Ideas for new classes of starships

[Tsukiyumi]

Since it's a combat-oriented station, I'd say stronger shields could be expected.

[Mark]

How much would you say I could realistically enhance them?

[Tsukiyumi]

How much would you say I could realistically enhance them?

I'd say Sovereign-strength at least. There's a much larger area to cover, but a combat-dedicated station could house larger, more powerful reactors.

DS9 has a shield strength of 3,200, for example.

[Mark]

Ok, I've boosted the shields by over 3x and doubled the crew complement. How's it look now?

[Mark]

Ok guys...........this is my first attempt to completely create a new class. Please rate and review, and give me your honest opinions.

Sentinel Class Deep Space Defense Outpost

Height : 1723 meters
Diamiter: 1421 meters
198 decks

Crew Complement: 3,000 officers and crew
500 civilians average

Armnament:
60 Type XII phaser arrays total output 350,000 Terrawatts
27 Pulse fire Quantum Torpedo tubes with 2,500 torps
9 Type 4 burst fire Photon Torpedo tubes with 5000 torps

Defensive Capibility :
Shield Capacity 10,000,000 TeraJoules
Heavy Duranium/Tritanium Double hull
20 cm Ablative Armor with a standard SIF

Manuverability:
Attitude Thrusters Only

Beam Weapon Strength: 7000
Torpedo Strength: 23625
Weapon Range/Acuracy: 2000
Shields: 3703.704
Hull/Armor: 3200

Overall: 9546.679

The concept for stationary deep space defense outposts dates back to the 23rd century, when old Alamo class defense outposts were deployed along hostile fronts, such as the Klingon and Romulan Neutral Zones. However, when the last major breakthrough in Warp Theory resulted in the restructuing of the Warp scale, it was thought that stationary defense outposts were antiques and no longer needed, as Starship response time would be dramatically increased to allow Starfleet to respnond to any deep space incursions, and Starbases and other facilities could defend inhabited systems. However, having been involved in conflict after conflict in the 24th century, Starfleet re-evaluated it's decision. The Sentinel class was based off of the design of Starbase 173, and LOOKS like a half sized model. It's only mission, however, is detecting an enemy incursion, and if nessessary, repelling an attack. Captain Jean-Luc Picard successfully employed the tachyon net against the Romulans and thus provided the basis for the Sentinel detection grid. The outposts are linked with various HIGHLY Classified methods, and any vessel or object breaking that network will immedietly be detected, with their exact coordinantes relayed to the main fleet. As being posted alone near a hostile border with help sometimes days away the defensive abilites were given priority and significantly upgraded, to allow them to hold off all but the most powerful of ships, or even small tast forces.

How does it look now?

[Tsukiyumi]

That is a hell of a mean defense outpost.

[Reliant121]

Defense post?! That Muddafukker could takea pretty huge warfleet

[Mark]

Excellent. We need something to enforce DMZs and Neutral Zones. I'm still just not sure about the number of crew though. Seems like too much for a deep space outpost. What do you think?

[Tsukiyumi]

Personally, I'd have something like 3,000, mostly support personnel. It is modern (2380's or so), right? It could be mostly automated, with a lot of the space taken up by the weapons and sensors.

EDIT: And cargo bays to resupply adjacent fleets as well.

[Mark]

Yeah, 3000 sounds a bit better for what it is. I'm thinking an old west frontier outpost in space. All alone for long periods of time, making sure the "neighbors" behave.

[Tsukiyumi]

I wonder how many runabouts and shuttles would be stationed at an outpost like that? Perhaps a few fighters also?

[Reliant121]

I'd probably have a wing or two of fighters, and....5 shuttles? maybe 3?

[Mikey]

I like it. I'd also go with a decent auxiliary craft complement - the thing sure isn't taking anyone anywhere - and I don't mind relatively small crew numbers compared to a starship. There wouldn't be any warp engineering, obviously, and much of the operations of a starship could be dispensed with.

*EDIT* unless, of course, you wanted to have a standing "motor pool" to assist friendlies.

[Lt. Staplic]

I like it a lot better now.

though In my opinion it could still use more crew.
remember you have to accout for:
Command Crew
Engineers (For onboroard repairs/helping incoming ships)
Security
Marines
All Fighter Pilots
Crews for any onboard ships you have (i.e. on my station I assumed there would be at least one Defiant stationed there for defence purposes)

maybe 4,500 - 5,000

[Mark]

You guys are absolutely right about the auxillery craft. That completely slipped my mind. Maybe I could borrow a few of Grundigs new shuttles as well. Staplic, I don't think a standing defense outpost would need marines (we're not going to invade anybody after all), but now I see what you mean about the other support roles. What does everyone else think about the crew compliment?