HISTORY
Galaxy - Class
The Galaxy class was developed
to replace the ageing Ambassador and Oberth class starships as
Starfleets primary exploration vessel. The design was initiated in
2343 with a highly challenging specification which called for a ship
based on the Nebula design then being developed, but equally capable
of scientific, exploration, diplomatic, cultural, and combat roles
all within a single multi-mission hull. In fact, many came to regard
the requirement as too challenging; the project suffered from
numerous delays due to a wide range of design, manufacturing, and
construction problems. The first of the class, the USS Galaxy, was
launched in 2357 and commissioned in 2362, nearly two decades after
initial approval.
The combat capability of the
Galaxy class was also significantly greater than that of the Nebulas.
The three burst fire torpedo tubes are each capable of launching ten
photon torpedoes every six seconds, while there are no less than
twelve Type X phaser arrays. As with many recent Federation designs,
the use of long phaser arrays rather than banks gives the main
phasers of the Galaxy class a great capability for sustained firing
and rapid recharge/cool down time. The Galaxy class is the first on
which all segments of every phaser array are supplied by a separate
power system; although this increases the complexity of the system
tremendously, it gives the phaser arrays a tremendous survivability
in the face of combat damage.
Major changes to the Galaxy
class have included a new more powerful warp core, a redesigned
shield system intended to perform far better against phased polaron
beam weapons, various changes to the ships computer systems, plus
many minor changes to the ships systems. There are currently nine
galaxy class vessels in service. Production of these vessels
continues today; five Galaxy class ships took part in the recent
operation to retake Deep Space Nine from the Dominion and the class
has gained a fearsome reputation during the war, so far operating
without loss. Though new Galaxy class ships are being produced
without any science or diplomatic facilities included in order to
reduce the vessel mass and so enhance combat performance during the
Dominion war. These ships will be "filled out" after the war,
considerably enhancing Starfleets exploration
capacity.
USS BARLOW
Once the Barlow is crewed and
begins to complete missions, the logs will be posted
here.