Phoenix Class

Phoenix Class
Information
Affiliation	United Federation of Planets
Status	Active
Type	Corvette
Role	Multirole Light Starship
Service
Operator	Starfleet Starfleet Auxiliary Civilian
Entered Service	2373
Endurance
Expected Design Life	50 years
Expected Refit Cycle	25 years
Expected Resupply Cycle	1 year
Crew Capacity
Standard Complement	2
Emergency Capacity	40
Dimensions
Length	119.7 meters
Decks	4
Propulsion
Cruise Speed	Warp 7.2
Maximum Speed	Warp 8.7
Template:Specification

The Phoenix-class multirole corvette is a small vessel that bridges the gap between a runabout and a true starship. They are ideal for transporting small teams for scientific and humanitarian missions.

Science and Exploration

While they have less volume for labs than the likes of a Raven-class corvette, Phoenix-class ships are well-suited as specialist science vessels. Their default configuration makes them good at surveying planets, as they have dorsal and ventral sensor domes. The primary lab is located just steps away from the bridge. These ships can be configured for any scientific discipline, ranging from archaeology to xenobiology to astrophysics. This ship’s ease of maintenance means that a science team can operate with just their mission specialists and no support crew. Their speed, though impressive for their size, precludes real deep space operations.

Diplomacy

Phoenix-class ships are not suited for diplomatic operations, as they have neither the space for guest quarters nor a true conference room. They have occasionally been used as discreet transports for important dignitaries, though.

Engineering

The engineering facilities of a Phoenix-class starship are almost entirely automated. They can go long periods of time without manual servicing, which keeps them on their missions longer. This also reduces their crew needs. For their size, they have an impressive top speed, which is assisted by the warp field governor located between the two nacelles. Impulse performance is also good. Some of these ships have been fitted with high-power tractor beams for use as shipyard tugs or for salvage operations. Much of the lower volume of the primary hull is available for cargo storage. These ships do not have a shuttlebay, but they do have a docking port available for a shuttle behind the main bridge.

Tactical

Phoenix-class ships are not intended for tactical missions, though they can be equipped for them should the need arise. Their standard configuration includes a phaser array ringing the bridge module for defensive purposes. They would quickly find themselves over-powered by most opponents in space, so any tactical or security role they might end up playing would involve delivering a security team to a mission location, not ship-to-ship combat.

Shipboard Life

Capable of being flown with a crew of just two, Phoenix-class starships are extremely tiny, but not uncomfortable. Typical mission teams are between two and ten, with each team member having a small cabin. Some have a small holodeck, but usually the only recreational area is a common mess hall. Often, teams are only aboard these ships for the duration of their mission, and so they see the vessel less as a home and more of just a means of transport. For humanitarian missions, the cargo hold can be used to transport supplies or serve as a triage area. Typically, these ships have an EMH rather than a medical officer.

Phoenix Class History

Developed in the 2360s as a larger, faster version of the Danube-class runabout, the Phoenix took off in an entirely different direction from the Aerie, trading internal volume for speed. While the Aerie was slow and reliable for a crew of up to 20, Phoenix class ships could only carry half that number of crew, but at a much higher speed. Both ships could carry small mission teams, but the Phoenix was fast enough to get important cargo where it needed to go quickly.

In Starfleet service, they have been primarily used as small science vessels and transports. They also serve similar roles in civilian service.

The initial units were produced around the time of the Dominion War, and through many iterations, now continue to be produced. As of the early 2400’s, a small contingent of these starships operate under the auspices of the Fourth Fleet, where they support mission teams from the fleet’s starbases.

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The Phoenix Class In-Play

• Phoenix-class ships are very small and capable of being run by a single person, but they could have a crew of up to ten. Compared to the Raven, they are smaller in their internal volume but much faster.
• We only saw a few rooms of this ship on screen, but we’re imagining the rest of the saucer section to be mostly housing and cargo space. Feel free to use your imagination here!
• These aren’t combat ships, so if that’s what you’re hoping to do, the Raven might be a better choice.