9.979)
Cruise: 9.75
Max. Impulse: 0.9995 lightspeed (unladen)
Crew: 10 officers, 28 enlisted

Armaments: Eight phaser cannon, coupled to Four emitter strips (1 each fwd, aft, port, & starboard); three rapid-fire quantum torpedo launchers, 2 fwd, 1 aft; 25 Semi-Autonomous Remotely Piloted Expendable Vehicles (SARPEVs) carried in internal bays.

Type: Fast Frigate

Status: One undergoing trials, four under construction, five additional examples on order.

About Ship: The Assegai class is designed to provide a fast response to hostile incursions to Federation space. Should a hostile force invade the Federation, the Assegai will be the first on the scene to evaluate the threat and provide a first response, should one be necessary. The Assegai will harass a hostile force until a larger fleet can be assembled to meet the threat. If the threat is too great, the Assegai can monitor its activities from a safe distance until help can arrive.

The Assegai has a winning combination of offense, defense, speed, maneuver, and sensors. The output of all four phaser cannon can be routed through any of the four emitters, for full 360 degree coverage. The hull incorporates holographic projectors to render it nearly invisible. The shields are configured in multiple layers with automatic random frequency rotation.

Power is supplied by a quad-core M/ARA coupled to a quantum flywheel battery capable of storing 30 hours' output. The conformal warp pods are configured for maximum efficiency at maximum warp, permitting sustained cruise at warp 9.75. Impulse engines are gravitic slope modulators (GSM) located in the leading edge of the "wing" of the Assegai, just behind the forward emitter strip. Impulse power is supplied by the quad-core M/ARA, augmented by zero-space generator modules. Attitude control is effected by differential actuation of the GSMs. The GSM propulsion method allows fine control of the vessel's attitude, so no supplemental thrusters are required. The major advantage of GSM thrust is that it permits violent maneuvers without overtaxing the structural integrity field. Since the GSM does not generate power (unlike conventional impulse drives), it is not normally used as a starship propulsion device.

The hull is covered by a multifunction phased array. Each array includes sensors, navigational deflectors, and tractor beams. Each array can take a significant amount of damage before performance is noticeably diminished. The acuity of the Assegai's sensors provide extremely accurate and detailed information to targeting systems. The SARPEVs act as advanced scouts as well as providing additional firepower.

The Assegai has a small crew for a vessel of its size. Due to the nature of its mission, the Assegai does not carry the normal complement of maintenance personnel. Instead, all routine maintenance is performed by support  vessels or at starbases.