Class “A” Administration Station

«Last Updated on December 21, 2023 »

A Class Administration Station
 
NOTES:
The design and concept of the “A” class Administration station has it’s roots in the very early days of the “Great Awakening”. The initial design, proposed in 2235, was for a support and logistics station that could be towed in several stages to far flung outposts and newly established colonies and then quickly brought on-line within several days. Six months after receiving the go-ahead from Star Fleet Procurement, designers realized a fully functioning Administration station would better serve both Star Fleet and the private interests throughout the Federation.

The basic layout and design of the “A” class would go on to inspire a wide range of alternate stations that would soon span the Federation. The “A” class was specifically designed to provide a comfortable and effective space for commerce, negotiation and logistic support of other outposts and colonies. The stations are often placed along the less-traveled trade routes and provide a places where independent cargo haulers and major corporations can trade and transfer small cargoes to better serve small to medium sized colonies. Star Fleet vessels can also take advantage of the “A” class’ small recreation facilities while manifests are checked, cargo distributed and details recorded.

The Mk I was first placed on station in late 2240 at the Tendaris colony and was an immediate success. The station provided Star Fleet personnel a hub for further exploration of the region as well as a place to negotiate trade of the colonies mining and manufactured goods. The combat capability of the station also came into play one year later when several Orion pirates (possibly working in conjunction with Klingon forces) attempted to capture the station. With the nearest patrol nearly two hours away, the Orions pressed the attack and were quickly routed. The station was never attacked again. Unfortunately, during the Four-Years War, the “A” class was a favorite for Klingon commanders wishing to make a name for themselves. With nearly 100 of these stations operational along what was (at the time) the boarder of unclaimed space, nearly 30 were directly assaulted by Klingon forces, despite their non-value as military targets. Fortunately, the stations heavier firepower and shields meant they were able to fend off a number of these attacks, and loss of life was often kept to a minimum – one of the few high points during the conflict.

186 Mk I’s have been fielded. Of those, 7 have been destroyed, 1 was scrapped and 20 were eventually disarmed and sold to private firms within the Federation.

The Mk II’s came into service at the end of the war and was intended to be a better defended version of the “A” class. The Mk II saw the replacement of the bulky laser systems with the emerging “phaser” technology. A replacement of the Accelerator canons with the newly improved Photon Torpedo was also a major boon. Designers also updated the main computer. Designers also removed the main promenade and recreation section, and created a customizable area that could be easily configured by base personnel using available local resources. This allowed each base to be unique and personal to those who lived and worked on the station. Amazingly, all three of the Mk II’s that were destroyed were lost due to careless actions of visiting ships. 68 Mk II’s were eventually built, and 158 Mk I’s were converted to Mk II’s. Of the 226 commissioned, 3 were destroyed and 50 were disarmed and sold to private interests. 173 Mk II’s were refit to Mk III’s.

The Mk III saw the enlargement of the secondary power generator as well as the increase in computer power and main phaser systems. 55 Mk III’s were eventually built with a total if 228 Mk III’s being commissioned. 2 Mk III’s were destroyed, 20 were disarmed and sold and a total of 40 were decommissioned and scrapped, most of which were older refit Mk I’s and II’s. 166 Mk III’s were converted.

The Mk IV saw a significant increase in the overall effectiveness of the “A” class, but was also sited as the main reason for the classes demise. Increase in computing power, shielding and main firepower all made the MK IV very popular in locations where help could be hours away. Unfortunately, the increase in equipment meant the reduction of the popular recreation area. The significant firepower also meant that detractors claimed the stations were no longer administration outposts but battlestations. With newer stations now taking much of the administration burden from the far flung outposts the “A” class was built to serve, the Mk IV would be the last new-build version of the station. 31 new Mk IV’s were eventually constructed bringing the total number of Mk IV’s in service to 197. 28 were decommissioned and scrapped, while two more were badly damage in combat and scrapped. 40 were disarmed and sold, while 10 were traded to Federation member worlds.

The Mk V was the last “A” class variant approved and remains in service even after 100+ years. While those in service have seen replacement of their aging systems with updated versions of onboard equipment, the overall system configuration has not changed in all those years. A total of 117 Mk IV’s were eventually converted to Mk V’s. 6 Mk V’s have been destroyed over the years, all in combat related action. 40 have been scrapped, 30 have been disarmed and sold, while another 20 have been sold to member states. Amazingly, despite their significant age, 21 Mk V’s are still in operation.

Like most stations, components for the “A” class are constructed at a wide range of locations, including Sol, Alpha Centauri, Andor, Beta Antares, Salazaar, Sol and Tellar. Star Fleet plans the sell of the remaining stations to local companies and planets as most of the colonies that the “A” Station server are now full fledged governments.
 

Construction Data:
Model – Mk I Mk II Mk III Mk IV Mk V
Ship Class – Station Station Station Station Station
Date Entering Service – 2240 2256 2263 2267 2280
Number Constructed – 186 68 55 31 Refit
Hull Data:
Superstructure Points – 65 65 65 65 65
Damage Chart – Station Station Station Station Station
Size:
Length – 245 m 245 m 245 m 245 m 245 m
Width – 152 m 152 m 152 m 152 m 152 m
Height – 218 m 218 m 218 m 218 m 218 m
Weight – 831,590 mt 826,590 mt 833,050 mt 836,485 mt 847,225 mt
Cargo:
Total SCU – 600 SCU 600 SCU 600 SCU 600 SCU 600 SCU
Cargo Capacity – 30,000 mt 30,000 mt 30,000 mt 30,000 mt 30,000 mt
Landing Capacity – None None None None None
Equipment Date:
Control Computer Type – M-1 (x2) M-2 (x2) M-4 (x2) M-6 (x2) M-7 (x2)
Transporters:
Standard 6-person – 3 3 3 3 3
Emergency 22-person – 5 5 5 5 5
Cargo – 3 3 3 3 3
Other Data:
Crew – 421 436 449 453 457
Passengers – 50 50 50 50 50
Shuttlecraft – 8 8 8 8 8
Engines And Power Data:
Total Power Units Available – 114 114 122 122 130
Movement Point Ratio – 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/1 10/1
Matter/Anit-Matter Power Generator Type — FMAPG-1 FMAPG-1 FMAPG-1 FMAPG-1 FMAPG-1
Number – 1 1 1 1 1
Power Units Available – 98 98 98 98 98
Impulse Power Generator Type — FIPG-1a FIPG-1a FIPG-2a FIPG-2a FIPG-3
Power Units Available – 16 16 24 24 32
Weapons And Firing Data:
Beam Weapon Type – FL-5 FH-4 FH-8 FH-9 FH-9
Number – 12 12 12 12 12
Firing Arcs – 4 per arc 4 per arc 4 per arc 4 per arc 4 per arc
Firing Chart – H Q T X X
Maximum Power – 2 3 5 6 6
Damage Modifiers:
+3 (-) (-) (-) (-) (-)
+2 (1-4) (1-8) (1-10) (1-12) (1-12)
+1 (5-7) (9-14) (11-18) (13-22) (13-22)
Torpedo Weapon Type – FAC-1 FP-1 FP-1 FP-6 FP-4
Number – 6 6 6 6 6
Firing Arcs – 1 per arc 1 per arc 1 per arc 1 per arc 1 per arc
Firing Chart – F L L O S
Power to Arm – 3 1 1 1 1
Damage – 8 10 10 12 20
Shield Data:
Deflector Shield Type – FSSA FSSA-2 FSSA-2 FSSD FSSL
Shield Point Ratio – 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/3
Maximum Shield Power – 16 16 16 20 26
Combat Efficiency:
D – 148 148 151 156 186
WDF – 25.2 57.6 78 112.2 147