Q-4 (Protector) Class IV Monitor

«Last Updated on December 19, 2023 »

from FASA Star Trek© Starship Tactical Combat Simulator – Romulan Ship Recognition Manual (1st Edition)

NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation:  Border areas
Data Reliability:  B
Major Data Source:  Project Grey Ghost, Romulan Sector Intelligence

Probably built to replace the Q-1 (Great Defender), the vessels of the Q-4 Class are more suited for prolonged duty. Vessels near the border were equipped with Sub-Light Class A engines. When these ships first appeared on the frontiers, it was believed that the Romulans had found a way to balance a trinary warp envelope. As can be seen, the ships look peculiar with their three engine nacelles, which are easily identified on sensor scan. Project Grey Ghost was unable to confirm that these vessels had no warp capability, as originally reported.

The Q-4 class, like its predecessor, was well armed. Mounting ten disruptors in five banks, it has a very effective field of fire. The first improvement to the ship weaponry was the Type 9, which carried an improved version of the RB-7, known as the RB-7A. By 2269, all Type 3s scanned had been refitted with the RB-7A and given the uprated R4M computer system to handle the added firepower. Production of the Q-4 is believed to have ended sometime after 2273.

In 2287, scans indicated that older vessels were being refit to a new Type 10 model. The Type 10 added a photon torpedo to the craft as well as an improved shield system. All known Q-4 were converted to this model by 2300.

Intelligence later learned that in 2343, the aged craft were again upgraded with an improved torpedo system and additional armor plating. Despite their age, over 330 Type 12s were fielded. The Q-4 was eventually removed from service sometime after the Dominion War. Although the exact disposition of these ships is unknown, it is reported that over 200 were sold, and approxximately 60 now serve the Romulan Free State.

The class is named from the Romulan deletham (protector), in reference to its mission.
 

Construction Data:
Model Number — Type 3 Type 9 Type 10 Type 12
Ship Class — IV IV IV IV
Date Entering Service — 2257 2267 2287 2343
Number Constructed — 160 280 Refit Refit
Hull Data:
Superstructure Points — 12 12 14 16
Damage Chart — B B B B
Size:
Length — 152 m 152 m 152 m 152 m
Width — 70 m 70 m 70 m 70 m
Height — 32 m 32 m 32 m 32 m
Weight — 25,560 mt 29,530 mt 33,585 mt 35,040 mt
Cargo:
Cargo Units — 40 SCU 40 SCU 40 SCU 40 SCU
Cargo Capacity — 2,000 mt 2,000 mt 2,000 mt 2,000 mt
Landing Capacity — None None None None
Equipment Date:
Control Computer Type — R-3M R-4M R-4M R-4M
Transporters:
Standard 9-person — 1 1 1 1
Cloaking Device Type — RCB RCB RCB RCB
Power Requirements — 10 10 10 10
Other Data:
Crew — 34 34 34 34
Engines And Power Data:
Total Power Units Available — 28 28 28 28
Movement Point Ratio — 3/1 3/1 3/1 3/1
Sub-light Engine Type — RSLA RSLA RSLA RSLA
Number — 3 3 3 3
Power Units Available — 9 ea. 9 ea. 9 ea. 9 ea.
Impulse Engine Type — RIC-1 RIC-1 RIC-1 RIC-1
Power Units Available — 1 1 1 1
Weapons And Firing Data:
Beam Weapon Type — RB-2a RB-7a RB-3a RB-8
Number — 10 10 10 10
Firing Arcs — 2 f, 4 p/a, 4 s/a 2 f, 4 p/a, 4 s/a 2 f, 4 p/a, 4 s/a 2 f, 4 p/a, 4 s/a
Firing Chart — K M L N
Maximum Power — 3 4 6 6
Damage Modifiers:
+3 (1-4) (1-3) (1-3) (1-4)
+2 (5-9) (4-9) (4-8) (5-9)
+1 (10-14) (10-14) (9-12) (10-13)
Torpedo Weapon Type — RP-5 RP-13
Number — 1 1
Firing Arcs — 1 f 1 f
Firing Chart — R S
Power to Arm — 1 1
Damage — 15 16
Shield Data:
Deflector Shield Type — RSC RSC RSE RSE
Shield Point Ratio — 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2
Maximum Shield Power — 7 7 10 10
Combat Efficiency:
D — 55.2 55.2 62.0 64.9
WDF — 21.0 28.0 44.9 50.0

Update Notes: There are a few minor issues with the Q-4 – none of which overly effect the playability of the design. However, they should be noted. Most notable is the Superstructure. The original design has a SS of 5 and 6 respectively. However – 10 RB-2as and 10 RB-7as BOTH have a SS rating of 6. Even if the RSLA’s had NO superstructure – you’d still have more than the listed amount. While no impulse drive is listed, the graphic shows what appears to be an impulse drive. Fortunately, the RIC-1 work on this class and has just a single impulse power point. To get the Type 3 up to class IV…we had to boost the superstructure to 12. We arbitrarily boosted the Type 9 as well. Personally, I think these corrections make the Q-4 closer to FASA destroyer of the era, rather than a light gunboat.