8.10 Caracal Class Cruiser

Service Entry Date (Old Calendar): 2189

The Caracal class, the third in Star Fleet’s aborted rebuilding effort of the mid-2180s, represents the last gasp of the prewar angular design philosophy that for so long defined the look of Star Fleet vessels. One of the most touted aspects of its design was a new weapons system whereby each bank of lasers could be independently controlled or linked together though any of the local control stations. The Caracal class somehow survived the turmoil surrounding its sister class, the failed Tritium class battlecruiser, to eventually enjoy a reputation as a reliable, if not exactly attractive, Star Fleet cruiser class. As one of only two new-build starship programs to survive the Tritium Debacle, Star Fleet would go on to refit many of the Caracal class for a variety of different roles in order to cover the rapidly growing obsolescence of the rest of its fleet.

The Caracal class might have been forgotten had it not been for one incident, which would forever change the course of Federation history. On 17 July 2223 the Caracal class cruiser Audace (NCC-757) broke contact with Star Fleet after reporting that it was in pursuit of an unidentified alien vessel that had been attacking Federation shipping in its sector. It was never heard from again and no recorder-marker was ever recovered. The Audace was operating only 7 parsecs from Klingon space at the time of its disappearance. Most historians believe that the Audace was the victim of a Klingon sneak attack, making it the first Star Fleet vessel ever destroyed by the Klingon Empire.

Specifications

• Length: 197.2 m
• Beam: 101.6 m
• Draft: 51.6 m
• Mass: 170,000 DWT
• Crew: 220
• Armament: 12 phaser turrets
• Cruising speed: warp 3.6
• Maximum speed: warp 4.8