Dominion Attack Ship

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

Notes

The first encounter between Starfleet and Dominion forces occurred in 2370 when the USS Odyssey, accompanied by three Runabout class vessels, was attacked by three Jem'Hadar fighters. The results were spectacular - the Odyssey and all Runabouts suffered heavy damage during the brief battle. When the Starfleet forces began to retreat, a Jem'Hadar vessel rammed the Galaxy class ship, rupturing one of her nacelles and destroying her with all hands. The Runabouts escaped, but it was later learned that this was a deliberate action on the part of the Dominion in order to insert a covert agent into the alpha quadrant.3

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.

Colour key

References

#	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

Comments

Most of this entry is a straight description of what we've seen of this ship in the last few years. The figures in the specifications table are almost entirely my invention; the length comes form the scale diagram in the back of the Encyclopedia (2nd edition). That these ships are designed to land troops through a hatch comes from "The Ship", and indicates that the Attack Ship can enter planetary atmospheres and either land or hover above the ground. The "bigger numbers, weaker ship" syndrome, which I rant about in the comments section of the Dominion Battlecruiser, does actually make some sense here since Starfleet has had one of these ships to play with for a while and so has learned quite a bit about them.

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Last updated : 31 Jul 2004

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

Book :	Star Trek Deep Space Nine Technical Manual
Comment :	Stated on page 170