V-45 (Stormseeker) Class VIII Cruiser

«Last Updated on December 15, 2023 »

design by Morgan Donovan

 
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation:  Klingon boarder
Data Reliability:  B
Major Data Source:  Romulan Sector Intelligence

The V-45 was the first (and only) direct attempt to emulate the production capabilities of the Klingons. Even as the first stripped-down Klingon hulls were being delivered, Romulan engineers had already begun the process of converting several shipyards to produce direct copies of Klingon vessels. The V-45 was built at the same location where that the V-11 was being updated. It was hoped that both designs could be launched in tandem, giving the Empire a numerical advantage.

However, the hoped-for design and construction improvements never materialized. Even as the first 10 hulls were launched, it was becoming readily apparent that other designs currently in the Romulan inventory could be built just as easily. The primary culprit was the main power transfer system. While standard “impulse” type power generation had proven sufficient for most Romulan vessels, it was clear that the Klingon and Federation power generation and transfer systems were superior. To make matters worse, the decision to directly copy the D-7 made the V-45 as unpopular as most Klingon purchased hulls. The V-45 was indeed a capable warship, equal to many of the front-line Klingon vessels of the day. Unfortunately, agreements with the Klingons meant that most combat along their mutual border was reduced significantly, and only a handful of real skirmishes occurred during that time period.

This meant that the V-45 was deployed primarily along the Federation and Triangle where they saw little combat. This further increased their unpopularity and fleet planners canceled further construction after only four years.

The design was not without merit, though. Nearly a half dozen other designs would be based in some part on the basic hull design of the D-7, which may benefiting from the design practices of the V-45. Although only the Type 1 was fielded, after the collapse of the technological agreements between the Romulans and Klingons, the V-45 was immediately transferred to their mutual border where is was soon engaged in heated combat with it’s older cousin.

Star Fleet Intelligence is well acquainted with the V-45 despite initial misidentification of the class with the equally dangerous V-11. And intercepted report about the capabilities and load-out of the V-45 was intercepted in late 2268, giving Star Fleet surprising detail about the vessel. Since that time, continued monitoring and reports had followed the V-45.

All known V-45 have been removed from Romulan service. 1 was reported captured by the Klingons, 7 have been destroyed in combat, 9 have been scrapped, 10 were disarmed and sold to various element in the Triangle. 12 were traded as well, although to whom remain unknown. 1 hull is unaccounted for with a vague report that the ship disappeared.