11.7 Gagarin Class Corvette

GAGARIN CLASS CORVETTE SERVICE ENTRY DATE (OLD CALENDAR): 2266

The Gagarin class corvette was to the Class II Program what the Enterprise was to the Class I Program. It provided an all-new, modern technology frame on which to base a variety of new linear warp derived starship designs. In the case of the Gagarin, however, the ship involved was a brand new design, meant to serve as a base for the many different kinds of low-profile missions for which a true starship was not required. Various attempts at this had been tried over the years, but in the Gagarin they found what many consider to be their ultimate and most successful expression.

The stock Gagarin prototype, U.S.S. Greer (NCC-472) was little more than a small form factor hull with minimal crew and ommand facilities slung between two Kloratis FWB linear warp c engines. Three hard points were mounted under the ship, two directly under the engines and one centerline for different kinds of attachments. The first variation of the Gagarin, the Oberth us. It class research ship, has since become the most famo atures an underslung sensor and survey pod, with power fe pport pylons attached directly to a Gagarin’s provided through su rd points. The following year saw the owered outer ha p intro duction of the Jester class light corvette (almost identical to O berth but with a photon torpedo rack instead of the sensor pod) h and the Orca class gunboat (an triple-engined Gagarin wit megaphaser cannon). Many more variations followed in the year s to come. For example, the Clarke class clipper was a Gag arin with a third underslung warp engine and internal mod lifications for diplomatic accommodations. Another wel know n example was the Fisher class light tug, which is a Gagarin fitte d with a Class I transport container tow pad.

A to l of 226 Gagarin hulls have been built since the class first ta ente 2266, with more on the way. For almost red service in ever la y C ss I starship class there is a corresponding Class II Gagarin d his has given Starfleet the most erivative to match. T vers ption. atile “light” mission capability it has had since its ince This p has roven to be of great benefit in current times, what with the cutbacks and restrictions in Class I starships imposed by the St y arfleet Reorganization Order of 2295. The availabilit f the Gagarin has enabled Starfleet to better cover gaps o the Federation Council under this order. The imposed by agarin and its derivatives can be expected to serve G versatile Starfleet in an expanded capacity in the future given these circumstances. The fact that all of these are new builds, with 100-year expected service lifetimes, almost guarantees it.

SPECIFICATIONS (BASE GAGARIN CONFIGURATION):

Length: …………………………………….. 120 m Beam: ……………………………………… 103 m Draft: …………………….………………… 40 m Mass: ……………… 22,500 DWT in base configuration Crew ……………………………… between 24 and 60 Range: ……………………….…….. 10 years at L.Y.V. Cruising speed: ………………….………….. warp 6.0 Maximum speed: ………………….………… warp 7.6 Armament: ……………….……. 1 forward phaser bank

All specifications are subject to variance depending on specific sub-class. For specifications concerning a specific sub-class, midshipmen should consult the Academy Intranet. Civilians should consult the Jackill’s series of Starfleet reference works, in particular Volumes 2 and 3.

Innovations: • First multimission design for Starfleet’s Class II starship program • Versatility of basic design has spawned numerous derivative and sub-classes since its initial launch.

VISUALS:

GAGARIN DESIGN BY DAVID CARSON (INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND MAGIC) VISUAL COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES SCHEMATICS COURTESY OF DAVID SCHMIDT (STARFLEET PROTOTYPE) ADDITIONAL DATA COURTES Y OF DAVID SCHMIDT AND ERIC KRISTIANSEN

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