View source for Akira class

[[File:akira_class-st-08.jpg|350px|thumb|right|''Akira'' class<ref name="ST08"/>
{| style="width:99%;"
|+'''Specifications'''
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Date Entered Service
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 2368<ref name="LUG25100"/><ref name="Decipher3"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Length
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 464.43m<ref name="DS9TM"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Width
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 316.67m<ref name="DS9TM"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Height
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 87.43m<ref name="DS9TM"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Mass
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 3,055,000mt<ref name="DS9TM"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Decks
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 26<ref name="LUG25100"/><ref name="Decipher3"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | [[Transporter|Transporters]] (Personnel)
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 4<ref name="LUG25100"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Transporters (Emergency)
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 4<ref name="LUG25100"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Transporters (Cargo)
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 4<ref name="LUG25100"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Shuttlecraft
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 21<ref name="Decipher4"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Crew
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 500<ref name="DS9TM"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Passengers
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 1,750<ref name="LUG25100"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Evacuation Limit
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 4500<ref name="DS9TM"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Cruising Speed
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | [[Warp drive|Warp]] 6<ref name="LUG25100"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Max. Sustainable Cruising Speed
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Warp 9.4<ref name="LUG25100"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" | Emergency speed
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Warp 9.8 for 12 hours<ref name="DS9TM"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:right;" rowspan="2" | Weapons
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 6 [[Phaser#Type_X|Type X Phaser]] emitters<ref name="DS9TM"/>
|-
| style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | 2 torpedo launchers;<ref name="DS9TM"/> 275 Type II [[Photon torpedo|Photon torpedoes]];<ref name="LUG25100"/> [[Quantum torpedo|Quantum torpedoes]]
|}]]

The ''Akira'' class fast attack heavy cruisers were designed for superior speed, durability, and firepower, and was capable of multiple mission types, including first strike, reconnaissance, incursion, and perimeter defense, as well as colonization support and planetary evacuations.<ref name="Decipher4"/> The ''Akiras'' were produced at the [[Antares Fleet Yards]] on [[Antares IV]],<ref name="DS9TM"/> as well as at [[Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards]] on [[Mars]].<ref name="VOY218"/> First commissioned in 2368, the ''Akira'' class was the first vessel class authorized by the [[Perimeter Defense Directive]] (PDD). Other classes developed under this classified directive&mdash;including the ''[[Norway class|Norway]],'' ''[[Steamrunner class]],'' and ''[[Saber class|Saber]]'' clases&mdash;were brought into active service over the next several years.<ref name="LUG25100"/><ref name="Decipher3"/><ref name="Decipher4"/>

Of the twelve new ship classes placed into accelerated development by the PDD, the ''Akira'' class emerged as one of the most versatile.<ref name="Decipher3"/> The ''Akira'' class was one of the first [[Starfleet]] designs since the ''[[Andor class]]''<ref name="FASA2302"/> to focus primarily on superior firepower and the projection of force in a quick and decisive manner.<ref name="Decipher4"/> Armed with both [[Photon torpedo|photon]] and [[Quantum torpedo|quantum]] torpedoes,<ref name="ST08"/> six [[Phaser#Type_X|Type X Phaser]] arrays,<ref name="DS9TM"/> the ''Akira'' class possessed a devastating first-strike capability.<ref name="Decipher4"/> The ''Akira'' class also incorporated three quick-pressure shuttlebays; the single forward shuttlebay served as the primary launching facility, while the two aft bays were typically used for shuttle recovery. Shuttlecraft ranged from standard multi-role craft like the [[Type 8 Shuttlecraft]] to specialized fighters, which could be used for picket defense or patrol duties.<ref name="Decipher4"/> Squadrons of 30-50<ref name="Decipher3"/> such support craft allowed the ''Akira'' class to fulfill a unique support role, and to project a Starfleet presence further than most other starships.<ref name="Decipher4"/>

Originally envisioned merely as the test-bed for new phaser and torpedo technologies, the ''Akira'' class was not initially intended for mass production or as a front-line combat vessel. Following the destruction of a sizable portion of Starfleet's forces during the [[Battle of 359]], the ''Akira'' class was pressed into development, bringing the experimental class into the spotlight under the auspices of the PDD.<ref name="Decipher4"/> This mission redesign coincided with increased [[Cardassian Union|Cardassian]] crises and the [[Dominion War]], and Starfleet commissioned many more PDD ships than [[Starfleet Command]] had initially anticipated, desperate to throw a generally proven design onto the front lines.<ref name="Decipher3"/> 

The most noteworthy deployment of the ''Akira'' class was, perhaps, the defense of [[Sector 001]] during the [[Borg]] incursion of 2373. ''Akira'' class vessels, including the ''[[U.S.S. Thunderchild NCC-63549]],'' performed with distinction during the incident.<ref name="ST08"/> Limited engagements against Cardassian and [[Tholian Assembly|Tholian]] forces also helped to bolster confidence that the ''Akira'' class was, indeed, a viable design. Wide-scale production began shortly before the outbreak of the [[Dominion War]],, which would again extract a terrible toll on all sides. Conflicts at the [[Chin'toka system]] and [[Deep Space 9]] during [[Operation Return]] would serve to ensure the ''Akira'' class' place in history.<ref name="Decipher4"/>

== ''Akira'' class starships ==
* ''[[U.S.S. Akira NCC-62497]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Black Elk NCC-62878]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Constant]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Geronimo NCC-62501]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Kelvin]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Korolev]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Mateo NCC-63002]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Nez Perce NCC-62891]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Osceola NCC-62743]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Rabin NCC-63293]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Red Cloud NCC-63306]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Rideout]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Spector NCC-63015]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Spector NCC-65549]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Susquehanna NCC-63419]]''
* ''[[U.S.S. Thunderchild NCC-63549]]''
<div style="clear:both;">&nbsp;</div>
== References ==
<references>
<ref name="FASA2302">"[[Federation Ship Recognition Manual (FASA-2302)|Federation Ship Recognition Manual]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Roleplaying Game]],'' Supplement 2302. Game. 1985. FASA.</ref>
<ref name="ST08">''[[Star Trek: First Contact (Film)|Star Trek: First Contact]].'' Film. 22 November 1996.</ref>
<ref name="DS9TM">"[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual (Book)|Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual]].'' [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]. Book. 1998. Pocket Books.</ref>
<ref name="VOY218">"[[Relativity (Episode)|Relativity]]." ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]],'' Episode 218. Television. 12 May 1999.</ref>
<ref name="LUG25100">"[[The Price of Freedom: The United Federation of Planets Sourcebook (LUG-25100)|The Price of Freedom: The United Federation of Planets Sourcebook]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Roleplaying Game]],'' Supplement 25100. Game. February 1999. Last Unicorn Games, Inc.</ref>
<ref name="Decipher3">"[[Starfleet Operations Manual (Decipher #3)|Starfleet Operations Manual]]." ''[[Star Trek Roleplaying Game (Decipher)|Star Trek Roleplaying Game]],'' Book 4. Game. 2003. Decipher, Inc.</ref>
<ref name="Decipher4">"[[Starships (Decipher #4)|Starships]]." ''[[Star Trek Roleplaying Game (Decipher)|Star Trek Roleplaying Game]],'' Book 4. Game. 2003. Decipher, Inc.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Library]]
[[Category:Ships & Vehicles]]
[[Category:TNG]]
[[Category:DS9]]
[[Category:VOY]]
[[Category:Film]]
[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:Comics]]
[[Category:Game]]