Posted by Captain Nicholas Villarreal (Engineering Director) in Specification Review: Independence-class Heavy Frigate (TOS), Draft 2 - Review OPEN Until August 31, 2020

Posted by Captain Nicholas Villarreal (Engineering Director) in Specification Review: Independence-class Heavy Frigate (TOS), Draft 2 - Review OPEN Until August 31, 2020
Robert Archer has submitted a second draft of the TOS/DSC-era Independence-Class Heavy Frigate for review. It is intended for use with the TOS-themed USS Sentinel, given that the Governor-class has a duplicate in the Kurtzman-class USS Chernov, and the design states that it was built in 2257, which is after the intended start point of the Sentinel. Feel free to take a look and give your feedback, especially if you have knowledge particular to either series that could be helpful.

The review period will end on 31 August 2020.

Nicholas Villarreal
Engineering Director

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Changelog From Draft 1 - Draft 2:

Removed reference to the LCS of modern times from history/mission overview
Removed reference to the Daedalus class saucer to avoid confusion in ship structure section
Punctuation and sentence formatting clean up across the spec
Cleaned up the bridge and auxiliary bridge descriptions
Removed 30 inch screen in conference room replaced with triangular 3 screen box
Edited brig section a bit regarding force fields
Cleaned up the lab types and edited deck plan accordingly
Changed 2-D holo display to 3-D in science labs
Removed dispensers from rooms and references to a micro transporter
Trimmed down the lab types in the science lab section
Edited mission profiles
Cleaned up grammar and punctuation across the spec
Reworded the phaser armament for balance reasons
Removed the machine shop
Cleaned up the defensive shield/polarization system sections
Edited the shuttlebay section
Edited naming and registries

As Russ has already done a general read-through, I’m going to be focusing upon these specific changes to see whether the changes work, and if not, what needs to be addressed otherwise.

INDEPENDENCE-CLASS
CATEGORY: FRIGATE
VARIANT: HEAVY
DESIGNER: ROBERT ARCHER
MARK I
Draft 2
DATE: 10 AUGUST 2020

HISTORY AND MISSION OVERVIEW

The dawning of the 2240’s was a generally peaceful one for the Federation. Though there were random border raids near Klingon space, and the occasional issue with Orion pirates, Starfleet felt confident that the immediate future would be one of expansion and discovery. They still had to remain vigilant for possible threats from old enemies and potential new adversaries. It was with this in mind that Starfleet put the call out for a multi-role rugged frigate, one which though smaller then common cruiser designs could perform just as well in a variety of situations.

I agree with Russ regarding the way the last sentence is worded, in that it is slightly cumbersome. I would scratch the word “rugged”, and then have the second part say, “one which could perform just as well as as common cruiser designs in a variety of situations.”

It took the Starfleet design bureau almost five years of design and construction before the first five <strike>Independance</strike> Independence class frigates came out of the assembly yards around Earth, with another three ready for commissioning should the need arise. The intent was to build a small, fast, maneuverable and relatively inexpensive ship that could be easily reconfigured for a variety of different roles should the need arise. This would range from system patrols, to scientific surveys, anti-pirate/raider action ships, and service as a logistics transport.

The second sentence (bolded for identification) is somewhat redundant. You have already stated that this is supposed to be a small, multi-role vessel. Similarly, given that you provide a list of mission profiles, the last sentence (underlined for identification) is entirely unneeded. As to the removal of any mention of the LCS, it now begs the question as to why the vessel is named the same as one of the two problem-riddled LCS vessel classes.

Mission Profiles

SNIP. No major issues with this part.

STRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION

The Independence Class Frigate was designed from the ground up to be rugged, dependable, and functional for its missions. The rearward sections of the ship are shaped as rectangular platforms which then connect seamlessly as one unit into a half dome shaped saucer. Projecting upwards at the rear of the ship, on short V shaped pylons are the ship’s two warp nacelles.

So, what I’m picturing is that the secondary hull is mostly bifurcated a la the Norway, the nacelles are akin to an NX in placement, and, for some reason, I’m seeing a dome ship a la the Andalites, but smaller and with a different purpose. The one thing about it that’s vague is the aft hull, specifically where it joins to the forward hull. Also, the pylon placement is somewhat vague; I can’t figure out whether the pylons are close to the center, based at the center of each aft section, or on the outer edge of each aft section.

The entire frame of the ship extends 12 decks across a triple layered duranium hull structure<strike>, in</strike>. In between each hull layer are 5cm of <strike>dura plastic</strike> duraplastic foam. The outer layer of hull plating is in a state of permanent polarisation to enable greater unprotected resistance to enemy weapons fire. The duranium trusses that support the outer hull are laser welded to form a permanent support chassis.

There were just some minor edits that I thought worked better.

The Independence class is capable of atmospheric entry and flight, though not landing, <strike>on</strike> in gravity up to 2.5 times Earth standard gravity. Atmospheric flight is handled through a combination of the ship’s impulse reactors fed through special atmospheric RCS thruster packs along the ship’s frame.

SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS

Sensor Systems
The Independence class makes use of 150 sensor palettes arranged across the ship in clusters of four. The ship’s circular navigational deflector is located on decks 7 and 8 in a square shaped inset. These together make up the standard TOS-Type-5 sensor system. It has a high-resolution scan range of 2 light years and a low resolution scan range of 6.5 light years. Through the application of high power emission diodes, the sensor array can be utilized as a jamming system to prevent enemy vessels from sending or receiving transmissions. Effective jamming range for this system at full power is 100,000km. It should be noted that activating this jamming system also prevents the jamming vessel from utilizing their own communications systems.

Given that TNG/DS9/VOY era vessels use Roman numerals for their sensor systems, why do you have the TOS modifier? I’m completely fine with calling it a Type-5 sensor array. I’m a little confused as to why you have this specialized, primarily offensive, system capability on a multi-role vessel, but if you can justify it further, I won’t protest its inclusion in the final design.

Computer and Network Systems
The Independence Class Frigate is equipped with a single duotronic computer mounted vertically on the rear sections of decks 2 and 3. Any requests from the library computer must be issued through the main Computer Room and any portable information must be copied to recorder tapes. The only information terminals capable of accessing the library computer without passing through the computer room are those in the Captain’s Quarters, the Main Conference Lounge, Main Engineering, the Science Labs, Sickbay and the Bridge.

WARP PROPULSION SYSTEMS

SNIP

Impulse Propulsion Systems

SNIP

TACTICAL SYSTEMS
Defensive Shields and Hull Polarization Systems

SNIP

Phaser Systems
The Independence Class Frigate is equipped with the Type-5 phaser bank system. The system has a maximum energy output of 0.3 MW out to a range of 18,750km. The ship has two, twin emitter banks to port and starboard along the forward lines of the ship positioned dorsal and ventral. With an additional pair of twin emitters to port and starboard, dorsal and ventral along the aft end of the ship next to the ship’s nacelle pylons.

The third sentence should end, “dorsally and ventrally.” The usage in the last sentence is correct, however.

SNIP

COMMAND AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Bridge
The Independence class’s bridge is located in the central area of deck 1 in a circle shaped inset. At the center of the room is the Captain’s chair that sits on a 5 inch raised platform from the floor while the rest of the bridge stations are sunken below.

That should probably say “a platform raised 15 cm from the floor”, given that the specification uses metric elsewhere. Additionally, the wording makes it seem like the platform is five inches in size. You also do not say how far into the floor the other stations are recessed.

Ahead of them is the Helm and Navigator seats and consoles.

That should be “are”. Also, when you say “them”, I’m assuming that you mean the Captain’s chair and the Bridge stations, but you may want to use the actual nouns for clarity.

To the port side of the bridge are two engineering focused stations, while to starboard are two scientific related stations. Directly behind the ship’s captain chair is the ship’s comm station. Access to the bridge is provided by a single turbolift to the port of the comm’s officer or to starboard by an emergency Jefferies Tube access hatch. Forward of the helm and navigation stations is the ship’s rectangular view screen. Although there is no designated seat for the First Officer, as he is traditionally a Department Head himself, it is assumed that he will be manning one of the duty stations located throughout the Bridge

You need a period at the end of this, and you may want to consider removing the gender-specific pronouns in the last sentence, or just reword it entirely. As a suggestion: “Due to the First Officer’s traditional secondary assignment as a Department Head, the First Officer is typically at the station for that respective department.”

Auxiliary Control
The Independence class’s auxiliary control is located on the central area of deck 7. This area is laid out just like the main bridge except it only has one of each engineering and science related stations. It is manned during yellow and red alerts at all times by secondary staff officers in case of main bridge loss.

Conference Room
The Independence’s conference room is located on deck 3 to the forward port areas along the outer hull edge with a pair of oval shaped windows. It has seating room for up to six people around a triangle shaped table. In the center of the table is a 14 inch, 3 screen, triangular shaped container for viewing computer tapes, scans, and communications.

The change is a nice nod to TOS technology, even if it seems a little silly.

Brig
Located on deck 5 to starboard is the ship’s brig. It can hold up to 3 occupants if needed. The <strike>cell’s</strike> cells utilize a series of two recessed force field generators which deliver a painful, but non-lethal shock to anyone who touches the field while it is active.

That’s just a minor nitpick.

When activated, the generators slide into place and glow with a soft yellow light. Feeding of the brig occupants is processed by an air pushed delivery tube from outside ensuring no direct access between the cell occupant and watch officer. A single shared waste dispenser with a lower body covering for semi-privacy is also present

SNIP

Scientific, Medical and Engineering Labs
The scientific, medical and engineering labs of the Independence class span the central areas of decks 9 through 12. Each grouping of labs for both the science and engineering departments, contain 10 dedicated duotronic computer cells for lab processing and faster archival storage to the main computer system.

The comma is unneeded in the second sentence.

The labs also contain basic 3-D holographic projection systems for object analysis and study.

ST: Discovery technology! Fun times for all!

Each lab layout is modular, though in general contains two work areas with 1 or 2 consoles and work tables each, for their specific individual fields of focus. Each section can also be isolated by force fields or exposed to the vacuum of space, in case of experiment containment breach. Each science and medical lab also has a 5x5 meter cold storage stasis unit for resuming experiments at a later time.
A single access lift connects each of the lab clusters to those above to aid in joint fields of work.
The Independence’s scientific, medical and engineering labs are divided as follows:

On Deck 9 ib the general biology lab. The Chief Science Officer’s office is also located here
On Deck 10 is the general planetary science lab.
On Deck 11 are the general astrological science, and stellar cartography labs. The last of which extends down to the port side of deck 12.

You have an unneeded comma and a sentence fragment. You probably should just separate out the Stellar Cartography lab entirely.

On Deck 12 are the mechanical and computer science labs and the access point for the stellar cartography lab.

SNIP

UTILITY SYSTEMS
SNIP

CREW SUPPORT SYSTEMS

SNIP

Command Staff/VIP Quarters
Located in a half ring around deck 3 along the forward areas are the ship’s commanding officer, and executive officer quarters. Along deck 4 in a half ring is the ship’s 10 VIP and department head quarters. The ship’s commanding officer and 10 VIP quarters have the largest quarter setup with a bathroom which contains a whirlpool bath, shower, and a bedroom large enough for a walk-in closet, a full sized bed, and a large work/entertainment station. The Executive officer has a similar layout but minus the whirlpool path. While the Department heads have twin sized sleep bed areas.

That is a sentence fragment.

SNIP

AUXILIARY SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS
The Independence’s shuttle bay is located along the underside of the ship’s forward midsection on deck 12. It is divided by a series of double doors that allow half of the bay to remain pressurized while the other half is launching or recovering spacecraft. Due to the interlocking doors, only one spacecraft can be launched or recovered at a time.

This looks like an acceptable edit.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

SNIP

DECK LAYOUT

Deck 1

Bridge
Impulse Engine
Fusion Reactors
Deuterium Fuel Storage Tanks 1 and 2
Deuterium Fuel Fill Port

Deck 2

Forward/Aft Torpedo/Probe Launchers
Torpedo/Probe Fire Control Room
Torpedo/Probe Storage Room
Torpedo/Probe Maintenance Room
Tractor Beam Emitter 1
Escape Pods

Deck 3

Transporter Room 1 (6 Pad)
Conference Room
Commanding Officer Quarters
Executive Officer Quarters
Escape Pods

Deck 4

Department Head Quarters
VIP Quarters 1-10
Machine Shop

Deck 5

Junior Officer Quarters
Non-commissioned Officers Quarters
Upper Primary Cargo Bay
Armory
Armory Training Room
Brig
Chief Of Security Officer’s Office

Deck 6

Junior Officer Quarters
Non-commissioned Officers Quarters
Lower Primary Cargo Bay
Secondary Cargo Bay 1 and 2

Deck 7

Junior Officer Quarters
Non-commissioned Officers Quarters
Turbolift Service Room 1
Auxiliary Control
Escape Pods
Upper Deflector Dish
Forward Phaser Battery Control Room

Deck 8

Junior Officer Quarters
Non-commissioned Officers Quarters
Gymnasium
Emergency Transporter Room (10 Pad)
Escape Pods
Lower Deflector Dish
Aft Phaser Battery Control Room

Deck 9

Galley
Crew Lounge
Sickbay
Morgue
Chief Medical Officer’s Office
Chief Science Officer’s Office
General Biology Lab

Deck 10

Transporter Room 2 (6 Pad)
Turbolift Service Room 2
General Planetary Science Lab

Deck 11

General Astrological Science Lab
Upper Stellar cartography Lab

Cartography should be capitalized here.

Upper Warp Core

Deck 12

Shuttlebay Launch Door
Shuttlebay Storage Hanger 1 and 2
Shuttlebay Maintenance Room 1 and 2
Tractor Beam Emitter 2
Main Engineering
Chief Engineer’s Office
Lower Stellar cartography Lab and Access

Ibid.

Mechanical Science Lab
Computer Science Lab
Lower Warp Core
Matter/Antimatter Storage Pods
Warp Core and Storage Pod Emergency Blast Hatch

SHIPS OF THE CLASS

Ships of the Independence class are named, barring the first ship of the class, after Continental Navy naval frigates of the age of sail.

USS Independence - NCC 1600
USS Alliance - NCC 1601

The following ships are NPC ships and can be reused as needed.

USS Bonhomme Richard - NCC 1602
USS Boston - NCC 1603
USS Bourbon - NCC 160

Given the reason behind naming the ship the Independence in the first place - the LCS - is no longer a consideration, one wonders about the naming convention for the rest of the vessels in the design. None of them are objectionable, but it seems a little scattershot.

Conclusion

The Independence class are small, rugged, multi-role frigates capable of many duties of larger cruiser designs at half the cost and build time. Capable and functional, though not the prettiest, they will likely be in use for many years to come.

SUBMITTED 10 AUGUST 2020
Robert Archer

This design has improved over the first draft. I’m glad that I took the opportunity to review this iteration. There is still room for improvement, but the fixes that are needed are relatively minor, and none of them point to fundamental flaws in the design. I look forward to seeing more feedback on the design.

Nicholas “Pelican” Villarreal
Engineering Director

=== This is all noted Nick. I’ll have Draft 3 ready shortly!

Robert Archer