Difference between revisions of "Derf class (FASA)"

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The ''Derf'' class tender became operational on [[Reference Stardate]] [[Chronology: 2256#July|1/9807 (July 2256)]]<ref name="FASA2218A"/> with the commissioning of the [[U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100|U.S.S. ''Derf'' NCC-20100]].<ref name="FASA2001A"/> More than 500 were constructed, and although the class did not see combat during the [[Klingon War (23rd Century)|Klingon War]], which began two months earlier, the class was responsible for repairing and maintaining navigational beacons along the new border between the [[United Federation of Planets]] and the [[Klingon Empire]] after the war ended.<ref name="FASA2218A"/> The class was also used for survey work as a medium exploration ship. The circular top hull was four decks high; the lower hull was also four decks. Decks 5-7 were 3.2 [[meter|meters]] high, while Deck 8 was 9 meters. ''Derf'' class vessels were named after historical places in the Federation, and initially bore hull registries in the 20100-20179 range.<ref name="FASA2001A"/>
 
The ''Derf'' class tender became operational on [[Reference Stardate]] [[Chronology: 2256#July|1/9807 (July 2256)]]<ref name="FASA2218A"/> with the commissioning of the [[U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100|U.S.S. ''Derf'' NCC-20100]].<ref name="FASA2001A"/> More than 500 were constructed, and although the class did not see combat during the [[Klingon War (23rd Century)|Klingon War]], which began two months earlier, the class was responsible for repairing and maintaining navigational beacons along the new border between the [[United Federation of Planets]] and the [[Klingon Empire]] after the war ended.<ref name="FASA2218A"/> The class was also used for survey work as a medium exploration ship. The circular top hull was four decks high; the lower hull was also four decks. Decks 5-7 were 3.2 [[meter|meters]] high, while Deck 8 was 9 meters. ''Derf'' class vessels were named after historical places in the Federation, and initially bore hull registries in the 20100-20179 range.<ref name="FASA2001A"/>
  
When performing maintenance on navigational buoys, early warning sensors, beacons, and communication relay stations, special shuttles with [[tractor beam|tractor beams]] recovered the buoys, then entered forward, where the retrieved equipment underwent an "assembly line" maintenance routine. When repaired, the shuttle then took the device out the aft door and replaced it on the navigation route.<ref name="FASA2001A"/>
+
The ''Derf'' class marked a new concept in navigational beacon repair. Before its introduction, marker buoys and navigational beacons had to be retrieved and returned to a repair facility to be serviced. ''Derf'' class tenders eliminated this need because they carried repair facilities onboard.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/> When performing maintenance on navigational buoys, early warning sensors, beacons, and communication relay stations, special shuttles with [[tractor beam|tractor beams]] recovered the buoys, then entered forward, where the retrieved equipment underwent an "assembly line" maintenance routine. When repaired, the shuttle then took the device out the aft door and replaced it on the navigation route.<ref name="FASA2001A"/>
  
Designed and built under contract by [[Chandley Works Ltd.]], the class had a maximum safe cruising speed of [[warp drive|Warp]] 6, and an emergency speed of Warp 8. The class was 274 [[meter|meters]] long, 128 meters wide, and 65 meters high. It had a cargo capacity of 350 units, and carried minimal defenses, fielding two banks of two FH-4 [[phaser|phasers]] and an FSH [[deflector shield]]. ''Derf'' class vessels carried two 6-person and one cargo [[transporter]], two passenger shuttlecraft, and five [[worker bee|work pod]] shuttles.<ref name="FASA2302E1"/>
+
<div class="BoxOutline ButtonAll" style="width:25%;float:left;">
 
+
<div style="text-align:center;">
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
 
 
===''Derf'' class vessels===
 
===''Derf'' class vessels===
 +
</div>
 
* [[U.S.S. Acropolis (Derf class)|U.S.S. ''Acropolis'']]
 
* [[U.S.S. Acropolis (Derf class)|U.S.S. ''Acropolis'']]
 
* [[U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100|U.S.S. ''Derf'' NCC-20100]]
 
* [[U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100|U.S.S. ''Derf'' NCC-20100]]
 +
</div>
 +
 +
Designed and built under contract by [[Chandley Works Ltd.]], the class had a maximum safe cruising speed of [[warp drive|Warp]] 6, and an emergency speed of Warp 8. The class was 274 [[meter|meters]] long, 128 meters wide, and 65 meters high. ''Derf'' class vessels carried two 6-person and one cargo [[transporter]], two passenger shuttlecraft, and five [[worker bee|work pod]] shuttles.<ref name="FASA2302E1"/><ref name="FASA2302E1"/> Although the ''Derf'' was not designed as a fighting vessel, it was capable of aggressive defense. Most repair missions took place along the borders between the major powers, where the chances of encountering enemy ships was very high.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/> Because of this high risk, the ''Derf'' was armed with two banks of two FH-4 [[phaser|phasers]] and an FSH [[deflector shield]].<ref name="FASA2302E1"/>
 +
 +
This protection does not prevent the ''Derf'' class from falling prey to enemy ships. On Reference Stardate [[Chronology: 2265#February|2/0702 (February 2265)]], the [[U.S.S. Acropolis (Derf class)|U.S.S. ''Acropolis'']] responded to signals from a malfunctioning marker buoy. As its shuttle neared the beacon. a [[Klingon Empire|Klingon]] warship appeared and opened fire before defensive actions could be taken. The volley crippled the ''Acropolis''' engines, and the tender was boarded and towed into Klingon territory.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/> Intelligence later discovered that the beacon had been sabotaged by Klingon operatives to entrap the repair tender.<ref name="FASA2224"/> It is theorized that the Klingons gained technical information concerning robotics and repair techniques that they lacked, but it is not known just what gain this action brought them in the overall situation. Some analysts believed that study of the robotic repair systems could make it possible for Klingons to alter the functioning of navigation beacons robotically, creating potential havoc in border spacelanes.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/>
 +
 +
As of Reference Stardate [[Chronology: 2286#June|2/2306 (June 2286)]], of the 545 Derfs built, 16 Mk Is, 362 Mk IIIs, and 68 Mk IVs remained in active service, and 38 Mk Is and 17 Mk IIIs were in reserve fleets. Two Mk Is and 2 Mk IIIs were used by [[Star Fleet Command#Training Command|Star Fleet Training Command]]; 12 Mk Is, 8 Mk Il ls, and 1 Mk IV had been destroyed; 1 Mk III has been captured by the Klingons; 1 Mk I and 3 Mk IIIs were listed as missing; 4 Mk Is, 4 Mk IIIs, and 2 Mk IVs had been scrapped; and 2 Mk Is had been sold to the private sector. The ''Derf'' class was built at [[Merak]] at the rate of 4 ships per year.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/>
  
 
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
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The ''Derf'' class tender became operational on [[Reference Stardate]] [[FASA Chronology: 2198#July|1/9807 (July 2198)]]<ref name="FASA2218A"/> with the commissioning of the [[U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Derf'' NCC-20100]].<ref name="FASA2001A"/> More than 500 were constructed, and although the class did not see combat during the [[Four Years War]], which ended a month earlier, the class was responsible for repairing and maintaining navigational beacons along the new border between the [[United Federation of Planets (FASA)|United Federation of Planets]] and the [[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon Empire]].<ref name="FASA2218A"/> The class was also used for survey work as a medium exploration ship. The circular top hull was four decks high; the lower hull was also four decks. Decks 5-7 were 3.2 [[meter|meters]] high, while Deck 8 was 9 meters. ''Derf'' class vessels were named after historical places in the Federation, and initially bore hull registries in the 20100-20179 range.<ref name="FASA2001A"/>
 
The ''Derf'' class tender became operational on [[Reference Stardate]] [[FASA Chronology: 2198#July|1/9807 (July 2198)]]<ref name="FASA2218A"/> with the commissioning of the [[U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Derf'' NCC-20100]].<ref name="FASA2001A"/> More than 500 were constructed, and although the class did not see combat during the [[Four Years War]], which ended a month earlier, the class was responsible for repairing and maintaining navigational beacons along the new border between the [[United Federation of Planets (FASA)|United Federation of Planets]] and the [[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon Empire]].<ref name="FASA2218A"/> The class was also used for survey work as a medium exploration ship. The circular top hull was four decks high; the lower hull was also four decks. Decks 5-7 were 3.2 [[meter|meters]] high, while Deck 8 was 9 meters. ''Derf'' class vessels were named after historical places in the Federation, and initially bore hull registries in the 20100-20179 range.<ref name="FASA2001A"/>
  
When performing maintenance on navigational buoys, early warning sensors, beacons, and communication relay stations, special shuttles with [[tractor beam|tractor beams]] recovered the buoys, then entered forward, where the retrieved equipment underwent an "assembly line" maintenance routine. When repaired, the shuttle then took the device out the aft door and replaced it on the navigation route.<ref name="FASA2001A"/>
+
The ''Derf'' class marked a new concept in navigational beacon repair. Before its introduction, marker buoys and navigational beacons had to be retrieved and returned to a repair facility to be serviced. ''Derf'' class tenders eliminated this need because they carried repair facilities onboard.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/> When performing maintenance on navigational buoys, early warning sensors, beacons, and communication relay stations, special shuttles with [[tractor beam|tractor beams]] recovered the buoys, then entered forward, where the retrieved equipment underwent an "assembly line" maintenance routine. When repaired, the shuttle then took the device out the aft door and replaced it on the navigation route.<ref name="FASA2001A"/>
  
Designed and built under contract by [[Chandley Works Ltd.]], the class had a maximum safe cruising speed of [[warp drive|Warp]] 6, and an emergency speed of Warp 8. The class was 274 [[meter|meters]] long, 128 meters wide, and 65 meters high. It had a cargo capacity of 350 units, and carried minimal defenses, fielding two banks of two FH-4 [[phaser|phasers]] and an FSH [[deflector shield]]. ''Derf'' class vessels carried two 6-person and one cargo [[transporter]], two passenger shuttlecraft, and five [[worker bee|work pod]] shuttles.<ref name="FASA2302E1"/>
+
<div class="BoxOutline ButtonAll" style="width:25%;float:left;">
 
+
<div style="text-align:center;">
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
 
 
===''Derf'' class vessels===
 
===''Derf'' class vessels===
 +
</div>
 
* [[U.S.S. Acropolis (Derf class)#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Acropolis'']]
 
* [[U.S.S. Acropolis (Derf class)#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Acropolis'']]
 
* [[U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Derf'' NCC-20100]]
 
* [[U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Derf'' NCC-20100]]
 +
</div>
 +
 +
Designed and built under contract by [[Chandley Works Ltd.#FASA Timeline|Chandley Works Ltd.]], the class had a maximum safe cruising speed of [[warp drive|Warp]] 6, and an emergency speed of Warp 8. The class was 274 [[meter|meters]] long, 128 meters wide, and 65 meters high. ''Derf'' class vessels carried two 6-person and one cargo [[transporter]], two passenger shuttlecraft, and five [[worker bee|work pod]] shuttles.<ref name="FASA2302E1"/><ref name="FASA2302E1"/> Although the ''Derf'' was not designed as a fighting vessel, it was capable of aggressive defense. Most repair missions took place along the borders between the major powers, where the chances of encountering enemy ships was very high.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/> Because of this high risk, the ''Derf'' was armed with two banks of two FH-4 [[phaser|phasers]] and an FSH [[deflector shield]].<ref name="FASA2302E1"/>
 +
 +
This protection does not prevent the ''Derf'' class from falling prey to enemy ships. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2207#February|2/0702 (February 2207)]], the [[U.S.S. Acropolis (Derf class)#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Acropolis'']] responded to signals from a malfunctioning marker buoy. As its shuttle neared the beacon. a [[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon]] warship appeared and opened fire before defensive actions could be taken. The volley crippled the ''Acropolis''' engines, and the tender was boarded and towed into Klingon territory.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/> Intelligence later discovered that the beacon had been sabotaged by Klingon operatives to entrap the repair tender.<ref name="FASA2224"/> It is theorized that the Klingons gained technical information concerning robotics and repair techniques that they lacked, but it is not known just what gain this action brought them in the overall situation. Some analysts believed that study of the robotic repair systems could make it possible for Klingons to alter the functioning of navigation beacons robotically, creating potential havoc in border spacelanes.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/>
 +
 +
As of Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2223#June|2/2306 (June 2223)]], of the 545 Derfs built, 16 Mk Is, 362 Mk IIIs, and 68 Mk IVs remained in active service, and 38 Mk Is and 17 Mk IIIs were in reserve fleets. Two Mk Is and 2 Mk IIIs were used by [[Star Fleet Command#Training Command|Star Fleet Training Command]]; 12 Mk Is, 8 Mk Il ls, and 1 Mk IV had been destroyed; 1 Mk III has been captured by the Klingons; 1 Mk I and 3 Mk IIIs were listed as missing; 4 Mk Is, 4 Mk IIIs, and 2 Mk IVs had been scrapped; and 2 Mk Is had been sold to the private sector. The ''Derf'' class was built at [[Merak]] at the rate of 4 ships per year.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/>
  
 
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
 
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
Line 81: Line 95:
 
<ref name="FASA2001A">[[McLimore, Guy W. Jr.]], [[Poehlein, Greg K.]], and [[Tepool, David F.]] "[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA-2001)#Basic Rulebook|Basic Rulebook]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)|Star Trek: The Role Playing Game]],'' Book 2001A. [[:Category:Artists|Box Art and Original Artwork]] by [[O'Connell, Mitch|Mitch O'Connell]]. [[:Category:Artists|Ship Deck Plans]] by [[Andrews, Dana|Dana Andrews]], [[Babcock, Ross|Ross Babcock]], [[O'Connell, Mitch|Mitch O'Connell]], and [[Weisman, Jordan|Jordan Weisman]]. [[FASA Corporation]], 1983.</ref>
 
<ref name="FASA2001A">[[McLimore, Guy W. Jr.]], [[Poehlein, Greg K.]], and [[Tepool, David F.]] "[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA-2001)#Basic Rulebook|Basic Rulebook]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)|Star Trek: The Role Playing Game]],'' Book 2001A. [[:Category:Artists|Box Art and Original Artwork]] by [[O'Connell, Mitch|Mitch O'Connell]]. [[:Category:Artists|Ship Deck Plans]] by [[Andrews, Dana|Dana Andrews]], [[Babcock, Ross|Ross Babcock]], [[O'Connell, Mitch|Mitch O'Connell]], and [[Weisman, Jordan|Jordan Weisman]]. [[FASA Corporation]], 1983.</ref>
 
<ref name="FASA2302E1">[[Tepool, David F.]] "[[Federation Ship Recognition Manual (FASA-2302)#First Edition|Federation Ship Recognition Manual]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)|Star Trek: The Role Playing Game]],'' Supplement 2302, First Edition. [[:Category:Artists|Illustrations]] by [[Knutson, Dana|Dana Knutson]] and [[Oswald, Robert|Robert Oswald]]. [[FASA Corporation]]. 1983.</ref>
 
<ref name="FASA2302E1">[[Tepool, David F.]] "[[Federation Ship Recognition Manual (FASA-2302)#First Edition|Federation Ship Recognition Manual]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)|Star Trek: The Role Playing Game]],'' Supplement 2302, First Edition. [[:Category:Artists|Illustrations]] by [[Knutson, Dana|Dana Knutson]] and [[Oswald, Robert|Robert Oswald]]. [[FASA Corporation]]. 1983.</ref>
 +
<ref name="FASA2302E2">[[Brown, Forest G.]] "[[Federation Ship Recognition Manual (FASA-2302)#Second Edition|Federation Ship Recognition Manual]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)|Star Trek: The Role Playing Game]],'' Supplement 2302, Second Edition. [[:Category:Artists|Cover Art]] by [[Knutson, Dana|Dana Knutson]]. [[:Category:Artists|Illustrations]] by [[Knutson, Dana|Dana Knutson]] and [[Oswald, Robert|Robert Oswald]]. [[FASA Corporation]]. 1985.</ref>
 
<ref name="FASA2218A">[[Theisen, John A.]] "[[The Four Years War (FASA-2218A)|The Four Years War]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)|Star Trek: The Role Playing Game]],'' Supplement 2218A. [[:Category:Artists|Cover Art and Illustrations]] by [[Knutson, Dana|Dana Knutson]]. [[FASA Corporation]]. 1986.</ref>
 
<ref name="FASA2218A">[[Theisen, John A.]] "[[The Four Years War (FASA-2218A)|The Four Years War]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)|Star Trek: The Role Playing Game]],'' Supplement 2218A. [[:Category:Artists|Cover Art and Illustrations]] by [[Knutson, Dana|Dana Knutson]]. [[FASA Corporation]]. 1986.</ref>
 +
<ref name="FASA2224">[[Barton, William A.]], [[Gallagher, Tara J.]], [[Hess, Clare W. III]], [[Huettel, Todd W.]], [[Kemper, Dale L.]], [[Menke, Bernard Edward]], [[Pardoe, Blaine L.]], [[Peterson, Boy F.]], [[Rogan, Peter R.]], [[Stein, Kevin]], [[Stuart, Rick David]], and [[Theisen, John A.]] "[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Sourcebook Update (FASA-2224)|''Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'' Sourcebook Update]]." ''[[Star Trek: The Role Playing Game (FASA)|Star Trek: The Role Playing Game]],'' Supplement 2224. [[:Category:Artists|Cover Art]] by [[Knutson, Dana|Dana Knutson]]. [[:Category:Artists|Illustrations]] by [[Marsh, Todd F.|Todd F. Marsh]], [[Laubenstein, Jeff|Jeff Laubenstein]], and [[Knutson, Dana|Dana Knutson]]. [[FASA Corporation]]. 1986.</ref>
 
</references>
 
</references>
  

Revision as of 00:52, 11 July 2019

Deck 1 Bridge
Deck 2 Weapons, Crew Quarters, Lounges
Deck 3 Crew Quarters, Rec Areas
Deck 4 Recycling, Fabrication, Ship's Computers, Hydroponics
Decks 5-6 Storage (Fore), Engineering (Aft 1/3)
Deck 7 Parts Storage
Deck 8 Open Storage

The Derf class tender became operational on Reference Stardate 1/9807 (July 2256)[1] with the commissioning of the U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100.[2] More than 500 were constructed, and although the class did not see combat during the Klingon War, which began two months earlier, the class was responsible for repairing and maintaining navigational beacons along the new border between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire after the war ended.[1] The class was also used for survey work as a medium exploration ship. The circular top hull was four decks high; the lower hull was also four decks. Decks 5-7 were 3.2 meters high, while Deck 8 was 9 meters. Derf class vessels were named after historical places in the Federation, and initially bore hull registries in the 20100-20179 range.[2]

The Derf class marked a new concept in navigational beacon repair. Before its introduction, marker buoys and navigational beacons had to be retrieved and returned to a repair facility to be serviced. Derf class tenders eliminated this need because they carried repair facilities onboard.[3] When performing maintenance on navigational buoys, early warning sensors, beacons, and communication relay stations, special shuttles with tractor beams recovered the buoys, then entered forward, where the retrieved equipment underwent an "assembly line" maintenance routine. When repaired, the shuttle then took the device out the aft door and replaced it on the navigation route.[2]

Designed and built under contract by Chandley Works Ltd., the class had a maximum safe cruising speed of Warp 6, and an emergency speed of Warp 8. The class was 274 meters long, 128 meters wide, and 65 meters high. Derf class vessels carried two 6-person and one cargo transporter, two passenger shuttlecraft, and five work pod shuttles.[4][4] Although the Derf was not designed as a fighting vessel, it was capable of aggressive defense. Most repair missions took place along the borders between the major powers, where the chances of encountering enemy ships was very high.[3] Because of this high risk, the Derf was armed with two banks of two FH-4 phasers and an FSH deflector shield.[4]

This protection does not prevent the Derf class from falling prey to enemy ships. On Reference Stardate 2/0702 (February 2265), the U.S.S. Acropolis responded to signals from a malfunctioning marker buoy. As its shuttle neared the beacon. a Klingon warship appeared and opened fire before defensive actions could be taken. The volley crippled the Acropolis' engines, and the tender was boarded and towed into Klingon territory.[3] Intelligence later discovered that the beacon had been sabotaged by Klingon operatives to entrap the repair tender.[5] It is theorized that the Klingons gained technical information concerning robotics and repair techniques that they lacked, but it is not known just what gain this action brought them in the overall situation. Some analysts believed that study of the robotic repair systems could make it possible for Klingons to alter the functioning of navigation beacons robotically, creating potential havoc in border spacelanes.[3]

As of Reference Stardate 2/2306 (June 2286), of the 545 Derfs built, 16 Mk Is, 362 Mk IIIs, and 68 Mk IVs remained in active service, and 38 Mk Is and 17 Mk IIIs were in reserve fleets. Two Mk Is and 2 Mk IIIs were used by Star Fleet Training Command; 12 Mk Is, 8 Mk Il ls, and 1 Mk IV had been destroyed; 1 Mk III has been captured by the Klingons; 1 Mk I and 3 Mk IIIs were listed as missing; 4 Mk Is, 4 Mk IIIs, and 2 Mk IVs had been scrapped; and 2 Mk Is had been sold to the private sector. The Derf class was built at Merak at the rate of 4 ships per year.[3]

FASA Timeline

Deck 1 Bridge
Deck 2 Weapons, Crew Quarters, Lounges
Deck 3 Crew Quarters, Rec Areas
Deck 4 Recycling, Fabrication, Ship's Computers, Hydroponics
Decks 5-6 Storage (Fore), Engineering (Aft 1/3)
Deck 7 Parts Storage
Deck 8 Open Storage

The Derf class tender became operational on Reference Stardate 1/9807 (July 2198)[1] with the commissioning of the U.S.S. Derf NCC-20100.[2] More than 500 were constructed, and although the class did not see combat during the Four Years War, which ended a month earlier, the class was responsible for repairing and maintaining navigational beacons along the new border between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire.[1] The class was also used for survey work as a medium exploration ship. The circular top hull was four decks high; the lower hull was also four decks. Decks 5-7 were 3.2 meters high, while Deck 8 was 9 meters. Derf class vessels were named after historical places in the Federation, and initially bore hull registries in the 20100-20179 range.[2]

The Derf class marked a new concept in navigational beacon repair. Before its introduction, marker buoys and navigational beacons had to be retrieved and returned to a repair facility to be serviced. Derf class tenders eliminated this need because they carried repair facilities onboard.[3] When performing maintenance on navigational buoys, early warning sensors, beacons, and communication relay stations, special shuttles with tractor beams recovered the buoys, then entered forward, where the retrieved equipment underwent an "assembly line" maintenance routine. When repaired, the shuttle then took the device out the aft door and replaced it on the navigation route.[2]

Designed and built under contract by Chandley Works Ltd., the class had a maximum safe cruising speed of Warp 6, and an emergency speed of Warp 8. The class was 274 meters long, 128 meters wide, and 65 meters high. Derf class vessels carried two 6-person and one cargo transporter, two passenger shuttlecraft, and five work pod shuttles.[4][4] Although the Derf was not designed as a fighting vessel, it was capable of aggressive defense. Most repair missions took place along the borders between the major powers, where the chances of encountering enemy ships was very high.[3] Because of this high risk, the Derf was armed with two banks of two FH-4 phasers and an FSH deflector shield.[4]

This protection does not prevent the Derf class from falling prey to enemy ships. On Reference Stardate 2/0702 (February 2207), the U.S.S. Acropolis responded to signals from a malfunctioning marker buoy. As its shuttle neared the beacon. a Klingon warship appeared and opened fire before defensive actions could be taken. The volley crippled the Acropolis' engines, and the tender was boarded and towed into Klingon territory.[3] Intelligence later discovered that the beacon had been sabotaged by Klingon operatives to entrap the repair tender.[5] It is theorized that the Klingons gained technical information concerning robotics and repair techniques that they lacked, but it is not known just what gain this action brought them in the overall situation. Some analysts believed that study of the robotic repair systems could make it possible for Klingons to alter the functioning of navigation beacons robotically, creating potential havoc in border spacelanes.[3]

As of Reference Stardate 2/2306 (June 2223), of the 545 Derfs built, 16 Mk Is, 362 Mk IIIs, and 68 Mk IVs remained in active service, and 38 Mk Is and 17 Mk IIIs were in reserve fleets. Two Mk Is and 2 Mk IIIs were used by Star Fleet Training Command; 12 Mk Is, 8 Mk Il ls, and 1 Mk IV had been destroyed; 1 Mk III has been captured by the Klingons; 1 Mk I and 3 Mk IIIs were listed as missing; 4 Mk Is, 4 Mk IIIs, and 2 Mk IVs had been scrapped; and 2 Mk Is had been sold to the private sector. The Derf class was built at Merak at the rate of 4 ships per year.[3]

References