The Klingon Bird-of-Prey was a classification of starship used by the Klingon Empire. They were typically small and agile classes of ships which made up a significant proportion of the Klingon fleet along side the larger classes.
Overview
The Klingons produced numerous classes of starships designated bird-of-prey, traditionally these were smaller classes used as scouts. Over time the designation was expanded to be used on larger classes with a similar design to traditional birds-of-prey.
The typical bird-of-prey design featured a primary hull with a long protruding neck at the front with a command bulb at the end. Usually a photon torpedo tube was located on the lower side of the command bulb. To either side of the main hull are wings with disruptor cannons mounted at the end. Certain classes featured additional armaments such as rear firing torpedoes and additional disruptors.
Classes
22nd century Bird-of-Prey
A 22nd century Klingon BoP
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | ship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22nd century bird-of-prey |
The earliest known Klingon birds-of-prey was first encountered by Humans in 2153 when one was used to attack the Enterprise NX-01 at the fringes of the Sol system. (ENT episode: "The Expanse")
In 2154 a group of Augments successfully commandeered a bird-of-prey and used it to carry out a number of attacks until it was finally destroyed by the Enterprise. (ENT episodes: "Borderland", "Cold Station 12", "The Augments")
Stronger Bird class
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z'gavva-class | Stronger Bird-class | D32-class | cruiser |
The Stronger Bird, Z'gavva or D32 class was a cruiser type of bird-of-prey . [citation needed]
Bird of Prey class
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| D'Gavama-class | Bird of Prey-class | K22A-class | far scout |
The Bird of Prey, D'Gavama or K22A class was a far scout type of bird-of-prey. [citation needed]
B'rel class
A B'rel class Klingon BoP
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| B'rel-class | K22B-class | scout |
The B'rel or K22B class was bird-of-prey in operation from the 23rd century well into the 24th century. It was fitted with a cloaking device, a technology obtained in the Klingon-Romulan alliance. The alliance also allowed the Klingons access to Romulan starships designs which influenced the development of this bird-of-prey class. (TOS movie: The Search for Spock; ST reference: Starship Spotter)
Insurrection class
An Insurrection class Klingon BoP
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuD-class | Insurrection-class | heavy destroyer |
The Insurrection or QuD class was the next generation bird-of-prey, a heavy destroyer, brought into service in the 2290s. (TOS video game: Klingon Academy)
Great Bird class
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z'gavasta-class | Great Bird-class | L42-class | frigate |
The Great Bird, Z'gavasta or L42 class was a frigate type of bird-of-prey . [citation needed]
K'vort class
K'vort Class Klingon BoP
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| K'vort-class | light cruiser |
The K'vort class was another reinterpretation of B'rel class design, however the K'vort class was a great deal larger, with a wing span almost as wide as a Galaxy-class starship. The class was commissioned in the second quarter of the 24th century and remained in operation throughout the century. Like many of their predecessors K'vort’s were also equipped with cloaking devices. (ST reference: Starship Spotter; TNG episode: "Yesterday's Enterprise", at al.)
D12 class
A D12 class Bird-of-Prey
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| D12-class | scout |
The D12 class, which was nearly identical in design to the B'rel-class was a small scout class built in the 2350s. The class was eventually retired from service due to defective plasma coils in their cloaking devices. (TNG movie: Generations)
Khitomer class
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khitomer-class |
The Khitomer class was another type of Klingon bird-of-prey which was active during the 24th century. Like other bird-of-prey classes it featured disruptors and a cloaking device. (DS9 novel: Vengeance)
Chuq'Beh class
A Chuq'Beh class Klingon BoP
| Klingonese name | standard designation | alphanumeric designation | classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuq'Beh-class |
The Chuq'Beh class was the latest known Bird-of-Prey to enter service in the Klingon fleet, the once again took it's design from the successful B'rel and K'vort classes. However, unlike it's predecessors the Chuq'Beh class' primary function was a long range artillery platform rather than the traditional fighter/cruiser role of Klingon birds-of-prey. (TNG video game: Armada II)
Connections
- Klingon bird-of-prey article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.