D-6 class (SFC)
The D-6 class was the original standard Klingon cruiser, until it was replaced by the more powerful D-7 class. Compared with the D-7, the D-6 had fewer phasers and the disruptors had shorter range. One of the four shipyards building D-6 and D-7 class ships never converted to D-7 production, however, and continued to produce D-6 class ships; they may have been kept in production originally to fill the light cruiser or destroyer roles. Most of the additional D-6 production was used for variants. One of the hidden strengths of the Klingon Empire was the ready availability of cruiser hulls for support variants.
The D-6 battlecruiser was in service in 2250, and featured a crew complement of 440, a capacity of eight shuttlecraft, four science labs, five transporters, and three tractor beam emitters, and was armed with two Type-F missile launchers, four Type-2 disruptor banks, and seven Type-2 phaser banks. The D-6 remained in production until 2282, when it was replaced by the D-6B refit, which was introduced in 2270. The D-6B had stronger shields; it replaced the Type-F missiles with Type-As, and added a bank of Type-3 phasers. The D-6B remained in service until 2297, when it was superseded by the D-6K refit, introduced in 2285. The D-6K replaced the Type-A missiles with Type-Bs, the Type-2 disruptors with Type-3s, and three of the Type-2 phaser banks were replaced with Type-1s.
The D-6D drone battlecruiser was also in service in 2250, and was a conversion of the D-6 designed to provide long-range fleet fire support, though it was also capable of direct combat. D-6D ships were not intended to patrol alone, and usually operated as part of a fleet. The D-6D was largely similar to a D-6, but had a crew complement of 460, a capacity of ten shuttles and only a single transporter facility; it was armed with six Type-B missile launchers and seven Type-2 phaser banks. The D-6D remained in service until 2284, when it was replaced by the D-6DB refit, introduced in 2272. The D-6DB was largely identical, but featured stronger shields.
A third variant in service in 2250 was the D-6G commando cruiser. Designed as a heavy assault transport to deliver troops to planetary combat, the D-6G was one of the most effective commando ships in known space. Because heavy cruiser hulls were difficult to spare, however, very few were built. The D-6G had a capacity of 510, stronger shields than the D-6, carried up to eleven shuttles, had nine transporters for delivering troops, and boasted four tractor beam emitters. It was armed with seven banks of Type-2 phasers, and remained in production until 2282, when it was replaced by the D-6GB refit, introduced in 2272. The D-6GB variant featured improved shielding, and added a bank of Type-3 phasers; it remained in service until 2284.[1]
Romulan
The Klingon Empire provided the Romulan Star Empire with advanced ships and technology starting in the early 2260s. The most important ships supplied were nine older D-6 class battlecruisers. While those were strictly second-rate ships to the Klingons, they were, at the time, the most powerful ships in Romulan hands. Later, the Romulans acquired more D-6s from the Klingons and converted some into variants.
The D-6R (KR) battlecruiser was introduced circa 2263 and featured a crew complement of 400, a complement of nine shuttlecraft, and was equipped with four science labs, five transporters, and three tractor beam emitters. It was armed with two Type-G plasma torpedo tubes, three banks of Type-1 phasers, and four banks of Type-2 phasers. The D-6R remained in service until 2288, when it was superseded by the D-6RB, which was introduced in 2276. The D-6RB (KRB) variant featured featured stronger shields than the D-6R.
The Romulans only converted a few of their D-6s to the D-6RG (KRG) commando battlecruiser variant. It was based upon the Klingon D-6G commando battlecruiser. The D-6RG, introduced in 2263, featured a crew complement of 500 — which included 250 Marines, housed in four barracks — a capacity of 12 shuttlecraft, and was equipped with four science labs, nine transporters to aid in deploying troops, and four tractor beam emitters. The D-6RG was armed with three banks of Type-1 phasers, and four banks of Type-3 phasers. The D-6RG remained in service until 2290, when it was superseded by the D-6RGB (KRGB) refit, introduced in 2278. The D-6RGB, while similar to the D-6RG, featured slightly stronger shielding.[1]
D-6 class vessels
SFC Timeline
I.K.V. Abomination • I.K.V. Anarchy • R.I.S. Annihilation • I.K.V. Atropos • I.K.V. Barbarous • I.K.V. Bloodsheder • I.K.V. Brutality • I.K.V. Carnage • I.K.V. Cataclysm • I.K.V. Cloudburst • I.K.V. Conquest • I.K.V. Desecration • I.K.V. Desolation • I.K.V. Despicable • I.K.V. Destruction • I.K.V. Devastation • I.K.V. Furious • I.K.V. Gnasher • I.K.V. Hailstone • I.K.V. Havoc • R.I.S. Hawk • R.I.S. Kestrel • I.K.V. Krueger • I.K.V. Lawmaker • I.K.V. Lightning • I.K.V. Malicious • I.K.V. Massacre • I.K.V. Murderous • I.K.V. Obliterator • R.I.S. Patrician • I.K.V. Pillage • I.K.V. Plague • I.K.V. Plunder • R.I.S. Praetorian • R.I.S. Proconsul • R.I.S. Retaliation • R.I.S. Retribution • I.K.V. Revenge • I.K.V. Savagery • R.I.S. Senatarian • R.I.S. Shrike • I.K.V. Sorrowmaker • I.K.V. Stormcloud • I.K.V. Thunderbolt • I.K.V. Thundermaker • I.K.V. Troublemaker • I.K.V. Turbulent • I.K.V. Virulent • I.K.V. Widowmaker
Notes and References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bethke, Erik (Producer). Starfleet Command. Lead Designer: Erik Bethke. Senior Designer: Chris Taylor. Mission Scripting by Lance Watanabe. Campaign Mission Design by Scott Bennie. Game Design by Marc Hertogh and Tom Hughes. SFB Consultant: Tom Hughes. Interplay Inc.. 15 September 1999.
