In a recent attack on the colony of Roosevelt 6, a Security detachment from the U.S.S. Tolkien-A came under heavy fire from Peregrine Class fighters, and, having no air support available, this resulted in the detachment taking heavy casualties. This highlighted a need for Starfleet to have a versatile fighter capable of providing air support to it's ground troops. The Captain of the U.S.S. Tolkien-A put forth specs for a new multi-role fighter, the Broadsword Class.
January: Captain and crew of the U.S.S. Tolkien submits a brief for a fourth class of fighter. General brief is as follows. Well armed space-superiority fighter also capable of entering a planets atmosphere and able to give fire support to troops on the ground. Must be a highly maneuverable craft, capable be handling a multitude of roles and attacking a variety of targets. Must be able to achieve a maximum of warp 6 for a short period of time and fitted with shields and weapons.
February: ASDB approved the general idea. Design work begins.
April: Design work is completed and prototype begins construction. Basic space frame is laid out according to the design. Mini computer core installed. A "heavy" version of the Rogue class Micro Cochrane engine is used in the Class.
May: Warp engine is fitted, because of the increased size and mass, the fighter experiences a sharp drop in the maximum time at warp past warp 2. Computer core is deemed operational and basic testing on the Fighter begins.
June: Ship passes all regulatory control and proceeds with testing.
July: Ship is proved to be operational and Starfleet examines the performance. The fighter is commissioned and Starfleet places an order for 290 Fighters to be distributed within the Federation.
Commissioned 2376 - Present
Classification: Multi-Role Strike Fighter
Structure:
Length: 18 meters
Width: 12 meters
Height: 4 meters
Decks: 1
Warp Systems:
Normal Cruise: Warp Factor 1
Maximum Cruise: Warp Factor 2
Maximum Rated: Warp Factor 6 for 20 minutes
Impulse Systems:
Power: Fusion
Engines: 2
Tactical Systems:
Phasers: 4 Micro-Pulse Phaser cannons, 2 on each wing tip
Torpedoes: 2 Mk II mico torpedo launchers, 1 under each wing tip
Quantum: 12 or
Photon: 12
This Fighter also has the capability to carry weapons pods. There are five different variations of pod available to the pilot dependent upon role assigned:
1: Heavy Fighter: No pod, this is a default setting for the fighter and gives the best performance from onboard systems.
2: Assault Fighter: Two Type-J phaser emitter's shoulder mounted forward of Impulse Engines, slightly reduces maneuverability.
3: Light Bomber: Micro Tri-cobalt launcher, under slung forward of Impulse Engines, 8 warheads, has a negative effect on maneuverability; therefore the fighter should be escorted by faster craft.
4: Light Bomber 2: The fighter has six hard points under the wings and fuselage. These can carry any standard Starfleet ordinance, but the fighter cannot carry any other pod at the same time as these hard points are used, these are used in weapon configuration 4.
Also: The fighter has six hard points under the wings and fuselage. These can carry any standard Starfleet ordinance, but the fighter cannot carry any other pod at the same time as these hard points are used, these are used in weapon configuration 4.
Shields: Grid-projected (TDS)/Distance-projected.
High level Structural Integrity Field
Duranium with added Ablative Armor Matrix.
Crew and Auxiliary Systems:
Officers: 2
Enlisted Crew: 0
Passengers: 0
Transporters: 1 x 2-person Emergency Transporter.
Diplomatic Capability: None