M-10 (Sand Serpent) Class IX Frigate

«Last Updated on December 18, 2023 »

Romulan M-10

design by Morgan Donovan

 
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation:  Empire-wide use
Data Reliability:  B
Major Data Source:  Romulan Sector Intelligence

While the Romulans have never fielded a true equivalent to the Federation or Klingon frigate, the M-10 Sand Serpent is by far the closest version that the Empire has yet fielded. However, the class is something of an enigma, seemingly never fitting any one mission profile fully.

The class is named for the Khaa Jhlmn, a snake found in the more arid regions of Ch’Havran. Short, thick-bodied and having a wide head, the serpent’s venom is potent and often fatal. The design of the M-10 clearly hoped to emulate the Khaa Jhlmn by creating a vessel with a powerful first strike capability. The M-10 has a quick-charging plasma weapon as the heart of it’s offensive system. The impressive plasma system, however, comes at the cost of sub-par disruptors and a single aft-firing torpedo tube. Further, reported encounters also indicate that the vessel suffers from a lack of tactical maneuverability and somewhat weak shielding compared to other vessels of the era.

The M-10 does seem to compensate for its less efficient shields with above-average hull plating. The general consensus of opinion among Federation analysts is that the class is best suited as a first strike platform, which has forced Starfleet Intelligence to keep as close an eye as possible on its deployment.

The Type 1 was considered under powered for it’s main mission, with a number of similar-sized classes known for being far more powerful and maneuverable. The Type-1 also had an inexplicably large cargo hold. After action reports showed that the M-10’s troops were specialized in ship-to-ship boarding actions and were rarely seen in ground combat. This further enhanced the ships reputation as more of a frigate than an assault ship. The RPL-3 combined with the ships cloaking device did allow the M-10 to strike first, but subsequent engagements often required supporting ships to ensure victory.

The Type 2 attempted to address some of the shortcomings of the M-10 with a more powerful impulse drive and an improved torpedo system. The new engine did little to improve the ship’s overall maneuverability, though adversaries quickly learned to give the Type-2’s aft quarter a wider berth. Ultimately, in order to be effective, the M-10 was forced to operate in squadrons of three or four vessels, reducing the overall number of potential deployments.

Romulan Sector Intelligence estimates that approximately 55 were built between 2288 and 2307, when construction was apparently discontinued. The class was retired and placed in reserve fleets sometime after 2318. Starfleet Intelligence remained as vigilant as possible after the Tomed Incident, fearful that any change in the status of the M-10s could signal an impending escalation of the Romulan Star Empire’s treat status. There have been reports that a number of there ships were reactivated during the Dominion War and used to patrol the interior of the Empire. Neither Star Fleet of Klingon Intelligence has confirmed this; however, sources do state that all known existing hulls are present in reserve fleet yards within the Empire.

Of the 55 M-10’s built, one Type 1 and one Type 2 have been destroyed. One Type 2 was scrapped after an encounter with Klingon forces. Twenty Type- 1s were converted to Type 2s. Currently, five Type 1 s and 42 Type 2s are in reserve fleets. Five Type 1s were sold to the civil sector, most of which are still in operation.

Although Starfleet lists the M-10 by its Romulan designation, it is known informally as the “Adder”.
 

Construction Data:
Model – Type 1 Type 2
Ship Class – IX IX
Date Entering Service – 2288 2295
Number Constructed – 31 24
Hull Data:
Superstructure Points – 28 28
Damage Chart – B B
Size:
Length – 136 m 136 m
Width – 241 m 241 m
Height – 24 m 24 m
Weight – 131,570 mt 132,900 mt
Cargo:
Total SCU – 650 SCU 650 SCU
Cargo Capacity – 32,500 mt 32,500 mt
Landing Capacity – None None
Equipment Date:
Control Computer Type – R5M R5M-1
Transporters:
Standard 9-person – 4 4
Combat 20-person – 3 3
Cargo – 3 3
Cloaking Device Type – RCC RCC
Power Requirement – 15 15
Other Data:
Crew – 193 198
Troops – 90 90
Passengers – 30 30
Shuttlecraft – 3 3
Engines And Power Data:
Total Power Units Available – 39 46
Movement Point Ratio – 4/1 4/1
Warp Engine Type – RWE-2 RWE-2
Number – 2 2
Power Units Available – 17 ea. 17 ea.
Stress Chart – I/L I/L
Max Safe Cruising Speed – Warp 7 Warp 7
Emergency Speed – Warp 8 Warp 8
Impulse Engine Type – RIC-3 RID-3
Power Units Available – 5 12
Weapons And Firing Data:
Beam Weapon Type – RB-8 RB-6
Number – 5 5
Firing Arcs – 2 f/p, 2 f/s, 1 p/a/s 2 f/p, 2 f/s, 1 p/a/s
Firing Chart – N T
Maximum Power – 6 6
Damage Modifiers:
+3 (1-4) (-)
+2 (5-9) (1-18)
+1 (10-13) (-)
Torpedo Weapon Type – RPL-3 RPL-4
Number – 1 1
Firing Arcs – 1 f 1 f
Firing Chart – T T
Power to Arm – 8 12
Damage – RL-3 RL-4
Torpedo Weapon Type – RP-3 RP-5
Number – 1 1
Firing Arcs – 1 a 1 a
Firing Chart – Q R
Power to Arm – 1 1
Damage – 10 15
Shield Data:
Deflector Shield Type – RSN RSP
Shield Point Ratio – 1/2 1/3
Maximum Shield Power – 15 18
Combat Efficiency:
D – 90.0 113.5
WDF – 39.2 53.2