Science destroyer

The science destroyer was a 25th century Khitomer Alliance starship classification, a series of classes that combined science vessel and destroyer capabilities, in Federation Starfleet, Klingon Defense Force and Romulan Republic Navy service in the 2400s and 2410s decades. The category was first introduced by the Dyson science destroyer in 2409. (STO website: The Sphere: Dyson Science Destroyers, STO - Klingon War mission: "Welcome to Earth Spacedock")

Technical specifications[]

A combination of science vessel and destroyer, science destroyers possessed the attributes of both. Khitomer Alliance destroyers operated with seven weapon emplacements and were able to be fitted with dual cannons. Like science vessels, the science destroyer's bridge featured more science than tactical consoles. They were also innately able to target subsystems.

, Dyson science destroyer . — RRW *Dyson*, *Aves*-class Dyson science destroyer warbird.

A feature unique to science destroyers was the transformative ability to switch between a science mode and a tactical mode. This feature was pioneered in 2409 with the tier 5 Dyson science destroyers.

While operating in the default mode, a starship of this type operated as a science vessel. Switching to tactical mode, cannons were deployed. The vessel traded deflector shield strength for maneuverability (higher flight speed, improved turn rate and inertia rating) in this configuration. (STO website: The Sphere: Dyson Science Destroyers)

Development and service history[]

Development[]

In 2377, six months after the Omega particle incident with the Borg Collective in 2376, Federation Starfleet deployed its Intrepid-class science vessels as cruisers, supported by smaller Defiant-class destroyers. While the former were equipped with phaser beam arrays, the latter fired pulse phaser cannons. (ST video game: Armada II)

In the year 2409, the Romulan Republic and their Federation and Klingon Empire allies discovered the Solanae Dyson Sphere, located in the galaxy's Delta Quadrant, after reactivating the Iconian gateway network. A ship-sized Iconian gateway in the Jouret star system connected the Dyson sphere permanently with the Beta Quadrant. During these events, the alliance captured Obelisk 1, a carrier constructed by the Solanae, a servitor race of the Iconian Empire. (STO - Solanae Dyson Sphere mission: "Sphere of Influence")

First generation[]

The burgeoning alliance, organized by Dyson Joint Command, found itself forced to commission new vessels and weaponry, as well as developing new tactics, to allow their fleets to withstand the harsh conditions within the sphere and survive hostile encounters with the Voth and other advanced forces. The Solanae technology of the Obelisk 1 and the rest of the Dyson sphere was adapted to commission the first series of science destroyers, named Dyson science destroyer. (STO website: The Sphere: Dyson Science Destroyers)

The first three were Starfleet's Solanae-class USS Dyson, the Romulan Republic's Aves-class RRW Dyson, and the Klingon Empire's Nov-class IKS Dyson. Starfleet based the hulls of their Dyson science destroyers on the Intrepid-class long-range science vessel. (STO website: The Spheres: Dyson Science Destroyers, Starfleet Advanced Dyson Science Destroyers)

During their service, the USS Dyson, IKS Dyson and RRW Dyson prototypes were overseen by chief engineer Tarkaram. During combat, these prototypes could transform from science mode to a tactical mode, which disabled their subsystem targeting but enabled additional weaponry. This why Dyson Joint Command classified these ships as both science vessels and destroyers.

Visually, the three Dyson vessels stood out from other ships in their navies by having a relatively smooth, white hull material, with blue glow emanating from powered systems. Structurally, the Romulan Aves class appeared like a smaller, flatter D'deridex-class warbird, while Starfleet's Solanae-class resembled a bulkier version of the Intrepid-class. The Klingon Nov-class generally followed the lines of 25th century Klingon battlecruisers like the Mogh-class. (STO - The Sphere mission: "A Step Between Stars")

2409-2410[]

As a result of the Undine attacks on Earth Spacedock and Qo'noS and an increased threat of an invasion through the Alliance's Dyson spheres, engineers of the alliance conceived of additional Solanae hybrid technologies, and delivered nine more, specialised Dyson science destroyer classes based on the successful prototypes. (STO website: The Spheres: Dyson Science Destroyers, Starfleet Advanced Dyson Science Destroyers)

2411[]

In 2411, the existing tier 5 reconnaissance science vessel platform was retrofitted into a tier 6 science destroyer, first deployed with the Titan-class prototype USS Titan. (STO website: House Shattered: It's the Titan!)

The in . — The *Courage*-class *Jubayr* in 2411.

The Khitomer Alliance acquired the 32nd century Courage-class command science destroyer, adding command ship abilities to the science destroyer platform. When switching between science and tactical modes, a vessel of this class also reverse bow and stern. The Janeway-class command science vessel, also originating in the 3180s decade, shared the command ship classification.^[1] (STO website: House United: Command the Courage of the Future!) The Courage class continued to alternate brow and stern during flight and combat into the year 3189. (DSC episode: "That Hope Is You, Part 2")