Excelsior III Class Starship
Excelsior III
Battle/Exploration Cruiser
Commissioned: 2375
Propulsion Systems
Impulse: FIB-3 (.75c) (D) 2 sp
Warp: LF-35 (6/9.2/9.8 ) (D) 5 sp
Hull Data
Structure: 40 (5 ablative armor)
Size/Decks: 7/30
Length/Height/Beam: 470/111/266
Complement: 650
Operational Data
Atmosphere Capable: No
Cargo Units: 80
Life Support: Class 3 [D] 6.5 sp
Operations System: Class 4 [E] 7.5 sp
Sensor System: Class 3 [D] (+2) 3 sp
Separation System: Yes
Shuttle Bay: 1 a
Shuttlecraft: 7 Size worth
Tractor Beams: 1 fv, 1 ad
Transporters: 4 standard, 4 emergency, 4 cargo
Tactical Data
Phasers: Type XI (x5/E) 30 sp
Penetration: 6/6/6/0/0
Torpedo Launchers: Mk 75 (x4) 24 sp
Photon Penetration: 6/6/6/6/6
Deflector Shield: FSS [E] 15 sp
Protection/Threshold: 15/3
Miscellaneous
Maneuver Modifiers: +3C, +0H, +2T
Traits: Battle Tested, Ablative Armor, Regenerative Shields, Hardened system (Computer)X2
99 Spaces for Size 7 (1 space available)
The so-called Excelsior III Project grew out of the simple realization by Starfleet Command that while the original Excelsior Project had a rough start originally with it’s failed Transwarp drive, it had more than vindicated itself as Starfleet’s primary long-range battle cruiser and explorer for more than fifty years, and had continued to serve with distinction after numerous upgrades and refits.
The Dominion War, however, had shown starkly that the Excelsior, which did perform above it’s weight and admirably for it’s age, was woefully outclassed and outdated compared to the technologically superior Dominion battle cruisers. The losses were high and Starfleet was left with a very noticeable gap in it’s order of battle that could not be readily filled by any other ship in it’s current inventory.
The Lakota-class upgrade has proven to be too costly in resources, time, and personnel to be worth the effort, but Starfleet was loath to give up such a well-tested battle and exploration workhorse, so Starfleet’s RD&E went back to the drawing board to start over from scratch.
There had been some discussion about bringing Shivunallijus Warp Technologies, the original Excelsior contract team back onto the project (as most of the design team was still living), but due to SWT’s current caseload with the Prometheus, Sovereign, And Nebula Upgrade projects, the contract fell to M’Yengh Yards, an orbital construction Yard based out of Shzrenesohr, Cait IV, a long-time subcontractor to SWT for Excelsior Hulls.
During this time, Starfleet had cast about to see if any other vessel could fit the bill of a command ship. There had been a brief suggestion of the Galaxy-class, but due to Galaxy’s still rather dubious reputation (the loss of over half of the initial production run tended to dim the reception of the idea) and the material cost and time of building and crewing such a vessel. The Nebula class was also suggested, but suffered from the fact that it’s combat capabilities were decidedly lacking, and the Akira was simply a dedicated battle platform, thus unsuitable. After much gnashing of teeth and argument, Starfleet gave the go ahead for a new ship design.
The M’Yengh design team scrapped the Excelsior hull and while keeping the basic frame design, began with the incorporation of modern construction techniques and components. Her upgraded engines and variable weapons loadout (photon, quantum, pulse wave, and tri-cobalt devices) give her a respectable punch for a ship of her class, and the incorporated ablative armor give her an additional staying power not seen usually in larger ships of her class.
With her improved sensors and maneuverability, the new Excelsior design appears to be well on it’s way to becoming a staple of the Post-Dominion War Fleet once it passes trials.
Ships of note:
U.S.S. Excelsior-B (NX-2000-C): Prototype
[Authors note: I've seen this design floating out on the web for sometime and I rather like it, So I decided to give designing her a whirl. feel free to rip into it to yer hearts content].
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