Experimental USS SAM HOUSTON statistics

90312

BASIC STATISTICS
Class Name        : WOLFE (HOUSTON Modifications)
Classification    : Experimental (Scout)
Type              : FF (Frigate)
Model Number      : I-x1d (DSI modified MIRANDA XIV)

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Length            : 244 m
Beam              : 143 m
Draft             :  63 m
Displacement      : 330,000 mt

EXPERIMENTAL TEAM COMPLEMENT
Total             : 175
Officers          :  18 
Crew              : 137 
Passengers        :  20 (50 maximum)

PROPULSION SYSTEMS
Warp Propulsion System
Drive Type        : DILN-508 Mark VIII 
     Number       : 2
Main Reactor      : DIAM-922

Impulse System
Drive Type        : DAN
     Number       : 1
Secondary Reactor : DKIF-505 Network

Velocity
     Standard Cruise Speed    : 7.0
     Maximum Cruise Speed     : 9.7
     Sustainable for 12 hours : 9.9
     Maximum Emergency Speed  : 9.92
     Core Failure Imminent    : 9.96

ARMAMENT
     Phaser, Type X
	  Number : 2 banks
	  Range  : 300,000 km
	  Arcs   : saucer module dorsal array
		   saucer module ventral array
		   
     Phaser, Type Xa
	  Number : 2 swivel turrets
	  Range  : 200,000 km
	  Arcs   : weapons bar mounts (p/s)

     Photon Torpedo, Mk XXII Seeking/Direct
	  Number : 3 tubes
	  Range  : 3,000,000 km
	  Arcs   : 2 forward, 1 aft


Deflector System : DD-6k cocoon multiphasic deflector system

OTHER SYSTEMS
Transporters
     Standard, 6-person   : 3
     Emergency, 16-person : 2
     Cargo                : 2

Shuttle Bays : 2
     Standard Embarked Craft
	  Shuttlepod              : 5
	  Personal Shuttle, Small : 2
	  Personal Shuttle, Large : 1
	  Shuttle, D-Warp         : 1
	  Cargo Shuttle           : 3


Notes:
The MIRANDA-class spaceframe is the longest running design norm
in Starfleet.  Designed in the late 23rd century the MIRANDA has
survived over a dozen major shifts in Starfleet design strategy. 
All throughout revealing the strength and useability of the
design.  The WOLFE-class frigate is the 14th design to use the
MIRANDA-class spaceframe, and the 13th upgrade.

The WOLFE-class keeps the same design norms that have remained
consistent throughout the MIRANDA line.  A large saucer section
stretched to accommodate a shuttle bay in the aft, and two warp
drive nacells off to the sides.  Also, a weapons bar with phasers
and photon torpedo tubes are mounted above the saucer.

The WOLFE-class is in response of a higher aggressive stance from
Starfleet's enemies.  The design upgrade was presented in mid
2405 after numerous Cardassian incursions and Maquis raids
resulted in the loss of a MIRANDA-class vessel operating near the
Cardassian Trudicial Zone.  The design was quickly approved due to
the outdated condition of Starfleet's current frigates.  The
first ship upgraded, USS WOLFE, was launched in June 2406, but
was lost in a testing accident.  After an investigation the
design was approved to continue, and the USS MONTCALM completed
the three month testing procedure without incident.   All
MIRANDA-class vessels are to be upgraded to WOLFE-class specs. Despite
these upgrades, it is likely that all MIRANDA-type vessels will be
retired from service within the next decade to make way for newer
vessels that can more efficiently carry out the same missions.


NOTES ON THE HOUSTON MODIFICATIONS:
In 2408, Starfleet entered into a contractual agreement with
Daystrom Spaceframe Industries, a private manufacturer of starship
components, to refit the USS HOUSTON with new systems after it was
found adrift following an operation in which all hands were lost.
In return for all parts and labor necessary to return the vessel to
active service, Starfleet is permitting a team of DSI scientists and 
engineers to work aboard the ship so that they can monitor the 
particular components installed and further modify these new designs
in the field as necessary.

The following is an itemization of the modifications made as of 
Stardate 90307, as reflected above:

Dual-Redundant Multi-Core Network (DRuM-Core) - a controversial
	design for a starship's main computer system, even for a
	Daystrom.  Designed by Elliot Daystrom himself, this system
	does away with the immense computer cores backed up by
	hundreds of redundant coprocessors, replacing it with a
	series of 18 smaller units. This design has the benefit of
	continued dual-redundancy, but with the flexibility of nine
	semi-autonomous dedicated pairs for various functions
	throughout the vessel, and a bare minimum of 58 co-
	processor backups.  FTL capability in each core, coupled 
	with bio-neural technology in each coprocessor permits 
	conservative estimates of a 14% increase in overall 
	processing speed.

PHOEBUS IX-D Sensor Pallet - rather than trying to reduce the size of 
	the modern ORACLE array to fit the smaller WOLFE-class, a 
	massive	updating of the old PHOEBUS sensor pallet was conducted. 
	Though these alterations seem to have brought the design up to
	the specs of the standard model on other ships, the peculiar 
	warp field geometries put out by the DK system have shown by 	
	computer models to be a hindrance for further development.

ACHILLES Tactical System - a project extensive enough in itself to
	require exclusive use of one of the DRuM-Core pairs, 
	ACHILLES is an improvement of the local fire control relays
	as well as the central fire control system.  For the HOUSTON,
	this will be underutilized due to the scope and nature of the
	project, but when it can be installed in a vessel of cruiser
	size or larger, it is expected to rival that used on the SOLAR-
	class command cruiser.  Still, even the current model permits 
	enough of an increase in automation to require 20% fewer per-
	sonnel at current weapon-ready stations.

DILN-508 Warp Drive - thanks to the work of Design Engineer Thomas 
	Fremen, DSI has surpassed all attempts to reduce the 500-series
	drive to fit smaller vessels.  The HOUSTON will be the first
	real test of Fremen's designs for a ship as small as a MIRANDA-
	class spaceframe.

DIAM-922 Main Reactor - using up every spare centimeter availible to
	fit such a small vessel, this variant of the core used on board
	the FRANKLIN-class warship is as large as one can get on a
	MIRANDA-class frame, but is required to generate the power
	necessary to achieve the speeds of the 500-series drive. 

DKIF-505 Impulse Network - building on the work of the late Michael 
	Brahms, DSI incorporated the radical DK design into its update
	of a popular SFE impulse engine. This theoretical concept
	integrates a warp coil array into the impulse configuration,
	hopefully slowing relativistic time dilation by as much
	as 8% in first-generation models.

DD-6k Deflector System - modification made to the FD-6e to permit
        proper field displacement for the DK system during Alert
        Status situations at sub-light speeds. 

Type Xa Swivel-turret Phasers - installed to replace the Type X 
	banks formerly mounted on the weapons bar.