Exploration: Cruiser, Heavy - Chandley-class

History And Mission Overview

In 2368 Starfleet was still recovering from the after-effects of the Battle of Wolf 359. While rebuilding of its major exploration and defense ships was still in the works, Starfleet began to realize it required a more adaptive approach to many core designs. One, a venerable cruiser design from the late 23rd century which had been refit in the mid-2350s, was still a strong, viable design in the waning months of 2368. Starfleet decided to once again refit the Chandley-class heavy cruiser with newer technologies just now coming online.

The design of the refit took longer than expected, and was eventually halted during the Dominion War. After the war’s end in 2375, work resumed on the refits of the Chandley-class. Within a few months, the first of these refitted cruisers, the USS Albert Einstein, was launched with fully updated systems.

After its launch, the Albert Einstein was given to Starfleet Academy for a shakedown cruise. Its shakedown crew consisted of a handful of senior Academy training officers, the Academy’s Red Squadron, and some senior Cadets. While on its maiden voyage, the ship was apparently lost with all hands near the Romulan Neutral Zone. No trace of the ship or her crew was ever found. The accident resulted in a halt to the refitting program while a Board of Inquiry investigated the Einstein’s disappearance. After the Board determined there was no fault in the design, refitting resumed in late 2376, resulting in all remaining Chandley-class cruisers returning to service by 2378.

Mission Profiles

The Chandley class is suited to the following mission profiles:

• Tactical and Defensive Operations
• Contact with Alien Life Forms
• Diplomatic Conferences and Negotiations
• Exploration and Scientific Survey

Structure And Construction

The Chandley-class cruiser is a single piece, double layered hull structure spanning 16 decks. It is composed from Duranium alloys reinforced with energized hull polarization to increase resistance to damage from combat, or other hazardous events. Each hull layer is filled with 3 centimeters of Titanium hull fillings and transporter welded for increased strength. A final layer of protection was added with 3 centimeters of high density Duranium alloy and plastics with reinforced composite plastic sheets.

The saucer is shaped as a half circle near the front tapering back to a rectangular box shape hull piece. The ship’s two warp nacelles are connected to the aft hull section via triangular shaped pylons in a downward curve.

Science And Remote Sensing Systems

Sensor Systems

The Chandley-class mounts a Type 8 sensor system; the pallets for the system are arrayed in groups of six along the saucer and engineering hull frame. The system has a high resolution range of 3.8 light years and a low resolution range of 12.3 light years.

The main deflector is positioned along the underside of the saucer piece in an small recessed oval shaped inset on decks 11 and 12.

Computer Core / OS / Network systems

The Chandley-class carries 2 two-deck computer cores on decks 10 and 11 port and starboard in the hull. They are combination cores made of bio-neural gel packs to speed up response times and isolinear chip storage. Bio-neural gel pack data transfer lines run along the whole ship to all systems; a secondary isolinear system runs critical ship systems in an emergency.

Holo-crew

The Chandley-class has holo-emitters located in all major areas. The class makes use of the EMH Mark IV program. In the event of main power failure, the EMH is restricted solely to Sickbay, which has dedicated emergency power systems to maintain the program.

Warp Propulsion Systems

The Chandley-class makes use of a Class 8 Warp core running in a vertical fashion from decks 12 through 16, with ejection systems propelling the core out the bottom of the vessel in an emergency.

The Class 8 core has a Cochrane rating of 1,909+, a cruising speed of warp 6, a max sustainable speed of warp 9.2, a max velocity speed for 12 hours of warp 9.6 and an emergency speed of warp 9.8 for 1 hour.

Impulse Propulsion Systems

The Chandley-class has two closely clustered impulse engines situated on the center areas of decks 2 and 3 at the rear of the ship. Between these two engines the Chandley can reach a full impulse speed of .30c in 55 seconds and a full stop in that same time.

Tactical Systems

Defensive Shields

The Chandley-class makes use of the Type-8 Shield array. Emitters are arrayed about the ship’s core frame in key locations for maximum coverage. The system has a maximum graviton load of 1612 MW and a maximum dissipation rate of 4.38 x 10^5 KW. The system also has metaphasic programming for protection against solar radiation, solar body entry, or other similar anomalies.

Phaser Systems

The Chandley carries ten Type IX phaser arrays. They are positioned as follows:

One array dorsal and ventral on the saucer, shaped as a half circle with 100 emitters each.
Two arrays port and starboard, dorsal and ventral, mounted on the nacelle pylons with 25 emitters each.
One array port and starboard dorsal and ventral on the four ‘corners’ of the engineering hull with 25 emitters each.
Each array is capable of a max energy output of 3.8 MW to a maximum effective range of 225,000 km.

Torpedo Systems

The Chandley class carries three Type-4 burst fire torpedo launchers and one Type-2 standard mini probe launcher. The burst fire launchers are mounted on the underside of the engineering hull on decks 15 and 16. The standard mini probe launcher is mounted at the front of the ship on the saucer on deck 4.

The burst fire launchers are arranged with one to the port and starboard side firing forward and a single aft firing launcher in the center sections of the hull. The burst fire systems can fire 5 torpedoes/probes every 10 seconds, out to a range of 3,500,000 kilometers, while the mini probes have a maximum effective range of 75,000 kilometers, and can fire a single mini probe once every four seconds.

The Chandley carries 150 casings divided as follows:
* 55 standard photon torpedoes
* 50 assorted scientific probes
* 20 quantum torpedoes
* 10 tri-cobalt devices
* 10 miniature scientific probes
* 5 empty standard casings

Command And Support Systems

Bridge

The bridge of the Chandley class is set up on deck 1 of the ship. It is arranged in a half circle shape. The CO’s chair is at the center of the bridge, to port of him is the XO, to starboard is the CNS. Forward of the CO is the combined Helm, and COS stations. Aft of the CO from starboard to port are the swivel chair provided CE, CSO, and four Aux stations as mission and personnel needs arise. To port of the aux stations is the swivel chair provided OPS station. Forward of the combined helm and COS station is the main view screen, port and starboard along the middle sides of the bridge are another three sitting Aux stations as needs arise.

Entry to the bridge is gained by three turbolifts, one to port and starboard of the main view screen and one directly at the aft end of the bridge.

Ready Room

The ship’s ready room houses a single L shaped desk, two shelves and a small area for personal furnishings and effects. A single replicator along the port wall is located here. Entrance is gained from the bridge to the forward port side of the bridge next to the turbolift.

Conference Room

The briefing room houses a single straight oaken table capable of seating six individuals at any given time. A single briefing screen is located along the aft starboard wall of the room. Entrance is gained at the aft starboard side of the bridge.

Security Office / COS’s Office / Armory

The Chandley’s COS office is located on deck 5 starboard of the brig, the armory is located on deck 10 port. The armory holds the following standard weapons.

• 180 Type-II phasers
• 40 Type-III phaser rifles
• 10 Type-IIIc phaser rifles

These weapons can only be accessed by the CO/XO/COS and assigned security officers during normal operations.

Brig Cells

The Chandley houses three four-person brig cells on deck 5 port. Secondary power supplies ensure force fields do not collapse for two hours in case of a ship wide power loss.

Marine Company Complex

Though not a normal carried and operated function, the Chandley class was provided with the means to carry up to 24 marine personnel for boarding actions, if another war time situation required. As such, this complex is set up on deck 10 port down the hall from the ship’s armory; this area carries special supplies and storage for the ship’s marines, as well as training equipment.

Science Labs / Chief Science Officer’s office

Arranged in a ring around the saucer on Decks 6 and 7 are the ship’s Science Labs. From port to starboard on both decks are labs for General Science Research, Xenobiology, Exobiology, Astrometrics, Cybernetics, and Temporal Research. There is a Stellar Cartography lab on Deck 9. The office of the ship’s CSO is located on Deck 6, near the General Science lab.

Main Engineering / Chief Engineer’s office

The main engineering complex and its support systems are arranged along the aft central areas of decks 12 through 16. The primary control area of main engineering is located on decks 12 and 13. This area is arranged in a serviceable rectangle-shaped room with access points in the middle areas with turbolifts for each deck and service ladders. The top of the warp core is situated upon deck 13, running down to deck 16. Engineering support labs are set up on deck 14 for maintenance and study needs in these fields. A second rectangle-shaped engineering room complex is set up on decks 15 and 16, with equal level support systems for the lower parts of the warp core and its ejection systems arranged here. In an emergency this secondary area can be converted into an auxiliary bridge.

Utility Systems

Cargo Bays

The Chandley-class has two large, two-deck cargo bays on Decks 10 and 11, one port and one starboard. Access doors allow docking of ships when required, and each bay has a single cargo transporter. Two smaller, single-deck cargo bays are located adjacent to each large bay to provide additional storage for prolonged missions.

Tractor Beam Systems

The Chandley carries a single tractor beam on the external aft part of deck 16. It can tractor a variable load out to 30,000 km.

Transporter Systems

The Chandley carries four, six-person transporter rooms with two on decks 7 and 8 port and starboard, and the other two on decks 14 and 15 port and starboard. The class contains three twelve-person emergency transporter is situated on deck 4 starboard, 8 port, and 16 starboard.

The six-person transporters have a max range of 40,000 km, and the twelve-person transporters have an outgoing only range of 15,000 km.

Machine Shop

The Chandley’s machine shop is located on decks 8 and 9. Storage areas for constructed materials are located aft of the work areas for the shop on both of these decks.

Turbolift Systems

The Chandley uses a standard turbolift system, delivering crew to various central hub locations throughout the ship. A service area for the system is located on deck 14.

Crew Support Systems

Sickbay

The Chandley’s sickbay complex is located on deck 6 starboard it contains a comprehensive suite consisting of 7 bio-beds, 2 two person surgery suites with two surgery beds, two three patient sized isolation rooms, a nursery, a dental office, and a morgue facility capable of holding up to 15 bodies in stasis. The CMO’s office is connected to the main sick bay area.

Counseling Offices

The counseling office for the Chandley-class is located on deck 6 down the hall from sickbay. Two private offices are setup for the use of the crew’s mental health needs.

Holodeck

The Chandley carries four holodecks, holodecks 1 and 2 are on deck 5 port and starboard, and holodecks 3 and 4 are directly below on deck 6 port and starboard.

6-Forward

The main crew lounge and mess area is located at the forward end of the ship on deck 6. The lounge carries four full service replicators, a small prep and storage kitchen and various seating for up to 30 people at any given time.

Gym/Rec-hall

Just behind 6-Forward is the ship’s gym and rec hall. This room can hold 15 people at a time, and can be set up with a variety of gym equipment or be arranged for live performances.

CO Quarters

The CO’s quarters are located on deck 2 port, this large three section room has a spacious living/work area with two couches, three chairs, and a meal table with replicator. The bedroom and bathroom combined area holds a King sized bed and a sonic shower and traditional bath tub suite with sink. The third area is a private CO accessed only storage area for personal effects, access is gained only from inside the CO’s quarters.

XO Quarters

The XO’s quarters are located on deck 2 starboard; it is arranged much like the CO quarters; however, the storage area is half the size of the CO’s and is combined with the bedroom and bathroom suite.

Department Head Quarters

All department head quarters are located in a ring around deck 3; they are divided into two areas, a work/living area with one couch, table, and two chairs and replicator. The second is a bathroom/bedroom suite; however, unlike the CO/XO’s quarters the department heads only have a stand up sonic shower stall and sink, and the bed is Queen sized.

Junior Officer

The JO quarters are located in the forward half of decks 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15; they are setup the same as the department head quarters however just half their size, the bed is full twin-sized in nature as well. The living/work area holds a single two person couch, and two lounge chairs with replicator and three-person table.

Non-com officer Quarters

The non-com crew quarters are located in the aft half areas of decks 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, they are set up the same as the JO quarters in size but the living/work area has only three chairs, a three person table, and replicator.

VIP Quarters

Six VIP Quarters setup the same as the XO’s quarters in scope are arranged on deck 3 aft of the department head quarters.

General Guest Quarters

Ten General Guest Quarters setup like the JO quarters are arranged on deck 4 forward.

Marine Officer Quarters

Four marine officer quarters setup like the department head quarters are arranged near the Marine complex on deck 10.

Marine Non-com quarters

Twenty marine non-com quarters are setup like the JO quarters in a ring on deck 10 near the marine complex.

Auxiliary Spacecraft Systems

Shuttle Bay

The Chandley carries two shuttle bays, setup aft port and starboard on decks 5 and 6. The ship carries 1 Liberty or Longevity class runabout, 2 Armadillo class shuttles, and 2 standard work bees.

Service and maintenance areas are setup to port and starboard respectively for each bay with their own overseeing connected launch control suite.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Structure

Length

315 meters

Beam (Width)

220 meters

Height

77 meters

Decks

16

Crew Complement

Officers and Crew

180

Visiting Personnel

10-16

Maximum Evacuation Limit

1,000

Computer Systems

Core

Bio-neural data / isolinear storage computer core x2

Software

LCARS 6.5 running MAJEL interface

Warp Systems

Power Plant

One 1909+ cochrane M/ARA cores feeding two nacelles

Crusing Velocity

Warp 6.0

Maximum Sustainable Velocity

Warp 9.2

Maximum Velocity

Warp 9.6 (12 hours)

Emergency Speed

Warp 9.8 (1 hour)

Impulse Systems

Full Impulse

0.30c

Accellerate

50 seconds

Decellerate

50 seconds

Defensive Systems

Shield Maximum Graviton Load (Continuous)

1612 MegaWatts

Shield Maximum Energy Dissipation Rate

4.38 x 10^5 kilowatts

Offensive Systems

Torpedoes

Torpedo Tubes

Type-4, 2 forward 1 aft

Standard Payload (total)

55 photon torpedoes

Scientific Payload (total)

50 assorted probes

Quantum Payload (total)

20 quantum torpedoes

Tri-Cobalt Payload (total)

10 devices

Phasers

10 Type-IX Phaser Arrays

Deck Layout

Deck 1

Main Bridge
Ready Room
Briefing Room
Restrooms

Deck 2

CO Quarters
XO Quarters
Upper impulse engines
Upper Deuterium Storage tanks 1 and 2
Deuterium refueling hatch

Deck 3

DH Quarters
VIP Quarters
Lower Impulse engines
Deuterium Storage tanks 1 and 2
Emergency deuterium storage tanks ejection systems

Deck 4

JO Quarters
Non-com Quarters
Mini Probe storage area
Mini Probe launcher and feeding systems
Lower deuterium storage tanks 1 and 2

Deck 5

JO Quarters
Non-com Quarters
COS Office
Brig
Holodecks 1 and 2

Deck 6

Sickbay
General science labs 1 and 2
Xenobiology lab 1
Exobiology lab 1
Temporal study lab 1
Cybernetics lab 1
Astrometrics lab 1
CSO office
6-Forward
Gymnasium / Recreation hall
Lower Shuttle bay 1 and 2
Shuttle bay 1 and 2 sorage and maintenance areas
Holodecks 3 and 4
Counseling office 1 and 2

Deck 7

Sickbay
General science labs 1 and 2
Xenobiology lab 1
Exobiology lab 1
Temporal study lab 1
Cybernetics lab 1
Astrometrics lab 1
CSO office
6-Forward
Gymnasium / Recreation hall
Lower Shuttle bay 1 and 2
Shuttle bay 1 and 2 sorage and maintenance areas
Holodecks 3 and 4
Counseling office 1 and 2

Deck 8

Transporter room 2
Emergency transporter room 2
Upper Machine Shop
Upper Machine Shop storage area
JO Quarters
Non-com quarters

Deck 9

Stellar cartography
Upper computer core 1 and 2
Upper computer core access and maintenance room
Lower Machine Shop
Lower Machine Shop storage area
JO Quarters
Non-com Quarters

Deck 10

Upper computer core 1 and 2
Upper computer core access and maintenance room
Lower Machine Shop
Lower Machine Shop storage area
JO Quarters
Non-com Quarters

Deck 11

Lower computer core 1 and 2
Computer core bio-neural pack storage and spare isolinear chip storage room
Cargo bay 3 and 4
JO Quarters
Non-com Quarters
Upper Main Deflector
Upper Main Deflector support systems
Main Deflector Control Room

Deck 12

Upper Engineering Room 1
CE’s Office
Upper warp core
Upper warp core support systems
Upper Matter/Antimatter storage tanks 1 and 2
JO Quarters
Non-com Quarters
Lower Main Deflector
Lower Main Deflector support systems

Deck 13

Lower Engineering Room 1
Warp Core
Lower Matter/Antimatter storage tanks 1 and 2
JO Quarters
Non-com Quarters
Main Life Support Control Room

Deck 14

Engineering maintenance and support rooms
Engineering study labs
Turbolift maintenance area
Transporter room 3
JO Quarters
Non-com quarters

Deck 15

Upper Engineering Room 2
Warp Core
Upper Matter/Antimatter storage tanks 3 and 4
Transporter room 4
JO Quarters
Non-com Quarters
Torpedo/Probe storage area 1, 2, and 3
Torpedo/Probe loading support systems 1, 2, and 3

Deck 16

Lower Engineering Room 2
Emergency transporter room 3
Burst fire torpedo/probe launchers 1, 2 and 3
Burst fire torpedo/probe maintenance room 1, 2, and 3
Manual fire control launcher rooms 1, 2 and 3
Lower warp core
Lower warp core support systems
Matter/Antimatter Storage tanks, 3 and 4
Matter/Antimatter tanks ejection systems
Warp core ejection systems

Ships Of The Class

Ships of the Chandley-class have a varied naming history. The earliest ones held names related to lesser known explorers, and families from earth’s history. The second batch of built Chandleys in 2350’s refit were named traditionally for minor inventors, families, and colonies around Federation space. The present refit Chandleys of the late 2370s however, though having few newer ships built at construction yards, are named for inventors and scientists of Earth’s history, as well as small lakes and seas of colony worlds around Federation space. Because of this long service life, and from losses over the years, few older designs remain in service. As a result, it has created a varied registry list.

USS Chandley, NCC-1990
USS Hanson, NCC-1991
USS Monson, NCC-1993
USS Blackheart, NCC-1995
USS Charles, NCC-1996-A
USS Ninboo, NCC-1997
USS Minsc, NCC-1998
USS Shining Sea, NCC-2463-A
USS Dark Sea, NCC-2464-B
USS Blazing Sea, NCC-2480
USS Florence Sea, NCC-2486
USS Solara Lake, NCC-2487-B
USS Ivine Lake, NCC-2493
USS Chisca Bay, NCC-2499
USS Albert Einstein, NCC-31479
USS Marie Curie, NCC-31480
USS Harvest Bay, NCC-31481
USS Cresent Lake, NCC-31482
USS Old Bay, NCC-31483

Conclusion

With the refit of 2375, the Chandley class heavy cruiser went from a secondary line vessel back to a hard working front line heavy cruiser. It is capable of a variety of mission profiles for within and beyond Federation space. Its refit has ensured a further long life of an already long-serving class of ships.