design by Don Christensen, Reuben Timmins & Bob Kline, graphics from Star Trek Online
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation: Orion Space, Triangle
Data Reliability: B
Major Data Source: Orion Sector Intelligance
Similar in size to Starfleet’s Constitution-class, Orchid-class vessels were significantly larger than the scout-sized vessels ordinarily used by Orion pirates. Their hulls were not optimized for combat, though they were armed with phasers and photon torpedoes.
This type of vessel was also outfitted with two pairs of warp coils, allowing warp field adjustments for longer sustained travel in excess of warp eight. At impulse speeds, the secondary coil generated a scanner-disrupting convex warp field that made the ship harder to detect. One pair was in the “wings”, while the other was nestled closer to the main hull.
The class prototype entered service in the year 2268, with main-line sales beginning in 2269. The Orchid-class was first spotted by Starfleet in 2270. The Orion government ‘officially’ discontinued construction after the Federation formally objected to them, as they violated certain long-standing treaty requirements. To avoid police actions, existing vessels operating under the official Orion government banner were limited to activity with Orion systems or along the Klingon-Romulan border as well as within the Triangle.
The Orchid-class has had a lengthy service history, with four distinct variants being fielded over the years. The class is also one of the few Orion designs to be updated from previous models. Amazingly, 24 A-1s, 10 A-2s, 15 A-3s and 8 A-4s all operate in their ordinal configuration, most serving with various official Botchok departments and agencies. Records indicate that 41 A-2s were converted to A-3s, and 10 A-3s were converted to A-4s. Official information shows that 9 A-1s, 6 A-2s, 6 A-3s and 1 A-4 have been destroyed. 4 A-1s, 2 each of the A-2 and A-3 model have been captured by a wide range of individuals and governments. 2 A-1s are officially listed as missing. 8 A-1s, 4 A-2s, 2 A-3s and 1 A-4 have been scrapped over the years. 40 A-1s were traded to a lengthy list of individuals and governments, with few of these vessels in their original configuration. 100 A-1s, 10 A-2s and 6 A-3s have been sold, also to a wide range of individuals. Many are believed to be operating with the Orion Syndicate, although exact numbers are uncertain.
| Construction Data: | ||||
| Model Number — | A-1 | A-2 | A-3 | A-4 |
| Ship Class — | IX | IX | IX | IX |
| Date Entering Service — | 2269 | 2285 | 2300 | 2321 |
| Number Constructed — | 187 | 73 | Refit | Refit |
| Cost — | 1,952.5 MCr | 2,004.5 MCr | 1,968.5 MCr | 2,339.5 MCr |
| Hull Data: | ||||
| Superstructure Points — | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Damage Chart — | C | C | C | C |
| Size: | ||||
| Length — | 291 m | 291 m | 291 m | 291 m |
| Width — | 405.6 m | 405.6 m | 405.6 m | 405.6 m |
| Height — | 155.5 m | 155.5 m | 155.5 m | 155.5 m |
| Weight — | 120,235 mt | 120,620 mt | 120,250 mt | 122,620 mt |
| Cargo: | ||||
| Cargo Units — | 1,795 SCU | 1,788 SCU | 1,795 SCU | 31,748 SCU |
| Cargo Capacity — | 89,750 mt | 89,400 mt | 89,750 mt | 87,400 mt |
| Landing Capacity — | None | None | None | None |
| Equipment Date: | ||||
| Control Computer Type — | Mark VI | Mark VI | Mark VI | Mark VI |
| Transporters: | ||||
| Standard 5-person — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Emergency 14-person — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cargo — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Other Data: | ||||
| Crew — | 245 | 247 | 264 | 264 |
| Passengers — | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Shuttlecraft — | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Engines And Power Data: | ||||
| Total Power Units Available — | 48 | 53 | 53 | 53 |
| Movement Point Ratio: | ||||
| unloaded — | 3/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 |
| loaded — | 7/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 | 7/1 |
| Warp Engine Type — | OWD-3 | OWD-3 | OWD-3 | OWD-3 |
| Number — | 2 (4)* | 2 (4)* | 2 (4)* | 2 (4)* |
| Power Units Available — | 20 ea. | 20 ea. | 20 ea. | 20 ea. |
| Stress Charts — | G/F | G/F | G/F | G/F |
| Max Safe Cruising Speed: | ||||
| unloaded — | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 |
| loaded — | Warp 5 | Warp 5 | Warp 5 | Warp 5 |
| Emergency Speed: | ||||
| unloaded — | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 |
| loaded — | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 |
| Impulse Engine Type — | OIE-2 | OIF-2 | OIF-2 | OII-2 |
| Power Units Available — | 8 | 13 | 13 | 15 |
| Weapons And Firing Data: | ||||
| Beam Weapon Type — | OD-5 | OD-11 | OD-11 | OD-11 |
| 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 — | U | U | U | U |
| Maximum Power — | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Damage Modifiers: | ||||
| +3 | (-) | (-) | (-) | (-) |
| +2 | (1-10) | (1-20) | (1-20) | (1-20) |
| +1 | (11-20) | (-) | (-) | (-) |
| Beam Weapon Type — | OPH-1 | OPH-3 | OD-5 | OD-5 |
| Number — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Firing Arcs — | 1 f/p/a, 1 f/s/a, 1 p/a/s | 2 f/p/a, 2 f/s/a, 1 p/a/s | 2 f/p/a, 2 f/s/a, 1 p/a/s | 2 f/p/a, 2 f/s/a, 1 p/a/s |
| Firing Chart — | Q | R | U | U |
| Maximum Power — | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Damage Modifiers: | ||||
| +3 | (-) | (-) | (-) | (-) |
| +2 | (1-8) | (1-9) | (1-10) | (1-10) |
| +1 | (9-14) | (10-16) | (11-20) | (11-20) |
| Torpedo Weapon Type — | OP-1 | OP-1 | OP-5 | OP-8 |
| Number — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Firing Arcs — | 2 f, 2 a | 2 f, 2 a | 2 f, 2 a | 2 f, 2 a |
| Firing Chart — | L | L | Q | K |
| Power to Arm — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Damage — | 10 | 10 | 10 | 16 |
| Shield Data: | ||||
| Deflector Shield Type — | OSND | OSNI | OSQ | OSQ |
| Shield Point Ratio — | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| Maximum Shield Power — | 9 | 14 | 11 | 11 |
| Combat Efficiency: | ||||
| D — | ||||
| unloaded — | 96.8 | 115.8 | 135.8 | 137.3 |
| loaded — | 85.8 | 96.8 | 107.3 | 108.8 |
| WDF — | 46.2 | 53.0 | 59.6 | 64.4 |
* – The Orchid class is equipped with two full sets of ‘warp coils’ – however, the Orchid class does not double the warp engine power.
Scanner-disrupting convex warp field – if the second set of engines are allocated 2 points of power each, attacking vessels have a -1 to-hit penalty during combat. This penalty remains in effect as long as the Orion player allocates 4 points of power to the additional engines. If the Orion vessel take any engine damage, the effect is cancelled and can not be restored.
Changing warp coils – if an Orchid vessel looses 50% of it’s power in either of it’s primary warp engines, the Orion player my “engage” the secondary set of warp coils to restore full power to the ship. This transition take 1 full turn. During that turn, the vessel will have no warp power available but may use impulse power to any system. At the beginning of the next turn, the ship’s main warp power if fully restored. Any further engine damage effects the new set of warp engines for the remainder of the battle.