Combat: Carrier, Heavy - Kansas-class

OOC Design History

The USS Kansas was designed as a carrier-style starship due to the increased interest in Starfleet fighter technology. The Pegasus-class seen in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine led to discussions surrounding the use of fighter auxiliary craft in STF, and multiple designs were proposed. In addition to this, a starship-based fighter platform was proposed, in addition to the fighters’ use in station-based RP areas. While the specification itself was retired, the USS Kansas roleplayed as a carrier-style ship without a vessel class for roughly a half decade after SSSF obsoleted this design.

INTRODUCTION

HISTORY

Following the battle of Wolf 359, a general consensus among fleet admirals was the need for a capital ship with extensive command and control capabilities, a strategic operations section, the ability to provide space superiority, a way to counteract the threat from a number of small, fast nimble ships, and the ability to support numerous additional operations. While ideas were discussed in many circles, no single design emerged as the choice of Star Fleet.

In the years following the battle of Wolf 359, the dealings with the Maquis, the conflict with the Cardassian Empire, and the war with the Dominion again brought to surface the need for a ship capable of patrolling hostile borders, being able to counteract a growing threat from small fast nimble ships, provide heavy support of ground combat operations, and provide heavy support for fleet and task force operations. The recent invasion of Federation space by the Noxilites has again presented a clear need for ground operations support to defend and then re-take Federation colonies. The idea of re-commissioning the old carrier designs was presented to the Star Fleet engineering department, but was decided against due to the old technology of the previous carrier designs and the availability of new construction techniques and new technologies. After several years of delays, engineering debates, fighter design problems and red tape, the Kansas-Class Heavy Carrier was designed and presented to Star Fleet Command.

III MISSION ROLES
The Kansas Class is designed to provide a mobile platform for the launch and recovery of fighter craft and shuttles that are designed to fulfill a variety of rolls. The Heavy Carrier is designed primarily as a warship. Its fighters, shuttles, sleds, scouts, and other craft provide close in support for fleet operations. The carrier’s craft also provide support for a variety of scouting, searching, research, support and transport missions.

Possible Mission Roles are:
- Fleet/Task force Command and Control
- Offensive Strikes capability against ships
- Defensive fire support for fleet.
- Escort of hi-threat cargoes, resources.
- Threat interception
- System mapping exploration
- Scientific Research
- Launch/transport of ground forces for operations
- Forward fleet operational resupply
- Emergency ship/planetary personnel evacuation
- Emergency search and rescue operations.
- Emergency re-supply of systems.
- Emergency cargo transport

SPACECRAFT STRUCTURE

The Kansas Carrier utilizes tried and true spacecraft structure assembly and design techniques that were learned in the Galaxy Class Project. Utilizing a series of interlocking tritanium/duranium micro-filament truss frames.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY FIELDS

The space-frame is augmented by a series of Structural Integrity Fields. A total of seven SIF Generators are dispersed through the entire ship: three in the Saucer/Engineering section and two in each hull.

INERTIAL DAMPENING SYSTEM

Operating in conjunction with the SIF generators, the IDS also have generators located throughout the ship. Three IDS generators in the saucer/engineering section and two in each hull provide the necessary forces needed to protect the crew and equipment during flight, acceleration, de-acceleration and turns/maneuvers. Due to increases in technology recently, IDS lag has been reduced to 173 milliseconds.

COMMAND SYSTEMS

The Main Bridge, Ops Bridge and Emergency Bridge handle the command systems of the Kansas. Each bridge can function and perform the duties of the other, with Emergency Bridge being used only in emergency situations where the main and ops bridge have been disabled, captured or destroyed. Each bridge has individual life support/environment functions, isolated sub-processors and microprocessors.

The Main/Ops bridge is contained together (Main is one deck above Ops) in a module that can be ejected in an emergency from the main ship. The Emergency bridge is located behind the saucer section near main engineering.

MAIN BRIDGE

Primary operational control of the Kansas Class Heavy Carrier is provided by the Main Bridge, which is located at the top of the saucer. The main bridge is responsible for operational control of the ship in performance of its assigned mission. The main bridge works in conjunction with the Ops Bridge during flight, launch, and recovery operations with the fighter craft.

The Main Bridge controls ships tactics, weapons, defenses, helm (except during launch/recovery), resources, etc.

OPS BRIDGE

Secondary operational control and primary launch/recovery operational control is provided by the Ops Bridge. During launch and recovery operations, the Ops Bridge takes over control of helm functions. The Ops Bridge also provides command and control for fleet/task force operations when needed and command/control of fighter/ground support operations.

EMERGENCY BRIDGE

The Emergency Bridge of the Kansas has the facilities in place to take over all functions of the Main and Ops Bridge. The Emergency Bridge cannot be ejected. The Emergency Bridge can also function independently of the Main and Ops Bridge for strategic Ops if needed.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

The Kansas is equipped with a systems integrated EUNIX AI Computer. The Library Computer Access and Retrieval System (LCARS) provides crew interface. The main computer has a set of three small computer data storage facilities. One located in the saucer section and one each in the hulls.

A network of EUNIX Nodes are distributed throughout the three sections of the ship. A total of 418 nodes assist with the function of the ship and systems. Each bridge has 8 dedicated nodes and a bank of 12 shared nodes which permit operations even in the event of a total main core failure.

WARP PROPULSION SYSTEMS

The Warp Propulsion System (WPS) of the Kansas consists of three major components: the Matter/Anti-Matter reaction assembly, the power transfer conduits, and the warp engine nacelles. Specifications sent to Abraxas Ship Works and then tested and implemented called for the Kansas to be able to maintain a normal cruise speed of Warp 5.0 until fuel exhaustion, a maximum cruise of Warp 7.0, and an emergency warp speed of Warp 8.25 sustainable for 12 hours.

The Kansas has 40 standard anti-matter storage tanks (20 in each hull), allowing the Kansas an operational life of approximately four years before fuel exhaustion.

Deuterium tanks are located in each hull, and can be access for refueling via a single aperture for re-fueling purposes. The tanks hold a sufficient amount of deuterium to allow for a four-year mission life under normal operational conditions.

FUEL REPLENISHMENT

The Kansas Class Heavy Carrier utilizes Bussard Ramscoop technology, thus allowing for fuel replenishment by pulling low-grade matter from the interstellar medium. This is not the preferred route for deuterium replenishment, but allows for extended mission operations when outside of the range of a supply ship.

The Kansas also has the ability to generate small amounts of anti-matter for use as fuel. The Anti-Matter generator is located in the aft section of the saucer decks, near engineering. The processes of creating anti-matter on board the ship is incredibly power and matter intensive, and is utilized as a last resort only.

EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN

The WPS can be shut down to a “cool” state in emergency operations by closing off the injectors and venting the plasma simultaneously. This requires command level authorization as it is inherently dangerous.

CATASTROPHIC EMERGENCY

Under certain emergency conditions, it may be necessary for the Kansas Class ships to implement Catastrophic Emergency Warp Procedures. The primary warp core and backup warp core can be ejected horizontally from the aft sections of the ship. Anti-matter pods can also be ejected either in conjunction with the warp core or independently. Even Deuterium tanks can be vented and dumped should the emergency need ever arise.

IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEMS

The primary sublight propulsion of the ship and certain power generation is handled by the Impulse Propulsion Systems (IPS). The Kansas has two main impulse engines, located just above the hulls on the saucer decks, and a single emergency impulse engine located in the aft section of the saucer that is non-functional unless the saucer is separated from the star-drive hulls.

The Deuterium tanks provide fuel for the impulse drives. The impulse engines provide sufficient thrust and power to push the Kansas to a maximum speed of .65c. Due to relativistic considerations Normal sublight speed is limited to .25c which is also the maximum speed of the separated saucer. During launch/recovery of craft under normal conditions, the ship is limited to a maximum safe speed of .10c.

FUEL REPLENISHMENT

Fuel for the impulse engines is provided from the deuterium tanks and is shared by the warp drive system.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

Various factors can cause the activation of emergency protocols for the IPS. Damage and hardware/software failures are the most common. Emergency shutdown is most commonly accomplished by shutting down the fuel flow to the IPS from the Deuterium tanks. Protocols also exist to seal off any effected area around an IPS unit to prevent contamination of the rest of the ship until such time as repair crews can enter the area in protective equipment to effect repairs.

UTILITIES AND AUXILARY SYSTEMS

The Kansas utilizes an integrated infrastructure network for distribution of necessary utilities throughout the ship. Standard utility service is available throughout the ship.

RESUPPLY

A series of umbilical re-supply ports and systems are located at various points on the ship, allowing for in-mission re-supply as well as re-supply while docked with standard federation starbase or base station systems

NAVIGATIONAL DEFLECTOR/LONG-RANGE SENSORS

The Kansas utilizes a navigational array that sits higher than the saucer section, in a manner that was first tested and proved functional with the Miranda class ships. Because of the amount of energy the deflector dish radiates, the long-range sensor array is located directly behind the navigational deflector dish. The two systems are integrated with a dedicated sub-processor. The saucer when separated during an emergency has three small navigational deflectors mounted in the saucer. These remain concealed and unused during normal operations.

TRACTOR BEAMS

Because of its very role as a Carrier, the Kansas has an unusually high number of tractor beam emitters. Each hanger hull has a primary drop down telescoping emitter. Located at each flight deck entrance are four smaller emitters for assisting with the recovery of shuttles or fighters. Each hanger pod in each hanger hull as well as the maintenance decks have a series of lower power emitters as well for moving shuttle and craft from fighter bays to hanger shafts to flight and maintenance decks. The smaller power emitters, designed for moving and manipulating the fighters and shuttles utilize a twin phase 5mw Graviton Polarity Amplifier with enhanced targeting systems and state-of-the art beam focusing modules for more rapid targeting, activation and function, designed specifically for smaller targets. The two main emitters are attached directly to the primary space frame of the Kansas and each is built around two variable phase 20mw graviton polarity sources, with 500 millicochrane subspace field amplifiers. All tractor beam emitters may have their polarity reversed to function as repulsor beams.

EMH/HOLOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS

The main sickbay, in the saucer section, is equipped with the latest EMH (Version 2.0). Utilizing dedicated computer sub-processors and tied-in with the sickbay computers and data-base, the EMH is capable of handling medical emergencies without assistance under emergency conditions. The EMH has an independent power supply and the ability to function any place within the spacious sickbay and medical labs.

The Bridge and Ops bridge is equipped with a 3d holographic communications interface that can be utilized at the discretion of the duty officer or senior officer of the bridge.

Holodecks, located on the recreation deck, provide hours of enjoyment and entertainment as well as training facilities for the crew and staff.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Kansas Class ships have Federation standard communications built into the ships systems. Utilizing sub-space relays, ship-to-ship communications, and powered communication arrays, the ships can contact nearly any ship, starbase, base, or planet within the Federation and some other races. The universal Translator is tied-into the communications grid for both internal and external communication capabilities.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS

The strategic operational ability of the ship, that is built into the Strategic Ops bridge, allows for senior Star-Fleet officials to receive/transmit highly classified encrypted data stream transmissions. A variety of work stations on the Ops bridge can be quickly configured to handle a variety of tasks associated with large scale operations of a wide variety.

TRANSPORTER SYSTEMS

The Kansas is equipped with transporters capable of transporting personnel and equipment up to ranges of 40,000 kilometers. Four primary personnel transporters are located on the ship: One in each hanger hull, one in the saucer and one in the engineering decks. Also located at a variety of locations throughout the ship are 12 emergency transporters for crew evacuation. Each cargo bay is equipped with transporters designed specifically for cargo and equipment. These transporters can function as evacuation systems in an emergency at reduced range and increased chance of failure.

With a total crew compliment of 2,513 officers and enlisted personnel, emergency evacuation of the crew via transporter and lifeboats becomes critical. Total evacuation of the class can be accomplished with just transporters in roughly two hours. With the utilization of transporters, shuttles, fighters, and lifeboats, the total crew can be evacuated in roughly 180 seconds under ideal conditions.

SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS

The Kansas class ships are equipped with a wide variety of science labs and sensing systems giving it the capability to conduct a wide range of scientific tasks.

SENSOR SYSTEMS

The Kansas Class is equipped with sophisticated sensing systems that allow for a variety of uses for scientific, tactical, and strategic purposes. The sensor systems are divided into three parts. The long-range sensor array is located behind the navigational deflector array. The second group is the lateral sensor array. The third and final major array is the navigational sensor array that is tied directly into the navigational systems.

SCIENCES

The Kansas Class ships are designed primarily for military missions and duty, however, it also has science systems to support a variety of other missions. Four dedicated scientific labs are located in the saucer section. The labs are configurable to fill a variety of rolls, and can also function as emergency medical facilities if needed.

PROBES

The Kansas carries a full compliment of scientific and research probes that can be launched from a specially modified launcher that is located on the bottom side of the saucer or from fighters/auxiliary craft. The number and type of probes are outlined below:

Type I - 50
Type II - 50
Type III - 30
Type IV - 20
Type V - 30
Type VI - 20
Type VII - 30
Type VIII - 30
Type IX - 30

TACTICAL SYSTEMS

The Kansas is not designed to be, nor expected to be, a ship that is involved in direct ship to ship combat. As such, the Kansas has very few offensive weapons capabilities. Equipped with substantial defensive systems, the Kansas relies on her fighters and auxiliary craft to provide the offensive punch.

OFFENSIVE PHASERS

The Kansas is equipped with four offensive type X phaser arrays. The primary array is located on the saucer and consists of 200 emitters. A single phaser array is located on the bottom of each hanger hull, with 45 emitters per array, and a single array is located just aft of the deflector array with 10 emitters.

PHOTON TORPEDOES

The Kansas Class ships are not equipped with a standard photon torpedo tube. The Kansas does have a single tube that has been altered to allow for the firing of all types of probes only. With a rotating rack system and storage bays, the tube houses all of the Federation standard probes. The tube is not equipped with an arming mechanism for the launching of standard torpedoes.

DEFENSIVE WEAPONS SYSTEM

The defensive weapons systems of the class are designed with short range, close-in rapid-fire systems. Utilizing a series of 30 strategically located pup-up minitorp launcher turrets. Each turret is capable of firing 20 rounds per minute out to a range of 15,000 kilometers. The minitorp functions similarly to a miniature version of a standard photon torpedo, is roughly 1/8th the size, has only a basic built in sensor or guidance package, and has a warhead yield of approximately 1/10 that of a standard photon torpedo. Each turret has a computer controlled targeting system that is then grouped together with the defensive systems sub-processors and controlled by the tactical console. The tactical console would assign a target as friend or foe and the computer system then allocates defensive systems to the threat.

Minitorps can be pre-programmed at launch for impact explosion or proximity detonation. Once launched a minitorp performs a program that is fed into its micro-processor immediately prior to launch, so no computer guidance is assigned from the launching ship once launched. A minitorp has a built in safety system that prevents it from striking any non-assigned target.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS

Of all the environmental systems, Life Support is among the most critical. Multiple redundancy is built into every aspect of the system. The life support and environment systems of the class can provide and maintain a habitable environment throughout the entire space frame. Individual areas of the ship can be purposely altered to provide a wide variety of environments for different races and species. Other important environmental systems include emergency shelters for all crew, and utilities (water, waste, etc) systems.

CREW SUPPORT SYSTEMS

The single most important system and resource of the class is its crew. With this in mind, the developers designed multiple systems for a variety of purposes with the morale and welfare of the crew in mind. Multiple and varied training, recreation, exercise, and entertainment systems are a very important part of the ship.

The ship is equipped with a large and state-of-the-art medical sickbay, comfortable officers and crew quarters, and a wide variety of entertainment facilities.

AUXILARY/FIGHTER SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS

The strength of the Kansas Carriers lie with their fighters. An important auxiliary aspect of those fighter squadrons is the various shuttles, scouts, runabouts and utility craft.

FIGHTERS

The Kansas carries a standard compliment of 300 fighter craft as well as a wing of mixed utility and recon craft. The 300 fighters, called a group, are divided into 2Wings of 150 fighters each and a utility wing. Each Wing is divided into 5 Squadrons of 30 fighters each. Each Squadron is divided into 5 Flights of 6 fighters each.

The Kansas carries 2 Wings of Icarus class fighters. The specifications for each are available at the Star-Fleet Engineering Department. The fighters can be loaded out with different ordinances and systems depending on mission role and assignment.

SHUTTLES/RUNABOUTS/RECON/UTILITY CRAFT

The Kansas class ships are typically equipped with the following type craft for a variety of purposes.

15 type 15 Shuttlepods
15 type 16 Shuttlepods
10 type 7 Personnel Shuttle
10 type 9a Cargo Shuttle
10 Vallhala Class runabouts
30 type M1 Sphinx Workpods (rescue and fighter recovery/repair)
30 Omicron Recon Sled craft.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS

Flight operations on a Kansas Class are a carefully orchestrated dance of computer, machinery and personnel. The innovative fighter bays and quad-functional flight decks allow for rapid launch, recovery and turn around of fighters and shuttlecraft.

FIGHTER BAYS

Vertical shafts are located above and below the primary flight decks, with bays off of each vertical shaft at each deck level. Each vertical shaft is the center of cylindrical shaped bay with eight bays per level. The fighters are moved back and forth from the bays to the maintenance deck or the flight deck via a series of tractor beams set at each deck level.

MAINTENANCE DECK

Contained within each hanger hull are two maintenance decks that are utilized for major maintenance operations on fighters and utility craft. The fighter bays have only limited space for maintenance operations, so any thing other than basic load out operations and basic maintenance must be conducted on the maintenance deck. Cargo bays located on the same deck and on the decks above and below hold replicators and spare parts for the fighters.

FLIGHT DECK

Two flight decks per hanger hull comprise the bulk of the flight operations area in the ship. The two decks per hull each having openings facing foreword and aft. The flight deck openings are closed during normal cruise and flight operations, however, at impulse cruise and in system transit, the doors remain open to facilitate the scramble and launch of CAP (Combat Air Patrol), scouting, and intercept missions.

A series of tractor beam emitters are placed at locations on each flight deck that assist with the launch and recovery of craft. When the flight deck opening doors are open, at multi-layered force field keeps the atmosphere intact on the flight deck. Launching craft simply pass through the force field.

A quadruple crash protection and fire suppression system is present in all Flight Decks. An emergency arresting system can be computer or manually activated through the ship. All doors and entrances to and from the flight decks are double layered blast doors for safety.

SPECIFICATIONS

Max cruise: 7.0
Max warp: 8.25 (twelve hours)
Normal cruise: 5.0
Impulse cruise: .25c
Maximum Impulse Speed: .65c
Maximum Launch Speed: .10c (the maximum sublight speed fighters can be safely launched foreword)
Length: 742.16 meters
Width: 468.63 meters
Height: 169.83 meters
Standard crew compliment:2513
Minimum functional crew compliment: 267
Maximum Life Support capability: 19000

CREW POSITIONS

Officer Positions:

RP Positions:

CO - Commanding Officer
GCO (XO) - Executive Officer, Group Commander (Chief Flight Officer or Air Boss)
CTO (OPS) - Chief Tactical Officer, Strategic Ops Officer
CE (CFMO) - Chief Engineer, Chief Flight Maintenance Officer
Eng-(X) - Engineering/Flight Maintenance Officer (limited to Eng-2)
CMO - Chief Medical Officer
Med-(X) - Medical Officer (limited to Med-2)
COS - Chief Of Security
Sec-(X) - Security Officer (limited to Sec-2)
CSO - Chief Science Officer
Sci-(X) - Science Officer (limited to Sci-2)
WCO(X) - Wing Commanding Officer (one per wing)

NPC Positions:

SCO (NCP/PC) - Squadron CO
FL (NPC) - Flight Leader
PL (NPC) - Pilot
CC (NPC) - Crew Chief (each fighter has one) enlisted rank

KANSAS-CLASS SHIPS

Ships of this class:

USS Kansas, Flagship, NCC-24200
USS Nebraska, NCC-24201
USS Hawaii, NCC-24202
USS Missouri, NCC-24203
USS Pennsylvania, NCC-24204
USS Maryland, NCC-24205
USS Iowa, NCC-24206
USS Georgia, NCC-24207
USS California, NCC-24208
USS Utah, NCC-24209
USS Idaho, NCC-24210

FIGHTER CRAFT ASSIGNMENTS (USS Kansas, NCC-24200)

KANSAS GROUP:

Red Wing: (150xIcarus Fighters)

1st Squadron
Alpha Flight
Leader
2
3
4
5
6
Bravo Flight
Charlie Flight
Delta Flight
Echo Flight
Fox Flight
2nd Squadron
3rd Squadron
4th Squadron
5th Squadron

Gold Wing: (150xIcarus Fighters)

1st Squadron
2nd Squadron
3rd Squadron
4th Squadron
5th Squadron

Black Wing: (shuttles, runabouts, utility, Recon)

1st Squadron 30x Omicron Recon Sleds (equipped with recon and sensor packages)
2nd Squadron 15x type 15 Shuttlepods, 15x type 16 Shuttlepods
3rd Squadron 10x type 7 personnel shuttles, 10x type 9a cargo shuttles, 10x Vallhala runabouts
4th Squadron 30x type M1 Sphinx workpods

NOTES:

*Until such time as more fighters are developed. The Icarus and Omicron will function fine as the ships fighter craft. The Fighter wing will have a different weapons load out than the dedicated multi-roll wings. The Omicron Recon Sled is a Omicron Assault Sled fighter, stripped of nearly all weaponry with additional sensor pods and a ECM Pod to aid in making the fighter harder to detect.

REVISION HISTORY

EDept Comment: Current ENERGIE policy would place these all versions of this specification besides 5.20 as Drafts, as the original specification was proposed on the Prodigy server as the Unity-class before being renamed. Version 5.20 in this version history was the only approved version of this specification.

1.0 Original publication
2.0 Complete rewrite of format, change of fighters, added dimensions, added details on defensive systems, added details on offensive systems, change of total allowable persons, minor spelling and punctuation changes.
2.01 Added Revision system, minor format changes.
3.0 Change of Class name to Kansas-Class from Unity-Class. Change of USS Colorado to USS Nebraska. (Special thanks to Mike Bourdaa).
3.01 Minor spelling and format changes.
3.02 Minor spelling changes.
3.03 Added WeB Address to Plans
4.0 (non-published) Major re-write of design. Increased craft assignment from 3 wings to 7 squadrons, previous total of 36 craft now totals 84 craft. Added two ships to class, USS Utah and USS Idaho, Changed Web Address, Added Omicron fighter class, added one entire flight/hanger deck, added squadron assignment for USS Kansas (typical assignment), changed WCO (Wing Commander) from previous CFO (Chief Flight Officer), replaced G-V Missle Launch rails with Mini-Torp launchers (already approved).
5.0 (non-published) Major re-write and format change. Utilized information found in the TNG TM and Dakota Class Carrier designs from ST TOS, and ST TMP. Changed total shuttle auxilary spacecraft assignment to reflect more realistic roles. Redesigned ship to catamaran hull design.
5.1 (Abraxas Review/EDir Review) Minor spelling, punctuation and grammar corrections. Added specs and techs on Icarus, Valhalla, and EUNIX. Corrected EUNIX system in section IV.
5.11 (published) Minor format changes for posting to the Engineering Department. HTML coding completed for Web Publishing.
5.20 (published) Reduction of number of fighters to 300, and replaced Icarus-R with Omicron Recon Sleds. Removed Deck Layout.

Special thanks to Owen Townes and the crew at the Abraxas Ship Works, without whom this ship design would not of been possible. Thanks also to Randy McCullick, Jeff Fields, and Ralf Steen