T-21 (Deathsong) Class VI Destroyer

«Last Updated on December 17, 2023 »

Romulan-T21

design by Morgan Donovan

 
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation:  Klingon & Triangle Border
Data Reliability:  B
Major Data Source:  Romulan Sector Intelligence

The T-21, introduced in mid-2277, was intended to be a “middle-ground” design between the T-5 and T-10 class destroyers. The T-21 was similar to the T-10 in that it had both beam and missile weapons. Unlike the T-10, though, the T-21’s primary missile weapon was the powerful RPL-3 plasma torpedo rather than the emerging photon torpedo systems found on the T-10.

The end result was a combat platform that had less overall firepower than the T-5 yet technically more than the T-10. Defensively, the T-21 was superior to it’s counterparts. Supporters of the T-21 within the Romulan Star Command were considered some of the more aggressive members of the Romulan military. Line commanders assigned to the T-21 soon developed a reputation for being extremely vicious in combat, using the massive firepower of the RPL-3 at point blank ranges to devastate enemy vessels. This tactic and led T-21 commanders to adopt the moniker of “Hhnoiykar-ait”, which was also a reference to the class name taken from a sub-species of hhoiyakar – or Romulan weasel. These rodents were known for a distinct vocalization before attacking their prey; they were also known for being bad tempered.

The Type-2, introduced in 2285, upgraded the primary impulse engines, main computer, weapons and shield system. The additional power from the enlarged impulse drive made the Type-2 even more dangerous.

The Type 1 and Type 2 remained in production until 2287, with a total of 25 produced. 1 Type 1 is known to have been destroyed. The remining 34 were eventually converted to the Type 3 model. The Type 3 significantly improved the beam weapon range and incorporated the heavier RPL-4 plasma torpedo. With improved shields and extra hull plating, the Type 3 was extremely popular with destroyer crews. Of the 34 fielded, 2 were destroyed and 1 was scrapped.

By 2350, the T-21‘s age was beginning to show, and designers quickly realized that an update would be necessary to ensure the ship continued to serve. The third generation R-5M was replaced with an fourth generation variant as were a number of support systems. While an improved RWC-2 was available, the decision to replace the nacelles and primary power plant with the RWI-1 was green lighted. The RWI system used the smaller micro-singularity plasma source which was proving more viable for the Empire. The Type 4 also incorporated the plasma missile system, replacing the large plasma torpedo from the Type 3.

A total of 31 Type 4s were eventually fielded. Many saw service during the Dominion War, with 6 destroyed, 7 scrapped and one listed as missing. The remaining 17 T-21 are in active service, but are expected to be retired shortly.
 

Construction Data:
Model Number — Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
Ship Class — VI VI VI VI
Date Entering Service — 2277 2285 2300 2352
Number Constructed — 25 10 Refit Refit
Hull Data:
Superstructure Points — 14 14 18 26
Damage Chart — C C C C
Size:
Length — 233.5 m 233.5 m 233.5 m 233.5 m
Width — 262.4 m 262.4 m 262.4 m 262.4 m
Height — 100.1 m 100.1 m 100.1 m 100.1 m
Weight — 67,603 mt 70,028 mt 76,913 mt 79,507 mt
Cargo:
Cargo Units — 75 SCU 75 SCU 75 SCU 75 SCU
Cargo Capacity — 3,750 mt 3,750 mt 3,750 mt 3,750 mt
Landing Capacity — None None None None
Equipment Date:
Control Computer Type — R-4M R-5M R-5M R-5M
Transporters:
Standard 9-person — 2 2 2 2
Emergency 20-person — 2 2 2 2
Cargo — 1 1 1 1
Cloaking Device Type — RCC RCC RCC RCC
Power Requirements — 15 15 15 15
Other Data:
Crew — 126 137 143 143
Passengers — 10 10 10 10
Shuttlecraft — 2 2 2 2
Engines And Power Data:
Total Power Units Available — 35 40 40 34
Movement Point Ratio — 3/1 3/1 3/1 2/1
Warp Engine Type — RWC-2 RWC-2 RWC-2 RWI-1
Number — 2 2 2 2
Power Units Available — 15 ea. 15 ea. 15 ea. 11 ea.
Stress Charts — N/Q N/Q N/Q L/M
Max Safe Cruising Speed — Warp 6 Warp 6 Warp 6 Warp 8
Emergency Speed — Warp 7 Warp 7 Warp 7 Warp 9
Impulse Engine Type — RIB-3 RIE-1 RIE-1 RID-3
Power Units Available — 5 10 10 12
Weapons And Firing Data:
Beam Weapon Type — RB-7a RB-8 RB-9 RB-26
Number — 4 4 4 4
Firing Arcs — 2 f/p, 2 f/s 2 f/p, 2 f/s 2 f/p, 2 f/s 2 f/p, 2 f/s
Firing Chart — M N W Y
Maximum Power — 4 6 6 8
Damage Modifiers:
+3 (1-3) (1-4) (1-8) (1-20)
+2 (4-9) (5-9) (9-16) (21-22)
+1 (10-14) (10-13) (17-20) (23-24)
Torpedo Weapon Type — RPL-3 RPL-3 RPL-4 RPT-2
Number — 1 1 1 1
Firing Arcs — 1 f 1 f 1 f 1 f
Firing Chart — T T T T
Power to Arm — 8 8 12 4
Damage — RL-3 RL-3 RL-4 40
Shield Data:
Deflector Shield Type — RSH RSN RSP RSY
Shield Point Ratio — 1/2 1/2 1/3 1/3
Maximum Shield Power — 11 15 18 28
Combat Efficiency:
D — 69.0 80.0 108.2 149.7
WDF — 24.9 29.7 44.4 63.4