Nova Refit Class

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Latest revision as of 15:45, 30 June 2008

Development of Nova Refit Class

When communication with the USS Voyager NCC 74656 was re-established in 2376, Starfleet found out what happened to one of its Nova class starships that had been reported missing in action for over six years. The USS Equinox NCC 72381 had been discovered to of survived more harsher and ruthless conditions then Voyager.

The Advanced Starship Design Bureau was impressed at how well the Equinox had gone for so long that it inspired them to re-examine the class and the possible potential of making it better. So when Voyager returned in 2377 with all of its data on the Equinox, the ASDB combined that along with their own lessons they learnt since the USS Nova NX 72380 was launched in 2366 and several other ships of that class were launched. They saw that like the Oberth class starship the Nova class would become “easy targets�? for some of the more hostile vessels in the Alpha and Beta quadrants that were cropping up.

Starfleet Command wasn’t impressed with the ASDB in to putting this project together and ordered for it to be placed in to a less important list of possible class refits. However in 2381 the ASDB offered the project to ex Voyager crewmember Harry Kim to lead. His was giving a small dry dock at the Oakland ships with one Nova class starship, the USS Rhode Island NCC 72701. The Rhode Island had been mothballed from service as its original crew during the Dominion War was re-assigned to more important positions within the fleet.

The refit project only consisted of a few members led by Kim and they were confronted by numerous problems with the development of the project. Starfleet wanted the ship to be able to defend itself better and be more agile in movement. This meant more powerful means of running the ship were required.

In 2383 Lieutenant Commander Harry Kim contacted a few of his former shipmates; Commander Tom Paris, Commander B’Elanna Torres and Lieutenant Commander Annika Hansen (Seven of Nine) for their own insights on the refit project. The four had work well together on Voyager and were the main four Voyager crew who designed the Delta Flyer class runabout.

With their insights and suggestions the project was saved from cancellation by Starfleet Command. Kim and his development team would remove the Rhode Island’s powerful saucer section deflector dish and replace it with a secondary navigational deflector dish similar to those used on Intrepid class starships. This down-grade didn’t affect the performance of the Nova class except limit its original capabilities as a planetary research class vessel.

The removal of the saucer deflector dish also gave more room for other systems or equipment. The normal strain from the saucer deflector dish on the electric plasma system (EPS) was reduced as well, allowing for more power to be used on the tactical systems.

By the time the major refits were under way Starfleet was already in open hostilities with the current Borg threat and Starfleet was keen to see the Nova refit class launched and tested. Kim and his team continued to press on and gain some more help from the ASDB. The Re-Development team adjusted the impulse engines of the Nova class. The engines were reduced in size but their power increased. Kim pulled in another favour with Commander B’Elanna Torres and requested her help in re-designing the ship’s warp drive. Limited to the redesigned deflector and structural integrity fields the ship would be just able to do less then warp nine. Commander Torres’ design used a Trelinium powered warp core, which allowed the ship’s top speed to be increased to warp 8.85. Not much of a difference between the old Nova specs, however the new warp core would also be used to help power other systems on the ship.

With a bit more power running through the ship, the team looked in to how the Defiant and Raptor heavy escort class vessels were managing to power some heavy weaponry. Taking the exact fusion reactors used in these two classes the Nova refit now had the ability to fire more powerful phaser banks. Her eight type four phaser banks were increased to eight type ten phaser banks. An additional type XV phaser bank was installed, which encircled the bridge module. However the use of this type XV phaser bank does reduce the re-charge rate of the other type ten phaser banks due to power consumption.

A review of the old Nova class starships indicated several laboratories weren’t being used unless the ship was officially ordered with an assignment which required the use of these labs. Kim and his team instantly had this labs ripped out. The room left was shared between crew quarters, improved medical facilities, one holodeck, and a bigger armoury allowing for the ship’s torpedo inventory to be increased.

After most of the refits were complete the ship was given an ablative armour cover for additional defence. Ablative Armour generators were also installed, however the use of this defence system heavily reduces the ship’s top warp speed to warp 7.6.

2391 eventually saw the USS Rhode Island ready to leave the Oakland shipyards and begin assisting with the Borg War. Harry Kim was promoted to the rank of Commander and given command of the Rhode Island. The ship was placed in to a small task group assigned to monitor Borg activates near and around sector zero zero one.

Summary of Re-Development

• 2377: The ASDB looks in to enhancing the Nova class starship capabilities. Starfleet Command orders them to put the project on a minority list.
• 2381: The ASDB offers the project to Lieutenant Commander Harry Kim to take over and see about the class refitted. His given the USS Rhode Island to work with as a test bed and a small team of engineers to assist. Full analysis and reviews of the class and particular the Rhode Island’s service is started. By the end of the year this “paper work�? is complete and the refits begin.
• 2382: The Nova Class Re-Development project is confronted with a number of problems with what is expected to be created, a small powerful and swift Nova class starship. The current power systems on the Nova class is deemed unsuitable by the project.
• 2383: From suggestions from fellow shipmates, Kim and his team re-design the ship’s saucer section and remove the ship’s deflector dish. New computer cores are installed to adapt and handle with the new refits. Primary and secondary chassis's now at 100% completion. Ship undergoes inspections as reviews, construction is allowed to continue.
• 2384: New impulse engines delivered and installed. New EPS system finally brought online. Computer cores are activated and ship functions begin to be transferred from station control to ship control. Computer systems are now operating at 80%. A re-designed trelinium powered warp core is fixed. Warp core begins primary testing.
• 2385: Defiant class Fusion Reactors delivered to assist in powering ships systems, most notable the new phaser arrays. New bridge module installed. Computer system fully self aware and umbilical from the station are cut as the ship become self sufficient.
• 2386: Computer malfunction occurs resulting with the umbilical to be re-attached. Work continues on interior and outer hull sections.
• 2389: Re-design of interior hull sections is undertaken and several old labs are removed. New facilities for the crew and ship are installed. Computer malfunction corrected and umbilical from the station are cut as the ship become self sufficient again.
• 2391: Final constructions, refits and upgrades are complete. On 11th October 2391 USS Rhode Island NCC 72701 is officially re-commissioned by Starfleet during a brief ceremony. Bridge Plaque is put in pride of place and Commander Harry Kim takes command of the ship. The Rhode Island is ordered on a six month shakedown cruise and assigned to assist in defence of Earth.
• 2393: USS Nova NCC 73515 is refitted with new specifications at Utopia Plantia shipyards. Starfleet plans for two new Nova refit class starships to be built by 2395. Captain Ben Nash takes command of the Nova.
• 2394: Final construction of USS Equinox NCC 72381 – A is complete. On 16th July 2394 USS Equinox NCC 72381 – A is officially commissioned by Starfleet during a brief ceremony. Bridge Plaque is put in pride of place and Commander Marla Gilmore, an original member of the first USS Equinox takes command of the ship. The Equinox is ordered on a nine month shakedown cruise and assigned to assist in defence of Earth.
• 2395: Final construction of USS Westminster NCC 90011 is complete. On 5th January 2395 USS Westminster NCC 90011 is officially commissioned by Starfleet during a brief ceremony. Bridge Plaque is put in pride of place and Commander Alexander Band takes command of the ship. The Westminster is ordered on a nine month shakedown cruise and assigned to assist in defence of Earth.

Technical Specifications For Nova Refit Class Ships

Category: Explorer/Frigate/Science Vessel

Expected Duration: 50 years

Time Between Re-Supply: 1 years

Time Between Refit: 3 years

Systems:

Computer: Hybrid bioneural/isolinear Circuitry

Power Systems: Primary Fusion Reactors: Output 5.1 EJ/hr

Secondary Fusion Reactors: Output 3.9 EJ/hr

Tractor Beam: Type-X (Range 2.0 km)

Sensors: Advanced Lateral & Long Range Output/Retrieval Systems

Warp Core: M/ARA (Using A Trelinium Powered Core)

Speed:

Standard Cruise Velocity: Warp 6

Maximum Cruise Velocity: Warp 8.5

Emergency Velocity: Warp 8.85 [12 hours]

Personnel:

Officers: 20

Enlisted: 70

sabre: 1 squad

Passengers: 10

Auxiliary Craft:

Shuttle Bays: 1

Shuttles:

2 type-18 shuttle pods

1 type-10 shuttle

Runabouts:

1 Aeroshuttle Class Runabout

Weaponry:

Phasers:

8 Type-X phaser arrays

1 Type-XV Phaser Array (encircling bridge module)

Torpedoes:

Launchers: 2 (1 forward, 1 aft)

Photon: 50

Quantum: 3

Defence:

Hull Plating:

Ablative Armour Type I

Shields:

Multi Layered Shielding System

Additional:

Starfleet / Romulan Cloaking Device The refit version of the nova class has a considerable power supply compared to the original use of the cloak is authorized at all times.

Dimensions:

Height: 34 Meters

Width: 55 Meters

Length: 140 Meters

Decks: 8

Additional Information

Currently there are 4 in service with 2 building per year.

• USS Rhode Island NCC 72701

Assigned to Earth Defence Force

• USS Nova NCC 73515

Assigned to Earth Defence Force

• USS Equinox NCC 72381 - A

Assigned to Earth Defence Force

• USS Westminster NCC 90011

Assigned to Earth Defence Force