Larson class (FASA)
Specifications[1]
| Mk I | Mk II | Mk VI | Mk VII | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date entered service | 1/8801 | 1/9804 | 2/0912 | 2/1403 |
| # Constructed | 109 | 34 | 6 | 13 |
| Length | 269 meters | 269 meters | 269 meters | 272 meters |
| Width | 134 meters | 134 meters | 134 meters | 134 meters |
| Height | 62 meters | 62 meters | 62 meters | 62 meters |
| Mass | 82,400 metric tons | 80,750 metric tons | 87,000 metric tons | 88,600 metric tons |
| Cargo capacity | 10,000 metric tons | 10,000 metric tons | 10,000 metric tons | 10,000 metric tons |
| Computer Type | M-1 | M-1 | M-1 | M-1 |
| Transporters (6-person) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Transporters (20-person) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Transporters (Cargo) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew | 195 | 195 | 200 | 200 |
| Passengers | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Shuttlecraft | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Cruising Speed | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 |
| Emergency Speed | Warp 9 | Warp 9 | Warp 9 | Warp 9 |
| Weapons | 6 FL-2 Phasers in 3 banks | 6 FH-4 Phasers in 3 banks | 6 FH-7 Phasers in 3 banks | 6 FH-7 Phasers in 3 banks |
| 1 torpedo tubes | 2 torpedo tubes | 2 torpedo tubes | 2 torpedo tubes |
The Larson class destroyers, which first entered service in January 2246, were designed at the same time as the Nelson class scouts and Constitution class cruisers, and shared many design traits with these classes. An efficient class that performed its function well, it was intended to perform the same tasks as other dual-function vessels, namely research and defense. Even so, most of the existing Larson class ships still in service by June 2281 were employed by Starfleet's Military Operations Command, with several serving in Galaxy Exploration Command.[1]
Destroyers, such as the Larson class, were frequently employed on patrol duties along the frontier areas; in time of war or other emergencies, destroyers could be assigned to escort convoys or be used as scouts by squadrons or small fleets. With its array of weapons, it was a fine combat vessel, though not as powerful as a cruiser or larger ship.[1]
The Larson class remained unchanged from its introduction in 2246 until the introduction of the Mark II configuration in April 2256, when the FL-2 phaser banks were replaced with more powerful FH-4 phasers, and an additional photon torpedo launcher was installed; all Mark I ships were refitted to the Mark II configuration by September 2260. Several other interior modifications were later made, but the combat performance of the class remained essentially unchanged until the introduction of the Mark VI configuration.[1]
The Mark VI mounted a more powerful impulse drive system, improved phasers, and more efficient shield generators. The Mark VII, introduced in March 2272, featured the new style warp drive nacelles and a more powerful impulse drive system, which increased the overall power output by 25% and extended the service life of the Larson class by several years. By May 2280, all Larsons in active service had been upgraded to the Mark VI configuration, and several had been upgraded to Mark VII.[1]
Production on the Larson class was halted in August 2276 with the commissioning of the U.S.S. Juno. The class was supplemented by several other destroyer designs, and was gradually phased out over the next several years. None of the ships sold to the private sector had been refit, and most retained the characteristics they had at the time of sale. All vessels were disarmed and demilitarized prior to sale, but the weapon mounting hardpoints were typically left intact.[1]
Historical notes
Larson class vessels were named for military leaders and battles of Terran origin. The class vessel was named for Admiral William G. Larson, hero of the Battle of Gamma Hydra during the Romulan War. The only exception to this naming convention was the U.S.S. Thelenth NCC-4305, which was named for an Andorian admiral who defeated the Klingons in a pitched battle at Donovan's Star at the cost of his own ship and crew.[1]
The ships Hammurabi and Troy were both destroyed while escorting a convoy of merchant ships bound for a frontier area. During the battle seventeen freighters were destroyed, and four more taken as prizes by the Klingons. Of the five ships that survived the encounter, all reported that the Hammurabi destroyed two Klingon D-7 class cruisers and crippled two others before being destroyed itself. The Troy was apparently disabled in the initial exchange of fire and left for dead. When a Klingon cruiser ventured too close to the Troy, however, the supposedly derelict ship opened fire and destroyed the Klingon ship in a single volley, but without maneuvering power, the ship was later easily destroyed by other Klingon ships.[1]
In August 2261, the Bolivar led a small task force consisting of the Normandy, Alesia, Babur, and Tecumseh into an uncontrolled area near the Romulan Neutral Zone. The task force maintained radio silence and failed to report back at its scheduled time. When extensive communication attempts were unsuccessfully made, a rescue group was dispatched to the last reported position of the task force. Upon arrival, nothing was to be found, and an extensive search was begun, ultimately discovering a nacelle from the Alesia adrift in an unknown asteroid cluster. At the time, no determination was made as to what had caused the loss of the ships, but it was suspected by many that the Romulans had ambushed the group and successfully destroyed them before they were able to send a call for aid. This theory was never proven, and no action was ever taken against the Romulans, largely because it was felt that the Romulans couldn't have crossed the Neutral Zone unnoticed. Following the discovery of Romulan cloaking technology, however, the theory gained new weight.[1]
In February 2273, the Richtofen was recalled for an engine refit and scheduled maintenance to shipboard systems. As the ship's refit and systems checks neared completion, spirited ensigns and sympathetic workers painted the ship bright red in honor of its namesake. Starfleet Command decided to leave the ship that color, despite the breach in regulations, though all officers involved were mildly disciplined. In June 2281, the ship was still in service, assigned to the Klingon sector.[1]
On its maiden flight, the Sheridan experienced a critical overload in its warp drive system. All backup systems failed to correct the problem; it was decided to jettison the engine, because an uncontrolled matter/antimatter reaction was underway and could not be stopped. The ejection systems also failed, and the ship was destroyed in the subsequent explosion. Three crewmembers who had taken refuge in a shuttle survived.[1]
The Larson class destroyers were produced at the Jupiter and Proxima shipyards.[1]
Larson class vessels
- U.S.S. Alesia NCC-4354[1]
- U.S.S. Babur NCC-4380[1]
- U.S.S. Bolivar NCC-4411[1]
- U.S.S. Juno NCC-4475[1]
- U.S.S. Hammurabi NCC-4337[1]
- U.S.S. Larson NCC-4300[1]
- U.S.S. Normandy NCC-4309[1]
- U.S.S. Richtofen NCC-4436[1]
- U.S.S. Sheridan NCC-4463[1]
- U.S.S. Tecumseh NCC-4402[1]
- U.S.S. Thelenth NCC-4305[1]
- U.S.S. Troy NCC-4338[1]
