Support carriers in 2411.
In starship classification, the support carrier was an upgraded version of the science carrier, itself a type of carrier with science vessel influence. The first four classes of this type were launched by the Khitomer Alliance in 2411. (STO website: House Divided : Cross Faction Support Carrier Bundle)
History and specifications[]
In the early 25th century, the science carrier designation included physically large, powerful starships, based on the example set by the IKS Vo'Quv in 2409. (STO - Empire mission: "The Hunt is On")
Compared to other carrier subtypes, science and support carriers were defined by involving a science bridge officer wit the rank of commander. (STO - Klingon War mission: "Welcome to Earth Spacedock")
During the Klingon Civil War of 2411, the Alliance launched a new, tier-6 rated variation of the science carrier. The support carrier was initially represented by four starship classes, one by each leading Alliance member. The prototype of each class - the CDS Aspero, JHV Support Carrier, RRW Ra'nodaire and IKS Vo'devwl - performed a maneuver together and deployed their hangar pets. (STO website: House Divided : Cross Faction Support Carrier Bundle)
A support carrier was able to adapt to multiple roles and considered flexible due to its twin hangar bays. As a necessity for commanding a never before seen number of small craft for an Alliance vessel, each support carrier featured immense networking and sensor capabilities. Substantial shielding and a potent structural integrity field were included for defense. This was achieved through a specialized bridge console, to operate the high-energy communications network.
Additional systems included armored hull, reactive shield technology, advanced shield systems, and the starship abilities for quick deployment of hangar pets, and their relaunch and repair.
By default, one hangar bay was loaded with a new, improved type of fighter squadron, and the other with support frigates.
Weapon emplacements on the first quartet of support carriers included three fore and aft slots, respectively. Default weaponry was tetryon-based for the Caitian carrier, disruptor for the Klingon Defense Force ship, plasma weaponry aboard the warbird, and polaron weapons for the Vanguard Fleet carrier. Ships of these classes could be fitted with dual cannons.
Bridge officer stations matched across the vessels, with the science officer ranked commander supported by one tactical officer, one engineer and one command division (or department-agnostic) lieutenant commander each.
In addition, both the Klingon and Romulan Republic support carriers were equipped with cloaking devices. The support carrier warbird's battle cloak allowed it to cloak during combat.
Fleet Starbases equipped with a tier 3-rated shipyard could operate and deploy fleet ship versions of these classes. (STO website: House Divided : Cross Faction Support Carrier Bundle)
List of science carrier classes[]
- Caitian Aspero-class
- Jem'Hadar Vanguard support carrier
- Romulan Ra'nodaire-class
- Romulan Republic support carrier warbird
- Klingon Vo'devwl-class
- Vo'Quv-subclass
- VoD'leh-subclass
Variations[]
The Ra'nodaire-class warbird stood apart from the other three types because it was powered by a singularity warp core instead of a matter-antimatter warp core, making it the only support carrier warbird. This provided the Ra'nodaire with additional abilities. (STO - House Divided mission: "Explore the Flotilla")
Appendices[]
Connections[]
External link[]
Carrier#Science_Carriers article at The Star Trek Online Wiki.