Longbow class

Inscription on commissioning plaque:
"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniencies attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it."

-- THOMAS JEFFERSON

Armaments: Eight phaser cannon of classified output coupled to multifunction phased array, two photon cannon (1 each in dorsal and ventral turrets); eight quantum torpedo launchers (6 fwd, 2 aft); 50 SARPEVs (2 squadrons).

Type: Battle Cruiser

Status: The Longbow is a proof-of-concept prototype. One is currently undergoing shakedown. More will be produced only if Starfleet is satisfied with the results of the shakedown cruise. A more likely result is that the data collected during the shakedown will be used to design the next generation of large warships.

About Ship: The Longbow class is an attempt to determine the feasability of scaling up the concept of the Defiant class starship. The Longbow is similarly laid out to the Defiant. With a beetle-like profile, it has rather smallish warp nacelles angled outward 5º and buried in armored hull extensions.

The Longbow is heavily armed with sixteen phaser cannon and eight quantum torpedo launchers. The phaser cannon output is coupled to the multifunction phased array. It also has two Photon cannon turrets, providing it with an extremely long-ranged weapon. When using the Photon cannon, at least two SARPEVs are deployed with remote target aquisition system (RTAS) payloads to provide adequate fire control against targets farther than 2 astronomical Units (AU) distance.

The hull is heavily armored with both conventional and ablative material. The outermost layer includes the latest version of the multifunction phased array, which includes holographic emitters as well as the standard sensors, phaser, tractor, shield and deflector emitters. Stealth capability is enhanced by the installation of PIMESS systems, details of which are classified.

The Longbow is powered by a quad-core M/ARA coupled to a battery of quantum flywheels. Sub-light propulsion is provided by a standard fusion-type impulse engine augmented by gravitic slope modulators for enhanced agility.