Input on new shuttle design

[Capt.Hunter]

As I'm currently designing an RRT campaign for my PCs, based a little on both the Voyager: Elite Force computer game and the SAS/Navy SEALS-type special ops units our own militaries have to offer, I decided such a unit would need its own transport. The campaign is set in 2377 (some of the characters joined up with the RRTs during the Dominion War - notably the team's medic and engineer), so I figure Starfleet has some newish tech to put into this ship (including Voyager's specs for the Delta Flyer, which I presume they transmitted to HQ). My basic idea for the Avenger-Class ship is a large shuttle, of the same sort of shape as the Talon-Class scouts and the Delta Flyer. It's essentially a shuttle-sized version of the Defiant, with good warp capability (same as a Runabout), strong shields (36/50) and 4 points of Ablative Armour. It also has scaled-down pulse phasers firing forward, doing 16 points of damage, plus a Type V phaser at the rear, and modified microtorpedoes equipped with tricobalt warheads (doing 14 points of damage per torpedo, but has a Spread of 2). Is this too powerful (bear in mind it will be seeing a fair bit of action), or is there any tech you think couldn't be employed on a ship this small? I paused at setting the phaser damage at 16, until I remembered that the Maquis Interceptor does the same damage. I'm also in two minds as to whether to give it the energy-reflective sheathing from the R,R&R sourcebook (effectively a cloak versus long-range sensors which doesn't require power).

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"Diplomacy doesn't appear to be getting us anywhere - try the torpedoes"
Captain Matt Hunter, USS Tempest NCC-81205.

[Dan Gurden]

Basically the same design has been built into my 'Sword Class Scout', which is almost 2 years old... When I get to my home PC I'll send you my stats...

The only adjustment here is the addition of troop carrying capabilities over the Sword class reconaisance capabilities...

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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts froma random mind!"

[Capt.Hunter]

Dan,

If it makes a difference, the shuttle doesn't need to carry many people. Being a special ops team, the PC unit only has at most six personnel. Say an upper limit of 10 passengers/crew to cope with rescue missions.

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"Diplomacy doesn't appear to be getting us anywhere - try the torpedoes"
Captain Matt Hunter, USS Tempest NCC-81205.

[Dan Gurden]

BINGO.

Thats the one!

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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts froma random mind!"

[Dan Gurden]

Class and Type: Sword Class, Light Scout
Commissioned: 2375

Hull Characteristics
Size: 2 (35x25x10m, 80 tons mass, 1 Deck, plus 1/2 mezzanine engine room)
Resistance: 4 (@)
Structural Points: 40
Operations Characteristics
Crew/Evac: 5/20
[2/3 pwr/round]
Computers: 2
[2 pwr/round]
Transporters: 1 personnel, 1 emergency (in shuttle).
[1 pwr/round]
Tractor Beams: 1 fd
[2 pwr/rating used/round]
Propulsion and Power Characteristics:
Warp System: 5/8/9 (6 hours)
[2/Warp factor]
Impulse System: .50c/.75c
[5/7 pwr/round]
Power: 150
Combat Auxiliary Power: 120 (*)
Emergency Power: 15 (when there's no shuttle)
Sensor Systems:
Long-range sensors: +2/15 light years
[6 pwr/round]
Lateral Sensors: +2/4 light years
[4 pwr/round]
Navigational sensors: +2/1 light year
[5 pwr/round]
Sensors Skill: 4
Weapons Systems
Type V Phaser Emitter
Range: 10/30,000/100,000/300,000
Arc: All (720 Degrees)
Accuracy: 4/5/8/11
Damage: 10
Power: [10]
Type VI Pulse Phaser; (#)
Range: 10/20,000/75,000/150,000
Arc: 2 fv (360 degrees forward)
Accuracy: 4/5/7/10
Damage: 20
Power: 20
Type II Photon Torpedo;
Number: 8
Launchers: 1 fd
Spread: 1
Arc: forward but self-guided
Range: 10/100/1,000/5,000
Accuracy: 4/5/7/10
Damage: 20
Power: [5]
Weapons Skill: 4
Defensive Systems
Starfleet Deflector Shield
Protection: 40 (55)
Power: [40]

Description and Notes:
Historically major Space battles had been fought between a small group of larger Starship's, at least in the accumulated experience in the Alpha and Beta quadrants. This led to the prime focus of Starfleet vessels as large multipurpose ships, while much smaller ships were used for short-range scouting and atmospheric activities. At first, these vessels were shuttlecraft, but in recent years Starfleet developed the Runabout and the Peregrine class vessels to supplement this vast 'secondary' fleet. This premise changed when the Borg we're encountered. For the first time, a huge armada of Starship's was assembled to stop the threat. At Wolf 359 this was proved inadequate, and since then new ships have been developed to counter new threats, including both the Defiant and Sovereign class ships.
Three years after Wolf 359 a stable wormhole was discovered leading to the Gamma quadrant, and within a few years, a new threat was discovered in the Dominion. Again, Starfleet found itself rocked as its standard strategies were tested to the limit by the Dominion forces. Having developed tactics for different purposes the Dominions main attack ship, the Jem 'Hadar assault vessel was small, fast and manoeuvrable. Designed to work in conjunction as part of a larger group instead of as an individual unit as Starfleet vessels were designed. It took the loss of the USS Odyssey, a Galaxy class ship to make the lesson plain.
Immediately Starfleet put ideas on the table for a light attack ship to enable Starfleet forces a reasonable chance of keeping up. In the meantime Runabouts and the Peregrine cruisers were formed into fighter wings. In theory these wings worked and could hold there own in a fight, however their weapons and engine systems were not powerful enough for the purposes.
The Sword class was based on the successful Defiant frame, reduced in size equivalent to a Runabout, much of this space was taken up by engine and weapons systems, including a smaller version of the pulse fire phaser cannon and a small capacity torpedo tube. Like the Jem 'Hadar fighters it is designed to fly as part of a group for tactical service, but Starfleet also made clear that the vessel was to have a secondary role as an advanced long-range scoutship.
Current plans for the sword class is to form 'wings' designed for system defence, thus upgrading the ageing ships already serving in the role. Enabling a small group to be stationed in tactical positions in a Federation system for the areas defence, meanwhile other 'tactical wings' are being forged for combat duty for use as part of fleet activities. Already plans are on the table for a heavy carrier that will enable co-ordinated fleet activities, providing these ships with a mobile base of operations. It is the secondary function that the Sword class really shines. It allows Starfleet to scout out new territory with a small light ship that is capable both of defending itself should the need arrive, but also of activities that a full-size starship would attract to much attention. Not surprisingly, Starfleet Intelligence has shown a lot of interest in this vessel.
The command module is the most interesting aspect of the ship, as the ship itself is too small to allow a shuttlebay or escape pods, it was deemed appropriate to include a modular shuttle as the command module. Using the long, sleek, type 12 shuttle, which fits into an aperture at the front of the vessel, the sword class also allows a limited amount of atmospheric operations when separated. In the case of emergencies the main body can be ejected and the shuttle can make its escape. With only a crew of 4, plus an EMH for emergency medical purposes, the projected crew will consist of; Pilot, Tactical/Operations, Engineering, Command/Operations. The crew will need to be versatile to allow for effective operational capacity.
The Sword class is currently in the advanced prototype stage, with only 4 ships existing. The USS Sabre, USS Katana, USS Rapier and the USS Bat'leth.

(@): It must be noted that the sword class is still considered an experiment, and performance of the units already in service may alter future design specifications to include ablative armour.
(*): In the case of power failure during combat conditions, it is a simple matter to switch the source of power within the sword class, taking power instead from the slightly less efficient warp core of the type 9 shuttle. If the shuttle isn't docked then this source is unavailable...
(#): Type VI Pulse Phasers are scaled down versions of the Pulse Phasers fitted to the USS Defiant, they do less damage and are of far shorter range, however these drawbacks were considered acceptable with the reduction in size allowing two units to be fitted into the sword class frame.
Personnel Shuttle Type 9 (Modified)
Class and Type: Modified Type 9 Shuttle
Commissioned: 2375 (with Sword class)
Hull Characteristics
Size: 2 (8.45 metres long, 1 deck)
Resistance: 1
Structural Points: 40
Operations Characteristics
Crew/Passengers: 1 or2/2
[1 pwr/round]
Computers: 1
[1 pwr/round]
Transporters: 1 personnel
[1 pwr/round]
Tractor Beams: 1 ad
[2 pwr/rating used/round]
Propulsion and Power Characteristics:
Warp System: 8/8.4/9 (3 hours)
[4/Warp factor]
Impulse System: .75c
[7 pwr/round]
Power: 120
Sensor Systems:
Long-range sensors: +0/5 light-years
[6 pwr/round]
Lateral Sensors: +0/1 light-year
[4 pwr/round]
Navigational sensors: +0
[5 pwr/round]
Sensors Skill: 4
Weapons Systems
Type V Phaser Emitter
Range: 10/30,000/100,000/300,000
Arc: fv (forward)
Accuracy: 4/5/8/11
Damage: 10
Power: [10]
Type IV Micro Torpedo Tubes
Number: 50
Launchers: 2 fd
Spread: 1
Arc: forward but self-guided
Range: 15/250,000/800,000/2,500,000
Accuracy: 5/6/8/11
Damage: 5
Power: [2]
Weapons Skill: 4
Defensive Systems
Starfleet Deflector Shield
Protection: 36/48
Power: [30]
Description and Notes:
Few Starfleet shuttles are designed for true interstellar journeys, and they are usually the larger Runabout classes. The occasional conversion of shuttles into faster, longer ranged ships for this purpose eventually identified a need within the fleet.
The Type 9 shuttle is designed as a Fast courier and general purpose shuttle. Its cockpit is small and not designed for large amounts of passengers, more than 2 makes it very uncomfortable. Another design quirk of the Type 9 was its ease of construction, specifically designed to be dismantled into smaller sections. It is also possible for a starship to produce more of these sections through onboard replicator systems for easy repairs. This also allows completely new shuttles to be constructed as required, virtually removing the need for a standing fleet of type 9 shuttles and freeing valuable hanger space at Starfleet installations. This feature has proved such a success that Starfleet plans to implement it on all future small ship designs as a basic requirement.

Design Alterations for compatibility with the sword class. The shuttles Phaser Array has been removed, leaving only the single Phaser Emitter and Micro-Torpedo's. Instead the shuttle has been fitted with a small tractor beam emitter facing aft to aid the shuttle in docking with the main unit. However the forward Phaser Emitter has been upgraded from class IV to a class V unit.
Other modifications are more minor, but important, smaller docking latches ring the hull, allowing the shuttle to lock in position when docked with the Sword Class primary hull. These latches are fitted with explosive bolts n case the shuttle is required as a lifeboat, allowing the ship to break free even in the event of catastrophic power failure. The shuttles access hatch is fitted with a sealant ring, allowing the shuttle to dock seamlessly with the Sword class airlock, and allowing the crew easy access to and from the main unit, but also not impeding their access if the shuttle is used as a separate unit.
Inside the shuttle has been altered too. As part of the design perametres, the shuttle, when fitted, serves the sword class as its primary control centre, with the shuttles warp core acting as reserve power for the sword class. Inside the shuttle would normally offer command surfaces for up to two pilots with two storage lockers serving as crew benches at the rear of the cabin. For the sword class, one of these storage lockers has been replaced with a third console and operators chair, allowing the shuttle cabin to serve as a mini-bridge for 3-crew.
This new console serves as tactical and communications, allowing the two pilots to concentrate on Flight control and ships operations, although command functions can still be routed to any terminal.

Type 9 Shuttle originally converted from the shuttlecraft presented in the Next Generation rulebook and updated thanks to the Daystrom Institute web page and the official Star Trek fact files magazine. Picture from the Official Star Trek fact files magazine.


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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts froma random mind!"

[Dan Gurden]

Originally posted by Capt.Hunter:
Dan,

If it makes a difference, the shuttle doesn't need to carry many people. Being a special ops team, the PC unit only has at most six personnel. Say an upper limit of 10 passengers/crew to cope with rescue missions.

Thing was the Sword class is designed for 4 crew and no passengers... I will send you the specs and you can adjust as needed...


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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts froma random mind!"

[Sarge]

Dan, is that the one that uses a Type 9 shuttle as a command pod for a mini-Defiant escort ship?

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<<<<

LUGTrek isn't really dead. Not as long as we remember it.

[SIR SIG]

Talking of Elite Force, that personal transporter buffer was pretty cool/silly at the same time.
As for the Sword, is it pretty similar to the Talon?

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SIR SIG a Aussie TREK Narrator

[Dan Gurden]

Yes, its quite like the Talon, but was created in a PBEM a year and a half before Insurrection.

The main difference is that the Sword is designed with Tactical reasoning in mind due to the Dominion War story arc on DS9...

If you look at the Talons Stats, with micro-torpedos and Type V Phasers, it might be defended, but its not equipped to go looking for a fight...
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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts from a random mind!"

[This message has been edited by Dan Gurden (edited 11-16-2000).]

[Capt.Hunter]

Certainly isn't! I got the idea for a Talon-shaped ship with pulse phasers from the Armada computer game, which for some reson outfitted the Talon with them. It still ain't worth squat in a fight, though.

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"Diplomacy doesn't appear to be getting us anywhere - try the torpedoes"
Captain Matt Hunter, USS Tempest NCC-81205.

[billy135]

In our campain the player caracter were designed after the RRT concept and a little of the special forces 12 man A-Team. The unit pulls in members from all department to form a very flexiable team. the team is stationed abord a Steamrunner class ship and act as OICs and Dept heads on Delta shift. On assault missions they use a large runabout I got from a runabout concept drawing in The makeing of Deep Space 9.
it's all standard with the regular runabout, only more cargo area. The runabout crew consist of the Pilot, Ops, Tac, Sci/Sensor, Communications, Flight Engineer, and Medic.
As with most spec op units the incertion/extraction team trains just as hard as the assault team, and as with the assault team they pull duties on delta shift also.