"Brachiosaur" heavy carrier intelligence report.
In 2374, Starfleet engineers were permitted to examine several Gorn vessels including an inspection tour of an operational "Brachiosaur" heavy carrier, as part of a technology exchange program. This type of vessel is called "SSoss'ach saesht", (translation: "Large, pregnant herbivore"). SFI Has given this report a 78% reliability rating.

General Specifications:

Length: 558m (Estimated)
Width: 278m (Estimated)
Height: 118m (Estimated)
Max Warp: 8.1 (Observed)
Cruise: 6.8 (Observed)
Max. Impulse: .61 lightspeed (Observed)
Crew: 340 plus approximately 120 flight crew and 180 flight operations support crew (Estimated)

Armaments: 8 heavy disruptors (coupled to phased array, may also fire through external emitters located behind blast doors in the hull); 4 squadrons (15) Gavial heavy fighters; no missile armaments observed.

Type: Heavy Carrier

About Ship: Twenty years of operational service with the Apatosaur had given the Gorn experience with carrier operations and a clear idea of how they wanted future carriers to be designed. The Brachiosaur replaced the Apatosaur around 2280, intended to fill these requirements.

The Brachiosaur was the largest vessel ever produced by the Gorn when it was introduced. Experience with the Apatosaur had demonstrated the desirability of carrying more than a single squadron of fighters, and the Brachiosaur carries four, a full operational wing. Weaponry is installed, but seemingly only for defensive purposes, as there are only eight heavy disruptors and apparently still no missiles.

The Brachiosaur's hull is constructed of a duranium skeleton, overlaid with monocrystalline metallic alloy armor plates. These plates contain a multifunction phased array similar to our own. Advancements in the technology allowed the disruptor emitters to be incorporated within the array, eliminating external emitters. The technology was not yet proven, however, and there are eight emitters behind blast doors on the external hull for use in case the phased array control system fails. It's shielding is nearly as capable as contemporary Federation technology, bolstered by the armored hull and robust construction.

Like most Gorn vessels, the Brachiosaur is a robust design. It's warp dynamics are somewhat better than the Apatosaur, but not as efficient as the Megalosaur. It's purpose has expanded from "mobile starbase" to include exploration and research. When performing these latter missions, one or more squadrons of fighters is replaced by special-purpose mission vessels. The Brachiosaur is still in service, though SAPINT sources indicate that there are several other, more specialized carriers in Gorn service today.