I was thinking . . . for the thread I've contributed to recently in the N room, and for a future game of my own . . . during the Dominion War keeping supply lines open and running would be vital. Now . . . during the Cold War there were two theories regarding this in the North Atlantic. (For all you old Harpoon Fans I am sure that you've read this) One calls for the Convoy System in which we are all familar with. For it is one that is most depicted in the series and in World War II movies. The second was thought up due to the advant of newer technologies and faster ships. Furthermore, during the beginning stages of war, supplies would need to be rushed into the effected theater of operations (in most, if not all, scenarios this was Western Europe). Thus the idea of maintanance and defending of supply lanes . . . basically a designated track of sea from point A to point B which would be given a buffer area on either side that is defended, once the lane was deemed cleared.
Either way though, you'd need vessels to defend either the convoys or the lane. They would attempt not to pull first rate vessels of the line, however design more cost effective vessels to provide convoy escort. Of which there were DEs and at times CVE/Ls.
And during the Dominion War the supply needs are no different. You aren't going to use a Galaxy Class Explorer as a supply vessel . . . but you need to get supplies to the front . . . thus large bulk transports. And again they need to be protected . . . or their lanes defended.
Now what I was thinking of designing was a CVL. For the role of DDEs could be assumed by Mirandas or Sabres.
The design specifications would be as follows:
Size 4
Minimum Max Warp of 6
Capable of carrying/servicing 1-2 Squadrons of fighters
Heavy Armor
Superior Long Range Sensors
Slightly better then adequate medical facilities
Crew no greater then 130
Large cargo capacity
Once I find the time I am thinking of writing this up myself . . . but if there are any designs out there that match . . . let me know. Thanks. Or if you're interested in helping let me know.
The nominal name for this new class would be one of the following:
USS St. Lo
USS Gambier Bay
USS Princeton
USS Hoel
USS Johnston
USS Samuel B. Roberts
All these were lost during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Battle of Surigao Straight (a Sub-Battle), except the USS Princeton which was not lost during the Battle of Surigao Straight. The first two are CVEs. And the last three are DDs or DDEs.