- For other uses, see M'Benga.
The M'Benga-class was a Federation class VII rescue/hospital starship in Starfleet service in the 23rd century, becoming active on reference stardate 2/8003.
Specifications and history[]
The M'Benga was created in the mid-24th century as an application of technology designed to fill the expanding Federation's need for long-range medical support. M'Benga-class vessels crewed 130 officers and crew, with room for up to 170 passengers. Additionally, the M'Benga could carry 45,000 metric tons of cargo, rated at 900 SCU (standard cargo units). The vessels weighed 92,000 metric tons, measured 220 meters in length, 88 meters in width and 55 meters in height. The M'Benga had six standard (6-person) personnel transporters, four 12-person evacuation/combat stages and four cargo transporters (two large, two small). The control computer of the M'Benga vessels was of the M-2 type.
The M'Benga used warp engines were FWH-2 type, rated to cruise at warp factor 6 and max out at warp factor 8. The M'Benga impulse engines were of the FIF-1 type. The M'Benga included no ship-mounted or other weapons significant to be noted, and was defended by FSN model deflector shields.
The commissioning of the prototype USS M'Benga was predated by a great expansion of Federation borders in the early 24th century, which necessitated a capable platform for long-range rescues and medical support for frontier vessels and outposts, as well as colony establishments.
Considered by many to be a most versatile application of the medical starship role, the M'Benga vessels include specialized laboratory facilities staffed by specialists in a variety of fields, including pathology, xenobiology, microbiology and immunology. Medical treatment areas aboard ship include quarantine facilities, intensive care units and variable gravity environments for surgery and recovery. Ship's stores include sufficient pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies for a medium-sized colony of humanoid inhabitants.
This hospital ship class was named for 23rd century Starfleet Doctor Jabilo M'Benga, a pioneer of interspecies medicine. Other ships in the class are named after other physicians and medical practitioners and researchers of Earth's history. By the later 24th century, 13 M'Benga vessels had been constructed. By the year 2364, twelve of these ships remained in active service, with one recorded as lost. (FASA RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Officer's Manual)
Known ships[]
- USS M'Benga (NCC-10000)
- USS Salk (NCC-10001)
- USS Steuben (NCC-10002)
- USS Pasteur (NCC-10003)
- USS Voris (NCC-10004)
- USS Crenshaw (NCC-10005)
- USS Shenvala (NCC-10006)
- USS Barnard (NCC-10007)
- USS Watson (NCC-10008)
- USS Crick (NCC-10009)
- USS Van Gelder (NCC-10010)
- USS T'Klyrn (NCC-10011)
- USS Hopewell (NCC-10012)
Appendices[]
Connections[]
Background[]
The commissioning date of reference stardate 2/80 roughly corresponds to the early part of the 2340s decade in the timeline of canon Star Trek.