Quinnipiac-class Scout Cruiser

Quinnipiac-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: United Federation of Planets
Class and Type: Quinnipiac-class "Scout" (light) Cruiser
Year Launched: 2346

Hull Data
Structure: 50
Size/Decks: 7/25 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 520/396/100 meters
Complement: 385

Operational Data
Atmospheric Systems: No
Cargo Units: 80
Life Support Systems: Class 3 (D)
Operations Systems: Class 4R (EE)
Sensor Systems: Class 4 (+9/E)
Separation System: Yes
Shuttlebay: 1 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 7 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1 fv, 1 ad
Transporters: 6 standard, 6 cargo, 6 emergency

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: FIE-3 (.85c) (D)
Warp System: LF-35 (wf 6/9.2/9.8) (C)

Tactical Data
Phaser Banks: Type IX (x2/C)
Penetration: 4/4/4/0/0
Photon Torpedoes: Mk 60 DF (x2/C)
Penetration: 4/4/4/4/4
Deflector Shields: CIDSS-4 (BB)
Protection/Threshold: 16/3

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +3C, +1H, +1T
Traits: Prototype (Warp: -2 reliability, reflected above), Enhanced System (Sensors: +4 bonus, reflected above), Prototype (Sensors: +1 bonus, reflected above), Vulnerable System (Sensors)

The Quinnipiac-class Scout Cruiser (NX-17613) was a short-lived prototype program to produce a deep-space scout craft. Built from an Excelsior-class saucer hull (265m diameter, impulse vent shroud extending 80m aft), the Quinnipiac featured a small half-ellipsoid engineering section (168m long, 123m wide, 34m high), attached to the saucer by a short Excelsior-type neck. The ship's nacelle struts extended out horizontally from the neck, swept aft 30 degrees, connecting the two LF-35 protiotype nacelles (289m long, 56m wide, 50m long).

Designed to also be an early LF-35 testbed, the Quinnipiac was found to have higher failure rates at warp and had difficulty passing space trials.

The cruiser's sensor suite was an impressive sight. Extensively customized, the Quinnipiac observed her surroundings with a clarity that has only recently been duplicated by other Starfleet vessels. However, the sensor system was extremely fragile under stress, and require constant management of its calibration.

The ship was also heavily automated to provide for a smaller crew, and the operations system heavily reinforced to prevent the automation system from failing under stress.

The Quinnipiac also featured a new separation system that would eventually find its way onto the Galaxy-class explorer in the late 2350s.

Three test ships of the class were built: USS Quinnipiac, USS Weymouth (NX-17614, launched 2347) and USS Pawtucket (NX-17616, launched 2348). All three ships were decommissioned in 2354, but the Quinnipiac served as a long-range reconnaissance vessel in the latter half of the Dominion War.

Same as with the Ibis, very nice but I'm not sure (again!) with the high structural strength value (this time its like a D'Deridex Warbird!!!!!!) Otherwise, in my very honest opinion its a kick-ass design.

I was supposed to come up with a few designs of my own this week but I didn't have the time. I'll have lots of free time in early January (the GF's going on vacation in Jamaica with her friends while I'm left here alone in the shivering Canadian cold :( ) so I'll try to come up with a few items. Then Tyger, you'll be able to point out what's wrong with my designs :p

The ship's mission profile (deep space scout) requires a hardy spaceframe, IMO. It's certainly not a combat monster, but the ship is designed to go deep into unexplored space and must therefore be hardy enough to survive. I wouldn't do to have the ship be so stuffed full of neat equipment that its structure collapses at the first sign of trouble. ;)