Saber Class

Saber-Class Fast Frigate

UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS: STARFLEET DIVISION

Standard Technical Specifications for the Saber-Class Production Vehicle

Accomodation	Standard complement - 60 (15 officers, 45 enlisted)	Locations of Saber-Class Construction:
		Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Mars
Classification:	Fast Frigate [Diplomatic, Science, Scout, Patrol]	Copernicus Fleet Yard, Luna
Development Project Started:	2336	San Francisco fleet Yards, Earth
Production Start Date:	2358	Avondale Production Facility, Rigel II
Production End Date:	Still in Production	Seskon Trella, Tellar
Production Resumed:	2368

SABER-CLASS INTRODUCTION

MISSION OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to Starfleet Exploration Directives 911.3, Starfleet Defense Directives 114.9 & 154.7, Starfleet Borg Defense Initiative Directive 371.6 and Federation Security Council General Policy, the following objectives have been established for a Saber-Class Starship:

1. Provide a mobile platform for a range of defensive, diplomatic, or scientific projects.
2. Supplement the Oberth and Miranda class Starships in some specific missions, as an instrument of Federation deep-space explorative, scientific or defensive roles.
3. Provide autonomous capability for full execution of Federation defensive, cultural, scientific, and explorative policy in deep space or border territory.
4. Serve as a frontline support vehicle for primary assets during times of war and emergencies.
5. Provide a mobile platform for testing and implementation of mission-specific or new technology of any kind.

ORIGINAL DESIGN STATISTICS

Length: 190 meters
Width: 193.19 meters
Height: 48.60 meters
Weight: 2,756,000 metric tons
Cargo capacity: 9,954 metric tons
Hull: Duranium-Tritanium composite with micro-fiber reinforced ablative armor over critical compartments.
Number of Decks: 10 Total, 9 Habitable

GENERAL OVERVIEW

The Saber Class starship entered service in 2358 with the purpose to replace the out-dated Oberth class science/scout ships, as well as to fill the role of an escort/police vessel for the internal security of the Federation. She was envisioned as an extension of the Steamrunner class light cruiser, so that, when working in tandem, the two classes would complement and support each other. With limited facilities, long-term missions were generally outside of its design, but for internal Federation missions, or specific deep space objectives, the Saber proved to be a very capable ship.

Small, fast, highly maneuverable, and well armed, the Saber has also proven its worth as a defensive vessel. Many ships of this class were involved in the defense of Sol during the Second Borg Incursion, as well as being involved in the conflict against the Cardassian/Dominion alliance. While not specifically a warship, the Saber held its own and showed itself to be a valuable asset for Starfleet and the Federation.

CONSTRUCTION HISTORY

In 2336, when the United Federation of Planets sent out a call for a new vessel, capable of adapting to multiple roles and destined to replace the aging Miranda and Oberth class ships, over ten designs were submitted by various research and development groups. Several of these designs were picked for prototype construction and evaluation, including the Norway, Steamrunner, and Saber class vessels. Each design was assigned a construction yard and development team, with hopes of a rapid construction and deployment.

But before the Saber-class prototype could be readied for construction, there was a fundamental shift in Starfleet's "Master Plan for the Fleet" causing the focus of R&D resources to be redirected to larger, multi-mission ships instead of the smaller, mission-specific types. It wasn't until the late 2340's that Starfleet again returned to the development of its smaller vessels.

With the returned interest of Starfleet, the plans for the small frigate were dusted off and reviewed. After a minor redesign, construction on the prototype hull, designated NX-60500, began in 2354 at the Avondale Production Facility on Rigel II. Basic nacelle / hull construction was completed within 8 months, and the Primary computer core was installed in January 2355.

The Ceries Industries B-grade M/ARA was obtained for the main power source. Installation was completed without problems and ship-generated power was produced within 2 weeks of warp core delivery. Impulse engines and reaction thrusters were mounted, with only one week lost due to faulty fusion reactor cores.

Initial construction was completed by late 2355. Moved to the Avondale testing grounds, the newly named USS Saber began its impulse stress tests, which it passed with extremely high efficiency scores. Returning to the Avondale Production Facility, internal compartmental construction was soon completed. On March 5, 2356 the Saber left Rigel II on her shakedown voyage.

On December 6, 2356 the USS Saber, NCC-60500, was officially commissioned during a ceremony over Earth. At this time the R&D team and the construction crews were given a commendation for the rapid development and construction of a new starship class.

Since then the Saber-class has been prolific. While not glamorous, the small vessel completes its assigned tasks with great proficiency, and trustworthiness. During its flight career it has logged some of the fewest engineering problems, and some of the best warp field efficiencies within Starfleet. Even when its compatriot, the Steamrunner ClassSteamrunner class, was pushed out of its field by the newer Intrepid class, the Saber continued to serve in Starfleet.

Even though safety was always a concern, it wasn't until the discovery of the Dominion that Starfleet began to consider strengthening the Saber. With the Steamrunner entering into a refit cycle, it was decided that certain variations of the Saber would also be upgraded to stronger offensive/defensive capabilities. Patrol and Scout variants were redesigned to handle the 2nd generation torpedo launchers and the new Type X phaser arrays. New shield grids and avionics upgrades were included as well as general engineering redesigns and computer core replacements. When completed, the 'new' Saber class, designated FFU, became a formable defensive platform.

During the Dominion war and the following 2nd Borg Incursion, the Saber continued to win itself accolades for sturdiness and engineering strength. The design had proven so solid that production continues (with NCC's starting in the 79000's), and new Saber class vessels leave the construction yards with surprising regularity.

Several small modifications have since been added to the refit specifications on the Saber class, including the addition of EMH technology in sickbay. All current productions of the Scout and Patrol variants are now the FFU.

COMMAND SYSTEMS

MAIN BRIDGE

General Overview: Primary operational control of a starship is provided by the Main Bridge, located at the top of the primary hull, on Deck 1. The Main Bridge directly supervises all primary missions and coordinates all departmental activities.

The Main Bridge is a highly restricted area; only personnel with Level 4 security clearance (Officers with the Rank of Ensign or higher) and authorized bridge personnel are allowed on the bridge. All bridge officers have access to a type I or II phaser.

The Main Bridge is an exchangeable module, allowing for a wider variety in mission parameters.

Layout:The primary Bridge configuration is a proven design, being adopted by later vessels, such as Defiant-class starships. The Captain's Chair, Tactical, Operations, and Engineering are on a raised area of the bridge. The central area of the Main Bridge provides seating and information displays for the Captain. The Captain's seat is equipped with fully programmable consoles for a variety of uses.

The Tactical/Security control station (comprised of two consoles, one for tactical, and one for security functions) is to the left of the Captain's Chair. Tactical console access is extremely limited; only Level 4 Tactical clearance personnel can use it, and the user must input special codes to even get access to the massive amounts of computer links that give tactical nearly limitless information. For full access, the console's security subsystem can run a battery of scans on the user, including thermal, biological, retinal, and vocal tests. If all of these are passed, full access to the ship's offensive and defensive systems is made available.

To the Captain's right is the Operations manager's console. Identical in size and design to the Tactical/Security station, the Operations manager is located closer to the bridge engineering station rather than close to the front of the bridge. The Operations Panel, due to the tremendous amount of sensitive information found there, has security protocols as stringent as the TAC consoles. Directly aft of the Ship Operations Console is the Mission Operations Console, for use during Away team missions.

Also located on the platform, against the aft wall of the bridge, is a large master systems display monitor, similar to the one in main engineering. All relative ship information (such as damage, power distribution, etc.) is displayed on the cutaway image of the ship. Below the MSD is a large engineering console encompassing Eng I and Eng II. This console has a smaller cutaway diagram of the ship, which displays all engineering-relevant data and shows warp fields and engine output. This console also has priority links to the computers, the Warp Propulsion System (WPS), the Impulse Propulsion System (IPS), Reaction Control System thrusters (RCS), the Structural Integrity Field (SIF), the Inertial Damping Field (IDF), and the navigational deflectors.

Although usually unattended, the Chief Engineer can bring these consoles to full Enable mode by entering voice codes and undergoing a retinal scan. The Engineering II console is fully programmable, and can run any Secondary Console function, including Sciences, Medical, Operations, Limited Helm control, or Security.

Directly fore of the command area is the Flight Control Officer, who faces the main viewer. The FCO is equipped with a console that proceeds around an almost one hundred and eighty degree angle and has priority links to the navigational sensor and deflectors, as well as to the Warp/Impulse/Thruster propulsion systems. This console also has links to engineering controls and monitors (such as the SIF, IDF, hull integrity monitor, and structural stress monitors), as well as access to the tractor beam controls.

At the very front of the bridge chamber is a large viewscreen. It performs all functions expected of it, including communication and magnified visual scans of nearby objects.

Against the port walls of the main bridge, forward of the raised command section, are the consoles for Science and others that are programmable for a multitude of functions. There are two Science consoles. Science I, which is the primary science console, has priority links to the Main Computer and to all sensors and probes, as well as links to Flight Control, Operations, and Tactical.

Science II is the ASO's (Assistant Science Officer's) console, but can be used by any personnel. Science II has access to all science, navigational, sensor, and communications systems. Science II can be configured to operate in tandem with Science I, although security links and all other non-science data are withheld from Science II. Science II usually works independently of Science I.

Against the starboard wall of the main bridge, forward of the Captain's chair, is the Executive officer's console. This console has priority links to almost all ships functions as well as the hand-input sub-console for use in setting the auto-destruct system.

The auto-destruct sequence follows Standard Starfleet security procedures which can be accessed via any secured Memory Alpha ODN connection.

There are two turbolifts on the bridge that can handle normal transit around the ship as well as an emergency ladder that connects the bridge to Deck two. There is also one door, to the rear of the raised section, which leads to the Captain's Ready Room, which is directly aft of the Main Bridge.

There are no escape pods connected to the bridge. Pods are located on decks three through six. Two pods are reserved for the top four officers in the chain of command on the ship, because they are the last four to leave the ship. These are located on deck three. As the number of experienced Captains dwindles in Starfleet, the notion of a Captain going down with his ship has been abolished. If the ship is abandoned, the top four officers in the chain of command will wait until everyone else is off the ship, opt to arm the auto-destruct (not always necessary, but there if needed), and then leave in the two escape pods.

MAIN ENGINEERING

Located on Deck 1, Main Engineering is the 'heart' of the ship, comparable to the bridge as the 'brain'. It has access to almost all systems aboard the starship, and manages repairs, power flow, and general maintenance.

Off to the starboard side of Main Engineering is the Chief Engineer's Office, which is equipped with a diagnostics table, assembly and repair equipment, a small replicator, a personal use console with built-in private viewscreen and a private bathroom.

Entrance to the primary engineering spaces is provided by two large blast doors, one pair each on decks 1 and 2, that can be closed in cased for internal or external security reasons, as well as in case of emergencies.

Just inside of the doors on deck 1 - Main Engineering - is an observation area where technicians monitor various systems of the ship. Also in that area, is a floor-mounted situational display similar to the Master Systems Display found on the Bridge. Affectionately referred to as the 'pool table', the Chief Engineer can use the display to more easily get a broad view of the situation with just a glance.

Farther in from observation area is 'the pit', and the main control systems. The pit is a hole in deck 1, allowing engineering personnel to look down on the warp core, which is located on deck 2. The Saber class is one of the few ships to have its core run horizontally along the midline of the ship. The core can be ejected out of the rear of the ship, if needed to avoid a breech.

Circular in shape, but exceedingly functional to save space inside the ship, Main Engineering has usable consoles mounted on every piece of 'real estate' around the circumference of the room and provides primary control access for the engineers and technicians. Additionally, there are numerous ladders and access panels to Jefferies tubes, which lead throughout the ship. The technical complexity of the starship dictates the use of these spaces to maintain peak efficiency and affect proper repairs.

On deck 2 is the Matter/Anti-Matter Assembly (M/ARA). This is where primary power for the ship is generated inside the Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Chamber (M/ARC). This system is checked on a regular basis due to its importance to the ship. Access to the warp core is restricted, with a front port to get to the Dilithium matrix as well as a side port for access to the warp plasma conduits.

Deuterium Storage and Anti-Matter Storage Pods, the fuel components for the M/ARA, are stored on deck 7, where they are piped to the intake valves on the warp core. Both fuels can be ejected out of the rear of the ship.

SECURITY DEPARTMENT

This multi-room department is located in a restricted area on deck 5. Within it are the entrances to the phaser range, the Brig, the auxiliary weapon control room, and the Ship's Armory, as well as the Chief Tactical Officer's office.

The CTO's office is located next to the Brig. It is decorated to the officer's preference. It contains a work area, a personal viewscreen, a computer display, a replicator, and a washroom/head.

Brig: Located on deck 5, the brig is a restricted access area whose only entrance is from within the Security department. The Saber class vessel has 2 double occupancy cells, which contain beds, a retractable table and chairs, a water dispenser, and a toilet. The cells are secured with a level-10 forcefield emitter built into each doorway.

Internal Forcefields: Controlled from the bridge or from the Security office on Deck 5, forcefields can be activated throughout the ship, effectively sealing off sections of the hallway from the remainder of the vessel.

Internal Sensors: Used to monitor the internal security of the ship. They can identify the location of specific crewmembers that are wearing their commbadge. They can be used to determine the general location of any person on board the ship, based on the entry of specific variables by the Tactical officer.

Phaser Range: The phaser range is located on deck 5. The phaser range is heavily shielded and the walls are armored. It is designed for low level phaser fire, but can withstand short phaser blasts at setting 16 without a problem.

The phaser range is used by security to train ship's personnel in marksmanship. During training, the holo-emitters in the phaser range are activated, creating a holographic setting, similar to what a holodeck does. Personnel are "turned loose" either independently or in an Away Team formation to explore the setting presented to them, and the security officer in charge will take notes on the performance of each person as they take cover, return fire, protect each other, and perform a variety of different scenarios. All personnel on board are tested every six months in phaser marksmanship.

Ship's Armory: This room is located in a restricted area on deck 5 and is under constant guard. The room is sealed with a level-10 forcefield and can only be accessed by personnel with Alpha 3 security clearance. Inside the armory is a work area for maintenance and repair of phasers as well as multiple sealed weapon lockers. The armory stocks enough type-I and type-II phasers to arm the entire crew. Type-III phaser rifle and the new compression phaser rifles are available as well, but only in enough numbers to arm approximately 1/3 of the crew. Heavy ordinance is available in limited numbers.

Torpedo/Probe Magazine: These restricted areas are for storing unarmed photon torpedoes, quantum torpedoes (if the mission dictates), and science probes type I - VI and type IX (types VII and VIII are available if the mission dictates). Also stored here are the components for manufacturing new photon torpedoes as well as the equipment to put them together. These rooms are also accessed by the loading mechanism for the torpedo launchers. Fore and Aft torpedo magazines are found on deck 2.

TACTICAL SYSTEMS

PHASERS

Phaser Array arrangement: Two dorsal phaser arrays on the primary hull, extending from the aft 1/3 of the saucer and converging on either sides of the bridge. One ventral phaser array with a 90 degree arc on the forward half of the primary hull .

Phaser Array Type: Originally the Saber-class vessel was launched with three type IX phaser arrays. After the fleet wide refit, the Saber-class, even though it is a small sized vessel, was fitted with the Type X array system, the new standard in phaser emitters.

Each array fires a steady beam of phaser energy and the forced-focus emitters discharge the phasers at speeds approaching .986c (which works out to about 182,520 miles per second - nearly warp one). The phaser array automatically rotates phaser frequency and attempts to lock onto the frequency and phase of a threat vehicle's shields for shield penetration.

Phaser Array Output: Each phaser array takes its energy directly from the impulse drive and auxiliary fusion generators. Individually, each type X -emitter can only discharge approximately 5.1 MW (megawatts). However, several emitters (usually two) fire at once in the array during standard firing procedures, resulting in a discharge approximately 10.2 MW.

Phaser Array Range: Maximum effective range is 300,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Assault

Secondary purpose: Defense/anti-spacecraft/anti-fighter

TORPEDO LAUNCHERS

Arrangement: Two fixed-focus torpedo launchers are used for photon or quantum torpedo/science probe deployment. The forward launcher is located on deck three. The aft torpedo tube is located on Deck one. In the uprated Saber, these launchers are the second generation of automated, high-speed launcher found on the smaller, newer starships (such as the Intrepid, Defiant and the Nova) and each is capable of firing 3 devices at a time, giving the ship a salvo of 6 torpedoes at a time (3 forward, 3 aft).

Type: Type-6, Mark-XXV photon torpedo, capable of pattern firing (Sierra, Delta, etc.) as well as independent launch. Independent targeting once launched from the ship, detonation on contact unless otherwise directed by the ship.

Payload: Sabers can carry 45 completed torpedoes. Additional components stored onboard can allow for the manufacture of an additional 15 photon torpedoes.

Standard manufacture rate is 2 torpedoes per hour. Max rate is 5 torpedoes per hour.

Quantum torpedoes are carried as the mission dictates.

Range: Maximum effective range is 3,000,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Assault

Secondary purpose: Anti-spacecraft

DEFLECTOR SHIELDS

Type: Symmetrical subspace graviton field. This type of shield is fairly similar to those of most other Starships. During combat, the shield sends data on what type of weapon is being used on it, and what frequency and phase the weapon uses. Once this is analyzed by the tactical officer, the shield can be configured to have the same frequency as the incoming weapon - but different nutation. This tactic dramatically increases shield efficiency.

Output: There are eight shield generators on a Saber. Each generator consists of a cluster of ten 28 MW (megawatt) graviton polarity sources feeding into a 575 millicochrane subspace field distortion amplifier. Each generator produces 280 MW of shield power, and each can approach 98,000 MW for 150 nanoseconds during peak momentary loads.

During Red Alert situations, five of the generators will operate in a phase lock, producing a continuous output of about 1400 MW.

During Cruise Mode (Condition Green) two generators are required to be operational at all times with one additional generator on standby. Deflector output during Cruise mode is approximately 560 MW.

The power for the shields is taken directly from the warp engines and impulse fusion generators. If desired, the shields can be augmented by power from the impulse power plants. The shields can protect against approximately 23% of the total EM spectrum (similar to a Galaxy Class Starship's shields).

Range: The shields, when raised, stay extremely close to the hull to conserve energy - average range is seven meters away from the hull, but can be extended to surround a nearby object, though at the loss of shield strength.

Primary purpose: Defense from enemy threat forces, hazardous radiation and micro-meteoroid particles.

Secondary purpose: Ramming threat vehicles.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

COMPUTER CORE

Number of computer cores: Two; The primary core occupies space on decks 2 & 3, set to the starboard of the bridge module. The secondary, emergency core is located in a mirror position on the port side.

'Type: The FFU Computer cores found on the Saber class are smaller versions of the New Orleans Isolinear Processing cores, spread out to take two rather than four decks. A smaller, regulated EPS conduit directly from the warp core, powers the system. Cooling of the isolinear core is accomplished by a regenerative liquid nitrogen loop.

Performance: For missions, requirements on the computer core rarely exceed 80-85% of total core processing and storage capacity. The rest of the core is utilized for various scientific, tactical, or intelligence gathering missions - or to backup data in the event of a damaged core.

LCARS

Acronym for Library Computer Access and Retrieval System, the common user interface of 24th century computer systems, based on verbal and graphically enhanced keyboard/display input and output. The graphical interface adapts to the task which is supposed to be performed, allowing for maximum ease-of-use. The LCARS program is updated as needed every time the ship docks with a Starbase or station, which accounts for increases in processor speed and power, and increased security, while limiting flaws discovered in the field in earlier versions.

SECURITY LEVELS

Access to all Starfleet data is highly regulated. A standard set of access levels have been programmed into the computer cores of all ships in order to stop any undesired access to confidential data.

Security levels are also variable, and task-specific. Certain areas of the ship are restricted to unauthorized personnel, regardless of security level. Security levels can also be raised, lowered, or revoked by Command personnel.

Security levels in use aboard an Saber Class are:

Level 10 ⤓ Captain and Above Level 9 ⤓ First Officer Level 8 - Commander Level 7 ⤓ Lt. Commander Level 6 ⤓ Lieutenant Level 5 ⤓ Lt. Junior Grade Level 4 - Ensign Level 3 ⤓ Non-Commissioned Crew Level 2 ⤓ Civilian Personnel Level 1 ⤓ Open Access (Read Only)

'Note:' Security Levels beyond current rank can and are bestowed where, when and to whom they are necessary.

The main computer grants access based on a battery of checks to the individual user, including face and voice recognition in conjunction with a vocal code as an added level of security.

UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR

All Starfleet vessels make use of a computer program called a Universal Translator that is employed for communication among persons who speak different languages. It performs a pattern analysis of an unknown language based on a variety of criteria to create a translation matrix. The translator is built in the Starfleet badge and small receivers are implanted in the ear canal.

The Universal Translator matrix aboard an Saber Class starships typically consists of well over 100,000 languages and increases with every new encounter.

PROPULSION SYSTEMS

WARP PROPULSION SYSTEM

The warp core is located in the engineering section and lies horizontally on deck 2. The matter-antimatter reaction assembly (M/ARA) is embedded within Deck 2, with the surrounding systems on the balcony above (Deck 1, Main Engineering). The core is constructed from a central translucent aluminum and duranium reactor with dilithium articulation frame, four-lobed magnetic constriction segment columns, and matter and antimatter injectors. Plasma transfer conduits exit the core on Deck 2 and extend laterally to the nacelles and the warp plasma injectors. The nacelles incorporate an in-line impulse system, which accepts matter intake and heating within the nacelles and exhausts the heated gases through a space-time driver assembly in the nacelle aft cap. Anti-deuterium is stored in a series of standard Starfleet antimatter pods on Deck 7, aft of the warp core.

The warp field coils, unlike most Federation ships, are located just within the main hull as opposed to outboard nacelles. The basic structure of the nacelles is similar to that of the remainder of the starship, however, the entire length of the nacelle housing is augmented with longitudinal stiffeners composed of cobalt cortenide to protect against high levels of warp-induced stress. Throughout the nacelle housing are triply redundant conduits for Structural Integrity Field (SIF) and Internal Damping Field (IDF) systems. Each nacelle contains a pair of four warp field coils, making Saber-class vessels have a total of 16. The B-grade warp reactor is extremely powerful for a ship of this size, and as such, the Saber-class vessels put out a warp signature equivalent to much larger starships. Advances in variable warp field geometry ensures that all ships of this class will not cause harmful subspace damage. All regulation warp engine controls and procedures apply to Saber-class vessels.

Type: Ceries Industries B-Class Matter-Antimatter Reaction Assembly (M/ARA).

Normal Cruising Speed: Warp 7

Official Warp Limit due to subspace pollution: Warp 5

Maximum Speed: Warp 9.8 for 12 hours

Note: Vessels equipped with the Ceries B-Grade M/ARA Drive System no longer have the maximum cruising speed limit of Warp 6.3, thanks to innovations discovered and utilized in the M/ARA Warp Drive outfitted in the new Intrepid Class Starship. Pursuant to Starfleet Command Directive 12856.A, all Starships will receive upgrades to their Warp Drive system to prevent further pollution of Subspace.

IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEM

Type: Standard Saber Class mass-drivers developed and built by HighMPact Propulsion. Output is comparable to New Orleans Class.

Output: Each engine (there are two impulse engines) can individually propel a Saber class ship at speeds just under 0.50c. 'Maximum Impulse' is 0.75c (three-quarters of 186,282 miles per second, which is warp one), and requires both engines working at approximately 3/4 strength.

Due to time dilation problems, standard impulse operations are limited to 0.25c ('Full Impulse'). 'Half Impulse' is 0.125c, while '1/4 impulse' is 0.0625c.

REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

Type: The Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters are adapted from thruster packages found on the [[New Orleans}New Orleans]]-class vessels. A total of eight thruster groups are installed; two are placed in the forward hull, four in the mid-hull, and two in the aft cowling. Deuterium is supplied by the primary tank on Deck 7 and immediate-use tanks within thruster packages.

Output: Each thruster quad is capable of producing 4.2 million Newtons of exhaust.

UTILITIES AND AUXILIARY SYSTEMS

NAVIGATION DEFLECTOR

A standard Saber-class main deflector dish is located along the ventral portion of the hull, on decks 8 & 9. Composed of molybdenum/duranium mesh panels over a tritanium framework (beneath the Duranium-Tritanium hull), the dish can be manually moved five degrees in any direction off the ship's Z-axis. The main deflector dish's shield and sensor power comes from two graviton polarity generators located on deck 10, each capable of generating 128 MW, which can be fed into two 480 millicochrane subspace field distortion generators. Navigational Deflector controls are located on deck 8.

TRACTOR BEAM

Type:Multiphase subspace graviton beam, used for direct manipulation of objects from a submicron to a macroscopic level at any relative bearing to the ship. Each emitter is directly mounted to the primary members of the ship's framework, to lessen the effects of isopiestic subspace shearing, potential inertial imbalance, and mechanical stress.

Output: Each tractor beam emitter is built around two multiphase 12 MW graviton polarity sources, feeding two 475 millicochrane subspace field amplifiers. Phase accuracy is within 1.3 arc-seconds per microsecond, which gives superior interference pattern control. Each emitter can gain extra power from the SIF by means of molybdenum-jacketed waveguides. The subspace fields generated around the beam (when the beam is used) can envelop objects up to 920 meters, lowering the local gravitational constant of the universe for the region inside the field and making the object much easier to manipulate.

Range: Effective tractor beam range varies with payload mass and desired delta-v. Assuming a nominal 15 m/sec-squared delta-v, the multiphase tractor emitters can be used with a payload approaching 650,000,000 metric tons at less than 2,000 meters. Conversely, the same delta-v can be imparted to an object massing about one metric ton at ranges approaching 30,000 kilometers.

Primary purpose: Towing or manipulation of objects

Secondary purpose: Tactical; pushing enemy ships into each other.

TRANSPORTER SYSTEMS

Personnel Transporters: 4 (Transporter Rooms 1-2)

• Max Payload Mass: 800kg (1,764 lbs)
• Max Range: 40,000 km
• Max Beam Up/Out Rate: Approx. 100 persons per hour per Transporter

Cargo Transporters: 1

• Max Payload Mass: 500 metric tons. Standard operation is molecular resolution (Non-Lifeform).
• Set for quantum (lifeform) resolution: 1 metric ton
• Max Beam Up/Out Rate (Quantum Setting): Approx. 100 persons per hour per Transporter

Emergency Transporters: 1

• Max Range: 15,000 km (send only) [range depends on available power]
• Max Beam Out Rate: 160 persons per hour per Transporter

COMMUNICATIONS

Standard Communications Range: 42,000 - 100,000 kilometers Standard Data Transmission Speed: 18.5 kiloquads per second Subspace Communications Speed: Warp 9.9997

SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING SYSTEMS

SENSOR SYSTEMS

Long range and navigation sensors are located behind the main deflector dish, to avoid sensor "ghosts" and other detrimental effects consistent with main deflector dish millicochrane static field output. LRS controls are located on deck 8.

Lateral sensor pallets (Short Range Sensors) are located around the rim of the entire Starship, providing full coverage in all standard scientific fields, but with emphasis in the following areas:

1. Astronomical phenomena
2. Planetary analysis
3. Remote life-form analysis
4. EM scanning
5. Passive neutrino scanning
6. Parametric subspace field stress (a scan to search for cloaked ships)
7. Thermal variances
8. Quasi-stellar material

Each sensor pallet (16 in all) can be interchanged and re-calibrated with any other pallet on the ship.

TACTICAL SENSORS

There are eighteen independent tactical sensors on a Saber class vessel. Each sensor automatically tracks and locks onto incoming hostile vessels and reports bearing, aspect, distance, and vulnerability percentage to the tactical station on the main bridge. Each tactical sensor is approximately 80% efficient against ECM, and can operate fairly well in particle flux nebulae, (which has been hitherto impossible).

Warp Current sensor: This is an independent subspace graviton field-current scanner, allowing the Saber Class to track ships at high warp by locking onto the eddy currents from the threat ship's warp field, then follow the currents by using multi-model image mapping.

SCIENCE LABS

There are eight science labs located on deck 4. Two of the labs are dedicated Biology/Chemistry labs, capable of being used as Medical Labs. The remaining six labs are multi-purpose facilities that can be adjusted to the needs of the mission. The botany department maintains the small hydroponics bay on deck 5 for research purposes.

The Chief Science Officer's office is located adjacent to Science Lab 1. It is decorated to the CSO's preferences as well as containing a work area, a personal viewscreen, a computer display, and a washroom/head.

PROBES

A probe is a device that contains a number of general purpose or mission specific sensors and can be launched from a starship for closer examination of objects in space.

There are nine different classes of probes, which vary in sensor types, power, and performance ratings. The spacecraft frame of a probe consists of molded duranium-tritanium and pressure-bonded lufium boronate, with sensor windows of triple layered transparent aluminum. With a warhead attached, a probe becomes a photon torpedo. The standard equipment of all nine types of probes are instruments to detect and analyze all normal EM and subspace bands, organic and inorganic chemical compounds, atmospheric constituents, and mechanical force properties. All nine types are capable of surviving a powered atmospheric entry, but only three are specially designed for aerial maneuvering and soft landing. These ones can also be used for spatial burying. Many probes can be real-time controlled and piloted from a starship to investigate an environment dangerous hostile or otherwise inaccessible for an away-team.

Depending on the mission orders, the Saber carries a variety of science probes. Class I - VI and class IX probes are standard on every Saber, with Class VII and VIII loaded onboard as the mission dictates. The nine standard classes are:

CLASS I SENSOR PROBE:

Range: 2 x 10^5 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.5c
Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion
Sensors: Full EM/Subspace and interstellar chemistry pallet for in-space applications.
Telemetry: 12,500 channels at 12 megawatts.

CLASS II SENSOR PROBE:

Range: 4 x 10^5 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.65c
Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion, extended deuterium fuel supply
Sensors: Same instrumentation as Class I with addition of enhanced long-range particle and field detectors and imaging system
Telemetry: 15,650 channels at 20 megawatts.

Class III Planetary Probe:

Range: 1.2 x 10^6 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.65c
Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion
Sensors: Terrestrial and gas giant sensor pallet with material sample and return capability; onboard chemical analysis submodule
Telemetry: 13,250 channels at ~15 megawatts.
Additional data: Limited SIF hull reinforcement. Full range of terrestrial soft landing to subsurface penetration missions; gas giant atmosphere missions survivable to 450 bar pressure. Limited terrestrial loiter time.

Class IV Stellar Encounter Probe:

Range: 3.5 x 10^6 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.6c
Powerplant: Vectored deuterium microfusion propulsion supplemented with continuum driver coil and extended deuterium supply
Sensors: Triply redundant stellar fields and particle detectors, stellar atmosphere analysis suite.
Telemetry: 9,780 channels at 65 megawatts.
Additional data: Six ejectable/survivable radiation flux subprobes. Deployable for nonstellar energy phenomena

Class V Medium-Range Reconnaissance Probe:

Range: 4.3 x 10^10 kilometers
Delta-v limit: Warp 2
Powerplant: Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine; extended duration sublight plus limited duration at warp
Sensors: Extended passive data-gathering and recording systems; full autonomous mission execution and return system
Telemetry: 6,320 channels at 2.5 megawatts.
Additional data: Planetary atmosphere entry and soft landing capability. Low observatory coatings and hull materials. Can be modified for tactical applications with addition of custom sensor countermeasure package.

Class VI Comm Relay/Emergency Beacon:

Range: 4.3 x 10^10 kilometers
Delta-v limit: 0.8c
Powerplant: Microfusion engine with high-output MHD power tap
Sensors: Standard pallet
Telemetry/Comm: 9,270 channel RF and subspace transceiver operating at 350 megawatts peak radiated power. 360 degree omni antenna coverage, 0.0001 arc-second high-gain antenna pointing resolution.
Additional data: Extended deuterium supply for transceiver power generation and planetary orbit plane changes

Class VII Remote Culture Study Probe:

Range: 4.5 x 10^8 kilometers
Delta-v limit: Warp 1.5
Powerplant: Dual-mode matter/antimatter engine
Sensors: Passive data gathering system plus subspace transceiver
Telemetry: 1,050 channels at 0.5 megawatts.
Additional data: Applicable to civilizations up to technology level III. Low observability coatings and hull materials. Maximum loiter time: 3.5 months. Low-impact molecular destruct package tied to antitamper detectors.

Class VIII Medium-Range Multimission Warp Probe:

Range: 1.2 x 10^2 light-years
Delta-v limit: Warp 9
Powerplant: Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 6.5 hours at warp 9; MHD power supply tap for sensors and subspace transceiver
Sensors: Standard pallet plus mission-specific modules
Telemetry: 4,550 channels at 300 megawatts.
Additional data: Applications vary from galactic particles and fields research to early-warning reconnaissance missions

Class IX Long-Range Multimission Warp Probe:

Range: 7.6 x 10^2 light-years
Delta-v limit: Warp 9
Powerplant: Matter/antimatter warp field sustainer engine; duration of 12 hours at warp 9; extended fuel supply for warp 8 maximum flight duration of 14 days
Sensors: Standard pallet plus mission-specific modules
Telemetry: 6,500 channels at 230 megawatts.
Additional data: Limited payload capacity; isolinear memory storage of 3,400 kiloquads; fifty-channel transponder echo.
Typical application is emergency-log/message capsule on homing trajectory to nearest starbase or known Starfleet vessel position

CREW SUPPORT SYSTEMS

MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Sickbay is located on Deck 4 near the science labs. While not considered large, this department has a 5-bed treatment room, a 2-bed intensive care ward, an isolation room, and a morgue/stasis unit. Sickbay is also equipped with a limited surgical facility, which is primarily intended to stabilize patients until they can be delivered to a medical facility. A small medical laboratory and dental care office are located next to Sickbay.

The CMO's office is located adjacent to Sickbay with doors connecting to the hallway as well as directly to sickbay. The office is decorated to the Chief Medical Officer's preference and also contains a personal viewscreen, a computer display, and a washroom/head.

The Cargo bay is designated as the first location for additional medical space if needed for mass casualty situations, with the shuttlebays designated as the secondary location. VIP quarters can be adapted to act as additional Intensive Care Units, and the lounge can be modified to act as a treatment ward.

Counselor⤙s Office: The Ship's Counselor has his office located on Deck 4, near the Medical section. It consists of a private office, with standard furnishings (decorated to the Counselors preference), a personal viewscreen, a computer display, and a washroom/head. An individual therapy room furnished with chairs and couch for one on one sessions, as well as a large, group therapy room, consisting of several couches and chairs, are located adjacent to the Counselor's office.

In the event of a crewmember suffering a psychotic episode, and needing to be isolated from the crew, the ill crewman is kept in sickbay, in the isolation unit, or in the intensive care units, as determined by bed availability.

CREW QUARTERS SYSTEMS

General Overview: Officer quarters and VIP/Guest accommodations are located on deck 2. Enlisted crew quarters and diplomatic facilities are located on deck 3.

Individuals assigned to a Starfleet vessel for periods over six months are permitted to reconfigure their quarters within hardware, volume, and mass limits. Individuals assigned for shorter periods are generally restricted to standard quarter's configuration.

Crew Quarters: Standard Living Quarters are provided for all crewmembers. Only senior officers may have families accompanying them during their assignment to a Saber class vessel, due to the limited space. Non-commissioned officers (NCO's) and enlisted quarters are on deck 3.

Two NCO's are assigned to a suite. Accommodations include 2 bedrooms with standard beds, connected by a living/work area. A washroom with ultrasonic shower is located off of each bedroom. Two computer displays and a personal viewscreen are located in the living area. Pets are not allowed to NCO's.

Enlisted crewmembers share quarters with up to 4 others. Accommodations include 2 bedrooms with twin beds, connected by a living/work area. A washroom with ultrasonic shower is located off of each bedroom. Two computer displays and a personal viewscreen are located in the living area. Pets are not allowed to enlisted crew.

Officers' Quarters: Ensigns share a suite. Accommodations include 2 bedrooms with standard beds, connected by a living/work area. A washroom with ultrasonic shower is located off of each bedroom. Two computer displays and a personal viewscreen are located in the living area. Pets are allowed.

Starfleet personnel from the rank of Lieutenant JG to Commander are given one set of quarters to themselves (they do not need to share). Families may accompany senior officers. Those officers with children are assigned quarters with viewports.

Single officer accommodations typically include a small bathroom with an ultrasonic shower, a bedroom (with standard bed), a living/work area, a computer display, a personal viewscreen, and provisions for pets.

Family accommodations include 2 or 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with ultrasonic showers. The rest of the accommodations are as described above.

Officers may request that their living quarters be combined to form one large dwelling.

Executive Quarters: The Captain/Executive Officer have special quarters, located on Deck 2.

These quarters are much more luxurious than any others on the ship, with the exception of the VIP/Diplomatic Guest quarters. Both the Executive Officer's and the Captain's quarters are larger than standard Officer Quarters. This space generally has the following accommodations: a living/work area, a food replicator, a personal holographic viewer, a computer display, provisions for pets, a bedroom, and a bathroom with ultrasonic shower and an old-fashioned water shower.

VIP/Diplomatic Guest Quarters: The Saber Class is a symbol of UFP authority, a tool in dealing with other races. Starfleet intends to use them in diplomatic situations and the need to transport or accommodate Very Important Persons, diplomats, or ambassadors will arise.

These quarters are located on Deck 2. VIP quarters include a spacious living/work area, a food replicator, a personal holographic viewer, an ultrasonic shower and bathtub/water shower, a bedroom with a null-grav sleeping chamber, and provisions for pets. These quarters can be immediately converted to class H, K, L, N, and N2 environments.

RECREATIONAL SYSTEMS

General Overview: The Saber class is a small sized Starship and its design has been maximized for scientific and tactical usage. However, it is realized that the stress of operating at 99% efficiency on a ship that is built for extended field operations and exploration can be dangerous, so there are some limited recreational facilities on board.

Holosuites: These are smaller versions of standard Federation holodeck, designed for individual use. They do everything that the larger holodeck can do, only these holosuites can't handle as many variables and are less detailed. There are two Holosuites, both of them located on deck 5.

Phaser Range: Sometimes the only way a Starfleet officer or crewman can vent his frustration is through the barrel of a phaser rifle. The phaser range is located on deck 5. The phaser range is heavily shielded and the walls are armored. It is designed for low level phaser fire, but can withstand short phaser blasts at setting 16 without a problem.

Normal phaser recreation and practice is used with a type II phaser set to level 3 (heavy stun). The person stands in the middle of the room, with no light except for the circle in the middle of the floor that the person is standing in. Colored circular dots approximately the size of a human hand whirl across the walls, and the person aims and fires. After completing a round, the amounts of hits and misses, along with the percentage of accuracy is announced by the ship's computer.

Gym Facilities: Some Starfleet personnel can find solace from the aggravations of day-to-day life in exercising their bodies. The Security department encourages constant use of this facility; tournaments and competitions are held regularly in this room.

The gymnasium is located on deck 5, near the holosuites and the lounge. This facility includes a weight room that has full body building and exercise apparatuses available for crew use; any kind of exercise can be performed here, be it Terran, Klingon, Vulcan (it isn't logical to let your body atrophy), Bajoran, Trill, or others.

There is also a wrestling mat in the weight room, which can be used for wrestling, martial arts, kickboxing, or any other sort of hand-to-hand fighting. There are holo-diodes along the walls and ceiling which generate a holographic opponent (if you can't find someone to challenge), trained in the combat field of your choice. The computer stores your personal attack and defensive patterns as it gains experience on your style of fighting, and adapts to defeat you. All personnel on board must go through a full physical fitness and hand-to-hand combat test every six months.

Weapon lockers that contains a variety of hand-to-hand combat weapons, for use in training, can be found along one wall. Ancient weapon proficiencies for Starfleet personnel are recommended by the security division; phasers may not always be available for use in all contingencies. Terran, Klingon, Betazoid, Vulcan, Bajoran, and other non-energy weapons are available for training.

Hydroponics Bay: Sometimes, one must walk among the greenery and smell the roses. Located on deck 4, the hydroponics bay is maintained by the botany department, and is used for research into plant-life. Crewmembers are allowed to wander the small 'hanging garden' type facility, which has twisting paths among the multitude of plant-life that provide some privacy. 'Natural' lighting is provided on a day/night schedule that provides maximum benefit to the plant-life.

MESS HALL

Ships of the Saber-class lack many of amenities common to the larger ships. Since food replicators are not available in crew quarters (the exception being in the XO/CO's quarters, the Captain's Ready Room, the Observation Lounge, and in the VIP quarters) meals are served in the Mess Hall located on Deck 3. The replicators have a huge menu of foods and drinks that can be instantly available for culinary adventurers, and variations can be created by the crew and stored in files for easy access and trading.

At the head of the room are three open slots that serve as dispensers for the replicators. A counter extends from the underside and is used for the placement of trays, mugs and eating utensils. Seating inside the mess hall is provided by metallic tables arranged in a semicircle at the wider end of the room. These tables are approximately one meter square, and each has four stools connected to its legs.

In addition, the mess hall doubles as a makeshift meeting area that could be used to conduct crew briefings and mission profiles. A tall screen panel located on one of the walls can be used as a visual aid to display tactical graphics.

The captain's mess is located on deck 2 and can seat about eight persons comfortably.

OBSERVATION LOUNGE

This is a small lounge located on deck 5 and is set in the forward edge of the primary hull. It has a very relaxed and congenial air about it; The Observation Lounge is the only place on the ship where rank means nothing - "sir" need not be uttered when a person of lower rank addresses an officer, and everyone is on an equal footing. Opinions can be voiced in complete safety. This lounge is the social center of the ship.

The Observation Lounge has a small number of recreational games and assorted "stuff". 3-D chess and other games can all be found here. There is also a bar (self-service) which is stocked (at the Captain's discretion) with various potent alcoholic beverages, such as chech'tluth, Aldebaran whiskey, Saurian brandy, Tzartak aperitif, Tamarian Frost, C&E Warp Lager, Warnog, Antarean brandy, and many others as well as a small food/drink replicator that can make the synthahol versions of these and other drinks.

The Observation Lounge is often named by the crew, and is decorated as the crew decides and usually has a theme, to some extent. A small number of tables and chairs, as well as some benches, provide seating for the crew. Large windows set into the forward wall allow a breathtaking view from the bow of the ship, giving a clear view of what lies before the ship. Situated under the forward torpedo tubes, they also allow for a 'you-are-there' view of the launching of these destructive devices.

AUXILIARY SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS

SHUTTLEBAY

'General Overview: Located on the aft portion of the ship, the two shuttle bays are accessed by a flight path between the nacelles. The shuttle bays contains facilities to refuel/rearm, to repair, and to provide routine maintenance to the shuttle complement assigned to the ship. A flight control room, known as "Flight Ops", controls the shuttle bays and directs flight vectors for incoming and outgoing craft. This is located against the forward wall of shuttle bay 1, next to the exit for the turbolift on deck 4.

Shuttle bay 2 is located on deck 5. It is the larger of the two shuttle bays, and is the location of the maintenance facilities for the shuttles.

The Flight Control Officer's office is located adjacent to the Flight Ops center. It is decorated to the FCO's preferences and contains a work area, a personal viewscreen, a computer display, and a washroom/head.

The standard shuttle bays (FF) contain the following:

• Two Type-18 Shuttlepods
• Two Type-6 Shuttlecrafts
• Two Worker Bees
• Ordnance and Fuel
• Flight Ops

The uprated shuttle bays (FFU) contain the following:

• Two Type-8 Shuttlecraft
• One Type-10 Shuttlecraft
• Two Type-18 Shuttlepods
• Two Worker Bees
• Ordnance and Fuel
• Flight Ops

SHUTTLECRAFT

TYPE-18 SHUTTLEPOD

Type: Medium short-range sublight shuttle.
Accommodation: Two; pilot and system manager.
Power Plant: Two 800 millicochrane impulse driver engines, four RCS thrusters, four sarium krellide storage cells.
Dimensions: Length, 4.5 m; beam, 3.1 m; height 1.8 m
Mass: 1.12 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v, 16,750 m/sec.
Armament: Three Type-V phaser emitters.

Developed in the mid-2360s, the Type-18 Shuttlepod is somewhat of a departure from the traditional layout for ships of its size. In response to the growing threat of conflicts with various galactic powers bordering or near to the Federation, this shuttlepod was designed to handle more vigorous assignments that still fell into the short-range roles of a shuttlepods. Even with her parent vessel under attack, the Type-18 was designed to function in battle situations and could even be used as an escape vehicle should the need arise. Lacking a warp core, the pod is a poor choice for travel beyond several million kilometers. Ships of this type are seeing limited deployment on various border patrol and defensive starship classes, including the Defiant-, Saber-, and Steamrunner-class.

TYPE-6 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE (UPRTD)

Type: Light short-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew, six passengers.
Power Plant: One 50 cochrane warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 6.0 m; beam, 4.4 m; height 2.7 m.
Mass: 3.38 metric tones.
Performance: Sustained Warp 3.
Armament: Two Type-IV phaser emitters.

The Type-6 Personnel Shuttlecraft is currently in widespread use throughout Starfleet, and is only recently being replaced by the slightly newer Type-8 Shuttle of similar design. The Uprated version of this vessel is considered to be the ideal choice for short-range interplanetary travel, and its large size makes it suitable to transport personnel and cargo over these distances. A short-range transporter is installed onboard, allowing for easy beam out of cargo and crew to and from their destination. Atmospheric flight capabilities allow for this shuttle type to land on planetary surfaces. Ships of this type are currently in use aboard virtually every medium to large sized starship class, as well as aboard stations and Starbases.

The Type-6 is perhaps the most successful shuttle design to date, and its overall structure and components are the foundations upon which the Type-8, -9, and -10 spaceframes are based.

Major technological advancements in the 2370⤙s allowed for further upgrades to be made to the engine systems aboard shuttlecraft. These upgrades make this craft more capable of long-range spaceflight and, like its starship counterparst, no longer damages subspace.

TYPE-8 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE

Type: Light long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew, six passengers.
Power Plant: One 150 cochrane warp engine, two 750 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 6.2 m; beam, 4.5 m; height 2.8 m.
Mass: 3.47 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 4.
Armament: Two Type-V phaser emitters.

Based upon the frame of the Type-6, the Type-8 Shuttlecraft is the most capable follow-up in the realm of personnel shuttles. Only slightly larger, the Type-8 is equipped with a medium-range transporter and has the ability to travel within a planet⤙s atmosphere. With a large cargo area that can also seat six passengers, the shuttle is a capable transport craft. Slowly replacing its elder parent craft, the Type-8 is now seeing rapid deployment on all medium to large starships, as well as to Starbases and stations throughout the Federation.

TYPE-10 PERSONNEL SHUTTLE

Type: Heavy long-range warp shuttle.
Accommodation: Two flight crew, two passengers.
Power Plant: One 250 cochrane warp engine, two 800 millicochrane impulse engines, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 9.64 m; beam, 5.82 m; height 3.35 m.
Mass: 19.73 metric tones.
Performance: Warp 5.
Armament: Three Type-V phaser emitters, two micro-torpedo launchers, jamming devices.

Developed specifically for the Defiant-class starship project, the Type-10 Personnel Shuttle is the largest departure from the traditional role of an auxiliary craft that Starfleet has made in the past century. Short of a dedicated fighter craft, the Type-10 is one of the most powerful auxiliary ships, with only the bulkier Type-11 being more heavily equipped. Nonetheless, the shuttle sports increased hull armor and the addition of micro-torpedo launchers, as well as a suite of tactical jamming devices. A larger warp coil assembly, as well as torpedo stores, makes the Type-10 much more heavier then other shuttles. Elements from the Defiant-class project that were incorporated into the shuttle include armored bussard collectors, as well as a complex plasma venting system for use during possible warp core breech situations. This bulky craft is equipped with a powerful navigation deflector that allows it to travel at high-warp, and a complex sensor system makes this shuttle suitable for reconnaissance work. Able to hold its own in battle situations, the Type-10 is seeing limited deployment on Defiant-class starships, as well as border patrol vessels and combat-ready ships.

WORK BEE

Type: Utility Craft.
Accomodation: One operator.
Power Plant:One microfusion reactor, four RCS thrusters.
Dimensions: Length, 4.11 m; beam, 1.92 m; height 1.90 m.
Mass: 1.68 metric tones.
Performance: Maximum delta-v, 4,000 m/sec.
Armament: None

The Work Bee is a capable stand-alone craft used for inspection of spaceborne hardware, repairs, assembly, and other activates requiring remote manipulators. The fully pressurized craft has changed little in design during the past 150 years, although periodic updates to the internal systems are done routinely. Onboard fuel cells and microfusion generators can keep the craft operational for 76.4 hours, and the life-support systems can provide breathable air, drinking water and cooling for the pilot for as long as fifteen hours. If the pilot is wearing a pressure suit or SEWG, the craft allows for the operator to exit while conducting operations. Entrance and exit is provided by the forward window, which lifts vertically to allow the pilot to come and go.

A pair of robotic manipulator arms is folded beneath the main housing, and allows for work to be done through pilot-operated controls. In addition, the Work Bee is capable of handling a cargo attachment that makes it ideal for transferring cargo around large Starbase and spaceborne construction facilities. The cargo attachment features additional microfusion engines for supporting the increased mass.

SABER CLASS FLIGHT OPERATIONS

Operations aboard a Saber class starship fall under one of four categories: flight operations, primary mission operations, secondary mission operations, and flight deck operations.

Flight Operations are all operations that relate directly to the function of the starship itself, which include power generation, starship upkeep, environmental systems, and any other system that is maintained and used to keep the vessel space worthy.

Primary Mission Operations entail all tasks assigned and directed from the Main Bridge, and typically require full control and discretion over ship navigation and ship's resources.

Secondary Mission operations are those operations that are not under the direct control of the Main Bridge, but do not impact Primary Mission Operations. Some examples of secondary mission operations include long-range cultural, diplomatic or scientific programs run by independent or semi-autonomous groups aboard the starship.

Flight Deck Operations are those operations that typically fall under Secondary Mission operations, but fall under the control of the Tactical Information Center. It is not uncommon for Flight Deck Operations to supercede Primary Mission Operations, particularly in combat missions.

MISSION TYPES

Saber-class ships are classified as mission-oriented vessels. While it can be used for any mission that is necessary, to be absolutely efficient in achieving its goals, a Saber should be of the proper variant for the mission assigned to it.

Saber-class vessels make use of modular technology, just as do most other Starfleet vessels. But, due to the compact, intertwined nature of the ship's systems, when a Saber has a change in its mission parameters, it requires a significant change-out time (typically weeks to months) to adapt to a new variant. Each Saber falls into one of four types of variant and focuses on those mission for which that types was built.

The following is a list of mission types and the variants that typically are assigned to them:

• Federation Policy and Diplomacy: The FF/FFU -D is a Diplomatic Courier. Its main mission is transportation of diplomatic personnel to various destinations, to provide diplomatic facilities for low level conferences, summits, and treaty discussions, and to transport vital cargo of a political nature. It has decreased scientific and weapon capacities, to allow for addition VIP quarters, conference rooms, meeting halls, private offices, secured communication equipment, and increased entertainment facilities.
• Deep-space Exploration / Contact with Alien Lifeforms: The FF/FFU -E is a Scout ship. It is the variant described in the previous documentation, with a mission of exploration, observation/data gathering, first-contact, scientific and patrol type missions.
• Ongoing Scientific Investigation: The FF/FFU -S is a Science ship. The main purpose of this vessel is to act as a base of operations for the gathering of scientific data. This variant has decreased weapon load-outs, and next to no diplomatic facilities, to allow room for increased science labs, probes, and mission specific experiments/equipment.
• Tactical/Defensive Operations: The FF/FFU -P is a Patrol ship, with the main purpose of guarding borders and patrolling shipping lanes. It has decreased scientific and diplomatic facilities to allow room for increased torpedo storage, additional security personnel, additional shield generators, and improved tactical sensors and communication equipment.
• Emergency/Search and Rescue: Any variant can be called in to aid in an emergency. Typical Missions include answering standard Federation emergency beacons, extraction of Federation or Non-Federation citizens in distress, retrieval of Federation or Non-Federation spacecraft in distress, small scale station/outpost evacuation - planetary evacuation is not feasible.

OPERATING MODES

The normal flight and mission operations of the Saber class starship are conducted in accordance with a variety of Starfleet standard operating rules, determined by the current operational state of the starship. These operational states are determined by the Commanding Officer, although in certain specific cases, the Computer can automatically adjust to a higher alert status.

The major operating modes are:

• Cruise Mode: The normal operating condition of the ship.
• Yellow Alert: Designates a ship wide state of increased preparedness for possible crisis situations.
• Red Alert: Designates an actual state of emergency in which the ship or crew is endangered, immediately impending emergencies, or combat situations.
• External Support Mode: State of reduced activity that exists when a ship is docked at a starbase or other support facility.
• Reduced Power Mode: this protocol is invoked in case of a major failure in spacecraft power generation, in case of critical fuel shortage, or in the event that a tactical situation requires severe curtailment of onboard power generation.

During Cruise Mode, the ship⤙s operations are run on three 8-hour shifts designated Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Should a crisis develop, it may revert to a four-shift system of six hours to keep crew fatigue down.

Typical Shift command is as follows:

• Alpha Shift ⤓ Captain (CO)
• Beta Shift ⤓ Executive Officer (XO)
• Gamma Shift ⤓ Rotated amongst Senior Officers

SEPARATED FLIGHT MODE

Due to the unique shape of her hull, the Saber class does not have a separated flight mode. While the hull can eject the warp nacelle assembly quickly, her lack of a clearly identifiable saucer section precludes independent flight of the primary hull.

LANDING MODE

Due to the unique shape of her hull, the Saber class cannot land within a gravity well and maintain hull integrity for Transatmospheric operations. This does not mean that the hull cannot withstand a landing - quite the contrary, in an extreme emergency, the Saber class could effect a surface landing while only losing an estimated 45% of hull integrity while structural members are estimated to have failure rates as high as 75%. While integrity is not high enough to allow for deep-space operations, enough of the internal volume and structural members should remain to allow for a landing that is safe for her crew.

MAINTENANCE

Though much of a modern starship⤙s systems are automated, they do require regular maintenance and upgrade. Maintenance is typically the purview of the Engineering, but personnel from certain divisions that are more familiar with them can also maintain specific systems.

Maintenance of onboard systems is almost constant, and varies in severity. Everything from fixing a stubborn replicator, to realigning the Dilithium matrix is handled by technicians and engineers on a regular basis. Not all systems are checked centrally by Main Engineering; to do so would occupy too much computer time by routing every single process to one location. To alleviate that, systems are compartmentalized by deck and location for checking. Department heads are expected to run regular diagnostics of their own equipment and report anomalies to Engineering to be fixed.

Systems Diagnostics
All key operating systems and subsystems aboard the ship have a number of preprogrammed diagnostic software and procedures for use when actual or potential malfunctions are experienced. These various diagnostic protocols are generally classified into five different levels, each offering a different degree of crew verification of automated tests. Which type of diagnostic is used in a given situation will generally depend upon the criticality of a situation, and upon the amount of time available for the test procedures.

Level 1 Diagnostic - This refers to the most comprehensive type of system diagnostic, which is normally conducted on ship's systems. Extensive automated diagnostic routines are performed, but a Level 1 diagnostic requires a team of crew members to physically verify operation of system mechanisms and to system readings, rather than depending on the automated programs, thereby guarding against possible malfunctions in self-testing hardware and software. Level 1 diagnostics on major systems can take several hours, and in many cases, the subject system must be taken off-line for all tests to be performed.

Level 2 Diagnostic - This refers to a comprehensive system diagnostic protocol, which, like a Level 1, involves extensive automated routines, but requires crew verification of fewer operational elements. This yields a somewhat less reliable system analysis, but is a procedure that can be conducted in less than half the time of the more complex tests.

Level 3 Diagnostic - This protocol is similar to Level 1 and 2 diagnostics but involves crew verification of only key mechanics and systems readings. Level 3 diagnostics are intended to be performed in ten minutes or less.

Level 4 Diagnostic - This automated procedure is intended for use whenever trouble is suspected with a given system. This protocol is similar to Level 5, but involves more sophisticated batteries of automated diagnostics. For most systems, Level 4 diagnostics can be performed in less than 30 seconds.

Level 5 Diagnostic - This automated procedure is intended for routine use to verify system performance. Level 5 diagnostics, which usually require less than 2.5 seconds, are typically performed on most systems on at least a daily basis, and are also performed during crisis situations when time and system resources are carefully managed.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

EMERGENCY MEDICAL OPERATIONS

Pursuant to Starfleet General Policy and Starfleet Medical Emergency Operations, at least 40% of the officers and crew of the Saber class starship are cross-trained to serve as Emergency Medical Technicians/Medics, triage specialists, and other emergency medical functionaries along with non-medical emergency operations in engineering or tactical departments. This set of policies was established due to the wide variety of emergencies, both medical and otherwise, that a Federation Starship could respond to on any given mission.

The lounge on deck 5 can serve as a treatment ward while the VIP/guest quarters on deck 2 can serve as emergency intensive care wards, with an estimated online activation time of 30 minutes with maximum engineering support. Further, Shuttle bay 1 has a mobile hospital that can be deployed either on the flight deck, or transported to the Cargo Bay to act as a emergency overflow triage center. The Cargo Bay also provides for the emergency atmosphere recalibration to type H,K, or L environments, intended for non-humanoid casualties. All facilities are equipped with full Biohazard suites, to minimize and prevent crew exposure to potentially deadly diseases.

LIFEBOATS

Ever present is the possibility that a ship will become disabled or otherwise damaged to such extent that it can no longer support life. In such situations the crew has to option of abandoning ship by using the Escape Pod system. There are 56 5-person Escape Pods on a Saber class starship. Each pod has a life support for 90 days in space, and has a maximum speed of 4,200 m/sec. Subspace radio and beacon are permanently activated once the pod is ejected from the ship, to aid in locating the pod. Escaped pods have atmospheric entry and landing capability.

There are no escape pods connected to the bridge. Pods are located on all decks below Deck two. Two pods are reserved for the top four officers in the chain of command, because they are the last four to leave the ship. As the number of experienced Captains dwindles in Starfleet, the notion of a Captain going down with his ship has been abolished. If the ship is abandoned, the top four officers in the chain of command will wait until everyone else is off the ship, opt to arm the auto-Destruct (not always necessary, but there if needed), and then leave in the two escape pods.

RESCUE AND EVACUATION OPERATIONS

Rescue and Evacuation Operations for a Saber class starship will fall into one of two categories - abandoning the starship, or rescue and evacuation from a planetary body or another starship.

Rescue Scenarios

Resources are available for rescue and evacuation to a Saber class starship include:

• The ability to transport 300 persons per hour to the ship via personnel and cargo transporters.
• The availability of the 2 Type 6 shuttlecraft to be on hot-standby for immediate launch, with all additional shuttlecraft available for launch in an hours notice. Total transport capabilities of these craft vary due to differing classifications but an average load of 100 persons can be offloaded per hour from an M-Class planetary surface to a standard orbit.
• Capacity to support up to 500 evacuees with conversion of the Flight Decks and Cargo Bay to emergency living quarters.
• Ability to convert the Cargo bay, the Lounge and the VIP quarters to emergency triage and medical centers.
• Ability to temporarily convert the Cargo Bay to type H,K, or L environments, intended for non-humanoid casualties.

Abandon-Ship Scenarios

Resources available for abandon-ship scenarios from a Saber class starship include:

• The ability to transport 460 persons per hour from the ship via personnel, cargo, and emergency transporters.
• The availability of the 2 Type 6 shuttlecraft to be on hot-standby for immediate launch, with all additional shuttlecraft available for launch in an hours notice. Total transport capabilities of these craft vary due to differing classifications but an average load of 100 persons can be offloaded per hour from a standard orbit to an M Class planetary surface.
• Protocols also include the use of Lifeboats. Each Saber carries a total of 56 of the 5-person variants, which measures 4.8 meters tall and 5.9 meters long, and has a maximum speed of 4,200 m/sec. Each pod has a life support for 90 days in space, longer if they connect together in "Gaggle Mode".
• Environmental Suits are available for evacuation directly into a vacuum. In such a scenario, personnel can evacuate via airlocks, the flight bay, or through exterior turbolift couplings. Environmental suits are available at all exterior egress points, along with survival lockers spaced throughout the habitable portions of the starship.
• Many exterior windows are removable, allowing for egress. However, these manual releases are only activated in the event of atmosphere loss, power loss, certain Red Alert conditions, and only if personnel in contiguous compartments have access to an environmental suit.

APPENDIX A - VARIANT DESIGNATIONS

FF - Fast Frigate FFU - Fast Frigate (Uprated)

Suffix:

D - Diplomatic E - Scout S - Science P - Patrol/Escort

APPENDIX B - BASIC TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ACCOMMODATION

Officers and Crew: 60 Evacuation Limit: 500

DIMENSIONS

Overall Length: 190 meters Overall Draft: 48.60 meters Overall Beam: 193.19 meters

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Velocity: Warp 9.8 (12 hours maximum)

ARMAMENT

Standard (FF) - 3 Type IX Phaser Arrays, 1 forward torpedo launcher (2 Tube), 1 aft torpedo launcher (2 Tube) (FFU-E, -P) - 3 Type X Phaser Array, 1 forward torpedo launcher (3 Tube), 1 aft torpedo launcher (3 Tube) (FFU-D, -S) - 3 Type X Phaser Array, 1 forward torpedo launcher (2 Tube), 1 aft torpedo launcher (2 Tube)

TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT

Shuttlecraft (FF)

• 2 Work Bees
• 2 Type-6 Personal Shuttlecraft
• 4 Type-18 Shuttlepods

Shuttlecraft (FFU)

• 2 Work Bees
• 2 Type-6 Personal Shuttlecraft
• 1 Type-10 Shuttlecraft
• 4 Type-18 Shuttlepods

Transporters

• 2 Personal
• 1 Cargo
• 1 Emergency

APPENDIX C - DECK LAYOUT

Deck 1: Main Bridge, Captain's Ready Room, Conference Room, Stellar Cartography, Main Engineering (upper), CEO's Office, Aft Torpedo Launcher

Deck 2: Officer's Quarters, VIP Quarters, XO's Office, Main Engineering (Lower), Warp Core, Fore and Aft Torpedo/Probe Magazines, Computer Core and Control Room, Captain's Mess

Deck 3: Crew Quarters, Diplomatic Facilities, Transporter Rooms 1 & 2, Mess Hall, Forward Torpedo Launcher, Computer Core

Deck 4: Sickbay, CMO's Office, CNS' Office, Science Labs 1 - 8, CSO's Office, Hydroponics bay, Shuttlebay 1, FCO's Office

Deck 5: Lounge, Holosuites, Gymnasium, CTO's office, Security Dept/Brig, Ship's Armory, Phaser Range, Shuttle Bay 2, Shuttle Maintenance, Docking Ports

Deck 6: Cargo Bay 1, Cargo Transporter 1, Aux. Weapon Controls

Deck 7: Deuterium Storage, Anti-Matter Storage Pods, Life Support Systems

Deck 8: Navigation Deflector Control room, LRS Control room, Navigational Deflector

Deck 9: Navigational Deflector, LRS

Deck 10: Waste Processing/Recycling Center (Life Support optional on this deck)

APPENDIX D - AUTHOR'S NOTES

From The Desk of Robert Pate:

This is the one point in this entire page where you'll find that, for the first time, the authors step out of the Star Trek universe and back into our own 21st Century mindset. The information presented on this page is a result of hours and hours worth of researching, more researching and then a rigorous and intensive process of compiling the best information from canon sources, and making an attempt to fill in the blanks. For the purposes of ST:EQ, these are the specs for the Saber class vessel. Now to address some of the problems found in compiling this information, followed by a brief explanation as to why a certain path was taken in these specs.

This is the one point in this entire page where you'll find that, for the first time, I've stepped out of the Star Trek universe and back into our own 21st Century mindset. The information presented on this page is a result of hours and hours worth of researching, more researching and then a rigorous and intensive process of compiling the best information from canon sources, and making an attempt to fill in the blanks. For the purposes of ST:EQ, these are the specs for the Saber-class vessel, like them or not. To answer a few questions before they are asked:

Saber's Dimensions: Depending on the source you will see various lengths for the Saber. In the Encyclopedia II, on the ship's size chart, the Saber is placed under the Defiant, indicating it is larger, yet the picture is minutely shorter. Since the size of the Defiant is in question as well (In ST:EQ we have settled on 120m) this brings into question the sizing of the Saber. By straight measurement with a ruler against ships of known length (Ent Nil, A and D) I originally obtained the length of 165m. But discussions with ST:ACTD Spec Team members and a listing on another web site indicated that Rick Sternbach stated that the Saber was to be 190m long. Since he is one of the main technical personnel on ST, I decided to use his statement as fact. Once that was determined, the width and height were simply measured out of the Ency II.

Number of Decks: This was determined after I finalized a height of 48.60 m. Using the ST:ACTD standard of 4.85 m per deck, you get the 10 decks I have listed. But then I also found a very nice MSD created by Bernd Schneider of Ex Astris Scientia . It is a bit confusing, which I would expect from such a ship. Counting the decks on this MSD is difficult due many of the decks not being in a straight line. Still, I can easily confirm my 10 deck theory, and decided to stick with that.

Deck 1: This gave a little problem. The tail section of the ship is higher than the bridge module. The Spec team had decided to label such decks 'A,B,C' etc. But once I found the MSD I couldn't easily claim decks above the bridge. To me it looks like deck one is staggered. Perhaps this is one of the few ships with actual steps between the different levels? With so many staggered decks, I decided to draw equal distant lines down the length of the ship. Some decks fell half way, but I decided to keep them listed as a whole number rather than a deck 5a or something like that. With her overall odd shape, and sloping tail section, I think it is just safe to say that the Saber is a cramped, compact little ship, and as such may not have a pretty interior design.

Variants: These are, of course, entirely my own ideas. I have nothing canon to base these on. I can only hope that they are logical and add some fun to the game. I felt that ships this small had to have a specific mission in mind for them. Obviously they cannot do everything, like a Galaxy' can, so I designed these four variants to cover missions that would replace older ships like the Orbeth. I made the general Scout class, since I felt that we in the specs team are not trying to limit the mission arcs that the SM's are writing, by telling them that such and such variant wouldn't be sent on that kind of mission. The Scout variant is as general and multi-missioned as this small class can get.

APPENDIX E - CREDITS AND COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

SABER-CLASS SPECIFICATIONS CREATED BY: ROBERT PATE

SOURCES USED:

1. Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual - Rick Sternbach and Michael Okuda
2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual - Herman Zimmerman, Rick Sternbach and Doug Drexler
3. Star Trek: Encyclopedia II
4. Star Trek: The Magazine
5. Star Trek: First Contact
6. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Various Episodes)
7. Ex Astris Scientia: http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/index.htm

Copyright 2001-2005 Star Trek: A Call to Duty.