Difference between pages "Duderstadt Class" and "Echelon Class"

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{{icons|bfc|fed|sf}}{{Specification
{{icons|bfc|fed|sf}}{{Specification
| image = [[File:DuderstadtClass1.jpg]]
| image = [[File:Echelon1.jpg]]
| displayName = ''Duderstadt''-class light cruiser
| displayName = ''Echelon''-class light cruiser
| name = Duderstadt
| name = Echelon
| affiliation = United Federation of Planets
| affiliation = United Federation of Planets
| operator = Starfleet
| operator = Starfleet
| status = Active
| status = Active
| role = Multirole Cruiser
| role = Mid-Level Generalist
| type = Light Cruiser
| type = Light Cruiser
| precedingClass =  
| precedingClass =  
Line 18: Line 18:
| expectedRefit = 25 years
| expectedRefit = 25 years
| timeResupply = 3 years
| timeResupply = 3 years
| crewComplement = 300
| crewComplement = 400
| emergencyCap = 5,000
| emergencyCap = 6,000
| civilians =  
| civilians =  
| populationCap =  
| populationCap =  
| flightCrew =
| flightCrew =  
| passengers =  
| passengers =  
| length = 578.5 meters
| length = 540.7 meters
| width =  
| width =  
| diameter =
| diameter =  
| height =  
| height =  
| decks = 17
| decks = 16 (18 with torpedo pods)
| propulsionSystem =  
| propulsionSystem =  
| cruiseSpeed = Warp 8
| cruiseSpeed = Warp 8
| maxSpeed = Warp 9.99
| maxSpeed = Warp 9.98
| emergencySpeed =  
| emergencySpeed =  
| energyWeapons = 4 Type-XIV phaser arrays
| energyWeapons = 8 Type-XIV Phaser Arrays
| torpLaunchers = *4 forward
| torpLaunchers = *2 forward
*2 aft
*2 aft
| torpPayload = *200 photon torpedoes
| torpPayload = *200 photon torpedoes
*200 quantum torpedoes
*100 quantum torpedoes
| shields = Multiphasic Shielding
| shields = Multiphasic Shielding
| dockingfacilities =
| dockingfacilities =  
| shuttleBays = 2
| shuttleBays = 4
| shuttles = 10
| shuttles = 20
| runabouts = 2
| runabouts = 6
| fighters =  
| fighters = Up to 12
| aux =  
| aux =  
| msd =  
| msd =  
| playable = yes
| playable = yes
}}The '''''Duderstadt''-class multirole light cruiser''' is a fast, versatile starship capable of being configured for specific mission profiles with an interchangeable secondary hull. This capability allows her to excel in one particular area at a time to the level of a much larger ship. The standard configuration for this class as of the early 25th century includes advanced long-range sensors that allow her to serve as a deep space reconnaissance ship.
}}The '''''Echelon''-class light cruiser''' is a mid-sized starship intended to be an all-rounder within Federation space for defensive and humanitarian missions. Designed alongside the [[Sagan Class|''Sagan''-class light explorer]], the ''Echelon'' has simplified internal systems, shorter range, and a smaller crew compared to her sister, in exchange for easier maintenance and more versatility.  


==Science and Exploration==
==Science and Exploration==
The current default configuration of this starship is as a deep-space reconnaissance ship, often leading them to be called scout-cruisers in Starfleet parlance. With their advanced long-range sensor suites, they are excellent at going out into deep space to locate new species and to identify threats from afar. This class is limited by its specialization; while it carries multiple sensor suites and lab types, it’s not as well-rounded as other classes.
As with all Starfleet cruiser classes, the ''Echelon'' carries a full range of science labs, sensor pallets, and scientific specialists. These ships perform generalist duties within Federation space, which includes stellar mapping and routine scientific studies. Given that the majority of her time is spent on things other than science, many of her labs are mission-configurable, and she is able to embark scientists working on independent projects while the ship carries out patrol or relief missions. They are also ideal for missions of scientific interest where a smaller vessel would be out of its depth, but a large [[Sutherland Class|''Sutherland''-class research cruiser]] would be in too much danger.


All vessels of this class have dedicated planetary sensor domes above and below their primary hulls. In the scout configuration, this allows them to identify M-class worlds and then take fast but detailed surveys of them. They relay this information back to command for follow-up by dedicated surveyors or larger explorers for first contact. Some ''Duderstadt''-class starships are being built as large surveyors, themselves, with the sensors in their mission pod tuned for analyzing life forms and geological formations. The surveyor and scout-cruiser variants can operate as a team, with one finding interesting places to study and the other studying them.
''Echelon''-class ships have oversized small craft capabilities, just like the Sagan, and so they are a good platform for launching scouting missions via runabout and for deploying probes. They also routinely service scientific outposts, so they support Starfleet’s scientific agenda in indirect ways.
 
''Duderstadt''-class starships are typically not capable of years-long exploratory missions on their own, but they make excellent partners for large explorers or ''Sutherland''-class research cruisers that can support them. What’s more common is for a ship of this class to be based out of a frontier station, where they will explore in roughly a straight line for several months, then return for resupply and head out in a different direction.


==Diplomacy==
==Diplomacy==
Most ''Duderstadt''-class cruisers are not fitted out for diplomatic assignments. Indeed, the scout-cruiser variant is not typically the vessel to conduct an actual first-contact mission, but performs advanced reconnaissance to allow Starfleet to decide on a course of action. When necessary, these ships can serve in that capacity, though, and they have a limited number of guest suites.
''Echelon''-class starships are intended for second-contact missions and other routine diplomatic interactions with established powers. In particular, they are useful where a large amount of cargo must be moved as part of a humanitarian or diplomatic process. They are not luxurious, either in their facilities or in their interior finishes, but they do have dedicated guest quarters, conference facilities, and variable life support systems. These starships are also good candidates for transporting ambassadors within Federation space, as well as providing transport to foreign dignitaries.
 
Starfleet is building some of these ships as long-range diplomatic couriers. Taking advantage of their speed, their mission pod is fitted with advanced communications systems and they have quarters for a VIP guest.  


==Engineering==
==Engineering==
With a circular primary hull and underslung deflector dish, the ''Duderstadt class'' outwardly resembles the traditional layout of Federation ships dating back to the ''Constitution'' class, but upon closer inspection, she varies from this formula quite substantially. The upper portion of the secondary hull is long, narrow, and tall. This area of the ship contains the impulse engines, warp nacelle pylons, shuttle bays, cargo bays, and both forward and aft torpedo launchers. It is connected to a roughly-cylindrical mission pod that contains specialty equipment, along with the ship’s warp core and antimatter storage. The entire secondary hull is modular, built to spec for a particular ship’s intended mission. The upper portion can be separated from the saucer, and the lower mission pod can be separated from the upper portion. This procedure would take many months in space dock, however, as the new sections would have to be carefully integrated into the ship for proper balancing of the warp field, structural integrity fields, and power systems.
Though they are outwardly very similar to ''Sagan''-class starships, ''Echelon''-class starships do not incorporate the same Borg-derived advances in their systems. Systems aboard the ''Echelon'' are tried-and-true, optimized for ruggedness and ease of maintenance over performance. Their internal complexity is also comparatively less, because of not needing a second warp core or full second set of warp nacelles. Like with the ''Sagan'', a roughly circular saucer section is joined to a flat secondary hull, with the nacelles mounted above the ship. Warp speeds match the ''Sagan'', but with half the endurance.
 
In their early service, ''Duderstadt''-class starships have proven themselves to be quite finicky and particular. Each configuration has its own engineering and maintenance protocols, separate from the class’s main specifications. Their unusual hull dynamics also require extreme precision in the engine calibration to avoid losses of efficiency. While they are by no means unreliable, they require constant attention from their engineers to keep them that way.


The ship’s main hanger is located on the stern and is relatively compact. Another hanger is located amidships behind the bridge, with a lift leading down into the saucer section near the cargo bays and engineering shops.
Secondary craft facilities dominate the aft end of the ship, with three hangers on the stern and a fourth connected to a staging area behind the bridge. These hangers are interconnected with cargo bays as well, making the ''Echelon'' adept at engineering and humanitarian support missions. They can also deploy a wing of fighters, but their mission parameters don’t usually call for them.


==Tactical==
==Tactical==
''Duderstadt''-class cruisers have a torpedo-focused defensive suite, with four forward and two aft torpedo launchers located above the mission pod. This arrangement allows them to take advantage of their sensor range to fire from afar, rather than getting involved in closer-range knife fights with their four Type-XIV phaser arrays. These ships are reliant on first strikes, as their armaments are biased towards their forward quarter.
''Echelon''-class starships are reasonably well-armed and well-shielded, but they are mid-level ships, not intended to go toe-to-toe with threats on their own. They are armed with 8 Type-XIV phaser arrays around the saucer and secondary hull, as well as two forward and two aft torpedo launchers in the pods on the nacelle struts. Metaphasic shielding is standard. While this arsenal is significant, and easily out-classes older ships, ''Echelon'' class ships’ power generation capabilities are lower than those of a heavy cruiser or explorer, and so their overall firepower is limited.
 
As with smaller scouts, their priority is generally to fire with the intent to disable before leaving the battle to report back to Starfleet Command. The scout-cruiser version of this ship can be used in a hunter-killer role when a specific vessel needs to be found and disabled, but they would not be able to handle a stand-up engagement with a determined aggressor.
 
==Variants==
Duderstadt-class ships are configurable for specific mission profiles, and they typically retain the same profile for years at a time. The process of reconfiguring them can take months, as the mission-configurable components of the ship are also essential for power generation and warp flight. There are three variants currently in service. Starfleet is considering others, such as a fast-response ambulance vessel.
 
===Scout-Cruiser Variant===
The most-produced variant of the ''Duderstadt'', the scout-cruiser is a deep space reconnaissance vessel, designed to supplement ''Rhode Island''-class scouts on missions requiring a larger crew. The pod is equipped with advanced long-range sensors.
 
===Heavy Surveyor Variant===
The heavy surveyor variant of the ''Duderstadt'' supplements ''Nova'' and ''Grissom''-class surveyors on missions where there is greater danger and missions further from a port of call. The pod is equipped with finely-tuned planetary sensors.


===Courier Variant===
Unique amongst current starship classes, their weapons have been specifically tuned with traceable payloads which can ionize the hulls of their targets to allow them to be tracked. This allows the ''Echelon'' to essentially tag threats that it can’t handle on its own, so it can either pursue them through warp and/or summon help to deal with them. This capability is especially useful in pursuing smugglers, pirates, and others who will tend to run rather than stand and fight.  
The courier variant of the ''Duderstadt'' is used for transporting ambassadors and other officials long distances at high speeds for important diplomatic duties. The pod is equipped with advanced long-range communications systems.  


==Shipboard Life==
==Shipboard Life==
Still relatively new, ''Duderstadt''-class starships are exciting assignments for their crew members. Though a light cruiser, the class is often assigned on missions that venture outside of Federation space. They are a little more cramped than the [[Echelon Class|''Echelon''-class light cruiser]], because of their smaller size, but this is made up for by getting a slightly more interesting mission profile. As with other new model starships, the interiors are sleek and polished. Crew recreation spaces are well-appointed, to make up for relatively small quarters. Medical areas are designed primarily to serve the crew, as these ships will take on humanitarian assignments only as a secondary duty.
''Echelon''-class starships are optimized for their overall performance and the ease of internal access to critical systems, meaning that they are sleek and spartan like most other ships of this era in starship design. As on the ''Sagan'', crew quarters are smaller than on some older classes, and there are fewer quarters with windows. Crew recreation is thus focused on communal areas, including several lounges, bars, and mess halls. Holodeck facilities are state-of-the-art.  


Among ''Duderstadt'' crews, there is a friendly rivalry over which of the variants is the most useful or most interesting to serve on. Given the modular nature of the class, there is also a culture of exploring innovations and new ideas to optimize each particular vessel to try to be the best in the sub-class.  
Medical facilities are larger on the ''Echelon'' than on the ''Sagan'', because of the ship’s intended role of humanitarian and generalist duties within Federation space. Several secondary wards support a main sickbay, and there are additional triage facilities available near to the shuttle bays.  


==''Duderstadt''-class History==
This class is still quite new, so it is considered a good assignment, but it is well-known that Starfleet intends to keep these ships on mid-level assignments. New officers will cut their teeth on these ships before being sent to more exciting ships headed further out into space. This is also a proving ground for new captains.
With the debut of the ''Inquiry''-class heavy cruiser at the beginning of the 2390s, there was a desire to create a smaller vessel that could help fill in some of the gaps the Inquiry left as a generalist. While the Inquiry could do everything moderately well (and excelled in tactical missions), it didn’t have many peaks in other mission profiles. There had been light cruiser orders in the backlog created when Utopia Planitia was destroyed (such as the USS ''Intrepid''), but no design had yet emerged. This project was put on the back burner several times, but by the middle of the decade, the design process began in earnest. Starfleet was interested in a modern version of the [[Nebula Class|''Nebula''-class heavy cruiser]], but that project became the [[Sutherland Class|''Sutherland''-class research cruiser]], another highly-specialized vessel.  


The idea of a smaller mission-configurable vessel guided the development of the ''Duderstadt'', but it was found that a mission pod alone was not enough to allow this ship to excel in a particular area. Instead, it was decided that the entire secondary hull would be built as the mission demanded. In practice, Starfleet found that most ships with mission pods kept them for years at a time, so it was deemed acceptable to lose the ability to hot-swap between variants at a whim. Three initial variants were conceived, each of them relying on powerful deflector dishes: the scout-cruiser, heavy surveyor, and diplomatic courier variants.
==''Echelon''-class History==
Design on the ''Echelon'' and ''Sagan'' classes began in the early 2390s at the San Francisco Fleet Yards. As part of a general trend in Starfleet shipbuilding towards the aesthetics of the 2290s—clean lines, fewer windows, and fewer curves—this project was originally envisioned as just one class with both two and four-nacelled units to serve as close and long-range versions of the same basic mid-sized cruiser design. As this process progressed, though, Starfleet chose the four-nacelled design to become not just another heavy cruiser design, but a long-range explorer and the testbed for many Borg-inspired systems developed from extensive research into ''Voyager''’s systems and work on the so-called Artifact. Production on the ''Echelon'' class began in 2394, and the first vessels entered service by 2397.


The first vessels of this class left the yards in 2397, and it is now in full production.<gallery>
By the early 25th century, the ''Echelon''-class is still quite new, but is becoming a recognizable part of the fleet throughout Federation space. <gallery>
File:TrumbullPromo.jpeg
File:YorktownPromo.jpeg
File:DuderstadtSchematic.png
File:StrenbachPromo.jpeg
File:ColePromo.jpeg
</gallery>
</gallery>


==The ''Duderstadt'' Class In-Play==
==The ''Echelon'' Class In-Play==


*This class is conceptually somewhere between the ''Intrepid'' and ''Nebula'', with a forward reconnaissance bent coupled with the ability to be configured for specific mission profiles. Unlike the ''Echelon'', it tends to leave Federation space more often, but it is less well-armed and less versatile. The ''Duderstadt'' excels in one area at a time.
*Echelon-class starships are externally identical to the ''Sagan'', but with only two nacelles. They are shorter range, have a smaller crew, and are meant to serve as cruisers, rather than venturing off too far into deep space. They’re new and capable, but a little less special than the ''Sagan''.
*The idea that the pod is swappable on this class comes from production information on Twitter. Since the pod also contains the warp core, we have taken this to mean that it’s not as simple as just bolting a new one on over a few hours or days at a starbase. We’re extrapolating the reconfigurability to include the entire secondary hull, and suggesting that this class is built in several different variants. Once you decide which variant your ship is using, it’s pretty much stuck that way without months in spacedock.
*This class has a large shuttle/cargo complex, so it would be good at similar types of missions to the Cerritos, like engineering support, but it’s also much better armed, so those support missions could happen in more dangerous eras.
*We have seen that in this era of Star Trek, things are shiny and polished, with little emphasis on luxury. Fewer windows means either smaller quarters or at least fewer quarters with windows, so your crew are going to have to get to know each other in the lounge or bar.


{{clear}}
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Revision as of 00:46, 25 April 2023

This article is official Bravo Fleet canon.

Federation Faction Starfleet







Echelon1.jpg
Echelon-class light cruiser
Information
Affiliation

United Federation of Planets

Status

Active

Type

Light Cruiser

Role

Mid-Level Generalist

Service
Operator

Starfleet

Entered Service

2397

Endurance
Expected Design Life

100 years

Expected Refit Cycle

25 years

Expected Resupply Cycle

3 years

Crew Capacity
Standard Complement

400

Emergency Capacity

6,000

Dimensions
Length

540.7 meters

Decks

16 (18 with torpedo pods)

Propulsion
Cruise Speed

Warp 8

Maximum Speed

Warp 9.98

Armaments
Energy Weapons

8 Type-XIV Phaser Arrays

Torpedo Launchers
  • 2 forward
  • 2 aft
Torpedo Payload
  • 200 photon torpedoes
  • 100 quantum torpedoes
Shields

Multiphasic Shielding

Small Craft
Shuttlebays

4

Shuttles

20

Runabouts

6

Fighters

Up to 12

Template:Specification

The Echelon-class light cruiser is a mid-sized starship intended to be an all-rounder within Federation space for defensive and humanitarian missions. Designed alongside the Sagan-class light explorer, the Echelon has simplified internal systems, shorter range, and a smaller crew compared to her sister, in exchange for easier maintenance and more versatility.

Science and Exploration

As with all Starfleet cruiser classes, the Echelon carries a full range of science labs, sensor pallets, and scientific specialists. These ships perform generalist duties within Federation space, which includes stellar mapping and routine scientific studies. Given that the majority of her time is spent on things other than science, many of her labs are mission-configurable, and she is able to embark scientists working on independent projects while the ship carries out patrol or relief missions. They are also ideal for missions of scientific interest where a smaller vessel would be out of its depth, but a large Sutherland-class research cruiser would be in too much danger.

Echelon-class ships have oversized small craft capabilities, just like the Sagan, and so they are a good platform for launching scouting missions via runabout and for deploying probes. They also routinely service scientific outposts, so they support Starfleet’s scientific agenda in indirect ways.

Diplomacy

Echelon-class starships are intended for second-contact missions and other routine diplomatic interactions with established powers. In particular, they are useful where a large amount of cargo must be moved as part of a humanitarian or diplomatic process. They are not luxurious, either in their facilities or in their interior finishes, but they do have dedicated guest quarters, conference facilities, and variable life support systems. These starships are also good candidates for transporting ambassadors within Federation space, as well as providing transport to foreign dignitaries.

Engineering

Though they are outwardly very similar to Sagan-class starships, Echelon-class starships do not incorporate the same Borg-derived advances in their systems. Systems aboard the Echelon are tried-and-true, optimized for ruggedness and ease of maintenance over performance. Their internal complexity is also comparatively less, because of not needing a second warp core or full second set of warp nacelles. Like with the Sagan, a roughly circular saucer section is joined to a flat secondary hull, with the nacelles mounted above the ship. Warp speeds match the Sagan, but with half the endurance.

Secondary craft facilities dominate the aft end of the ship, with three hangers on the stern and a fourth connected to a staging area behind the bridge. These hangers are interconnected with cargo bays as well, making the Echelon adept at engineering and humanitarian support missions. They can also deploy a wing of fighters, but their mission parameters don’t usually call for them.

Tactical

Echelon-class starships are reasonably well-armed and well-shielded, but they are mid-level ships, not intended to go toe-to-toe with threats on their own. They are armed with 8 Type-XIV phaser arrays around the saucer and secondary hull, as well as two forward and two aft torpedo launchers in the pods on the nacelle struts. Metaphasic shielding is standard. While this arsenal is significant, and easily out-classes older ships, Echelon class ships’ power generation capabilities are lower than those of a heavy cruiser or explorer, and so their overall firepower is limited.

Unique amongst current starship classes, their weapons have been specifically tuned with traceable payloads which can ionize the hulls of their targets to allow them to be tracked. This allows the Echelon to essentially tag threats that it can’t handle on its own, so it can either pursue them through warp and/or summon help to deal with them. This capability is especially useful in pursuing smugglers, pirates, and others who will tend to run rather than stand and fight.

Shipboard Life

Echelon-class starships are optimized for their overall performance and the ease of internal access to critical systems, meaning that they are sleek and spartan like most other ships of this era in starship design. As on the Sagan, crew quarters are smaller than on some older classes, and there are fewer quarters with windows. Crew recreation is thus focused on communal areas, including several lounges, bars, and mess halls. Holodeck facilities are state-of-the-art.

Medical facilities are larger on the Echelon than on the Sagan, because of the ship’s intended role of humanitarian and generalist duties within Federation space. Several secondary wards support a main sickbay, and there are additional triage facilities available near to the shuttle bays.

This class is still quite new, so it is considered a good assignment, but it is well-known that Starfleet intends to keep these ships on mid-level assignments. New officers will cut their teeth on these ships before being sent to more exciting ships headed further out into space. This is also a proving ground for new captains.

Echelon-class History

Design on the Echelon and Sagan classes began in the early 2390s at the San Francisco Fleet Yards. As part of a general trend in Starfleet shipbuilding towards the aesthetics of the 2290s—clean lines, fewer windows, and fewer curves—this project was originally envisioned as just one class with both two and four-nacelled units to serve as close and long-range versions of the same basic mid-sized cruiser design. As this process progressed, though, Starfleet chose the four-nacelled design to become not just another heavy cruiser design, but a long-range explorer and the testbed for many Borg-inspired systems developed from extensive research into Voyager’s systems and work on the so-called Artifact. Production on the Echelon class began in 2394, and the first vessels entered service by 2397.

By the early 25th century, the Echelon-class is still quite new, but is becoming a recognizable part of the fleet throughout Federation space.

The Echelon Class In-Play

  • Echelon-class starships are externally identical to the Sagan, but with only two nacelles. They are shorter range, have a smaller crew, and are meant to serve as cruisers, rather than venturing off too far into deep space. They’re new and capable, but a little less special than the Sagan.
  • This class has a large shuttle/cargo complex, so it would be good at similar types of missions to the Cerritos, like engineering support, but it’s also much better armed, so those support missions could happen in more dangerous eras.
  • We have seen that in this era of Star Trek, things are shiny and polished, with little emphasis on luxury. Fewer windows means either smaller quarters or at least fewer quarters with windows, so your crew are going to have to get to know each other in the lounge or bar.