[Coda SS] Ibis-class Cruiser Escort

[Sea Tyger]

Ibis-class Specifications

Production Data
Origin: United Federation of Planets
Class and Type: Ibis-class "Cruiser" (Heavy) Escort
Year Launched: 2274

Hull Data
Structure: 40
Size/Decks: 6/16 decks
Length/Beam/Height: 242/205/48 meters
Complement: 105

Operational Data
Atmospheric Systems: No
Cargo Units: 65
Life Support Systems: Class 3R (DD)
Operations Systems: Class 3 (D)
Sensor Systems: Class 3 (+3/D)
Separation System: No
Shuttlebay: 1 aft ventral
Shuttlecraft: 6 size worth
Tractor Beams: 1 v
Transporters: 3 standard, 3 cargo, 3 emergency

Propulsion Data
Impulse System: RSM (.75c) (D)
Warp System: LN-64 Mod 3 (wf 7/9/12) (D)

Tactical Data
Phaser Banks: Type VI (x3/C)
Penetration: 4/4/4/0/0
Photon Torpedoes: Mk 6 DF (x3/C)
Penetration: 4/4/4/4/4
Deflector Shields: CIDSS-2 (C)
Protection/Threshold: 14/4

Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +0C, +3H, +2T
Traits: ACB Jacketing, Vulnerable System (Life Support), Design Defect (Warp)

During the height of tensions with the Klingons and after it was apparent to Starfleet Command that the Organians were abandoning their enforcement of the peace treaty, fleet designers began working feverishly on a number of new design concepts.

One such concept was the new "cruiser escort" designation. Designed to be a "partner vessel" for light and standard cruisers, the cruiser escort would be fast and moderately armed, able to stay on the cruiser's wing in combat situations.

USS Ibis (NX-1892) was the primary test bed for this new type of vessel. Launched in early 2274, the Ibis sported the forward half of a standard 140m diameter saucer hull connected to straight a 122m-long engineering hull that followed the saucer hull's contours. The nacelle struts extended horizontally out from the dorsal side of the engineering section (121m aft of the bow), connecting to the forward end LN-64 Mod 3 nacelles (giving the ship its 205m beam).

ACB jacketed Type VI phasers both fore and aft provided the primary armament (banks dorsal and ventral at the f/p location of the saucer hull, and a bank each flanking the aft torpedo launcher), supported by two forward and one aft Mk 6 DF photon torpedo launchers. Although not heavily armed, designers felt the Ibis would provide enough punch in tandem with its paired cruiser.

While decidedly agile in trials, the cruiser escort's structure proved vulnerable to high warp stresses(above wf9), and the Ibis's life support system was fragile in combat. By 2276, Starfleet strategists decided to pair the highly successful Baker, Wilkerson and Thufir-class destroyers with cruisers as necessary, and scrapped the cruiser escort mission profile entirely.

Designers continued working on the Ibis to improve warp stability and life support sytem ruggedness until a catastrophic coolant leak in 2279 killed all 105 crewmembers aboard. The ship was designated a "grave," then towed to Jupiter and dropped into the gas giant's atmosphere.

[Snake_Plissken]

I like overall; the shield treshold seems a little high to me (I usually go no higher than '3' for movie-era ships, but that's me ) . Reasonably solid systems all around, with lots of 'D' ratings. She's also quite maneuvrable. The only other detail that seems odd to me is the very high structural value (the same as a Galaxy ) )but I know you and you know me : you like to "max it out" while often I finish my designs (the older/smaller ones especially) with unused space pts. Overall anyways: nice!

[Sea Tyger]

Actually, I think I finished the Ibis with 10 space left over. And most Federation ships of the TOS and Movie eras have increased structure (remember's Don's analogy between a '53 and an '03 Corvette?). The pre-refit 1701 had equal structure to the 1701-D, so, I don't think I was far off, especially since the Ibis was built to be a fighting ship.