- For other uses, see Broadside.
Broadside was a weapons firing mode from vessels with distinct sides. (STO website: Unveiled: The 15th Anniversary Starship Bundle)
History and specifics[]
The Enterprize firing broadside cannons.
The USS Kerala firing its broadside combat module.
Earth sailing vessels were equipped with cannons that were lined up along the port and starboard sides of the ship's hull in the 18th century. When not in use, the ship's cannons were covered up. (ENT episode: "Broken Bow", opening credits)
In the mirror universe, the Enterprize was engaged in a battle on the sea at one point, exchanging broadside cannon fire with an opponent. (ENT episode: "In a Mirror, Darkly", opening credits)
The 23rd century Federation Kerala-class starship was conceived by Captain M. Uribe of the Advanced Starship Design Bureau as Starfleet's broadside battlecruiser. Uribe and the Department of Experimental Concepts and Applications designed the USS Kerala to adopt broadside firing combat over Starfleet's customary front-facing modus operandi. The class was revived in the 25th century and shared among the Khitomer Alliance members' military forces. In addition to a conventional weapons layout, the broadside combat module of the Kerala enabled a short burst of pulse phaser fire from either side of the saucer section at nearby targets. This combat module could be installed on other Alliance starships. Additionally, a battle-hardened Kerala-class temporal battlecruiser developed the broadside beam support starship trait over time. This trait enabled the ship to fire an additional phaser when utilizing a beam firing mode. (STO website: Unveiled: The 15th Anniversary Starship Bundle)