Sovereign Class

Sovereign Class
Affiliation:	Federation Starfleet
Service Period:	24th - 25th Centuries
Dimensions
Length:	685 meters
Width:	240 meters
Height:	87 meters
Mass:	3,500,000 metric tons
Specifications
Decks:	24
Crew:	700 personnel
Speed:	Warp 9.99
Armament:	Phaser Arrays Torpedo Launchers
Defenses:	Multiphasic Shielding (First Generation) Regenerative Shielding (Second Generation)
Auxiliary craft:	Starfleet Runabouts Starfleet Shuttlecraft

Overview

Considered the most successful starship design since the Constitution Class of a century prior, the Galaxy Class was the gold standard of Starfleet exploration in the 24th Century. While a capable fighter, Starfleet Command was unprepared for first contact by the Borg Collective when it was initiated by the omnipotent alien known as Q. With their flagship, the storied U.S.S. Enterprise-D, outgunned and outmaneuvered, Starfleet Command looked to Starfleet Exploration Directive 1023.3 and later implemented the Perimeter Defense Directive to begin development of the next generation of Starfleet craft. The ships authorized by this project would be better equipped to handle encounters with hostile and more technologically sophisticated governments, increasing the likelihood that the crews of these ships would return home safely, all while providing a mobile platform for a variety of mission profiles.

While many of the vessels authorized by this project would be smaller, specialized craft with a tactical edge, Starfleet Command directed the construction of a new flagship class that would be capable of leading the ships of the Perimeter Defense Directive. With Starfleet experiencing heavy losses at the Battle of Wolf 359, representatives from multiple Starfleet agencies including the Advanced Starship Design Bureau, Office of Strategic Operations, Tactical Operations, and the Theoretical Propulsion Group worked closely on this new design and dubbed it the Sovereign Class due to its place as the new unchallenged leader of the Federation Fleet. Incorporating the latest in defense, propulsion, and sensors the Corps of Engineers were certain that the new design would lead the Federation into the 25th Century.

Capabilities

The Sovereign Class incorporates many of the design innovations pioneered by its Intrepid Class contemporary. The design of the Sovereign Class consisted of two main hull sections including an ovoid shaped primary hull and a secondary hull which contained two large Warp Nacelles mounted aft. Through the elimination of the pylon structure connecting the primary and secondary hulls, the new Sovereign featured a sleeker look than its predecessors and increased the overall structural integrity due to the new seamlessness of the design. Despite its streamlined nature, the Sovereign was designed with the ability to separate its primary and secondary hulls in an emergency.

Primary sublight propulsion for the Sovereign Class was provided by two large Impulse Engines located on the Saucer Module. Interstellar propulsion was accomplished through the usage of Sovereign's enhanced Warp Drive. Initially the Sovereign was to employ a Variable Pitch Warp Nacelles similar to those utilized by the Intrepid Class; however, through innovation derived from the research of the Theoretical Propulsion Group, advancements were made to attain the same qualities as variable geometry nacelles with a traditional pylon structure. This was accomplished through a new configuration of the vessel's Warp Coils wherein the navigational computers can perform minute frequency changes to maintain subspace stability.

Due to its role as a Federation Flagship, Sovereign Class starships are outfitted with the latest generation of command and control systems. The primary computer system of the Sovereign comprises bioneural gel packs with two computer cores servicing the vessel. Like the Galaxy Class before it, the Sovereign incorporates advanced science labs and enhanced sensors that are capable of initiating a wide variety of scan types.

While the Sovereign is not as scientifically adept as its predecessor, the survivalist nature of the craft compensates for these deficiencies. The Sovereign is outfitted with the latest generation of Phaser Arrays located at key strategic points on the ship's hull. Unlike her predecessors, the Sovereign features more sophisticated arrays on its saucer rather than engineering hull. The vessel has been fitted with the latest generation of torpedo weaponry and is more than ready to defend itself from attack. While Starfleet Tactical initially called for additional defensive and offensive capabilities derived from the Defiant and Prometheus Class Development Projects, many of these systems were deemed incompatible with the first generation of Sovereign Class ships and are being held for future refits.

Refits and Variants

While the U.S.S. Sovereign performed well during her shakedown cruise, the Corps of Engineers identified several deficiencies within the design that impacted the success of the first generation of Sovereign Class vessels. Further, Starfleet Tactical was unimpressed by the offensive capabilities of the ship as the Sovereign had several weapon blindspots that enemies could exploit in battle. While Sovereign herself was placed into storage, Starfleet Command was not prepared to abandon their new exploration vessel and directed that Sovereign's sister ships to be launched with conventional systems in their place.

Using lessons learned during the Dominion War and experiences gathered by Andorian Engineers who developed their own experimental variant of the Sovereign, Starfleet Command was able to use data gathered from the Defiant and Prometheus Class Design Projects and apply this information to the Sovereign. Through these experiences, the Corps of Engineers was able to install ablative hull armor and regenerative shielding systems as originally ordered. Additional Phaser Arrays and Torpedo Launchers were installed at key points throughout the hull's superstructure to offset the weapon blindspots. Tested aboard the U.S.S. Sheetar by Andorian Engineers, the upgrades were successful and a refit was quickly initiated.

Mission Profiles

Explorer, Scientific and Survey Operations, Strategic and Diplomatic Operations. The Sovereign Class is highly adaptable and can perform every mission profile Starfleet sends its way; however, the ship excels at diplomatic assignments or missions where the Federation Flag needs to be shown. While assignments to Galaxy Class ships are still more in demand by Starfleet personnel, Sovereign Class crews are still exceptionally well prepared for what the galaxy has to offer.

Naming Conventions

Members of the Sovereign Class are named after historic Federation Starships.

Notable Starships

U.S.S. Sovereign, Class Prototype U.S.S. Ark Royal U.S.S. Enterprise-E U.S.S. Gilgamesh U.S.S. Sarek U.S.S. Warspite

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Sovereign II Class

Sovereign II Class
Affiliation:	Federation Starfleet
Service Period:	25th - 26th Centuries
Dimensions
Length:	1,020 meters
Width:	360 meters
Height:	130 meters
Mass:	5,250,000 metric tons
Specifications
Decks:	36
Crew:	1,000 personnel
Speed:	Quantum Slipstream Warp 9.99
Armament:	Phaser Arrays Torpedo Launchers
Defenses:	S.H.I.E.L.D.S.
Auxiliary craft:	Starfleet Runabouts Starfleet Shuttlecraft

Overview

Following several harrowing challenges in the late 24th and early 25th Centuries, Starfleet Command opted to focus on constructing smaller, specialized vessels that would excel at five-year missions of exploration. While they were highly capable in executing their scientific duties, many of these ships and their crews were overwhelmed during encounters with more technologically sophisticated and hostile species. Seeing the threat to their way of life, the Federation Council and Starfleet Command looked for inspiration from the Starfleet Exploration Directive 1023.3 and the Perimeter Defense Directive to build their next generation explorer.

Drawing upon the opulence of mid-24th Century engineering acumen, the Sovereign II Class was heavily inspired by its Sovereign Class predecessors and the technological marvel known as the Vesta Class. Ordered alongside the Galaxy IV Class, the new Sovereign was the more tactically oriented vessel of the pair and was designed with purpose of attaining tactical superiority and dominance over a region during conflict. The Sovereign II would also feature state-of-the-art research and scientific equipment to explore the cosmos, extensive diplomatic accommodations to help preserve the peace in the galaxy, and dedicated resources to offer humanitarian assistance in a crisis.

Capabilities

The Sovereign II Class takes many of its design cues from its Sovereign Class ancestor and incorporates two main hull sections including an ovoid shaped primary hull and a secondary hull which contained two large Warp Nacelles. Unlike the first Sovereign Class vessels, a small pylon structure connecting the primary and secondary hulls was reintegrated into the design, but additional bulk has been added to the structure to keep the streamlined appearance of its predecessor. The Sovereign II is further enhanced through the inclusion of technology reverse engineered from the Borg Collective which allows the Sovereign II to regenerate its outer hull via sophisticated nanite technology.

Sovereign II Class ships are designed with opulence in mind and vessels belonging to the class borrow from the grand layouts of the previous generation. Accommodations aboard the Sovereign II are expansive compared to those of its counterparts and multiple conference suites have been installed to allow the Sovereign II to host conferences, diplomatic summits, trade negotiations, and the like. Unlike many Starfleet vessels, the Sovereign II has a full galley aboard the ship that can prepare a variety of meals for the diplomats, personnel, and visitors that come aboard the vessel.

Constructed with the survival of the ship's crew as a priority, the Sovereign II features many redundant systems and a rugged design to help the vessel remain operational even with severe damage inflicted upon it. Sovereign II Class vessels can repair major damage quickly, sometimes without external support, and benefits from a higher structural integrity field than its contemporaries. Designed for the Galaxy III Class, the Sovereign II also incorporates an advanced shielding system known as Starfleet High Intensity Energy Level Deflection System shielding, which provides multiple levels of energy shielding to defend from external attack.

Refits and Variants

The Sovereign II was a capable tactical platform for use in situations where fighting was unavoidable, but the Sovereign II fell into the trap of commonly being called upon for missions where aggression couldn't be avoided. To improve its abilities as a ship of peace, Starfleet Command directed the ship to have additional sensor equipment installed at the expense of some of the redundant shield backups. Additional science labs were also installed in the drive section, allowing the Sovereign II to complete as many as 250 discrete scientific missions at a given time, but at the expense of torpedo storage.

Mission Profiles

Explorer, Pathfinder and Reconnaissance Operations, Strategic and Diplomatic Operations. Primarily an exploration vessel, the Sovereign II has been designed to overcome the tactical deficiencies that have afflicted Federation vessels in the early 25th Century. While adaptable, the Sovereign II is better suited for diplomatic assignments or missions where cowboy diplomacy may be needed.

Naming Conventions

Sovereign II Class vessels are named after historic Federation Starships.

Notable Starships

U.S.S. Pegasus, Class Prototype U.S.S. Ark Royal U.S.S. Legacy U.S.S. Shenzhou U.S.S. Vol'Rala