Akira class
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| Akira | |
| Information | |
| Affiliation | |
| Role |
Heavy Cruiser |
| Date Entered Service |
2370s |
| Crew Capacity | |
| Dimensions | |
| Propulsion | |
| Propulsion System |
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| Template:Specifications | |
The Akira-class starship was introduced by the Federation Starfleet in the late 24th century as part of its response to the Borg threat.
History
The Borg attack of 2367 shook Starfleet to its very core. A single Borg cube had swept aside an entire fleet of Starfleet's most modern starships with very little effort at Wolf 359. Thus, Admiral Hanson's development team (now led by Commander Shelby) had to come up with other ways to solve this problem. And the Akira-class was among the results of these efforts.
Project Akira was (and still is) considered to have been a radical shift way from what many saw as more "traditional" Starfleet doctrine, but one that was needed. The design concept was to develop a vessel that relied less on phasers and more on swarming threats (particularly the Borg) to make it less likely they could adapt. This ultimately led to the Akira entering service with a torpedo-heavy armament, boasting more launchers than any ship in service up to that point, as well as a large flight deck to launch a multitude of attack craft.
These requirements further impacted the design of the vessel, resulting in the return of a unique "catamaran" design that had been largely sidelined since the late 22nd and early 23rd centuries. The middle of the hull was gutted from bow to stern and repurposed into the flight deck, making the turnaround of launched small craft that much faster. Robust shielding systems and ablative hull armor further strengthened the vessel for combat operations, making it more than capable of handling the attempted Borg invasion of 2373 as well as field duty throughout the Dominion War.
While the Borg are no longer considered a major threat, the Akira-class remains a staple in Starfleet service due to its versatility. In particular, the passthrough flight deck that had supported fighter operations so well in wartime proved a significant non-combat opportunity, enabling the Akira to become well-known for its support of evacuation missions by their ability to quickly launch, recover, and redeploy shuttles. Only recently has Starfleet considered introducing a companion class, the Gagarin-class, and even then, it is expected that the Akira will continue to serve for many years.
Mission and Purpose
Content Coming Soon
Shipboard Life
Content Coming Soon
Ships Commissioned
- USS Thunderchild
Appendices
Background Information
Content Coming Soon
Writing Notes
Production was prioritized for the Akira during the 2370s, making them quite a common sight around Federation space. They can be found in general exploration roles, patrol and escort duties, as well as occasionally helping in roles that require a large number of small craft. It is, however, uncommon to see more than one at a given time unless the circumstances call for it, since they are fairly capable in their own right.
Owing to their nature, Akira-class starships are a common posting for pilots and flight operations personnel. Aside from that, it is considered a fairly standard career posting as of the 2390s, given its otherwise general purpose nature. Most crews tend to have no issue with their department not having enough to do, though there are those who will avoid a posting to an Akira as it can sometimes be of higher risk or faster-paced.
Related Links
- Akira class at Memory Alpha