| The Ambassador Class was developed during the 2320's as a replacement for the ageing Excelsior Class as Starfleet's front-line explorer type vessel. Several innovative features were included in the design, most notably for the diplomatic and scientific missions. The USS Ambassador included high quality guest quarters and was equipped with elaborate conference facilities. Many of these areas were capable of maintaining a wide range of environments, a vital prerequisite for a vessel which would spend a great deal of its life dealing with non-standard life forms. These facilities allowed her to host a much wider range of diplomatic functions than the more cramped Excelsior Class.
The scientific facilities of the Ambassador Class were equally well equipped. The ships contained the most powerful space borne sensor arrays of their time, including eighteen modular sensor pallets for mission specific equipment. Twenty-eight large dedicated laboratory facilities are included in the ship, along with facilities to convert three of the cargo bays to hold extra scientific equipment if necessary. This gave the Ambassador an estimated 325% increase in research capabilities over an Excelsior.
While the primary purpose of a starship is exploratory and scientific, the Ambassadors also have teeth. The class introduced phaser arrays to Starfleet in place of the ball turret phasers carried by previous designs. This measure greatly increased the ability of the Ambassador Class to fire sustained bursts, and greatly reduced the recharge and cool down times. The use of an independent power system for every group of ten emitter segments in the array triples the survivability of the array compared to a ball turret, while there are also benefits to the reaction time, greater control of thermal effects, field halos and target impact. Overall the phaser arrays of the Ambassador are over 50% more effective than ball turrets of similar power.
The USS Ambassador was launched in 2336 and commissioned in 2338. Production was suspended in 2355 in favor of the new Galaxy Class, then under development.
| 2321:
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Starfleet issues a general design brief for a multi-purpose defense vessel capable of deep space exploration and midrange combat. The general idea is for a modular starship. to replace the aging Excelsior Class starship. Two project briefs are handed to Starfleet for the Ambassador and Vigilante Classes. The Vigilante Class is rejected by Starfleet. Permission for base designs are approved on the Ambassador Class.
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| 2322:
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Starfleet views the theoretical proposals for the Ambassador based on the defense parameters. After deliberation, the Ambassador's primary design is approved and briefs for the propulsion, computer, weapons and spaceframe parameters are sent to Starfleet design agencies for consultation.
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| 2323:
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Propulsion Dynamic are approved and sent to the Utopia Planitia for in depth study. MARA designs are finalized. Spaceframe Design is approved and full specifications are forwarded to Utopia Planitia for designations. USS Ambassador Production begins with a projected 6 year turnover for the Prototype ship.
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| 2324:
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Emergency saucer section separation mechanism is approved. Design work on Warp Coils are approved. The Stardrive section begins construction. Saucer section nears 45% completion.
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| 2324:
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Computers are delivered for fitting work. Work continues on habitat sections and conference areas for USS Ambassador. Warpcore delivered ahead of schedule.
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| 2325:
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New phaser arrays, designated type-IX arrays, are designed for the Class. Stardrive section near completion with final attachment of navigational deflector array. Bridge module attached to primary hull.
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| 2326:
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By the end of the year computer cores are activated and ship functions begin to be transferred from station control to ship control.
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| 2327:
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Computer system now operating at 80% of maximum. System expected to become self aware within two months. Final construction of ship complete. Antimatter regulation control is found to be within acceptable levels. Primary magnetic containment malfunction found to be a problem, and corrected.
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| 2328:
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Computer system fully self aware and umbilical connections from the station are cut as the ship become self sufficient. Impulse systems pass Review Three and being autonomous low level power control. Secondary back up generators are shut down and become Auxiliary system control. USS Ambassador leaves dry dock for primary testing.
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| 2330:
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Warp stress coating is applied and USS Ambassador begins deep space assessments.
USS Ambassador returns to Utopia for final exterior markings and paint. On 2, March 2330 the USS Ambassador is officially commissioned by Starfleet at Utopia Planitia during a brief ceremony. Bridge plaque is put in pride of place. USS Ambassador is ordered to begin shakedown cruises estimate to last one year.
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| Expected Hull Life:
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75 Years
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| Resupply Time:
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4 Years
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| Refit:
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8 years
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| Category:
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Explorer/Heavy Cruiser
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| Dimensions
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| Length:
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500 meters
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| width:
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300 meters
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| height:
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130 meters
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| decks:
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38
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| Speed
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| cruising speed:
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Warp 6
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| maximum speed:
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Warp 8.6
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| emergency speed:
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Warp 9.3 ( for 8 hours )
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| Weapons
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| Phasers:
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10 Type-IX Arrays
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| Torpedo Launchers:
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2 (1 Fore, 1 Aft)
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| Photons:
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200
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| Defensive Systems
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| Shields:
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MLSS
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| Personnel
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| Officers:
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150
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| Enlisted:
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550
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| Sabres:
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3 Squads
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| Maximum Capacity:
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3500
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| Auxiliary Craft
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| Shuttle Bays:
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1
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| Shuttles:
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16
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| Runabouts:
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4
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Ambassador Class vessels serving in Futility's End
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