The Oberth class has a distinguished Starfleet career dating back for over a century. They were a capable platform from which to conduct scientific research and exploration. Oberth's had some crucial advantages, easy to construct, maintain, and run. The design was highly modular, the whole vessel was made up of sections of 50, 150, or 300 tons which were simply bolted together, gamma welded, and sealed. This allowed construction to take place in the smallest of facilities, even those intended to handle craft such as shuttles. The warp drive system, one of the most difficult parts of any starship to fabricate, sacrificed a large degree of speed and acceleration in return for simplicity and reliability. These factors enabled no less than eight Oberth class vessels to be built for the same resources as a single Constitution class starship. In service the Oberth's were just as easy to run as they were to build. Engineering plant was almost wholly automated, with the engineering hull was normally unmanned. The entire engineering crew consisted of two officers, one warrant officer, and four enlisted personnel, less than a tenth of the number for a Constitution.
The exploratory nature of the Oberth class mission meant that they would frequently discover new alien species, but their small size and limited crew numbers meant that they had a very limited diplomatic capability. Although they did occasionally engage in first contact procedures, it was more usual that an Oberth would make an initial assessment without revealing itself before reporting back to Starfleet and allowing larger vessels to make the actual contact.
2263: Starfleet issues a general design brief for a Science vessel, capable of scientific missions, survey missions, and light exploration. The general idea is for a modular starship that's easy to build using little resources. The project brief for the Oberth class is handed to Starfleet and base designs are approved. Briefs for the propulsion, computer, weapons and spaceframe parameters are sent out to Starfleet design agencies for consultation.
2264: San Francisco Fleet Yards is chosen as the location of construction. Pod 6 is opened for the Oberth prototype. Propulsion dynamic are approved and sent to the Jupiter Station.
2265: Warp core arrives. Later in the year M/ARA design is standardized for the Class. Spaceframe design is approved and full specifications are forwarded to San Francisco Fleet Yards for designations. U.S.S. Oberth production begins with a projected 3 year turnover for the prototype. The primary hull begins construction.
2266: Primary hull 20% completion. Computers are delivered for fitting work. Work continues on habitat and out hull sections for ship. Eight more ships are begun. Late year, computer cores are activated and ship functions begin to be transferred from Station Control to ship control.
2267: Computer system now operating at 60% of maximum. System expected to become self aware within the year. Warpcore begins primary testing. Primary magnetic containment malfunction found and corrected. Primary hull 100% complete bridge module attached.
2268: Warp core passes Review Three and it tested to 70% peak. Computer system fully self aware and umbilical from the station are cut as the ship become self sufficient. Impulse systems pass Review Three and being autonomous low level power control. Secondary backup generators are shut down and become auxiliary system control. Weapons systems installed. U.S.S. Oberth leaves Dry Dock for primary testing.
2269: U.S.S. Oberth returns to Avalon early in year. Warp Stress Coating is applied and the ship begins Deep Space assessments. U.S.S. Oberth returns to the San Francisco Shipyards for final exterior markings and paint. On 19, September 2269 the U.S.S. Oberth is officially commissioned by Starfleet at The San Francisco Fleet Yards during a brief ceremony. Bridge plaque is put in pride of place and Vulcan Captain Sor'lak takes command of the ship. U.S.S. Oberth is ordered to begin shakedown cruises estimate to last one year.
Commissioned 2269 - Present
Classification: Science Vessel
Structure:
Length: 150.8 meters
Width: 87 meters
Height: 41 meters
Decks: 12
Mass: 94,000 tons
Warp Systems:
Normal Cruise: Warp Factor 5
Maximum Cruise: Warp Factor 6
Maximum Rated: Warp Factor 6.5 for Eighteen hours
Impulse Systems:
Power: Fusion
Engines: 3
Tactical Systems:
Phasers: Type IV: 2
Torpedoes:
1 x Probe / Photon torpedo launcher - equivalent to standard Photon torpedo
tube
Photon: 25
Shields: Standard shield system, total capacity 243,000
TeraJoules
Standard Duranium Single hull.
Standard level Structural Integrity Field
Crew and Auxiliary Systems:
Officers: 14
Enlisted Crew: 40
Passengers: 10
Diplomatic Capability: Grade 2
Expected Hull Life: 100 years
Refit Cycle:
Minor: 1 year
Standard: 2 years
Major: 5 years
Auxiliary Craft: None