USS Excalibur-C

The venerable Akira class has proven itself in major combat situations with the Dominion, Borg and a host of other situations. It has also proven itself to be a capable all-purpose ship.

The first of these models have reached their first major-refit cycle, as such all new ships, like the Excalibur-C, will be outfitted to these specification. The Excalibur-C is the first of the Akiras to be built with the major refit standards, and as such is classified as Akira class of the Excalibur subtype.

Most of the major changes from the original Akira-class are beneath the surface and mostly updates to systems such as the EPS grids, LCARS and other support systems. Other adaptations include an enlarged science laboratory section to accommodate a wider range of missions; updates to the sensor palette; a more balanced armament that features fewer photon torpedo launchers in favor of more phaser banks and two quantum torpedo launchers in addition to the still experimental Anti-Torpedo Counter Measure launchers.

Other updates include a newer warp core to augment faster warp speeds, updated fighter compliment and the addition of a marine areas.

For more information, see the technical specifications on the message boards.

USS Excalibur-B

The USS Excalibur-B, originally planned for mothballing, was instead chosen to be part of a new type of Sovereign-class vessel: the Iowa Project, born from Starfleet's need for heavily armed ships-of-the-line that could support their many outposts on the fringes of Federation space, and also conduct exploratory missions.

Thus far two Sovereigns have been up-rated to this new type and given the rare distinction of being labeled as a "dreadnought."

The Iowa-type (also known as the Excalibur-type, as the USS Excalibur-B was actually completed several months before the USS Iowa, NCC-87563) has a wide range of internal modifications, including, but not limited to: larger SIF generators, more powerful shield generators, heavier weapons complement with more weapons storage, thicker ablative armor, and a slightly larger warp-core unit (known as a Type-X-B; it is specific to the Iowa-type).

Another of the upgrades in weaponry is an entire complement of "secondary" batteries and defensive weaponry; among them, new anti-fighter guns (AFG) turrets. Each AFG turret consists of twin 50-terawatt phaser cannons. The turrets can be either fired manually by a gunner or set to auto-defend. The purpose of the AFG is to protect against smaller attack and fighter vessels without diverting primary batteries. The ten AFGs are positioned as follows: two directly fore, positioned above and below on the bow of the vessel; two ventrally located mid-saucer; two located on the outside of the nacelle struts; one located ventrally mid -stardrive section; one located dorsally mid-stardrive; two located ventrally at the stern, covering the fighter launch bay.

The second of these weapons are the multi-vector plasma pulse cannons, each fitted with gatling-style barrels (to avoid burnouts). These weapons are used for a similar purpose as the AFG guns, but have a larger area of coverage, and can defend against more heavily shielded targets than the AFG turrets. Though they are considerably less accurate, they cause a lower overall power drain. The three cannons are placed as follows: two dorsally, mid-saucer on either side of the bridge; one dorsally, aft saucer, located above the saucer shuttle bay. The MV plasma pulse cannons, unlike the AFGs, can not be fired manually by gunners, but are instead set to auto-defend, letting independent computers target and fire once they're activated on the bridge.

The third of these weapons, and perhaps most innovative, are the anti-torpedo measures, or ATMs. Developed to help give Federation starships protection against the ever increasingly powerful torpedo based weapons of adversaries, the ATM is effectively a canister containing a gravimetric field generator that creates a strong gravimetric signature which incoming torpedoes lock onto and impact the canister as opposed to the hull of the vessel. The Iowa-type has been fitted with 2 dual-tube launchers, one fore and one aft. The launchers repel the canisters when sensors detect incoming fire (one canister per every 5 torpedoes; one canister can effectively disperse up to four torpedoes simultaneously). The canisters have sensors which are set to activate the gravimetric field once the canister has cleared a safe distance from the vessel.

The Excalibur-B has additional modifications that are specific to the Excalibur-B and may or may not be included in the other four vessels of the Iowa-type. These modifications include bio-neural gel packs augmented with nanite packs. These packs help to offset repair functions controlled by the computer. They perform routine maintenance procedures on ODN and EPS conduits and allow for more accurate information and data when there are emergency situations. Nanite packs are not primary data networks and do not replace gel packs, but help to offset the gel packs when performing certain engineering functions. The ship is also outfitted with holo-emitters that allow for emergency medical procedures, but also allow for modifications to key areas of bridge and crew stations. The holo-emitters allow for the console to be reconfigured in an instant to perform the function the bridge member needs. It not only reconfigures the interface, but it also reconfigures the internal circuitry and processors that are needed for the task at hand.

The latest in designs for computer cores have also been implemented, with a more advanced SISO system designed for more automation of ship functions and using a bipolar isolinear positronic matrix for the processor. It allows for more computations than standard computer cores and relieves most of the automated functions needed for emergency situations. Additionally, the Excalibur-B has been equipped with a metaphasic shielding system.

In addition to those modifications, the aft shuttle bay has been expanded and converted into a fighter bay, the Excalibur-B carries both Lancelot- and Guinevere-class fighters in addition to the standard shuttle compliment.

For more information, see the technical specifications on the Excalibur message boards.

USS Excalibur-A

The upgraded Excelsior-type deep-space exploration vessel of the Lindbergh class completed test trials on Stardate 9209.22 under the auspices of Star Fleet Engineering, Commander Onibur SkyWalker in command.

The Lindbergh Class prototype was fundamentally identical to the Excelsior Class in primary and secondary structure and layout, a class which has seen service for 88 years. This particular production model incorporated the Galaxy Type VII warp drive nacelles and power generation units and an upgraded structural integrity field generator.

The Lindbergh Class prototype was also equipped with a modular-type bridge, fitted with a Galaxy B-category bridge module and computer interface. This highly popular and successful command center type was to be the standard for all future designs.

The auxiliary bridge was relocated in center-hub at the central computer core. An alternate auxiliary bridge was also placed in the engineering hull and configured as a tactical center. Because of the planned scientific and exploratory nature of ship assignment, upgraded medical and laboratory facilities plus an entire planetary sciences division and xenobiology unit were installed. Power storage modifications also extended the ship's effective time/range ratio by x.6/3 plus supplement shield and sensor capabilities.

More information on the Upgraded Excelsior/Lindbergh Class vessel and exploration modifications can be found in Spacefleet Publication 4/4654.92. Certain operational capabilities of the prototype Lindbergh Class starship are still classified by order of Spacefleet Operations. Special modular units were incorporated for easy exchange of critical engineering components and the addition of supplementary scientific, engineering and tactical equipment. An additional pylon hardpoint was installed for testing of a third pylon/nacelle unit. The modification was left intact as future, long range missions may dictate for additional warp power. The additional conduit/pylon hard point attachment was available to configure the main hull section for autonomous warp power and operations in an emergency detachment.

Note: The Lindbergh Class prototype was not equipped for routine saucer separation. The saucer section could separate only in extreme emergency for use as a lifeboat and could sustain impulse speeds and life support for periods of up to 120 days depending on fuel and expendable depletion levels above optimal ratings. Once detached, reattachment could be accomplished only at a specially equipped Spacefleet maintenance facility.

For more information, see the technical specifications on the message boards.

USS Morningstar

The Mk III Intrepid class, code named Morningstar, was initially developed in response to Fleet Commander's requests for a small, yet heavily armed warship that could assist in planetary capture situations. Utopia Planitia began working on the project almost immediately as the Dominion War waged on. Initially, Starfleet had requested a completely new design from the ground up, however, it was apparent that in order to properly design such a craft, Fleet would have to divert to many resources at the height of hostilities, an unacceptable option. Thus, the Intrepid class was chosen to fill this role, as it already met many of the design criteria.

However, the small size of the Intrepid class proved to be an Achilles heel to the project and slowed down development. By the time the first mock-up was completed, all parties had agreed to cessation of hostilities. At first, this looked to be the end of the Morningstar, however, Admiralty elected to continue work on the project as a test bed for a new direction in starship design—building smaller more powerful vessels that could easily defend several sectors at a time.

The prototype USS Morningstar, NX-82785, is a significant technological and tactical upgrade to the standard Intrepid-class, externally, most of the changes are the added weapons fixtures. Internally, most of the science bays and luxuries of an Intrepid class were removed to make room for the added weapons and weapon storage. The Main Shuttle bay has also been enhanced/expanded to carry a wide array of fighters and assault landing equipment for planetary assault.

The initial plans called for a two warp core system, however, that was scrapped in favor of simply using a slightly modified Intrepid-Core. Starfleet Engineering favored this move because it would keep production time and computer usage down, as well as not needing to add additional Deuterium Storage.

The Morningstar has completed her preliminary testing of systems, and is preparing for her first field trials. Preliminary tests revealed only a few minor problems: During Full Battle Mode (All weapons online) all but non-essential systems must be shut down to accommodate for power drain; EPS power grid required additional cooling units; shielding system showed a tendency to develop "soft spots" during weapons testing, however Starfleet Engineering ruled the problem did not present a risk to the project.

From approximately stardates 0507.31 to 0602.19, the Morningstar replaced the USS Excalibur as Starfleet's flagship in the Gamma Quadrant, a field test of this prototype's durability. The Morningstar played a pivotal role in defeating the Hundred on stardate 0602.19. During the battle, however, it sustained heavy damage and the crew (mostly reassigned Excalibur crew members) evacuated the ship. After the battle, the refitted Excalibur returned to its role as flagship.

For more information, see the technical specifications on the Excalibur message boards.