Rear Admiral Reinhart passed this request onto me. A friend of his is looking to run a specialty sim based on this concept:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasp_class ... sault_ship
Essentially it will be a ship that can carry a large number of marines wherever they need to go. It will be operated by a Starfleet crew however. Marines have no place commanding starships .
I'm still working on the decklisting, but RAdm. Reinhart and I thought it would be a good idea to get peoples opinions on this ASAP.
Category: Assault Cruiser
Expected Duration: 80 years
Time Between Resupply: 1 years
Time Between Refit: 5 years
Personnel
Officers: 50
Enlisted Crew: 100
Marines: 500
Passengers:
Maximum (Evacuation) Capacity: 1000
Speed
Cruising Velocity: Warp 7
Maximum Velocity: Warp 9.6
Emergency Velocity: Warp 9.9 (for 12 hours)
Dimensions
Height: 87 m
Width: 240 m
Length: 680 m
Decks: 24
Auxiliary Craft
Shuttlebays: 2
Shuttles
Type 17 Shuttlepod: 2
Type 8 Shuttlecraft: 2
Transports
Argo Transport: 2
Dragoon Transport: 2
Armament
Defensive Systems
Ablative Hull Armor
Structural Integrity Field
Phasers
Type XI Array: 8
Type U Cannons: 2
Shielding Systems
Auto-Modulating Shielding System
Regenerative Shielding System
Standard Shielding System
Torpedoes
Burst-Fire Torpedo Launcher: 4
Quantum Torpedoes: 100
Photon Torpedoes: 200
Tri-Cobalt Device: 2
Description
The Ronin-class vessel was originally conceived at the end of the Dominion War. With the immediate threats of both the Borg and the Dominion dealt with, Starfleet turned its attention to what the Federation lacked during the war which could have helped gain the alliance victory over the Dominion much sooner. One of the answers determined by this study was the need for vessels capable of deploying large numbers of soldiers quickly. A design brief was quickly submitted, requesting a Starship that could be operated by a relatively small number of Starfleet personnel but could carry a battalion of troops comfortably enough for long periods of time, deploying them quickly and efficiently when necessary.
For many years, the Nebula-class had been a venerable scientific workhorse in Starfleet. With its interchangeable pods, it had had both versatility and easy manufacture as winning points, but it was getting long in tooth. Starfleet's latest advance had been the Sovereign-class vessel, and the designs had proven robust and well suited to various mission profiles. Taking advantage of a tried and true concept and merging it with the latest technology was an easy decision, and thus the idea for the Ronin-class vessel was born.
Using design methods applied to the Defiant-class starship, the spartan, compact internal design allows for the large number of soldiers as well as the minimal number of personnel to operate such a vessel in addition to the tools, weapons, equipment and vehicles the Marines utilise regularly.
The weapon systems aboard the Ronin-class make her a very capable vessel during combat situations. The combination of 8 Type XI Phaser Arrays which are not as powerful as the Type XII, but have a much faster firing rate, 2 Type U Pulse Phaser Cannons and 4 Torpedo Launchers gives the Ronin much needed muscle when required.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the design is the high capacity Transporter Capability. While the Ronin has 2 standard 6-person transporter pads, it also boasts 2 22-person transporter chambers to enable rapid-deployment when necessary.
Overall, the Ronin is a very capable combat vessel and is a much needed addition to Starfleet's defensive forces.