Difference between pages "Fourth Fleet" and "Akira Class"

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{{Task_Force
{{Specification
| name = Fourth Fleet
| image = [[Image:Akiraclass.png]]
| seal = [[Image:Bf-delta.png]]
| displayName = '''''Akira'' Class'''
| areaofops = Milky Way Galaxy
| name = Akira
| designation = Bravo Fleet
| affiliation = [[United Federation of Planets]]
| url = [http://www.bravofleet.com/ Bravo Fleet]
| operator = [[Starfleet]]
| sims =
| status =
|co=Fleet Admiral [[bfms_char:13085|Teylas Ramar]]
| role = *Heavy Cruiser
|xo=Vice Admiral [[bfms_char:49761|Liam Dahlgren]]
*Light Carrier
|cas=
| type = Heavy Cruiser
| precedingClass =
| succeedingClass =
| dateEntered = 2363
| productionEnd =
| retired =
| expectedDuration = 80 Years
| expectedRefit = 10 Years
| timeResupply = 1 Year
| crewComplement = 550
| emergencyCap = 4,500
| civilians =
| populationCap =
| flightCrew =
| passengers =
| length = 464 meters
| width = 317  meters
| diameter =
| height = 87 meters
| decks = 17
| propulsionSystem = Matter/Antimatter powered warp drive
| cruiseSpeed = Warp 7
| maxSpeed = Warp 9
| emergencySpeed =  Warp 9.8 (12 hours)
| energyWeapons = *3x Type-X Phaser Arrays
| torpLaunchers = *2 (primary hull), 4 forward (weapons pod)
* 1 starboard (primary hull), 3 starbard aft (weapons pod)
* 1 port (primary hull), 3 port aft (weapons pod)
| torpPayload = *225 Photon Torpedoes
*225 Quantum Torpedoes
| shields = Multi-Layered Shielding System
| dockingfacilities =
| shuttleBays = 2
| shuttles = 12
| runabouts = 6
| fighters = 12
| aux =  
| msd =
| playable = yes
}}
}}
The '''''Akira''-class heavy cruiser''' is a medium-sized starship designed originally immediately following the Wolf 359 attack by the Borg., While she has substantial exploratory capabilities, the ''Akira'' has always been more aligned with Starfleet’s defensive aims than its exploratory ones. With extensive torpedo armament and dedicated facilities to hold combat-capable small craft, the ''Akira''-class heavy cruiser serves ably as both direct combatant and as a carrier. Units of this class served with distinction in the Dominion War and Battle of Sector 001.


The '''Fourth Fleet''', colloquially known as '''Bravo Fleet''', is one of the numbered fleets that make up [[Starfleet]]. Founded in response to the Borg incursions and rising Dominion threat of the 2360s and 70s, for much of the past two decades it has been assigned duties following the [[United Federation of Planets|Federation's]] non-interventionist policies since the Attack on Mars. Recently, however, the Fourth Fleet has been repurposed for missions beyond the Federation's territory and interests. With a highly specialised array of Task Forces, Bravo Fleet is dedicated to frontier defence, humanitarian support across borders, diplomatic engagement, and deep-space exploration.
=== Exploration and Science ===
During peacetime, the ''Akira''-class’s large hangar bays allow it to carry scouts and runabouts on long-range missions, which expand its exploratory capabilities significantly. Her extensive torpedo magazines can also be configured to store probes instead. This allows them to survey an entire star system quickly, even if they are not equipped to do so in as great depth as a ''Nova''-class surveyor might be. Science labs on this class are essentially equivalent to those aboard any light cruiser built in the 2370s, as her greater size has been used for hanger facilities. This makes them capable of independent exploratory missions, though they are more often assigned to patrol Federation space.


== Overview ==
With her large cargo bays and hanger bays, the ''Akira''-class is well-suited to resupplying outlying scientific outposts or setting up field camps for research expeditions. Otherwise, these ships don’t often find themselves venturing too far beyond Federation space.


The modern incarnation of the Fourth Fleet came into being after the Borg incursion of 2367, which triggered a period of Starfleet developing its militarised technology and policies, leading to the development of a technologically cutting-edge fighting force preparing for future such encounters. Bravo Fleet was officially formed shortly after the Battle of Sector 001, but early Starfleet losses in the Dominion War saw a need for better strategic and tactical cooperation between their forces and those of the [[Klingon Empire]]. Thus was the fleet repurposed as the Starfleet wing of the primary joint force with the KDF, fitted and developed as a combat unit from the beginning, albeit now against a different foe. After the war, Bravo Fleet retained this status as a flexible unit adapting to Starfleet needs, often on dangerous frontiers.
=== Diplomacy ===
The Akira-class is not meant as a diplomatic platform, especially given that she was designed alongside the ''Norway'', which was specifically designed for this purpose. The class is equipped with adequate guest quarters, but its relatively modest top speed limits its utility as a courier. Its place in Federation diplomacy is in being extremely adept at taking down raiders and other threats to potential allies, and so its presence in a star system can be deeply reassuring during negotiations, or it can serve as a reminder of the Federation’s strength to hostile powers.


The [[ma:Attack on Mars|Attack on Mars]] led to a significant shift in Starfleet protocols. Federation policy demanded a non-interventionist approach to interstellar affairs, a focus within its own borders in resources, defence, and research. Bravo Fleet thus spent much of the next fifteen years with minimal resources, plugging gaps where needed and rarely fulfilling its original mandate. This changed in 2399 with a shift in the lower echelons of [[Starfleet Command Staff|Starfleet Command]], a drive to return to Starfleet's traditional role, and a reluctant allocation of resources and a new mission for Bravo Fleet followed.
=== Engineering ===
[[File:Starfleet1.jpg|thumb|Many of the galaxy's dangers still require a large-scale response from Starfleet.]]
While the hull shape of this vessel is radically different from most other Federation ships of the time, its actual engines and other systems are fairly conventional. The primary and secondary hulls have been integrated into a monohull, with the nacelle pylons integrated into sweeping catamarans and connected by a small pod. Engine and computer systems are borrowed heavily from the ''Nebula''-class, though the class has simplified warp nacelles.  
Now, specialised task forces undertake key operations across the galaxy on matters of diplomatic intervention and deep space exploration, with Starfleet ships pushing beyond borders and involving themselves in political engagements of other powers on a scale barely seen in two decades. With relatively limited resources and support from Starfleet, and many apprehensive that their mission may draw the attention of threats to the Federation, old and new, the Fourth Fleet faces an uphill battle in upholding Starfleet’s legacy of diplomacy, exploration, and peace.


The Fourth Fleet is led by the senior officers of [[Fourth Fleet Command]].
There is a single forward shuttle bay which connects through the hull to two aft bays, allowing for small craft to fly straight through the ship, which aids in the launch and recovery of fighters in combat situations, as they can leave through the forward bay and return under the protection of the ship’s catamaran structures aft.


== Mandate ==
=== Tactical ===
As a collection of highly-adaptive, specialised task forces, Bravo Fleet is a largely decentralised unit with wings across the galaxy to meet the changing needs on Federation frontiers. Each task force thus maintains a headquarters in the region of the galaxy that presently most benefits from their presence. However, any ship may be dispatched to any sector requiring their expertise and involvement.
The ''Akira''-class is heavily armed, with more torpedo launchers than any other Federation starship currently in service. The primary hull has two forward torpedo launchers, one dorsal and one ventral, as well as two pairs of launchers firing directly starboard and directly port, which is a unique feature for Starfleet vessels. In addition to these launchers, the tactical pod contains four forward torpedo launchers, a single aft torpedo launcher, and two pairs of launchers firing aft-starboard and aft-port. This all-around torpedo coverage allows the ''Akira'' to lay down continual barrages of torpedo fire even while maneuvering around an enemy vessel, or to lob torpedoes at multiple threats at the same time.  


=== [[Task Force 17]] ===
Phaser coverage is provided by three Type-X phaser arrays, all on the forward end of the ship. This gives the ship blind spots on the aft quarter that are unusual for a Starfleet ship, but she makes up for this by carrying enough small craft to provide cover. On a typical tactical deployment, the ''Akira'' two squadrons of twelve ''Valkyrie''-class fighters, or a mix of fighters and bombers. In her standard exploratory loadout, this is reduced to twelve fighters, with a half-dozen runabouts.
''Deep space operations''. Task Force 17 conducts deep space exploratory and diplomatic missions far beyond Federation borders, in challenging, distant corners of the galaxy such as the Delta and Gamma Quadrants. They are specialists in long-term operations with little support from Starfleet infrastructure.


=== [[Task Force 72]] ===
=== Shipboard Life ===
''Diplomacy and peacekeeping.'' Based out of Starbase 72, close to the Cardassian border, Task Force 72’s ships are at the forefront of diplomatic intervention and peacekeeping. Their duties focus on engagement with political powers in volatile regions, ensuring stability between major governments and the protection of local populaces.
Akira-class ships are fairly standard Federation ships of the line, and so they employ diverse, well-balanced crews. These ships spend most of their time on the frontier and supporting frontline colonies, so deployment times tend to be longer than other ships of their size, with more time in between starbase stops.  


=== [[Task Force 86]] ===
Like other ships of her era, she has comparatively fewer windows than other ships of the same size, and her accommodations are much less luxurious than those found aboard the ''Nebula'' and ''Galaxy''-class starships. Four holodecks complement an assortment of lounges, gymnasiums, and other recreational facilities. By the 2390s, the ''Akira'' is considered a second-tier vessel, but the class has a number of unique features that keep her an important part of the Federation’s defensive arsenal, most notably her carrier abilities. Because of this, she is a favored assignment for flight control officers. Unlike the ''Argonaut''-class, the ''Akira''-class typically maintains a set small craft arrangement for extended periods of time, generally a mix of both runabouts and fighters, and so there is more cohesion between the flight crews and the ship’s main crew.
''Border defence and counterinsurgency.'' Based out of Starbase 86 and bordering the unclaimed [[The Triangle|Triangle]] region of the [[:Category:Beta Quadrant|Beta Quadrant]], Task Force 86 has a mandate of maintaining local stability and security. They operate in regions beset by insurgency or criminal forces, primarily through cooperation and support of local governments and civilian populations.


=== [[Task Force 93]] ===
== Class History ==
''Humanitarian operations''. Based out of Devron Fleet Yards on the border to the old [[Romulan Neutral Zone]], Task Force 93 is tasked with providing humanitarian support and protection to struggling regions of the galaxy. While this includes protection from predatory factions, Task Force 93 aids worlds devastated by natural disasters or violence, and treats with local and major powers to coordinate this assistance.
The Battle of Wolf 359 in 2367 led to a radical redesign program for the fleet’s construction projects. Four starship projects, the ''Akira'', ''Norway'', ''Steamrunner'', and ''Saber-''class, which were slated to come into service later in the century were pushed up and their designs were made more suitable for combat, with an immediate halt to production of the ''Challenger'', ''Springfield'', and ''Cheyenne'' classes. While the ''New Orleans''-class was the most successful of all of these four classes, it was still decided to cancel its production run in favor of more heavy cruisers–and so the ''Akira''-class is not a direct replacement, but it did take the place of most of these smaller ships’ production orders.


== Major Events ==
Unlike the ''Saber'', the ''Akira'' had to be designed completely from scratch, as the ''Nebula''-class heavy cruiser had just entered service and there were no plans for its successor yet. In the end, even though both designs were designated as heavy cruisers, there was a substantial performance and size difference between the ''Akira'' and ''Nebula'', which led to them being produced in tandem. Indeed, both classes continue in production to the current day.
[[File:Jointforces1jetfreak-7.png|thumb|The fleet was born from joint operations with Federation allies]]
 
* '''2367:''' Starfleet plans to form a technologically advanced fighting force to counter future Borg threats.
The ''Akira'' herself launched in 2371, thanks to extensive borrowing of technology from other starship classes–notably the engines and computer systems–even though the hull shape itself was radically different. While still rare at the beginning of the Dominion War, they were produced in large numbers to replace the ''Excelsior'' and ''Miranda''-class ships that were suffering high attrition rates in the first year of the war. By 2375, the ''Akira'' was a major part of the Federation’s combat fleet.
* '''2373:''' The Fourth Fleet, codenamed Bravo Fleet, is formed.
 
* '''2374:''' With the outbreak of the Dominion War, Bravo Fleet is assigned as the Starfleet wing of the joint Federation-Klingon Alliance forces. It will proceed to have a strong bond with the KDF for decades to come.
Post-war, the class continued in production as it was a capable platform that required a smaller crew than the ''Nebula'' but which also offered extensive tactical options to Starfleet Command. Like the later ''Atlantia''-class, the ''Akira'' participated extensively in the Romulan evacuation in the middle of the 2380s because of her large hanger.  
* '''2376:''' Bravo Fleet is adapted after the war as a flexible unit to respond to a variety of Federation and galactic crises.
 
* '''2384:''' With the pending Romulan Supernova, the Fourth Fleet is assigned to assist the initial Romulan Evacuation efforts.
By 2399, production of this class continues in limited numbers, though it has largely been supplanted by the ''Inquiry''-class.
* '''2385:''' After the Attack on Mars, the evacuation is aborted and resource allocation to the Fourth Fleet is greatly reduced as Starfleet focuses on internal Federation affairs. The Fourth Fleet loses much of its prestige over the next 14 years.
 
* '''2391:''' Forces from the Fourth Fleet participate in Operation: Gatecrasher, ejecting annexing forces of the insurrectionist Klingon movement the [[Sovereignty of Kahless]] from Federation border worlds.
== In Play ==
* '''2399:''' Starfleet Command issues a directive allocating resources to new border and deep space operations. Bravo Fleet is assigned to this project, despite public misgivings of such a use of Starfleet resources.
 
* '''2399:''' Incursions by the [[Hunters of D'Ghor]] into Federation territory are [[Archanis Campaign|repelled by forces of the Fourth Fleet]].
* While combat-oriented, the ''Akira'' isn’t as hopeless when it comes to exploring as the ''Defiant'' or the ''Saber''. It can handle run-of-the-mill scientific and exploratory missions, and given its age, it’s more likely to be handed these minor tasks within Federation space. Still, it’s more likely to be on patrol somewhere than hunting down subspace anomalies.
** Bravo Fleet ships respond to the [[Echoes of the Tkon|Omega Crisis]]. When the role of relics of the fallen [[Tkon Empire]] is discovered, the Fourth Fleet's decentralised nature has it lead the way in Starfleet's search for and use of Tkon technology to resolve the crisis.
* Fighters aren’t that useful against major threat vessels, but they’re great against raiders and small attackers, which is why this ship excels at frontier defense duties.
*'''2400:''' The outbreak of the [[Century Storm]] in the Paulson Nebula endangers dozens of colony worlds and all activity in the region. Nearby [[Starbase Bravo]] takes point on the humanitarian response, with ships of the Fourth Fleet deployed to help.
* By 2399, this is a relatively common ship, but it’s also potent as a ship of the line. Captains of these vessels would be more experienced than those of smaller ships, but this is no longer a particularly prestigious posting.
 
{{clear}}
[[Category:Federation Starship Classes (2368-2375)]]

Revision as of 18:04, 25 January 2024

This article is official Bravo Fleet canon.









Akiraclass.png
Akira Class
Information
Affiliation

United Federation of Planets

Type

Heavy Cruiser

Role
  • Heavy Cruiser
  • Light Carrier
Service
Operator

Starfleet

Entered Service

2363

Endurance
Expected Design Life

80 Years

Expected Refit Cycle

10 Years

Expected Resupply Cycle

1 Year

Crew Capacity
Standard Complement

550

Emergency Capacity

4,500

Dimensions
Length

464 meters

Width

317 meters

Height

87 meters

Decks

17

Propulsion
Propulsion Systems

Matter/Antimatter powered warp drive

Cruise Speed

Warp 7

Maximum Speed

Warp 9

Emergency Speed

Warp 9.8 (12 hours)

Armaments
Energy Weapons
  • 3x Type-X Phaser Arrays
Torpedo Launchers
  • 2 (primary hull), 4 forward (weapons pod)
  • 1 starboard (primary hull), 3 starbard aft (weapons pod)
  • 1 port (primary hull), 3 port aft (weapons pod)
Torpedo Payload
  • 225 Photon Torpedoes
  • 225 Quantum Torpedoes
Shields

Multi-Layered Shielding System

Small Craft
Shuttlebays

2

Shuttles

12

Runabouts

6

Fighters

12

Template:Specification

The Akira-class heavy cruiser is a medium-sized starship designed originally immediately following the Wolf 359 attack by the Borg., While she has substantial exploratory capabilities, the Akira has always been more aligned with Starfleet’s defensive aims than its exploratory ones. With extensive torpedo armament and dedicated facilities to hold combat-capable small craft, the Akira-class heavy cruiser serves ably as both direct combatant and as a carrier. Units of this class served with distinction in the Dominion War and Battle of Sector 001.

Exploration and Science

During peacetime, the Akira-class’s large hangar bays allow it to carry scouts and runabouts on long-range missions, which expand its exploratory capabilities significantly. Her extensive torpedo magazines can also be configured to store probes instead. This allows them to survey an entire star system quickly, even if they are not equipped to do so in as great depth as a Nova-class surveyor might be. Science labs on this class are essentially equivalent to those aboard any light cruiser built in the 2370s, as her greater size has been used for hanger facilities. This makes them capable of independent exploratory missions, though they are more often assigned to patrol Federation space.

With her large cargo bays and hanger bays, the Akira-class is well-suited to resupplying outlying scientific outposts or setting up field camps for research expeditions. Otherwise, these ships don’t often find themselves venturing too far beyond Federation space.

Diplomacy

The Akira-class is not meant as a diplomatic platform, especially given that she was designed alongside the Norway, which was specifically designed for this purpose. The class is equipped with adequate guest quarters, but its relatively modest top speed limits its utility as a courier. Its place in Federation diplomacy is in being extremely adept at taking down raiders and other threats to potential allies, and so its presence in a star system can be deeply reassuring during negotiations, or it can serve as a reminder of the Federation’s strength to hostile powers.

Engineering

While the hull shape of this vessel is radically different from most other Federation ships of the time, its actual engines and other systems are fairly conventional. The primary and secondary hulls have been integrated into a monohull, with the nacelle pylons integrated into sweeping catamarans and connected by a small pod. Engine and computer systems are borrowed heavily from the Nebula-class, though the class has simplified warp nacelles.

There is a single forward shuttle bay which connects through the hull to two aft bays, allowing for small craft to fly straight through the ship, which aids in the launch and recovery of fighters in combat situations, as they can leave through the forward bay and return under the protection of the ship’s catamaran structures aft.

Tactical

The Akira-class is heavily armed, with more torpedo launchers than any other Federation starship currently in service. The primary hull has two forward torpedo launchers, one dorsal and one ventral, as well as two pairs of launchers firing directly starboard and directly port, which is a unique feature for Starfleet vessels. In addition to these launchers, the tactical pod contains four forward torpedo launchers, a single aft torpedo launcher, and two pairs of launchers firing aft-starboard and aft-port. This all-around torpedo coverage allows the Akira to lay down continual barrages of torpedo fire even while maneuvering around an enemy vessel, or to lob torpedoes at multiple threats at the same time.

Phaser coverage is provided by three Type-X phaser arrays, all on the forward end of the ship. This gives the ship blind spots on the aft quarter that are unusual for a Starfleet ship, but she makes up for this by carrying enough small craft to provide cover. On a typical tactical deployment, the Akira two squadrons of twelve Valkyrie-class fighters, or a mix of fighters and bombers. In her standard exploratory loadout, this is reduced to twelve fighters, with a half-dozen runabouts.

Shipboard Life

Akira-class ships are fairly standard Federation ships of the line, and so they employ diverse, well-balanced crews. These ships spend most of their time on the frontier and supporting frontline colonies, so deployment times tend to be longer than other ships of their size, with more time in between starbase stops.

Like other ships of her era, she has comparatively fewer windows than other ships of the same size, and her accommodations are much less luxurious than those found aboard the Nebula and Galaxy-class starships. Four holodecks complement an assortment of lounges, gymnasiums, and other recreational facilities. By the 2390s, the Akira is considered a second-tier vessel, but the class has a number of unique features that keep her an important part of the Federation’s defensive arsenal, most notably her carrier abilities. Because of this, she is a favored assignment for flight control officers. Unlike the Argonaut-class, the Akira-class typically maintains a set small craft arrangement for extended periods of time, generally a mix of both runabouts and fighters, and so there is more cohesion between the flight crews and the ship’s main crew.

Class History

The Battle of Wolf 359 in 2367 led to a radical redesign program for the fleet’s construction projects. Four starship projects, the Akira, Norway, Steamrunner, and Saber-class, which were slated to come into service later in the century were pushed up and their designs were made more suitable for combat, with an immediate halt to production of the Challenger, Springfield, and Cheyenne classes. While the New Orleans-class was the most successful of all of these four classes, it was still decided to cancel its production run in favor of more heavy cruisers–and so the Akira-class is not a direct replacement, but it did take the place of most of these smaller ships’ production orders.

Unlike the Saber, the Akira had to be designed completely from scratch, as the Nebula-class heavy cruiser had just entered service and there were no plans for its successor yet. In the end, even though both designs were designated as heavy cruisers, there was a substantial performance and size difference between the Akira and Nebula, which led to them being produced in tandem. Indeed, both classes continue in production to the current day.

The Akira herself launched in 2371, thanks to extensive borrowing of technology from other starship classes–notably the engines and computer systems–even though the hull shape itself was radically different. While still rare at the beginning of the Dominion War, they were produced in large numbers to replace the Excelsior and Miranda-class ships that were suffering high attrition rates in the first year of the war. By 2375, the Akira was a major part of the Federation’s combat fleet.

Post-war, the class continued in production as it was a capable platform that required a smaller crew than the Nebula but which also offered extensive tactical options to Starfleet Command. Like the later Atlantia-class, the Akira participated extensively in the Romulan evacuation in the middle of the 2380s because of her large hanger.  

By 2399, production of this class continues in limited numbers, though it has largely been supplanted by the Inquiry-class.

In Play

  • While combat-oriented, the Akira isn’t as hopeless when it comes to exploring as the Defiant or the Saber. It can handle run-of-the-mill scientific and exploratory missions, and given its age, it’s more likely to be handed these minor tasks within Federation space. Still, it’s more likely to be on patrol somewhere than hunting down subspace anomalies.
  • Fighters aren’t that useful against major threat vessels, but they’re great against raiders and small attackers, which is why this ship excels at frontier defense duties.
  • By 2399, this is a relatively common ship, but it’s also potent as a ship of the line. Captains of these vessels would be more experienced than those of smaller ships, but this is no longer a particularly prestigious posting.