I am proud to annouce that at last the main hull structure of the first new, from the keel up, Starfleet carrier since 2260 was gamma wielded together last night.
FNN news release (1/23/2371)
The USS Foch will be Size 8 and will carry nearly 120 fighters and other Space/ Airvation craft. The Foch is possible after the nearly 20 year long struggle in the hulls of starfleet command to build a carrier. it was not until the carriers supporters could prove without a doubt the need for such a ship was it authorised. This included illustrating the carrier functionality in other operations beside pure defense ones.
The recent Starfleet white paper layed out that such a ship must be able to conduct "Continueing and clear assistence in other Starfleet endeavours and missions the most important of these being colonial and emergency rescue operations missions."
Many however still oppose the construction of such a starship siting numerous objections the most often heard is that voiced by Captain (Acting Rear Admiral) Jean-Luc Picard who before the Assembly's Committee on Starfleet Affairs asserted that "A carrier is a weapons platform and it has been so through out history. Its main mission is that of power projection, a mission which the newer Soveriegn Explorers already fulfil wonderfully."
The Mckinley Yards, where the Carrier is being constructed, had to undergo three years of Improvement in order to accomodate the forthcoming ship and its . . .
Score One for the Carrier Opponents - Federation Watch, magazine 10/2371
In what many see as a major victory for those who oppose the currently building Foch class carrier, Starfleet command has officialy changed its type disgnition from the new Carrier one to the older more preferred Explorer disignation, although a sub type catagory has been added EXC Explorer-Carrier.
What this could mean for the ship which is currently one third completed with personnel system functioning with external power support has yet to be seen. Though some conversion of the large fighter bays to marine life tanks has been rumored in some circles. As of printing only the removal of the new Starfleet Ground force Expeditionary Unit or "GEU" has been officialy acknowledge as having been authorised.
Many long time Starfleet whatchers see this turn of events as continueing fall out from the recent "Leyton Scandal" where Starfleet Admiral Leton, a long time supporter of the carrier program . . .
[I hope you all are enjoying this way of doing things I thought it would be fun to add the events during construction, which I am indeed working on, to show what kinda stuff a carrier would go through to be built in a "peace loving" Federation.]
[This message has been edited by Eric R. (edited 12-13-2000).]
Maybe we could get some formal in-character debates on this kind of thing going in here at some point? Or is that getting into the realms of actual role-playing?
Warp Engine Compition "Heating" Up for Foch Class - Feringi firm going to Court.
--Federation Warp Engineer Society Quarterly 11/71
In a new twist to the recent cliams of favortism and bad faith bargining on behalf of ASDB, a Feringi firm has sought by way of legal action to stop Starfleet from awarding its Warp engine contract to one of the two firms alredy annouced by ASDB as having the inside track.
The Feringi firm, which bought out Leedding Engines Limited, last year says that it had submitted a proposal and that it was rejected out of hand by ASDB because, as it says, "of gross racism and unfair business practices in the way and manner that ASDB hands contracts out."
Further Leeding charged that both Kloratus and Shuvinaaljis corporations engaged in a price fixing war making it nearly impossiable for the struggling company to win the contract. Of course as many FWESQ readers already know this only renews the now century long struggle between these great warp design firms.
ASDB and both KLoratus and Shuvinaaljis were contacted for comment and refused to say anything at this time. The 120 page legal brief failed in the San Francisco District Civil Court charged more specifically that . . .
[This message has been edited by Eric R. (edited 12-14-2000).]
At last the desk bond know it all's at ASDB have been caught with their proverible trousers down around their ankles. Leeding Engines under new ownership, a consortium of Feringi and Orion concerns, has filed suit in the courts to stop ASDB's "compition" for the new Warp Engines on the Foch class, itself a highly controversial topic (See ISE Vol 123, nos 2, A Carrier?). We here at ISE have for years critised that the way ASDB handles Starship contracts and designs is too heavily in favour of traditional firms such as Kloratus and that firms either starting up or under new management can not "break in" the closed clique known as Utopia Plenitia.
The most recent example of this was the Valiant/Defiant project which ASDB deemed a failure with little testing based on computer models alone and no modification. However once the ship was assigned to DS9 and shaken out hard instead of the light tap that ASDB gave to it, it has performed magnificantly.
So being of Independant mind we here at ISE magizine have published, for the first time the baisc stats for all three warp engine design with out commentary and await your letters to the editor.
WARP DRIVE
Model: KDX FWG-123
Design submitted by:
Kloratis Warp Technologies, Tellar
Lead Engineer:
------------------------------------------
Submission History
2368 - For Soveriegn CLass, rejected
Initial ASDB evaluation: Too Weak
2370 - Sumitted w/upgrade, Under advisment
Initial ASDB evaluation: pinding approval
------------------------------------------
Basic Stats
Warp Engine
Class 11/Q
[generates 599 Power/round]
125 SUs
Nacelles
Type 7A6 7.0/9.0/9.6
[1 power/.2 warp speed]
126 SUs
Speed
reduced .1 for being embedded
Shields
increase threshold by 10
Protection 100
Plasma Injection System (PIS)
Type I (14 hours)
18 SUs
Warp Drive System Upgradings
Two Package 3
+3 to one catagory
12 SUs
------------------------------------------
WARP DRIVE
Model: Shvaji FWG-101
Design submitted by:
Shuvinaaljis Warp Technologies, Mars
Lead Engineer: Sokar
------------------------------------------
Submission History
2366 - originally submitted for Steamrunner
class - rejected as two unstable in flight
2370 - resubmitted for Foch class - design
is under advisement
------------------------------------------
Basic Stats
Warp Engine
Class 12/R
[generates 600 Power/round]
130 SUs
Nacelles
Type 6D 6.0/9.2/9.6
[1 power/.2 warp speed]
105 SUs
Speed
reduced .1 for being embedded
Shields
increase threshold by 10
Protection 100
Plasma Injection System (PIS)
Type H (11 hours)
16 SUs
Warp Drive System Upgradings
Two Package 2
+2 to one catagory
8 SUs
------------------------------------------
WARP DRIVE
Model: LEL FWG-153
Design submitted by:
Leeding Engines Limited, Mars
Lead Engineer: Moggy
------------------------------------------
Submission History
2370 - Sumitted, Rejected as too unstable
------------------------------------------
Basic Stats
Warp Engine
Class 12/R
[generates 609 Power/round]
131 SUs
Nacelles
Type 7 7.0/8.0/9.0
[1 power/.2 warp speed]
120 SUs
Speed
reduced .1 for being embedded
Shields
increase threshold by 10
Protection 100
Plasma Injection System (PIS)
Type I (15 hours)
18 SUs
Warp Drive System Upgradings
Three Package 3
+3 to one catagory
18 SUs
[This message has been edited by Eric R. (edited 12-14-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Eric R. (edited 12-14-2000).]
The controversy over dedicated Carriers continues on the Cardassian border as the light Marine transport Ark Angel (CVL-74662) is listed as missing in action. The Ark Angel, along with her half-sister ship the Valivarre (CVL-64663), were War expedient variants of the Intrepid-class Explorer, designed to carry ground forces in their expanded secondary hulls, and land them on the planetary surface in the event of insurmountable transporter jamming. The Valivarre underwent post-war refit and became a staging vessel for long range scout craft, while the Ark Angel, in a decision still criticized by many, remained a ground forces transport.
Third Fleet command denies to comment as to the nature of Ark Angel's mission when she was reported overdue and missing last week, but sources say it was connected to 'Project Pathfinder', under command of Admiral Owen Paris. Admiral Paris was unavailable for comment.
Ark Angel has a standard compiment of 270 crew and 230 ground forces, with the capacity to carry an additional 600 during warime. Her compliment at the time of her disappearance is unknown.
Adding fuel to the growing fire around the Carrier Debate, and the Foch itself, Fleet Admiral TC Foxx, former member of the ASDB and current Commander of Starbase 214 made a statement to a small gathering today.
"In all of my years in the fleet, I have never seen the raw emotion the permiates this issue. Since their inception in the early 20th Century, the Carrier has been the backbone of the Navy it served. I applaud the effort of those individuals who tirelessly move this important project forward. Inasmuchas this is a major step forward in the construction of starships in general, we must put this turmoil behind us, and put all our support behind this project.
"These are uncertain times, and as the Leyton Coup has shown us, there must be a substantial effort in building and developing new ship designs to make sure that there is a Federation for out posterity. As a former member of the ASDB, I can assure you that thought is very much on the minds of the members. This new vessel has the potential to become a mainstay ship in our continuing defense. Just because our neighbors (Klingons and Cardassians) are fighting amongst themselves, that doesn't mean they have forgotten about us. When they tire of fighting each other, they will turn their eyes to us and then people we will be in trouble. 400 years ago, when the nations of Earth warred amongst themselves, the Carrier was used as a force projector, and reminded those who sought to impose their will on their neighbors that swift and sure retailation would befall any troublemakers. Today, our fleet has lost some of that ability. Granted our ships project our influence across the Quadrant, but there is something about the carrier that just multiplies that power.
"If needed, I am willing to return to the ASDB and help steady the course for this project. And if this project is changed or abandoned, then ladies and gentlemen, God Help Us All!"
[Admiral Foxx's records are attached to this report on LCARS 4.93011]
A hero of the Cardassian Wars and the Tzenkethi conflict, Foxx is using his decreases political status and personal
Charisma to save this project. Many still hold his opinion in high regard, and this may just add level to the growing arguement.
Sardate 2371.12.15
Earth
San Francisco
Grounds of Starfleet Academy
'A Star Carrier'
by Cadet Calcoran
I am here at Starfleet Academy just before the end of the semester, where the whole campus looks like an anthill. And do you know what every cadet is talking about? Not the final exams. Not the graduation ceremony, not even the graduation party. No, today, every single conversation revolves on the new carrier class commissioned by Starfleet: The USS Foch. Tomorrow, the proposals for hull design prototypes should be unveiled, and this causes no end of speculation among the cadets.
Indeed, while engineers can relate to Warp drives and ODN relays, while tactical specialists are always interested by the defensive systems or the phasers that might be selected to equip the new ship, the actual shape of the ship talks to everyone. What could possibly represent Starfleet better than the sight of a Galaxy class or, a while before, a Constitution class? Nothing. The image of the ships has a tremendous impact, not only on opponents, but specially o the crew of the ship, on the people it represents.
And since a carrier is such a new design to Starfleet, everyone is very intent on the way it will look like.
Calcoran, Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth, for SAN (Starfleet Academy News, if you must know )
So Eric, when do you plan to unveil those shape proposals?
Court Accpet's Feringi Motion, but Hands More Probelems Out
--San Francisco Daily Dec 15, 2371
The San Franscio District Court last night issued an order stopping Starfleet and ASDB from awarding the War Engine contract for the Foch class until the court has more time to investigate the concerns raised by leeding. It also ordered ASDB to ship all documents, files and models related to the three projects to Earth and the Court so that it could be entered as evidence.
The Federation President, consulting with the Security Council wiaghed the option of issueing a presidential degree for the contract but waivered main owing to the blelief that the Courts ruling could be overturn in further appeal. The new round of problems is just one of many, inclding a recent fire onboard the half finished ship which resulted in the loss of life of three workers and the injury of another 12.
Any more probelms could see a drastic turn about in Starfleet attitude about the whole project which now is more than six months off its original projected completion date.
. . .the now emense task of puting the three proposals together for the courts orders will desturb ASDB's scheduled unvailing of the full design by several months . . .
Prsidential Decree ends "crisis", Kloratis Named Winner.
Starfleet watch Jan. 18, 2371
In an unprecidented move the President of the Federation today annouced that he was intervening in the current court battle involving the leeding Engine ltd and several other firms involved in the Foch "Warp Emergency" the decree was followed two hours later by an annoucment from ASDB that the Kloratus engine had won the contract for the Foch engines. With the annoucement also came the annoucement of the ships impulse drive system and the fact that complection though delayed by several months will proceede rapidedly from this point as the ships hull is readied for towing to Mars and her finial fittings.
Note: Typical example of Media having nothing to say and repeating over and over the same information, in the expectation that nobody will notice and that something new will soon enough pop up
Sardate 2372.12.21
Planetia utopia shipyards.
It has been a while since the last bit of information about the new carrier class filtered from Starfleet command, but new facts are expected to be revealed very soon. For the sake of understanding (or for those who have spent the last year in some Jefferey tube), here is what is known about this new class:
The Foch class is a new type of design, a carrier, which size is expected to be roughly equivalent to that of a Galaxy class. It would be able to carry up to 120 fighters/shuttlecraft, but would also be able to use part of this space for other purposes, like marine life tanks for instance. Whether this new class would replace the explorers as Federation's flagships remains to be seen, but appears rather doubtful in the light of recent statements from Starfleet officials. After a rather heated legal debate, Kloratus was chosen to provide the warp engines of the Foch, and the prototype was towed to Mars for final fittings.
Calcoran, Planetia utopia shipyards, for SNN.
Eric, enough suspense! Give us something more to assimilate!
[This message has been edited by Calcoran (edited 12-21-2000).]
After almost two years in development the Foch seems to be nearing completion, The 1st Carrier Spacevation Wing (SVW)was recently activated at Starfleet's new fighter trianing facility located at Pensacola, Florida, Earth which previously functioned as the Earth Republican Fighter Training Center. The 1st Wing is commanded by Lt. Commander Tivra Athrun a noted Andorian shuttle pilot who is no stranger to readers of this publication. He is the first command level officer to be permanetly appointed to the new ship. At the recent Activation ceramony Tivra stated that the task before him is great but he feels fortunate that he will be training his pilots in the very cradle of carrier Airavation which will serve to inspire them in their efforts.
At the same time ASDB annouced that the Foch will have an extensive comand and comtrol network consisting of a Bridge, a combat or "crisis" information center (CIC), a Flight control Center (FCC) and a new Landing Control Center (LCC) designed to coordinate & command planetary landings and land based operations if the GEU is placed on board. While nearly quadroupling the cost for normal comand and control facilities onboard the enhance systems will finaly give shuttle operations and such a chance to feel as an equal partner in the Shipboard team.
[This message has been edited by Eric R. (edited 12-21-2000).]
Carriers
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