Steamrunner

Pursuant to Starfleet Exploration Directives 902.3 & 914.5, Starfleet Defense Directives 138.6, 141.1 & 154.7, and Federation Security Council General Policy, the following objectives have been established for a Steamrunner Class Starship (CLU, LCL):

Provide a mission specific mobile platform for a wide range of diplomatic, scientific, or explorative projects.

Supplement Miranda, Soyuz, and Merced class starships as an instrument of the Federation deep-space defensive, scientific or diplomatic presence.

Provide autonomous capability for full execution of Federation defensive, cultural, scientific, and explorative policy in deep space or border territory.

Serve as a frontline support vehicle during times of war and emergencies.

Provide a mobile platform for testing and implementation of mission-specific or new technology of any kind.

Overall Length: 300.98 meters
Overall Width: 223.2 meters
Overall Height: 50.7 meters

Primary Hull Dimensions - 8 decks
Length: 175.76 meters
Width: 223.2 meters
Height: 38.87 meters
Area: 1.1 million square meters

Secondary Hull Dimensions - 4 decks
Length: 67.6 meters
Width: 42.25 meters
Height: 20.28 meters
Area: 57,000 square meters

Nacelle Dimensions
Length: 158.86 meters
Width: 32.11 meters
Height: 20.28 meters

Weight: 585,000 metric tons
Cargo capacity: 19,360 metric tons

Hull: Duranium-Tritanium composite with micro-fiber reinforced ablative armor over critical compartments.
Number of Decks: 10 Total.

One of the last vessels designed and launched before the debacle at Wolf 359, the Steamrunner Class of starships was the quintessential utility vessel of Starfleet. The class was originally designed as a replacement for the elder statesman of the fleet, the Miranda class, in the role of cruiser and deep space fleet escort.

The Steamrunner class was launched and quickly slipped into the role of exploration and, working in tandem with the Saber class, in the expansion of the Federation. Equipped with modest scientific resources and diplomatic facilities, the Steamrunner proved to be a capable stand-alone deep space vessel.

The Steamrunner Class was born out of necessity. The Miranda Class had long since passed its expected service life by more than 75 years. In that time, Starfleet had yet to find an adequate replacement for the multi-role Miranda-class, so the call went out to the fleet yards of the United Federation of Planets for a new, small vessel, capable of adapting to multiple roles, to supplement and ultimately replace the Miranda class.

Over ten different designs were submitted to Starfleet. Several of these designs went into production under different contracts; the Norway and Saber Class vessels were among those used by Starfleet. The winning design for the Steamrunner Project was awarded to the Nesrun Shipyards in late 2337, and the prefix of NX-52000 was assigned to the project.

Soon after the basic concept for the Steamrunner was outlined, Starfleet did a 180-degree change in its direction for the "Master Plan for the Fleet" and concentrated on developing larger, multi-mission oriented vessels. It wasn't until the late 2340's that Starfleet again decided to expand its smaller, mission-specific fleet. Reviewing the design concept for the Steamrunner, Starfleet gave the go ahead and the project finally continued.

Construction of the first prototype hull, still bearing the designation NX-52000, began in 2353 in Arm 3 of the Nesrun Shipyards. The nacelle / primary hull assembly was completed within the year, and both the Primary and the Auxiliary Computer Cores were put in place by the end of 2354.

The question arose as to what type of power plant to use for both Impulse and Warp engines. Due to the unique profile of the Steamrunner Class, a standard Impulse and M/ARA configuration had to be abandoned. The debate raged as to just how powerful of a plant the vessel needed until 2355, when Consolidated Fusion Inc submitted its M/ARA and Impulse Engine design, originally intended for the Akira class vessel but having lost out to the RamJet propulsion system. Talks between CFI and Project Steamrunner went quickly, and within 2 standard months, the first test Impulse Engines and Warp Core arrived at Nesrun.

Owing to the unique design of the Hull, and that the impulse engines were originally designed for a much larger vessel, some severe modifications to the NX-52000 hull took place. The most visible modification was the extraction of the primary Warp deflector array from the primary hull. The Deflector was mounted 'outboard', in a pod strung by structural beams between the Warp Nacelles. This unique configuration was not the most efficient manner of reconfiguring the deflector network, but it was the most expedient.

NX-52000 left Arm 3 of the Nesrun Shipyards in 2356 for Impulse engine stress testing near Theta Cygni V. Stress tolerances were well within expected levels, and the hull was towed back to Nesrun for interior compartment completion and final warp testing. The hull, now dubbed the USS Steamrunner, had final compartmentalization completed on December 1, 2356 and took its final shakedown cruise through the new year to January 31, 2357 when she arrived at Sol system for its official launch. By the time the USS Steamrunner entered into service in 2357, her sister ship, the USS Sulaco, NCC 52001, was nearing completion at Nesrun, and no less than 10 more hulls were being prepared for construction.

At the height of production, Nesrun Fleet Yards, Balkinur Cosmodrome, Utopia Planitia, Antares Fleet Yards, and Atlas V Fleet Yard were producing Steamrunner Class vessels. Squat, ugly, but well armed for their size, they were slowly supplanting Miranda, Soyuz and Merced class vessels on deep space patrol and survey duties at the very fringes of the Federation. Production of the Steamrunners continued until 2372, when the first of the Intrepid Class, outlined in the "Master Plan for the Renewal of the Fleet", began entering service. Despite its solid performance since its introduction, the Steamrunner fell into disfavor with Starfleet Command, who preferred the newer Intrepid class Cruiser.

The introduction of the Intrepid Class pushed the Steamrunner class out of its traditional role of Deep Space and Diplomatic vessel. The class was retired to refit status while Starfleet sought to find a mission role for this small, modestly equipped starship. It wasn't until the realization that the Borg posed a clear and present danger to the Federation and her allies, and with the continued problems in the development of the Defiant Project, that Starfleet made its decision as to what role the Steamrunner was to play.

Soon, the CL was redesigned to be fitted with new Type X phaser arrays, and the torpedo launchers were made largely automated to allow for a higher volume of firepower. This gave the Steamrunner class unprecedented firepower for its size, second only to the size to firepower ratio presented in the Defiant class project. Owing to the number of Steamrunner Class vessels that were in active service, and complexity of the refits ordered by Starfleet, the turn-around time for these 'new' Steamrunners was excessive.

Over 20 refits were completed at Utopia Planitia and Station McKinley by the time the second Borg Incursion occurred. Of those 20 Steamrunner Class vessels that participated in the defense of Sector 001, nine Steamrunner class vessels were destroyed and five suffered significant enough damage that Starfleet decided to scrap the hulls. Of the six that survived the battle and were still space worthy, the most notable was the USS Appalachia.

By the outbreak of war with the Dominion, the Federation had upgraded their entire fleet of Steamrunner class vessels. As losses mounted in the war, production orders were once again issued for the Steamrunner Class vessel. It was a proven design, heavily armed for its size, and was well suited for combat against Dominion Threat vessels. Production of the new Steamrunners (all of which were the CLU/LCL variants and have NCCs starting in the 83000's) fell again on the Nesrun Fleet Yards and the newly revamped Balkinur Cosmodrome, where production continues to this day.

Several small modifications have since been made to the refit specifications on the Steamrunner Class, including the addition of EMH technology in Sickbay and Ablative Armor to the nacelle and Deflector dish assembly.

PHASERS

Arrangement: Three dorsal phaser arrays on the primary hull. The main array, extending in a 120 degree arc, is located just forward of the bridge module. Due to its recessed nature, set within the sunken hull that extends from the leading edge of the saucer to the bridge module, the field of fire (FOF) for the dorsal array is limited. The FOF can only be declined 10 degrees with a 85 degree arc of fire. The FOF can be inclined 160 degrees with a 300-degree arc of fire, or 135 degrees with a 360-degree arc of fire.

The final two dorsal arrays are located aft of the Bussard Collectors on the port and starboards (P/S) sides. Their positioning allows for FOF coverage from lateral attacks as well as attacks from above. They also provide some limited coverage to the "6 o'clock" (directly aft).

Four ventral phaser arrays on the primary hull. The twin primary arrays are located slightly forward of the dorsal phaser array placement. Due to the angle of the ventral aspect of the hull, the FOF can be inclined only 5 degrees, and declined 170 degrees, for a full 360-degree arc of fire.

The final two ventral phaser arrays are located under the impulse engine housing. Their FOF covers the "6 o'clock" as well up to 90 degrees on their respective sides (P/S).

Phaser Array Type: Originally the Steamrunner class (CL) utilized Type-IX phasers. Following the upgrade, even though the Steamrunner was a medium sized vessel, it was fitted with the new standard Type-X array system.

Each Type-X array fires a steady beam of phased energy, and the forced-focus emitters discharge the phasers at speeds approaching .986c (which works out to about 182,520 miles per second - nearly warp one). The phaser array automatically rotates phaser frequency and attempts to lock onto the frequency and phase of a threat vehicle's shields for maximum shield penetration.

Phaser Array Output: Each phaser array takes its energy directly from the impulse drive and auxiliary fusion generators. Individually, each type X -emitter can only discharge approximately 5.1 MW (megawatts). However, several emitters (usually two) fire at once in the array during standard firing procedures, resulting in a discharge approximately 10.2 MW.

Phaser Array Range: Maximum effective range is 300,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Assault

Secondary purpose: Defense/anti-spacecraft/anti-fighter

TORPEDO LAUNCHERS

Arrangement: Four fixed-focus torpedo launchers, two located in the leading edge of the primary hull (below the lounge windows), and two located on the trailing edge of the primary hull (under the shuttlebay entrance). The Steamrunner has been refitted with the second generation of automated, high-speed launcher found on the newer ships, such as the Sovereign and Akira Class starships. Each launcher has 5 tubes, giving the Steamrunner the ability to fire an impressive 20 torpedoes at a time (10 forward, 10 aft). (LCL - 2 forword launcher, 5 tubes each. 2 rear launchers, 2 tubes each.)

Type: Mark XXV photon torpedo, capable of pattern firing (sierra, etc.) as well as independent launch. Independent targeting once launched from the ship, detonation on contact unless otherwise directed by Tactical Operations.

Quantum torpedoes can be launched as well, though they are not part of the standard weapon load-out.

Payload: Steamrunner Class can carry a maximum of 85 completed torpedoes. Components stored onboard can allow for the manufacture of an additional 65 photon torpedoes.

Standard manufacture rate is 2 torpedo per hour. Maximum rate is 5 torpedo per hour.

Range: Maximum effective range is 3,000,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Assault

Secondary purpose: Anti-spacecraft

WARP PROPULSION SYSTEM

The warp core is located in the engineering section on decks 6 and 7. The matter-antimatter reaction assembly (M/ARA) runs vertically between the two decks, with the monitoring systems on the balcony above (Deck 6, Upper Engineering). The core is constructed from a central translucent aluminum and duranium reactor with dilithium articulation frame, four-lobed magnetic constriction segment columns, and matter and antimatter injectors. Plasma transfer conduits exit the core on Deck 6 and extend laterally to the nacelles and the warp plasma injectors. The nacelles incorporate an in-line impulse system, which accepts matter intake and heating within the nacelles and exhausts the heated gases through a space-time driver assembly in the nacelle aft cap. Anti-deuterium is stored in a series of standard Starfleet antimatter pods on Deck 8, forward of the warp core.

The warp field coils, unlike most Federation ships, are located just within the main hull as opposed to outboard nacelles. The basic structure of the nacelles is similar to that of the remainder of the starship, however, the entire length of the nacelle housing is augmented with longitudinal stiffeners composed of cobalt cortenide to protect against high levels of warp-induced stress. Throughout the nacelle housing are triply redundant conduits for Structural Integrity Field (SIF) and Internal Dampening Field (IDF) systems. Each nacelle contains a pair of six warp field coils, making Steamrunner-class vessels have a total of 24. The Type-V warp reactor is extremely powerful for a ship of this size, and as such, the Steamrunner-class vessels put out a warp signature equivalent to much larger starships. Advances in variable warp field geometry ensures that all ships of this class will not cause harmful subspace damage. All regulation warp engine controls and procedures apply to Steamrunner-class vessels.

In the event of a possible warp core breach, the main M/ARA core can be ejected out of the bottom of the ship.

Type: Consolidated Fusion, Inc Type-V Standard Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Drive, developed by Consolidated Fusion, Inc. Information on this Warp Drive can be found in any Starfleet Library or Omnipedia.

Normal Cruising Speed: Warp 6.6

Cruising Speed as pursuant to Warp Limitations, as a cause of subspace pollution: Warp 5

Maximum Safe Speed: Warp 9.7 for 12 hours

Note:. Pursuant to Starfleet Command Directive 12856.A, all Starships will receive upgrades to their Warp Core system to prevent further pollution of Subspace, thereby removing the Cruising speed limitation of warp 5. {CLU have received Warp Core upgrades}

IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEM

Type: Standard Steamrunner Class mass-drivers developed and built by HighMPact Propulsion. Output is comparable to New Orleans Class.

Output: Each engine (there are two impulse engines) can individually propel the Steamrunner at speeds just under .50c. 'Maximum Impulse' is .75c (three-quarters of 186,282 miles per second, which is warp one), and requires both engines working at approximately 3/4 strength.

Due to time dilation problems, standard impulse operations are limited to .25c ('Full Impulse'), with each engine working at .125c. 'Half Impulse' is .125c, while '1/4 impulse' is .0625c.

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