Z'gavasta class

Z'gavasta class
Affiliation:	Klingon Empire, Klingon Imperial Fleet
Type:	frigate (class IX/X cruiser)
Service period	early 2280s - at least 2360s
Dimensions
Length:	164 meters
Width:	242 meters
Height:	31 meters
Mass:	L42A: 120,000 metric tons; L42B: 146,400 metric tons
Specifications
Crew:	L42A: 220; L42B: 240
Maximum speed:	L42A: warp nine; L42B: warp eight
Cruising speed:	L42A: warp eight; L42B: warp seven
Armaments:	disruptors, photon torpedoes
Defences:	deflector shields
Auxiliary craft:	2 shuttlecraft

The Z'gavasta-class, or L42-class, was a class IX/X Klingon starship type, a frigate class in Klingon Imperial Fleet service in the 23rd century.

Specifications

The L42 resembled a larger version of a D32 Z'gavva-class light cruiser. The vessel was highly maneuverable for a capital ship, and its command boom could be separated from the engineering hull in emergency conditions.

The L42A was armed with six type KD-13 disruptors, mounted in two banks of three, and one forward type KP-6 torpedo launcher. This variant was outfitted with type KWF-1 warp engines, type KIF-2 impulse engines, and type KPS deflector shields. It was equipped with a type KCC cloaking device.

An uprated L42B was designed to have a stronger superstructure and greater energy output, but was less maneuverable. This variant upped the torpedo banks to four, with two forward and two aft, and was outfitted with type KWF-3 warp engines. It was equipped with a type KCD cloaking device. (FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual)

The class was assumed to be capable of atmospheric flight like its smaller cousins, but structural integrity tests showed it could not withstand such stress. Wings could be adjusted for flight and attack modes, but mass was reduced by eliminating mechanisms needed to move the wings to landing mode. (Stardate Magazine vol. 1, Issue 1: "L42 Class Heavy Frigate")

Service history and disposition

In the late 2270s, on reference stardate 2/2002, the Klingon High Command ordered 20 L42-class ships built. (Stardate Magazine vol. 1, Issue 1: "L42 Class Heavy Frigate")

In the early 2280s, the class IX L42A entered service on reference stardate 2/2101, and the class X L42B on reference stardate 2/2106, with six L42-class ships constructed annually at the Mustaka shipyards.

As of the late 2280s, 12 L42As and 8 L42Bs had been built. Only one L42 was known to be destroyed. These vessels served in the Triangle sector as well as along Klingon/Romulan borders. (FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual)

L42-class ships were often assigned as the lead vessel of a Klingon squadron, accompanied by two destroyer escorts, and included within a battle group. (StarDrive Issue 1: "Tactics of the Imperial Klingon Navy")

By the 2360s, surplus L42-class ships served in the fleet of the Imperial Klingon States. (FASA RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Officer's Manual)

Stardate Magazine printed the accurate specifications, but incorrectly attributed the name Z'gavva to this class.

Appendices

References

• FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual
• Stardate Magazine vol. 1, Issue 1: "L42 Class Heavy Frigate"
• Stardate Magazine vol. 3, Issue 3: "Romulan V-24 (Great Bird) Class Cruiser"
• StarDrive Issue 1: "Tactics of the Imperial Klingon Navy"
• FASA RPG module: Starship Tactical Combat Simulator
• FASA RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Officer's Manual