Bravo Fleet
Difference between pages "California class" and "Avalon Research & Design Group"

Difference between pages "California class" and "Avalon Research & Design Group"

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{{Specification
{{Organisation
| image = [[Image:Californiaclass.png]]
| name = Avalon Group
| displayName = '''''California'' Class'''
| image =  
| name = California
| founded =  
| affiliation = [[United Federation of Planets]]
| affiliation = *[[United Federation of Planets]]
| operator = [[Starfleet]]
*[[Starfleet]]
*[[Fourth Fleet]]
*[[Fourth Fleet Advanced Research & Design Bureau]]
| headquarters = [[Avalon Fleet Yards]]
| primary mission = Research & Development
| location = [[Avalon System]]
| leadership =
| flagship =
| motto = ''macte virtute sic itur ad astra''
| status = Active
| status = Active
| role = *Engineering Support
}}The '''Avalon Group''' of the [[Fourth Fleet Advanced Research & Design Bureau]] encompasses dozens of different Institutes and hundreds of different projects taking place at [[Avalon Fleet Yards]] and across the [[Avalon System]]. Meant to be the tip of the spear in scientific, engineering, and medical research for the Fourth Fleet, this group’s interdisciplinary and highly collaborative nature brings the best and the brightest minds together to solve problems and develop innovations.  
*Scientific Support
*Logistical Support
*Medical Support
| type = Utility Cruiser
| precedingClass =
| succeedingClass =
| dateEntered = 2368
| productionEnd =
| retired =
| expectedDuration = 100 Years
| expectedRefit = 20 Years
| timeResupply = 1 Year
| crewComplement = 300
| emergencyCap = 1,000
| civilians =
| populationCap =
| flightCrew =
| passengers =
| length = 535.2 meters
| width = 240 meters
| diameter =
| height = 121.3 meters
| decks = 21
| propulsionSystem = Matter/Antimatter powered warp drive
| cruiseSpeed = Warp 5
| maxSpeed = Warp 8
| emergencySpeed =
| energyWeapons = *3x Type-X Phaser Arrays
| torpLaunchers = *2 forward
| torpPayload = *40 Photon Torpedoes
| shields = Multi-Layered Shielding System
| dockingfacilities =
| shuttleBays = 3
| shuttles = 17
| runabouts =
| fighters =
| aux =
| msd =
| playable = yes
| templatemode =
}}The '''''California''-class utility cruiser''' is a ubiquitous and utlitarian starship class that has been a fixture of the interior of Federation space since the late 2360s, performing important but quotidian missions ranging from minor scientific surveys, to medical and engineering support missions, and routine transport assignments. These ships blend into the background but are essential to the work of Starfleet, and come in several variants tailored to specific mission profiles. Not considered capital ships, ''California''-class vessels are a stepping stone for officers who want to move on to bigger and better commands but first have to put in their time doing the bread-and-butter missions that are essential to keeping the Federation running.  


=== Science and Exploration ===
== Leadership ==
Often assigned to archaeological and scientific support missions to follow up on discoveries made by more important vessels, ''California''-class ships are equipped with sizable science departments, rivaling purpose-built science ships for all but the most intensive surveys. These starships are also useful for deploying and retrieving remote observation probes and other such devices. Their large cargo bays make them adept at resupplying scientific outposts, which is another way that many of these vessels contribute directly to the Federation’s scientific endeavors.
The Avalon Group is led formally by the Commander of Avalon Fleet Yards, though their day-to-day oversight of the group is minimal. Day-to-day decisions are made by individual institute, project, and team leaders. The leaders of institutes and independent projects meet regularly as the Avalon Group Board to share status updates and make collective decisions about allocating space and resources to each of their projects. The Avalon Group Board is chaired by either the Commander or Deputy Commander of Avalon Fleet Yards. In turn the Avalon Group reports to the [[Fourth Fleet Advanced Research and Design Bureau]], with individual institutes and projects also reporting to the appropriate Starfleet Science, Starfleet Engineering, and/or Starfleet Medical Bureaus.


''California''-class ships are used for follow-up exploratory missions after the large explorers have passed through a region, usually to fill in star charts and perform slower, more detailed examinations of a region of space, but they rarely venture far from Federation territory on their own.  
== Organization ==
The Avalon Group is divided into institutes, projects, and teams, all of which are interdisciplinary research and development units. Institutes are multi-project teams that occupy a dedicated shore facility or several full levels aboard a station or research module. Projects are either sub-units of institutes or smaller independent research teams, which have several interconnected lab facilities. Teams are either sub-units of projects or institutes or are new initiatives in their early stages of formation under the Avalon Group, typically having just one lab or similar facility. The leaders of institutes, projects, and teams must regularly meet with one another to share ideas and resources, as well as status updates.


=== Diplomacy ===
===Institutes===
This class of starship was specifically designed to conduct a wide variety of second-contact missions, including performing engineering and scientific support roles and otherwise helping a new culture integrate into the Federation. Because of this, these ships have a larger-than-average number of shuttles for their size and can carry vast amounts of cargo. When first contact is done, a ''California''-class ship will be sent in to set up communications equipment and other facilities to make it easier for a new world to stay in touch with the rest of the galaxy.
Institutes are large, multi-project teams that encompass either their own planetary facilities or a major research module on one of Avalon’s many space stations. Institutes are led by fleet captains and above and often consist of a half-dozen or more projects with hundreds of scientists, engineers, and/or doctors.


Though purpose-built couriers and larger explorers are used for high-profile diplomatic missions, ''California''-class ships perform many low-priority missions for the Federation Diplomatic Corps, transporting dignitaries to and from their destinations and assisting alien cultures directly with good-will humanitarian projects.
====Institute for Experimental Rehabilitative Medicine (IERM)====
The Institute for Experimental Rehabilitative Medicine (IERM) is a medical research agency within the Avalon Group of the Fourth Fleet Advanced Research & Design Bureau. Led by Admiral Linda Knox-Stanton, this institute was founded to explore new therapies to help patients recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually from traumatic injuries. Occupying a complex within Sato City on Avalon III, the Institute has in-patient facilities for two-hundred patients who are participating in about a dozen different research projects.


=== Engineering ===
=====Genetronic Nanocybernetics Project=====
The ''California''-class is instantly recognizable as sharing a lineage with the [[Galaxy Class|''Galaxy''-class explorer]], though she has about half the internal volume. With systems designed through lessons learned on the other cousins of the ''Galaxy'', the ''California'' has a round primary hull with many windows, along with long phaser arrays on the ventral and dorsal surface. This twelve-deck saucer contains the majority of the ship’s systems, as well as crew quarters and cargo facilities. A superstructure on the dorsal surface contains the bridge, and an extension under the ventral surface contains the ship’s two impulse engines.
The Genetronic Nanocybernetics Project (Codename: Hephaestus) is a project operating under the auspices of the Institute for Experimental Rehabilitative Medicine to study the combination of genetronic replication and nano-scale cybernetics to treat patients with severe spinal cord injuries. Started after his success with a procedure conducted on the Risian Lieutenant Zaos Sarcaryn, this project is being led by Captain Alenis Anjar.


Underslung from the primary hull are the warp nacelles and secondary hull, with the two boxy nacelles connecting directly to the primary hull with two long struts and the secondary hull, in turn, connecting to the nacelles with shorter struts.  
======Nanocybernetics Team======
The Nanocybernetics Team is one of the teams under Project Hephaestus, developing nano-scale cybernetics that can help regenerate or replace the connections between nerves. Primarily an engineering team rather than a medical team, this team has experts in cybernetics, nanotechnology, and microphysics. It is led by Lieutenant Commander X.


The nine-deck secondary hull contains the main deflector, as well as main engineering, with the warp core running the height of this module. Access to this area is provided by standard turbolifts and Jefferies tubes. The warp core and nacelles are oversized for a ship of her size to allow her to tow other ships at warp. To facilitate deep-space towing, the ''California''-class has a powerful aft tractor beam emitter.
====Institute for Advanced Impulse Engine Design====


Small craft support is provided by three shuttle bays: two on the aft corners of the primary hull, and a third in the secondary hull. These bays each house five to six shuttles, and provide for extensive small craft operations. This is especially useful for large-scale engineering projects which may require constant arrivals and departures that would be difficult to accommodate with a single bay. ''California''-class ships are equipped with a captain’s yacht, docked in a dedicated bay under the saucer.
=====Phase 7 Impulse Manifold Project=====


Warp power is provided by a class-six warp core, though it has been enhanced with some features also found aboard the ''Galaxy''-class’s class-seven system, resulting in modest top speeds, but the ability to expand its warp field significantly to accomplish warp towing of other ships. Generally speaking and by definition of their role as a second-string ship following up on the discoveries of more important vessels, ''California''-class ships don’t need to get anywhere in a hurry. The maximum speed of this class is warp 8; while the warp core can push the ship faster, it would result in severe structural damage to the ship.
======Fusion Reactor Enhancement Team======


=== Tactical ===
====Institute for Observational Cosmology====
''California''-class starships are not meant for combat; they are generally expected to retreat in the face of superior foes and can only handle only lightly-armed opponents, such as light raiders or other small threats. The ship’s primary defenses are a set of self-repairing shields, though she is also equipped with three Type-X phaser arrays, two 270° arrays on the dorsal and ventral surface of the saucer, and a third aft array on the dorsal saucer, which provides adequate phaser coverage over most arcs. This class also has two photon torpedo launchers, located in protrusions above the saucer section which also contain the torpedo magazines.


In a fleet engagement, ''California''-class ships would perform support functions such as towing damaged vessels away from the combat zone, retrieving escape pods, and providing sensor data to combat-ready vessels. Their lack of serious offensive capabilities is often what keeps them safe in these situations—they're simply not a high enough target priority to draw much enemy fire.
=====New Deep Space Telescope Project=====


=== Shipboard Life ===
======Deep Space Scanning Team======
[[File:Solvang.png|thumb|The USS ''Solvang'', a ''California''-class ship in command support configuration.]]
''California''-class ships serve an important function in Starfleet, but they are second-rate vessels. As utility cruisers, they get the missions that aren’t important enough for more advanced ships, and so their crews tend to be more junior than those posted to frontline explorers. A ''California''-class ship can often be a stepping stone to more interesting and important assignments, so they’re usually transitory stops for captains and crew alike. Still, ''California''-class crews recognize their importance to the fleet and take great pride in their ships, even if they are no longer particularly modern.


Relatively uniquely, ''California''-class ships accommodate junior personnel (ranking ensign and lower) in so-called residential hallways in the lower three decks of the saucer section, which are wide corridors that also contain bunks and lavatory facilities. This is a necessity for this class, given that a significant portion of the internal volume is taken up by cargo holds and other equipment necessary to perform its support missions. Officers ranked Lieutenant and higher are given their own quarters, however. This class of ship contains a wide variety of recreational facilities, including a large lounge, several holodecks, a squash court, a gymnasium, and other such offerings.
===Independent Research Projects===
There are many research projects under the Avalon Group that do not report to an insitute, often because the project is still at an early stage and it will later mature into an institute once initial research has been completed. These independent projects may also have affiliations with more than one institute, thus making them better suited to remain independent. Projects are led by commanders and captains, and can consist of several dozen scientists, engineers, and/or doctors.


Like the ''[[Galaxy Class|Galaxy]]'', ''[[Nebula Class|Nebula]]'', ''[[Luna Class|Luna]],'' and ''[[Odyssey Class|Odyssey]]'' classes, most ''California''-class ships have Cetacean Operations departments which can accommodate a variety of aquatic species.
===Independent Research Teams===
 
As with independent research projects, some research teams under the Avalon Group are not part of any one project or institute, either because their work is still in its early stages or because their work is affiliated with more than one project. They may later mature into projects of their own. Teams are led by lieutenants and lieutenant commanders.
=== Variants ===
Though all of the members of this class are generally capable of performing all low-intensity utility missions, the ''California''-class is produced in several variants tailored to specific mission profiles. Each variant has a unique set of hull markings to help them stand out in dock and to promote a sense of esprit de corps among their crews.
 
The engineering support variant has a larger concentration of engineering personnel, as well as enhanced structural integrity and tractor-beam systems, which make it well-suited for towing missions. These vessels have gold paint.
[[File:USS Merced.png|thumb|The USS ''Merced'', a ''California''-class ship in science configuration.]]
The scientific support variant is equipped with additional science labs and an extensive probe magazine, as well as more scientific personnel. These vessels can handle long-duration surveys and other expeditions within Federation space. These vessels have blue paint.
 
The command support variant has diplomatic quarters and accommodations for flag officers, as it is normally used to transport dignitaries within the Federation. This is the least common variant and has red paint.
 
The medical support variant has hospital facilities to accommodate up to 200 patients, in place of a lot of their cargo facilities. They also embark specialized ambulance shuttles and can deploy field hospitals; they operate in concert with ''Olympic''-class hospital ships for large emergencies and can handle smaller issues on their own. Their hulls are painted white with blue accents.
 
== Class History ==
While individually, the precursor classes to the ''Galaxy'' and ''Nebula''-classes developed in the 2340s and 2350s each had their strengths, their capabilities varied widely and they were seen as a waste on general utility duties, and most of them were too small to carry the supplies necessary for large humanitarian and engineering projects anyway. In addition, the ''Miranda''-class vessels that were being used in these roles were already antiques in the 2330''s'' let alone the 23''60s'', so it was decided to develop a new, modern starship to be produced in large numbers and handle day-to-day missions across the Federation.
 
Taking design cues from the ''Galaxy''-class and ''Miranda''-class, the ''California''-class was designed relatively quickly, going from order to design to prototyping between 2363 and 2367. The ''California'' herself was commissioned in early 2368, the year following the Battle of Wolf 359. While changes to Federation starship building in response to the Borg crisis resulted in the immediate cancellation of the ''California''’s four smaller cousins, the new, more combat-orientated designs that resulted from this decision made an even greater demand for the ''California'', as these new ships would be needed for frontline service.
 
Thus, the ''California''-class became one of the most widely-produced vessels in Starfleet, with several dozen being produced each year from 2367 through the mid-2380s. Production slowed following the introduction of the larger and more advanced ''Parliament''-class utility cruiser in the 2380s, but there are no signs that Starfleet will stop building these vessels any time soon.
 
== In Play ==
 
* As portrayed in ''Star Trek: Lower Decks'', this class of ship is ubiquitous and utilitarian; they handle all of the minor, tedious missions necessary to keep the Federation running, ranging from setting up labs to delivering cargo to repairing subspace relays. They're not meant to go out exploring on their own.
* ''California''-class ships never venture much farther than a week or so from a port, as they're constantly picking up supplies and equipment to transport on their missions.
* This is a very junior posting for both captains and crew, and is a very typical first assignment for all but the very best and brightest within Starfleet.
* ''California''-class ships are geared for support roles, not for tactical roles, black ops, or other cloak-and-dagger activities.
* As a midshipman, this will be the first starship class that you gain access to. It is an excellent starting platform, because you will be able to participate in fleet events and have a whole crew of your own, while you work up to lieutenant commander to gain access to a wider variety of ships.
 
{{clear}}
[[Category:Federation Starship Classes (2350–2368)]]

Revision as of 18:59, 28 June 2023

Avalon Group
Affiliation
Headquarters

Avalon Fleet Yards

Primary Mission

Research & Development

Location

Avalon System

Motto

macte virtute sic itur ad astra

Status

Active

Template:Organisation

The Avalon Group of the Fourth Fleet Advanced Research & Design Bureau encompasses dozens of different Institutes and hundreds of different projects taking place at Avalon Fleet Yards and across the Avalon System. Meant to be the tip of the spear in scientific, engineering, and medical research for the Fourth Fleet, this group’s interdisciplinary and highly collaborative nature brings the best and the brightest minds together to solve problems and develop innovations.

Leadership

The Avalon Group is led formally by the Commander of Avalon Fleet Yards, though their day-to-day oversight of the group is minimal. Day-to-day decisions are made by individual institute, project, and team leaders. The leaders of institutes and independent projects meet regularly as the Avalon Group Board to share status updates and make collective decisions about allocating space and resources to each of their projects. The Avalon Group Board is chaired by either the Commander or Deputy Commander of Avalon Fleet Yards. In turn the Avalon Group reports to the Fourth Fleet Advanced Research and Design Bureau, with individual institutes and projects also reporting to the appropriate Starfleet Science, Starfleet Engineering, and/or Starfleet Medical Bureaus.

Organization

The Avalon Group is divided into institutes, projects, and teams, all of which are interdisciplinary research and development units. Institutes are multi-project teams that occupy a dedicated shore facility or several full levels aboard a station or research module. Projects are either sub-units of institutes or smaller independent research teams, which have several interconnected lab facilities. Teams are either sub-units of projects or institutes or are new initiatives in their early stages of formation under the Avalon Group, typically having just one lab or similar facility. The leaders of institutes, projects, and teams must regularly meet with one another to share ideas and resources, as well as status updates.

Institutes

Institutes are large, multi-project teams that encompass either their own planetary facilities or a major research module on one of Avalon’s many space stations. Institutes are led by fleet captains and above and often consist of a half-dozen or more projects with hundreds of scientists, engineers, and/or doctors.

Institute for Experimental Rehabilitative Medicine (IERM)

The Institute for Experimental Rehabilitative Medicine (IERM) is a medical research agency within the Avalon Group of the Fourth Fleet Advanced Research & Design Bureau. Led by Admiral Linda Knox-Stanton, this institute was founded to explore new therapies to help patients recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually from traumatic injuries. Occupying a complex within Sato City on Avalon III, the Institute has in-patient facilities for two-hundred patients who are participating in about a dozen different research projects.

Genetronic Nanocybernetics Project

The Genetronic Nanocybernetics Project (Codename: Hephaestus) is a project operating under the auspices of the Institute for Experimental Rehabilitative Medicine to study the combination of genetronic replication and nano-scale cybernetics to treat patients with severe spinal cord injuries. Started after his success with a procedure conducted on the Risian Lieutenant Zaos Sarcaryn, this project is being led by Captain Alenis Anjar.

Nanocybernetics Team

The Nanocybernetics Team is one of the teams under Project Hephaestus, developing nano-scale cybernetics that can help regenerate or replace the connections between nerves. Primarily an engineering team rather than a medical team, this team has experts in cybernetics, nanotechnology, and microphysics. It is led by Lieutenant Commander X.

Institute for Advanced Impulse Engine Design

Phase 7 Impulse Manifold Project
Fusion Reactor Enhancement Team

Institute for Observational Cosmology

New Deep Space Telescope Project
Deep Space Scanning Team

Independent Research Projects

There are many research projects under the Avalon Group that do not report to an insitute, often because the project is still at an early stage and it will later mature into an institute once initial research has been completed. These independent projects may also have affiliations with more than one institute, thus making them better suited to remain independent. Projects are led by commanders and captains, and can consist of several dozen scientists, engineers, and/or doctors.

Independent Research Teams

As with independent research projects, some research teams under the Avalon Group are not part of any one project or institute, either because their work is still in its early stages or because their work is affiliated with more than one project. They may later mature into projects of their own. Teams are led by lieutenants and lieutenant commanders.

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