SARPEV Mk I

General Specifications:
Length: 5m
Width: 2.6m
Height: 1m
Max. Warp: 9.99 (burst speed 9.995)
Cruise: 9.1
Max. Impulse: 0.9975 lightspeed
Crew: 0-1 person

Armaments: None (crewed mode), one phaser cannon of classified output, or one quantum torpedo of classified yield.

Type: Semi-autonomous remotely-piloted expendable vehicle, Mark I
 

About Ship: During the conflict with the Dominion, Starfleet became aware of the need for a small, inexpensive, stealthy vessel for advance scouting and to supplement the role of fighters. The SARPEV Mk I was intended to fill this gap.

The SARPEV Mk I is designed for two modes of operation. In mode 1, it is remotely-controlled by an operator aboard the mother ship. In mode two, the low-sentience computer directs the mission according to its programming. The SARPEV is not a disposable asset, like a photon torpedo. Rather, the SARPEV represents a small-enough investment in resources that it can be used for missions where the risk of loss to a crewed vessel is unacceptably high.

Equipped with a low-sentience onboard computer, the smallest practical warp drive, impulse engine and holographic cloaking device, the SARPEV has a range of only 1-2 days, depending upon power expenditure. The SARPEV is currently expected to perform three primary missions, depending upon the modules installed:

1. Advance scout: Equipped with a sensors module, the SARPEV may be used to scout ahead of a convoy or battle formation, providing advance warning and targeting information for long-range weapons systems.
2. Fighter: Armed with a weapons module, the SARPEV carries either one quantum torpedo or a phaser cannon with sufficient charge for about 100 bursts at 4 MW of output.
3. Single person transport: Equipped with a personnel module, the SARPEV can be used as an emergency escape vehicle or to insert operatives for covert missions. The occupant of a personnel module may pilot the vehicle if the module is so configured.

Several configurations of the SARPEV are currently being tested by Starfleet. The Mark I (shown) has an interchangeable forward module. Dubbed "the box the photon torpedoes came in", the Mark I is still a rugged vehicle, despite its lack of aesthetic appeal.

Designer: Robert C. Dunehew E-mail [email protected]

SARPEV Mk II

General Specifications:
Length: 5m (5.2m with nacelles extended)
Width: 2.6m (4.5 with nacelles extended)
Height: 1m
Max. Warp: 9.991 (burst speed 9.996)
Cruise: 9.2
Max. Impulse: 0.9975 lightspeed
Crew: 0-1 person

Armaments: None (crewed mode), one phaser cannon of classified output, or one quantum torpedo of classified yield.

Type: Semi-autonomous remotely-piloted expendable vehicle, Mark II

About Ship: The mark I SARPEV, while a success, was only a qualified one. The warp drives tended to burn out after only a few missions, a fault attributed to insufficient intercooler area. The Mark I was also subject to buffeting at high warp speeds, due to poor nacelle positioning. The mark II SARPEV addresses both these problems.

The Mark II hull is less angular, reducing buffeting in the high warp regime. The Mark II utilizes variable geometry nacelles. These nacelles extend on variable length pylons, optimizing warp field configuration for a desired speed. This only marginally improves ultimate velocity, but has the added benefit of eliminating buffeting and decreasing the drives' power requirement. This extends range doubly, since the structural integrity field generators consume far less power without having to compensate for buffetting. The warp nacelles incorporate large intercoolers, extending the service life from 45 hours mean time between failure (MTBF) to 392.4 hours MTBF (an increase of 872%). The personnel module of the mark II SARPEV has been modified to accommodate two (very cramped) persons if required. Single occupant comfort is significantly increased.