(Reprinted from the April 2363 issue of Dockyard Review)

The Akira Class Strike Cruiser
Starfleet's Heavy Hitter

By: 
Rear Admiral Alex Jaeger
Senior Designer
Starfleet Spacecraft Design Advisory Commission

     When development began on the Galaxy and Nebula class explorers, Starfleet also started work on a new generation of combat-oriented ships to augment the Excelsior and New Orleans class ships serving those roles. While the Romulans had gone "missing" and the Klingons were unusually quiet, Starfleet knew that in the event of a serious Threat power, TacFleet was ill equipped to engage them. While the Steamrunner class destroyer and Saber class scout/escort were in Fleet service at the time, they had been designed to free the Excelsior and Ambassador classes from being called upon to deal with smaller issues. The Ambassador's still formed the backbone of the Fleet's response to serious military threats. The Galaxy and Nebula classes were expected to do the same, but it was feared that, like the Ambassador class, they'd be called upon too much to handle smaller crises.

 The Starfleet Spacecraft Design Advisory Commission started the Akira class Starship Development Project in 2355 to begin to address the need of an extremely well-armed ship with excellent survivability. Though this went against the general tenet of Starfleet, with the Galaxy  class preparing to travel to unexplored parts of the Federation and beyond, Starfleet worried about possible disastrous first-contacts like had happened with the Klingon and Romulan Empires.

 This decision took on greater importance with the start of the Cardassian War in 2356. The Ambassador Class was seriously stretched, and the lack of photon-torpedo launchers on New Orleans class proved a serious flaw. The tactical suite on the Akira was heavily enhanced to reflect this (see Tactical Systems, below).

 GENERAL APPEARANCE

             The Akira class utilizes a unique catamaran-style shape that allows both high-speed and a low sensor profile. A roll bar atop the rear houses most of the torpedo launchers. The bridge, as opposed to almost every other starship, is nestled between two raised areas on the upper saucer, protecting it from enemy fire.

 PROPULSION AND POWER SYSTEMS

             Though designed for the larger Galaxy and Nebula classes, it was decided to fit the LF-41 warp drive to the Akira class to both provide speed and a ready power supply for the photon torpedo launchers.

 TACTICAL SYSTEMS

             Not since the old Andor class missile cruiser has a starship packed so many photon torpedo launchers into a hull. The Akira mounts a total of fifteen Mk 70 photon torpedo launchers. Three are mounted just above the sensor dish, one more just below it, and eleven more in the upper roll bar. The Akira is capable of delivering a killing blow with a single salvo against all known Threat starships. The Akira also mounts six Type X phaser strips. The ship carries the FSQ shield system and the CETIS Mk III with Type 225 TACAR fire-control suite.

             The Akira class was designed to carry fighters, and has a through-deck hangar bay designed for this purpose. The forward bay is equipped with launching facilities, and the two rear-bays are equipped for retrieval. Standard complement is twelve Peregrine class fighters, though more can be carried if necessary.

 COMPUTER SYSTEM

             The Akira carries the standard M-14 Isolinear II found on most ships of the line at her time. There has been talk of upgrading to the M-15 Isolinear III with LCARS, but a lack of available space, as well as no concrete need, has so far placed those plans on hold.

 SHIPS FACILITIES

             For her size, the Akira class carries a large crew of 500. Most of the ship's staterooms are of the dual-type, maximizing living space while still offering privacy. SSDAC learned from the mistakes in the Steamrunner class and fitted a much more advanced scientific and diplomatic suite on the Akira class. Though not as advanced as those found on the Galaxy, it does give the Akira a multi-mission capability not found in the Steamrunner class.

 DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION HISTORY

             The Akira class was approved for construction in 2358, with ten hulls being laid down. The Akira entered Fleet service in 2361, with the others following over the next three years. Starfleet has instituted a massive shipbuilding program based around the Akira. By 2364 thirty-five vessels are expected to be in service, with production set at five per year for the next ten years.

Admiral Jaeger is the Senior Designer at the Starfleet Spacecraft Design Advisory Commission. In addition to designing the Akira Class, his work also includes the Steamrunner, Norway, and Saber Class Starship Development Projects.

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