The Phoenix Class


Nebula Class Replacement
Mk. 2
Gamma Revision

The Phoenix Project

Though more up-to-date than its largercousin, the Galaxy class, the Nebula class was found to besignificantly lacking. With the new ships of the line, as well as the newthreats facing the Federation, a class that fulfilled the same missionperameters as the originalNebula class but was brought up to currentstandards of performance was required. At the same time, with a score ofNebulaclass vessels in the fleet quickly approaching obsolescence, the brassof Starfleet Engineering sought to bring the fleet up to date without heavyexpenditures which might cut into their paycheck.
Who answered the call?  AbraxasShipworks, of course!  A team of ASW engineers set about 'borrowing'parts from other Starfleet projects with which to modify a victim ship,the USS Phoenix. They broke out the sledgehammers, arc welders,and coffee pots, and set about stretching the Nebula class likea heretic in AD 1500's Spain. Almost all major systems were overhauled,and for once, probably the first and last time, they were under budget.So they decided to celebrate by ruining that record and adding on experimentaltechnologies which destroyed many systems and Nameless Ensigns. Throughthis borrowing and experimentation, the development team managed to turnout one of the most technologically advanced ship classes yet constructed,only going three times the planned budget for development. So far, thePhoenixproject has been a resounding success, and has been given its own class,the Phoenix class.
Of course, like an Intel processor,no sooner is it created than it's obsolete.  Thus, ASW went back intothe guts of the Phoenix class ready to rip it apart like a slowrunner in Pomplona.  Out of this came the Phoenix Mk.2,an upgrade of the upgrade of the Nebula class. 

The Phoenix Class Mission

The Nebula class originated asa multi-task platform. It's main purposes were transportation and exploration,but it was also equipped with a mission module to allow it to be modifiedto almost any purpose. The Phoenix class fulfills these same purposesthrough many of the same methods. It has the mission module of its predecessor,and a separatable body and saucer combination used by many larger explorerclasses to provide flexibility and protection for civilians. To make thePhoenixclass capable of even more variety in its abilities, it adds more roomand more power to the original Nebula class design, as well as ahigher chance of survival in hostile situations.  The Phoenix ismeant to be a jack-of-all-trades for Starfleet, capable of almost any mission,but inferior to a ship designed specifically for that mission mission.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions:
  • Length: 490.5 m
  • Width: 327 m
  • Height: 145 m

    • Crew:
  • Officer crew: 125
  • Enlisted crew: 350
  • Passengers: 1500
  • Evacuation limit: 10,200
  • Standard # of Decks: 36

    • (Additional decks provided by missionmodule)
    Weapons:
  • 4 200 emmitter Type X Phaser Arrays(2 dorsal saucer, 1 ventral saucer, 1 ventral stardrive)
  • 2 100 emmitter Type X Phaser Arrays(Port and starboard nacelle wings)
  • 1 Type X-Pulse Phaser (Forward stardrive)
  • 3 Torpedo Tubes (1 ventral dorsal saucer,1 forward stardrive, 1 rear stardrive)
  • 8 Phalanx phaser/slug turrets (2 dorsalsaucer, 2 ventral saucer, 2 dorsal stardrive, 2 ventral stardrive)

    • Propulsion:
  • 1500+ Milicochrane Warp Core
  • Maximum Warp: 9.97 (sustainable for12 hours)
  • Cruise: Warp 7
  • Full Impulse: .28c

    • Service:
  • Expected duration: 100yrs
  • Time between resupply: 5yrs
  • Time between scheduled refit: 7yrs
  • Ship Category: Medium Cruiser/Multi-PurposeSpaceframe

    • Phoenix Class Structural Systems

    The Phoenix class's secondaryhull is significantly longer and wider than the Nebula class's originalhull.  The saucer has also been elongated by ten meters.  Thisallowed a 35% increase in internal space.  This increase is primarilyapplied to increase cargo and scientific systems spaces, though increasesin crew space and computer processing space are also allowed by this.

    The stardrive section's VariableField Geometry warp nacelles are held on articulated wings à lathe Intrepid class, jointed at their connection to the stardrivehull and at the mid point. When not in warp flight, the wings hold thenacelles close to the body of the ship for protection. When in warp flightthese wings extend to the maximum width of the saucer.   Thenacelles can yaw and slide along the lateral axis to allow for shapingof the subspace field to reduce impact on the subspace fabric, as wellas reduce Zero Point Field drag (for more information on Zero Point Fielddrag, see the Colin Wyers's Essayon Warp Fields), account for mass center shifting due to mission moduleattachment, and protect and accomodate for major structural damage.

    A pylon for attaching mission modulesrises from the spine of the secondary hull.  It utilizes the samedocking clamp system employed for attaching the saucer and secondary hull,and allows any module or similarly equipped object to be attached to thestalk, with a minimum of work, though warp field geometries limit the sizeof the attachment.

    Many systems, including habitationquarters, sickbay, and storage compartments, are modules which can be interchangedat a starbase.

    Phoenix Class Computer Systems

    The Phoenix class uses the EUNIXcomputer system.  Nodes are located throughout the ship, to controleverything from warp field geometry to arboretum environmental settings.

    Phoenix Class Medical/ScientificSystems

    Augmenting the Nebula class sensorsystems, the Phoenix class has two more rings on the saucer section,at the dorsal and ventral mid-points. These provide more clarity for mediumto long-range passive sensing, as well as access to a wider spectrum ofthe standard EM and subspace frequencies. On either side of the deflectordish, two directional scanners double the forward scanning range of theoriginal Nebula. For exploration purposes, the fighters of the Phoenixclass can be modified into medium-range explorers. All weapons on thesefighters are replaced by sensors, and engines are augmented for increasedrange and speed.

    Stellar cartography incorporatesholographic imaging to project in three dimensions the stellar surroundings.  Also included in the science complex are a half dozen modular labswhich can be adjusted to accomodate specific purposes as needed.

    The designers provide for a medicalcomplex large enough to handle as many patients as the Galaxy classsickbay, but also to serve as a chemical and biological analysis centerfor exploration. Included in this system is the wildly popular EMH markII.  Also included in the medical complex is a genetics lab for thecataloguing and processing of new specimens.  Specimens can be replicated,grown, analyzed, and stored as needed.

    Phoenix Class Crew Resources

    Crew recreation is provided by fourholodecks, a dedicated gym, and an arboretum.  One holodeck has priorityfor use as an auxillary gym and/or security training area.

    Replicator mess halls are locatedin the rear of the saucer and the rear of the stardrive, to provide during-shiftdining and/or banquet areas for the crew.

    Phoenix Class Emergency/HostileSituation Protocols

    The Phoenix class, unlike theNebulaclass,has a detachable saucer section, for separation under emergency conditions. Eighteen docking latches provide the necessary physical connections betweenthe major load-bearing members of both vehicles.  The active sideof the latches is located on the forward dorsal surface of the SecondaryHull.  The passive apertures for the latches are set into the aftventral surface of the Saucer Module.  In the event of saucer separation,the designers at ASW, ex-Starfleet Engineers themselves and eager to deliverpower into the hands of Engineers, designed the engineering section toserve as the control center for the secondary hull by including controlpanels in engineering which can be adapted to flight, weapons, communications,and sensor control.  The saucer section is equipped with landing skids,integrated into the lower hull and retracted beneath hull panels duringnormal flight.  In case of emergency separation, explosive chargesare included in the docking clamps, shaped in such a way that their detonationwill disintegrate the docking clamps with little collateral structuraldamage, cutting the time for emergency saucer separation protocol to thetime needed for crew transfer and saucer acceleration.

    In cases of emergencies such as shipdestruction, ship evacuation and site-to-site transport protocols, includingtransport triage with specific destinations, come pre-programmed into thecomputer, to beam all onboard the ship to safe sections, whether they belifeboats or the detachable saucer section or some similarly pre-determinedlocale.  Emergency transport can also be initiated and controlledmanually from the bridge, engineering, or any transporter room.  Transportis handled by five primary transporters, eight cargo transporters, andsix emergency transporters.  The primary transporters can transportsix people every 90 second cycle.  Emergency protocol triggers anautomatic reconfiguration of the cargo transporters, after which they cantransport two people every 90 second cycle.  Emergency transporterscan transport twenty-two people every 90 second cycle.  This allowsfor a Phoenix class at maximum evacuation limit (10,200 passengers and475 crew) to be evacuated in approximately an hour.  A standard crewcompliment and full passenger compliment, totaling 1975 personnel, canbe evacuated in approximately eighteen minutes.  Site-to-site transporthalves the capacity, doubling these numbers.

    Eight-man lifeboats are located oneach deck for evacuation purposes.

    The Phoenix class includesnanites and larger robots to conduct repairs in environments that wouldbe extremely hazardous to human health. These automata are either remotecontrolled by engineers in the engineering section or are preprogrammedwith instructions in basic logic circuitry.

    Phoenix Class Drive and PowerSystems

    Primary power is provided by the MARAlocated in the stardrive section.  Auxillary power is provided byfusion generators located throughout the vessel.  Emergency poweris stored in batteries clustered throughout the ship capable of supplyingseventy-two hours of power for necessary systems..

    Warp propulsion is provided by a1500+ milicochrane warp drive system powered by the MARA and projectedthrough Variable Field Geometry nacelles.

    Two standard impulse engines, borrowedfrom the Galaxy class, are located on each side of the spinal missionmodule stalk on the secondary hull.  Two more are located on eachside of saucer section.  The space-time driver coils have been upgradedfor slight increases in efficiency to allow .03c faster impulse travel. The vectored exhaust fields are modified to extend slightly beyond theexhaust port, so that exhaust can be vectored in a cone of 80° fromthe centerline, increasing maneuverability

    The MARA and fusion reaction coresinclude cryogenic heat sinks to keep core wear and tear to a minimum, andto provide more useful energy for the EPS.

    Phoenix Class Defense

    The basic shield system is swiped fromthe Trinitron class's two-level system.  Protection of keypoints, such as the bridge, engineering, and warp nacelles, is aided bycryogenic cooling systems, a.k.a. heat sinks, which help dissipate EM energyfrom beam and explosive weapons away from key points in the hull and absorbit (through the vaporization of the super-cooled liquids within the heatsinks), keeping damage localized within the perimeter of heat sinks aroundthe weapons impact.

    Phoenix Class Armament

    The ASW engineers reduced the numberof phaser emplacements on the Phoenix class in favor of an extratorpedo launcher, as the torpedo launcher is seen as a more effective weapon,for its power, usefulness at warp velocities, ability to launch sensorprobes, and the flexibility introduced by new torpedo warhead developments. The Phoenix class is equipped to fire any torpedo that fits in astandard launcher, including quantum torpedoes, photon torpedoes, variablewarhead torpedoes, and EMP torpedoes.  The EMP torpedo uses a nuclearreaction to create an electromagnetic pulse in close proximity to the targetship to disable its electrical and electroplasmic systems.  Standardcompliment for the Phoenix is 10 quantum torpedoes, 5 EMP torpedoes, 5variable warhead torpedoes, and 30 photon torpedoes.

    Included in the defensive systemsis the Phalanx system of eight small turrets. Each turret includes a typeIV-pulse phaser emitter and mini-torpedo launcher (from the Icarusproject) for targetting and damaging or destroying opponent fightercraft and projectiles.  The mini-torp warhead can be programmed forproximity or timed detonation to provide a flak effect with a higher chanceof destroying or diverting enemy torpedoes.  They are located dorsaland ventral on the fore, starboard, and port edges of the saucer, and theaft end of the stardrive section.  These defensive turrets serve asecondary purpose in pathfinding through asteroid fields

    Phoenix Class Auxillary Spacecraft

    On deck 36, located behind the warpcore ejection mechanism, an auxillary hangar (to suplement the main hangaron the saucer) has been attached.  This hangar holds six fightersand their munitions.
    Flight Operations are handled bythe Chief Flight Officer (CFO), generally treated as another departmenthead.  Six engineering officers are dedicated to the maintenance ofthe fighters.
    Five other pilots serve with theCFO.

    The fighters are intended for useas an extension of the Phoenix class.  They can be used inwartime, obviously, but also they can be outfitted with sensors to reconnoiterand explore without diverting the entire vessel.
    The fighter bay can be convertedto hold three runabouts with a minimum of alteration.

    The shuttle compliment for the Phoenixclassis 5 type 9A cargo shuttles, 5 type 9 personnel shuttles, 3 type 10 specialpurpose shuttles, and 10 two-person shuttlepods for EV repairs and similaractivities.  These are distributed between the main shuttlebay onthe rear of the  saucer and two auxillary shuttlebays on the secondaryhull.


     

    Phoenix Class Mission Modules

    The Phoenix class, like the Nebulaclass, is designed to be the workhorse of the fleet, able to perform manytasks when other ships are not available.  So, like the Nebulaclass,it has a spinal hardpoint for attachment of a mission module. The missionmodules, unless otherwise specified, are 36m tall with triangular bases130m long and 150m wide.
    Mission modules fall into threemain categories:

    Combat:

  • Standard Combat Module- provides twoextra torpedo tubes, an extra phaser bank, and extra fusion generatorsto power the additional systems and provide redundancy for the inherentbackup systems.
  • Ground-Assault Module- This module is100m L * 50m W * 20m H.  This provides room for two hundred Marinesand their ground-assault vehicles.  It is an armored box with landingand maneuvering thrusters, shields, and an ability to undock from the Phoenixoutsideof a starbase for ship-to-surface landings.
  • Command and Communication Module- providesa large scale communications network and data processing systems, allowingthe Phoenix class ship to become a control platform for a fleetof up to twenty ships during combat operations. Adds a large war room,data processing rooms, and extra intelligence and analysis personnel.
  • Covert Operations Module- includes acloak generator and listening devices modeled after the Independenceclass (not in production due to treaty limitations).
  • Electronic Monitoring Module- providestransmission processing and decoding systems for monitoring battlefieldor similar transmissions.  Also includes communications jamming capabilities.

    • Transport:
  • Personnel Transport Module- holds twelvedecks of guest quarters, expanding the Phoenix's capacity by fivehundred.
  • Colonization Module- carries one thousandcolonists (in close quarters) to begin a settlement along with their suppliesand equipment.
  • Medical Module- provides enough roomand processing ability for the Phoenix class to serve as a fieldhospital in combat, epidemic, or natural disaster scenarios.
  • Prisoner Transport Module- houses aprisoner-guard ratio of one to two for prisoner transfer missions of upto 200 prisoners.
  • Marine Module- carries 1000 marinesin a barracks-style setup.
  • Cargo Module- increases cargo spaceof ship five fold.
  • Carrier Module- houses six extra fightersor shuttles.  Runabouts occupy half again as much space as the fightersor shuttles.

    • Science: These cover allaspects of the scientific field from stellar cartography to terraforming.They include extra sensors, labs, data processing and data storage systems,equipment storage and replication systems, extra energy systems, and missionoffficers.

    Phoenix Class DeckBreakdown

    Saucer:

    1. Observation lounge, bridge, captain’s ready room
    2. Transporter room 1, senior officer’s quarters, main shuttlebay
    3. Shuttle systems programs, viewing balcony, junior officer’s quarters
    4. Junior officer’s quarters, VIP guest accomodations, cargo bay, cargotransporters,
    5. Captain’s quarters, captain's hot tub, crew quarters, holodeck 1,phaser array 1, cargo bay, cargo transporters
    6. Crew quarters, tactical planning, arboretum, banquet/conferenceroom
    7. Crew quarters, transporter room 2, security office, brig, weaponsstorage, auxillary sensor array 1
    8. Crew quarters, holodeck 2, gymnasium, airlock, phaser array 2
    9. Guest quarters, main lounge (Phoenix Pub), saucer impulse engines
    10. Guest quarters, reactor and sensor maintenance, holodeck 1,
    11. Guest quarters, stellar cartography, biophysics, geophysics, atmosphericphysics, modular labs 1-3, primary sensor array, sensor maintenance
    12. Guest quarters, sickbay, genetic analysis, biochemistry, xenobiology,morgue, sausage factory, modular labs 4-6, docking latches, holodeck programs,replicator mess 1, torpedo storage, torpedo launcher
    13. Guest quarters, shuttle bays, docking latches, EVA access, holodecks3 and 4, black cat storage, reactor maintenance, auxillary sensor array2
    14. Guest quarters, utility replicators, cargo bays, cargo transporters,phaser array 3
    15. Guest quarters, utility replicators, transporter room 3, landingskids
    16. Captain's yacht

    Stardrive:

    12. Guest quarters, docking latches
    13. Guest quarters, cocking latches
    14. Guest quarters, transporter room 4
    15. Guest quarters, mission module access
    16. Guest quarters, torpedo launcher, torpedo storage, mission moduleaccess
    17. Guest Quarters, pulse phaser array, mission module access, mainimpulse engines
    18. Guest quarters, deuterium storage, mission module access, deflectordish, main impulse engines
    19. Guest quarters, deuterium storage, mission module access, deflectordish
    20. Guest quarters, deuterium storage, mission module access, shuttlebay 2 (doors starboard and port of mission module stem), deflector dish,directional sensors
    21. Guest quarters, airlocks (port and starboard), warp core, missionmodule access, Bill Gates cloning facility, deflector dish, directionalsensors
    22. Guest quarters, warp core, mission module access, deflector dish,directional sensors
    23. Guest quarters, warp core, mission module access, deflector dish,cargo bay, cargo transporters, directional sensors
    24. Guest quarters, warp core, mission module access, stardrive weaponsstorage, deflector dish, nacelle wing access, transporter room 5
    25. Guest quarters, Main engineering, CE’s office, warp core, missionmodule access, deflector dish, nacelle wing access
    26. Guest quarters, warp core, deflector dish, mission module access,nacelle wing access
    27. Guest quarters, mission module access, warp core deflector dish,nacelle wing access
    28. Guest quarters, deuterium tank support, warp core, deflector dish,shuttlebay 3, nacelle wing access
    29. Guest quarters, deuterium tank support, warp core, deflector dish,cargo bay, cargo transporters
    30. Guest quarters, deuterium tank support, warp core, stardrive sensorarray, deflector dish
    31. Cargo bay, cargo transporters, Aft torpedo tube, torpedo storagewarp core, deflector dish
    32. Utility replicators, anti-deuterium storage, deflector dish, Disneyland-Phoenix,aft replicator mess
    33. Utility replicators, anti-deuterium storage, deflector dish, cargobay, cargo transporters
    34. Utility replicators, anti-deuterium storage, deflector dish, cargobay, cargo transporters
    35. Warp core ejection systems, deflector dish, airlock, phaser array4
    36. Fighter bay, CFO’s office, warp core ejection systems

    Phoenix Class ShipList


    Designer's note: The CFO is intended to be an NPC position in mostcases, unless the CO can find a willing and able player for that position. Certain missions might necessitate mission commanders, to be treated inthe same fashion as the CFO.  The standard PCed chief compliment isintended to be CO, XO, CNS, CSO, COS, CMO, and CE, with the Counselor positionserving as a "swing position".
    Submitted February 9, 2000