The Starfleet Runabout is a development of the warp capable shuttle craft which have been in use since the earliest days of the Federation. The first requirement for the Runabout, issued in 2342, called for a vessel based on the Type 9A cargo shuttle but capable of short and medium range interstellar operations carrying out limited spatial and planetary surveys. The fuselage was lengthened from 10.5 to 14.8 meters, allowing a much larger antimatter fuel cell to be installed to increase the vessels endurance from 36 hours to fifteen days at Warp 2.2. The two person emergency transporter was replaced by a one person fully functional model, and the rear of the cargo bay was fitted with four bunks. The remaining cargo space was used to expand the front cabin and install extra electronics systems.
The Type 10 Runabout proved reasonably successful in service, though the small cabin size limited its operations somewhat. Starfleet has gradually enlarged and improved the Runabout concept over the next twenty years or so, culminating in the Danube class Runabout first requested in 2363. This vehicle was designed to accomplish four main missions; the ability to perform rapid response scientific expedition transportation, the ability to act as an orbital or landed temporary operations base for science missions, the ability to transport intact experiment and cargo modules, and the ability to perform tactical missions such as intelligence gathering, covert insertion/extraction of personnel, and disruption of threat activities where feasible.
The Danube features a front cabin for the crew of pilot, copilot/navigator and two mission specialists. A two person transporter is at the rear of the cabin, with swappable mission modules aft of this. The modular nature of the Danube allows it to be configured for missions such as personnel transport, cargo transport, scientific research, tactical, medical, etc. Above the main spaces is the warp core, which is fed by an antimatter fuel pod at the aft and its matter equivalent at the fore end. The power transfer conduits run down the bulky nacelle roots, which also contain the impulse drive reactors and various other equipment.
The impulse engines comprise two sets of four fusion reactors, plus space-time drive coils and vectored exhaust directors. The system also includes interstellar or atmospheric intake vents and condenser-separators for fuel distillation. Control and fuel feed connections are essentially identical to any comparable impulse system. When maintenance is required, the entire assembly can be removed as a single unit.
The vehicles twin computer core is located under the cockpit subfloor and measures 2.3 x 2.1 x 1.3 meters It is a standard isolinear unit, with a total of 186 isolinear banks and 53 command preprocessors and data analysis units. Subnodes distributed throughout the vehicle report to the main computer via a standard ODN system.
The Danube's tactical systems are surprisingly comprehensive for a vehicle of its size. The microtorpedo launchers fire 14 cm torpedoes which can carry a variety of different loads, including photon or quantum warheads, chemical explosives, gases or biological agents. If required the Danube can also carry four full size torpedoes, while the six Phaser arrays located on the cockpit, nacelles and rear compartment provide another weapon option. As on a Starship, the shield system is fed by a portion of the warp power output.
2342: Starfleet issues a brief for a long range shuttle. General brief is as follows. A larger version of the type 5 shuttle capable of holding 20 crew in emergency situations. Capable of a maximum of warp 5 and fitted with light arms and shielding. Interchangeable science / weapons modules. Designed to be able to be moved by larger Starships to their destinations. Design team begins work with computer models.
2364: Data gathered from computer testing. ASDB release a general idea to Starfleet initially coded the Danube Class. Project is approved.
2365: Design work completed and prototype begins construction.
2366:
March: Basic space frame is laid out according to the design. Mini computer core is developed at the labs on Jupiter. Micro Cochrane engine is also developed from the Type 5 shuttle craft engine.
June: Warp engine is fitted, computer core is deemed operational and basic testing on the ship begins.
November: Ship passes all regulatory control and proceeds with testing.
2367:
January: Ship is proved to be operational and Starfleet examines the performance. The Runabout, as nick named by the design team is officially commission as U.S.S. Danube and Starfleet places an order to 145 ships to be distributed within the Federation.
Commissioned 2365 - Present
Classification: Runabout
Structure:
Duranium with added Ablative Armor Matrix.
Length: 23.1 meters
Width: 12.7 meters
Height: 5.4 meters
Decks: 1
Mass: 158.7 tons
Warp Systems:
Power: Matter/Antimatter Reactor (Dilithium mediated)
Nacelles: 2
Normal Cruise: Warp Factor 4
Maximum Cruise: Warp Factor 5
Maximum Rated: Warp Factor 5.2 for Twelve hours
Impulse Systems:
Power: Fusion
Engines: 2
Tactical Systems:
Micro Quantum Torpedoes: Type: Mk II Quantum, variable yield
Location: forward (1) aft (0)
Casings: 12
Main Phasers: 2 Type-VII Phaser banks.
Shields: Grid-projected (TDS)/Distance-projected, double-layered
Crew and Auxiliary Systems:
Crew: 2 (maximum 12)
Transporters: 1×4 personnel / Cargo
Diplomatic Capability: Grade 1/2
Expected Hull Life: 60 years
Refit Cycle Minor: 6 months
Standard: 2 years
Major: 10 years