The Z'gavva-class (translated as Stronger Bird-class, and numerically known as the D32-class) was one of the series of Klingon bird-of-prey cruiser starships in Imperial Defense Force service beginning in the late 2260s decade.
Specifications[]
The class VII D32 was reverse-engineered from projects started during the Klingon-Romulan Alliance of the 2260s. Based on the Romulan S11 Vas Hatham (scout), it was upscaled to cruiser proportions and included a variable wing configuration.
Initially having a crew of 142, these vessels measured 110 meters in length, 161 meters in width and 21 meters in height, with a mass of 83,700 metric tons. Propulsion was provided by two type KWC-1 warp engines and a type KIE-3 impulse engine. Offensive capabilities included four type KD-9 dual disruptor banks placed forward and aft, and two type KP-5 photon torpedo launchers. The ships were defended by type KSD deflector shields and a type KCC cloaking device.
An uprated D32B variant improved maneuverability. A more massive D32C variant with six additional personnel weighed 89,300 metric tons and used type KSK deflector shields. Starfleet Intelligence believed that the D32C had a plasma weapon launcher instead of a torpedo bay. (FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual)
Service history and disposition[]
Shipyards at H'renn was known for building this class, and Starfleet Intelligence suspected that production would be taken over or continued at Mustaka. (FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual)
The IKS Death Rattle, IKS Hawk Stoops, and IKS Repentance served as escorts for the D7-class IKS Swift Victory during a late 2260s mission to expand holdings within the Organian Treaty Zone. (TOS board game: The Adventure Game)
Kuln's Squadron consisted of three D32C-class ships. (StarDrive Issue 1: "Tactics of the Imperial Klingon Navy")
The D32B and D32C variants entered service on reference stardate 2/2004. As of the late 2280s decade, 22 D32As & D32Bs, plus 18 D32Cs, had been produced. (FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual)
Referring to this and other copycat classes as the "great Klingon scourge", Romulan leadership commissioned the D'vas-class cruiser expressly for hunting down and destroying such vessels. (Stardate Magazine vol. 3, Issue 3: "Romulan V-24 (Great Bird) Class Cruiser")
- The fact that this vessel was created as part of the 2260s alliance may explain why the vessel appeared in a novel of that earlier time period, despite other FASA sources classifying this as a later-23rd century vessel.
- Although later sources attributed the HMS Bounty to the B'rel-class, FASA RPG module: Star Trek III Sourcebook Update identified it as Z'gavva-class.
Notable vessels[]
Appendices[]
Connections[]
| Bird-of-prey classes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Romulan birds-of-prey | 2150s • late-2150s bird-of-prey • 22nd century • 23rd century (Kelvin timeline) • Ferrax • T'varo • T'Liss • Vas Hatham • Temar Vastaram • D'vas | 
|
| Reman birds-of-prey | T'varo |
|
| Klingon birds-of-prey | 22nd century • 2260s • 23rd century (Kelvin timeline) • M'Chla • B'rel • Chuq'Beh • D12 • D'Gavama • E4 • E6 • G2 • Khitomer • K'vort • QuD • Z'gavasta • Z'gavva • QulDun • Norgh • Ki'tang • Hegh'ta | 
|
Background[]
This FASA role-playing game vessel was the earliest example of a Klingon bird-of-prey being re-sized to fill a role as a cruiser, making it a predecessor to the TNG K'vort-class light cruiser.
Appearances[]
References[]
- FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual
- FASA RPG module: Star Trek III Sourcebook Update
- Stardate Magazine vol. 3, Issue 3: "Romulan V-24 (Great Bird) Class Cruiser"