USS Alaska, Battleship (TOS)

[TFVanguard]

I always thought it odd that the Technical Manual leapt from Heavy Cruiser right to Dreadnaught. Of course, the Manual assumes that there 'missing' ship designs, but it really seemed out of place. I would expect a battleship or two to be highlighted instead... but alas.

The USS Alaska is my own fan-ship, something I don't do all that much. I revisted the Constitution, and set about 'bulking' her up, adding a substantially harded secondary hull and more rigid nacelle frame. Since the backstory of the ship class references the Federation class as a controversy and a failure, this Battleship is seen as a 'back to the drawing board' design, with very few actually built or commisioned.

With the disappointment of the Federation class, as well as the controversy that it had caused, Star Fleet decided on a different tract to build up their heavier forces. Again, Fleet engineers looked to the venerable Constitution class and set about making combat-oriented improvements.

The Alaska class would be created primarily as a battleship, but also have a much broader mission capacity than the Federation. This eased some of the controversy surrounding the ill-fated Dreadnought. In addition, the failed three warp-pylon system was ditched in favor of the traditional two pylon design.
The result is a powerhouse of a starship. Though not as fast or nimble as the Constutition class, the vessel boasts heavier armament , heavier shields, and an increased shuttlecraft capacity. The Alaska class is viewed as a deterrent to the Federation’s enemies, and it will likely prove quite effective as one.

This class, like the dreadnought which it supplants, is surrounded by controversy. Though more ‘palatable’ to Federation members, she’s still seen as a warship first and foremost. There is intense debate in the Federation Senate over the legitimacy of such a ship in the common fleet. Though this ship class is active, it’s likely that only a few ships from this class will see active duty.