The Scout ship is intended to be a slightly smaller, lighter armed and considerably faster counterpart to the Danube class Runabouts. The design is less modular than that of the Danube - Starfleet wanted a vessel which would be easier to build and maintain. It is optimized for low level planetary surveys or scientific missions, but can act as a personnel or light cargo transport if needed. In a combat mission the scout can act as a heavy fighter/interceptor; it has the speed and weaponry to take on most fighters, although its size makes it less than idea in this role. Alternatively the Scout can launch hit and run attacks on smaller StarShips with a fair chance of survival.
The Scout is of relatively conventional design; the cockpit is in the forward section, just above and behind the navigational deflector. The nacelles are semi-Conformal to the body, a measure reminiscent of the Defiant design. There is a docking latch access on the underside which fits any standard adapter.
These craft have seen relatively limited service - in general most operators prefer the flexibility of the Danube class, and there has been comparatively little interest in the less capable competitor. One example of the type did serve with the operation to relocate the Ba'ku people.
2369: Starfleet issues a brief for a fast, well armed, scout ship that's capable of being flown by one of two officers. Design plans commence at the ASDB.
2370: Two Design plans are submitted to the ASDB, the Orion project is approved. Primary design work begins with the primary hull. By late in the year design work is still continuing on engines. Design team integrates the impulse engines from the Defiant project.
2371:
March: Basic chassis is manufactured and central computer core is Gamma Welded into place. Designs for the warp core are sent to the Propulsion dynamics lab for theoretical testing.
July: Ablative Armor arrives from the Antaries Ship Yard. Outer hull is nearing completion. Designs for the warp core are approved and production begins at the labs on Jupiter.
October: Warp core arrives and is Gamma welded into place. Outer hull fully sealed and internal fitting begins. Warp coils arrive and are welded into place. A modified Sub computer core from the Defiant Class project is found to be suitable for use as a main computer. Unit is installed and technical modifications begin.
2372:
February: Single pilot cockpit module is attached. Computer becomes self aware.
April: Preliminary testing of all systems complete.
August: Ship completes its first warp jump. Testing of basic systems continues.
Commissioned 2374 - Present
Classification: Runabout
Structure:
Duranium with added Ablative Armor Matrix.
Length: 24.4 meters
Beam: 13.8 meters
Height: 5 meters
Decks: 1
Mass: 140 metric tons
Warp Systems:
Power: Matter/Antimatter Reactor (Dilithium mediated)
Nacelles: 2
Normal Cruise: Warp Factor 5
Maximum Cruise: Warp Factor 6
Maximum Rated : Warp Factor 8 for Twelve hours
Impulse Systems:
Power: Fusion
Engines: 2
Tactical Systems:
Phasers: 2 Type-IX Phaser ( located on warp nacelle housings )
Torpedoes: 2 microtorpedo launchers ( 1 forward under nose, 1 aft between impulse engines )
Klingon Cloaking Device: Hull Conformal
Shields: Standard. Total capacity 27,000 TeraJoules
Light Duranium/Tritanium single hull.
Low level Structural Integrity Field
Crew and Auxiliary Systems:
Crew: 2 (maximum 8)
Transporters: 1×4 personnel/cargo
Diplomatic Capability: Grade 1/2
Expected Hull Life: 70 years
Refit Cycle:
Minor: 6 months
Standard: 2 years
Major: 10 years