Universe : | Prime Timeline |
Affiliation : | Dominion |
Class Name : | Dominion Attack Ship |
Type : | Attack Ship |
Unit Run : | Unknown; 17451 are thought to have been imported or built in the alpha quadrant 17,451 built in total. 8,529 have been lost in all. |
Commissioned : | Unknown, but the design is believed to be less than 15 years old |
Dimensions : | Length : 68.32 m1 Beam : 70.02 m2 Height : 18.32 m2 Decks : 3 |
Mass : | 2,4502 metric tons (estimated) |
Crew : | 122 |
Armament : |
32 x Phased polaron beam emitters2, total output 8,750 TeraWatts 1 x Mark 1 photon torpedo tube with 40 rounds |
Defence Systems : | Standard shield system, total capacity 256,500 TeraJoules Standard Variethiel Double hull plus 2 cm High density armour. High level Structural Integrity Field |
Warp Speeds (TNG scale) : |
Normal Cruise : 7 Maximum Cruise : 9 Maximum Rated : 9.62 for 10 hours. |
Strength Indices : (Galaxy class = 1,000) |
Beam Firepower : 175 Torpedo Firepower : 115.2 Weapon Range and Accuracy : 140 Shield Strength : 95 Hull Armour : 420 Speed : 1,000 Combat Manoeuvrability : 9,800 |
Overall Strength Index : | 231 |
Diplomatic Capability : | None |
Expected Hull Life : | 50 |
Refit Cycle : | Minor : 5 year Standard : 5 years Major : 25 years |
Faced with a probable Dominion invasion, Starfleet sent the Defiant into the gamma quadrant to negotiate with the founders. The ship encountered a force of Jem'Hadar fighters and was rapidly overwhelmed, a defeat that did nothing to calm the situation at Starfleet command. It seemed that these vessels comprehensively outclassed Starfleets best and most powerful designs in every respect.4
In fact, subsequent experience has allowed a more realistic appraisal. Initial skirmishes against these ships were heavily tilted in the enemies favour by the inability of Starfleets shielding systems to repel fire from the Phased Polaron weapons;3 in terms of actual firepower, shield strength and manoeuvrability the Jem'Hadar fighter is not dissimilar to a Klingon Bird of Prey. It is used in a similar role, i.e. as a general purpose scout and light attack craft,5 and is capable of landing on planetary surfaces and operating small numbers of ground troops.6
Neutralizing the Jem'Hadar's ability to fire through Starfleet shields therefore became a priority. This effort was initially unsuccessful, but in 2373 the Defiant recovered a crashed fighter craft from a planet in the gamma quadrant. Although somewhat damaged, the ship provided a wealth of technical information to Starfleet,6 most especially in the capabilities of Dominion weaponry. With a fully functional polaron beam weapon recovered,6 Starfleet R&D was able to formulate a series of measures that dramatically increased the ability of a standard shield system to withstand these weapons.5 A great deal was also learned about the power systems and general capabilities of the craft; indeed, the ship was eventually repaired and utilized by Starfleet on a covert mission which resulted in the destruction of a Dominion facility.7
The fighter craft remains a significant threat, now because of its sheer numbers rather than its technological edge. The ships, like their Jem'Hadar crews, are designed for ease of manufacture and several shipyards are thought to be in operation in the alpha quadrant. Despite combat losses, these ships are appearing in ever greater numbers.
Canon source | Backstage source | Novel source | DITL speculation |
# | Series | Season | Source | Comment |
1 | Star Trek Deep Space Nine Technical Manual | Stated on page 170 | ||
2 | ||||
3 | DS9 | 2 | The Jem'Hadar | |
4 | DS9 | 3 | The Search, Part 1 | |
5 | DS9 | 5 | Call to Arms | |
6 | DS9 | 5 | The Ship | |
7 | DS9 | 6 | A Time to Stand |
Book : | Star Trek Deep Space Nine Technical Manual |
Comment : | Stated on page 170 |
Series : | DS9 Season 2 (Disc 7) |
Episode : | The Jem'Hadar |
Series : | DS9 Season 3 (Disc 1) |
Episode : | The Search, Part 1 |
Series : | DS9 Season 5 (Disc 7) |
Episode : | Call to Arms |
Series : | DS9 Season 5 (Disc 1) |
Episode : | The Ship |
Series : | DS9 Season 6 (Disc 1) |
Episode : | A Time to Stand |
© Graham & Ian Kennedy | Page views : 51,170 | Last updated : 31 Jul 2004 |