V-81 (Firestar) Class VII-VIII Cruiser

«Last Updated on December 15, 2023 »

Romulan-V81

design by Morgan Donovan

 
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation:  Empire-wide use
Data Reliability:  D
Major Data Source:  Project Grey Ghost; Romulan Sector Intelligence

The V-81 was a design that was hoped to provide the Romulans with a larger science cruiser. With few science ships in it’s inventory, designers studied the initial reports of the V-1 and S-3 and began designing a longer-ranged heavier platform. The V-81 was one of the most powerful combat vessels in the Romulan inventory and saw significant combat along the Klingon border.

The Type 1, launched in 2245, was equipped with the devastating RPL-1 plasma torpedo. In field operation reports indicated that the ship was moderately underpowered for it’s combat role, but had sufficient firepower to counter many Klingon designs of the time. The Type 1’s primary sensors also proved effective as did it’s science and exploratory capabilities. The V-81 continued to be a favorite among front line commanders, even as newer and more diverse designs came on-line.

The first major improvement to the V-81 was the Type 2, launched in late 2261. With vessels like the V-2 and V-5 drawing directly on the abilities of the V-81, designers quickly realized that the Firestar was slowly lagging in it’s design. Improvements in weapons systems, sensors and transporter technology were all installed into the Type 2, which was relaunched in 2261. However, fleet planners were clearly aware that the V-81 was an extremely expensive vessel to field. Production had ended in 2258 with a total of 30 hulls built. While the Type 2 was a significant improvement over the Type 1, production was not reinstated. 28 of the original 30 built were refit and remained on active duty until 2294.

One Type 1 has been destroyed and one is believed to have been sold. Several Type 2s are currently unaccounted for, possibly indicating that a Type 3 may have been built. The remaining 28 Type 2s are known to be in reserve fleets.
 

Construction Data:
Model Number — Type 1 Type 2
Ship Class — VII VIII
Date Entering Service — 2245 2261
Number Constructed — 30 Refit
Hull Data:
Superstructure Points — 18 22
Damage Chart — C C
Size:
Length — 122.6 m 122.6 m
Width — 108.3 m 108.3 m
Height — 29 m 29 m
Weight — 95,465 mt 103,855 mt
Cargo:
Cargo Units — 100 SCU 100 SCU
Cargo Capacity — 5,000 mt 5,000 mt
Landing Capacity — None None
Equipment Date:
Control Computer Type — R4M R5M
Transporters:
Standard 9-person — 3 3
Emergency 20-person — 2 2
Cargo — 2 2
Other Data:
Crew — 218 232
Passengers — 15 10
Shuttlecraft – 3 3
Engines And Power Data:
Total Power Units Available — 36 45
Movement Point Ratio — 3/1 4/1
Warp Engine Type — RWD-1 RWD-2
Number — 2 2
Power Units Available — 16 ea. 20 ea.
Stress Charts — O/O O/Q
Max Safe Cruising Speed — Warp 6 Warp 6
Emergency Speed — Warp 7 Warp 7
Impulse Engine Type — RIC-2 RIC-3
Power Units Available — 4 5
Weapons And Firing Data:
Beam Weapon Type — RB-3a RB-5
Number — 6 6
Firing Arcs — 2 f/p, 2 f/s, 2 a 2 f/p, 2 f/s, 2 a
Firing Chart — L V
Maximum Power — 6 5
Damage Modifiers:
+3 (1-3) (1-10)
+2 (4-8) (11-16)
+1 (9-12) (17-21)
Torpedo Weapon Type — RPL-1 RPL-3
Number — 1 1
Firing Arcs — 1 f 1 f
Firing Chart — E T
Power to Arm — 10 8
Damage — RL-1 RL-3
Shield Data:
Deflector Shield Type — RSD RSI
Shield Point Ratio — 1/1 1/3
Maximum Shield Power — 7 11
Combat Efficiency:
D — 52.7 94.5
WDF — 25.5 44.3