from Klingon Ship Recognition Manual, 2nd Edition, FASA, design by Forest G. Brown, graphics by Dana Knutson
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation: Orion-controlled space
Data Reliability: C for all models
Major Data Source: Orione Sector Intelligence
Known Sphere Of Operation: Orion-controlled space
Data Reliability: C for all models
Major Data Source: Orione Sector Intelligence
One of numerous vessels sold to the “legitimate” Orion government, the D-10B was sold initially to simply dispose of the ‘B’ model D-10 which had proven underwhelming for the Imperial Klingon navy. Although the model had been placed into production, improved Klingon equipment meant that only a handful of these ships were commissioned, most being removed from frontline duty shortly after being launched. Later intelligence reports showed that almost none of the D-10Bs launched participated in combat, making them unpopular. Initially intended to be scrapped, in 2266, Klingon intelligence reported that the Federation continued to negotiate with the Botchok Planetary Congress on the Orion homeworld, clearly not understanding the political structure of the Orion colonies. Realizing that selling older ships to the BPC would continue to create difficulties for Star Fleet and the Federation, the Empire authorized the sale of four of the remining D-10B hulls.
Transferred in 2267, these ships immediately entered a refit status, with the BPC obtaining funds for the refit from a number of sources. In late 2268, the first of these ships was relaunched and immediately began patrolling the Federation-Orion border. As anticipated, this created a significant issue for Federation patrols, and allowed the Klingons to easily operate under cover within the Orion Neutrality Zone.
The A-1 version saw a number of internal changes, including the enlargement of the primary impulse drive, although the original KWD warp drive system was retained. With the removal of onboard troop compartments, the larger OID was easily fitted, increasing the overall power of the class. The primary weapons were replaced with powerful, although short ranged, OD-7. While both Klingon and Federation vessels did have longer range weapon, the OD-7 was surprisingly powerful and made the Cunning Nova class a powerful adversary for a number of years.
However, by 2294, with one vessel scrapped after combat and the Empire selling off ship wholesale after the destruction of Praxis, several of the more prominent Orion families agreed to finance a second refit to replace the aging Klingon components that were becoming more difficult to obtain. A replacement computer, the Mark VI, was easily installed. However, a replacement for the aged KWD warp drive was not so easily installed. Delays and difficulties in replacing the plasma conduits and maneuvering system nearly cancelled the refit on several occasions. However, by 2296, the issues had been resolved and the A-2 was fielded. The Cunning Nova would continue to patrol the Orion colonies until a final refit was approved by 2328.
With many subsystems on these vessels now well over 60 years old, the decision to upgrade these ships was made by the Orion Syndicate rather than the far less influential BPC. Most in the Orion Navy were more than happy to allow the Syndicate to upgrade the aging ship, well aware that they would one day be ‘sold’. Both A-3 variants would go on to serve lengthy careers into the 2370s before eventually being sold. The sale of the final two vessels had not been confirmed, but one is believed to have been sold to a Ferengi Arms Merchant, while the other was sold to a Kzinti Free Trader and may now operate as a pirate vessel.
| Construction Data: | |||
| Model Number — | A-1 | A-2 | A-3 |
| Ship Class — | VIII | VIII | VIII |
| Date Entering Service — | 2268 | 2296 | 2331 |
| Number Constructed — | 4 | Refit | Refit |
| Hull Data: | |||
| Superstructure Points — | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Damage Chart — | C | C | C |
| Size: | |||
| Length — | 262 m | 262 m | 262 m |
| Width — | 157 m | 157 m | 157 m |
| Height — | 30 m | 30 m | 30 m |
| Weight — | 114,965 mt | 108,060 mt | 110,380 mt |
| Cargo: | |||
| Cargo Units — | 386 SCU | 386 SCU | 386 SCU |
| Cargo Capacity — | 19,300 mt | 19,300 mt | 19,300 mt |
| Landing Capacity — | None | None | None |
| Equipment Date: | |||
| Control Computer Type — | ZD-5 | Mark VI | Mark VI |
| Transporters: | |||
| Standard 5-person — | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Emergency 14-person — | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo — | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Other Data: | |||
| Crew — | 236 | 236 | 236 |
| Passengers — | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Shuttlecraft — | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Engines And Power Data: | |||
| Total Power Units Available — | 46 | 51 | 61 |
| Movement Point Ratio — | 4/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 |
| Warp Engine Type — | KWD-1 | OWI-2 | OWI-3 |
| Number — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Power Units Available — | 18 ea. | 18 ea. | 23 ea. |
| Stress Charts — | L/N | N/P | M/O |
| Max Safe Cruising Speed — | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 |
| Emergency Speed — | Warp 8 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 |
| Impulse Engine Type — | OID-3 | OII-2 | OII-2 |
| Power Units Available — | 10 | 15 | 15 |
| Weapons And Firing Data: | |||
| Beam Weapon Type — | OD-7 | OD-10 | OD-12 |
| Number — | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Firing Arcs — | 2 f/p, 2 f, 2 f/s | 2 f/p, 2 f, 2 f/s | 2 f/p, 2 f, 2 f/s |
| Firing Chart — | K | O | W |
| Maximum Power — | 8 | 7 | 5 |
| Damage Modifiers: | |||
| +3 | (-) | (-) | (1-7) |
| +2 | (1-15) | (1-7) | (8-15) |
| +1 | (-) | (8-14) | (16-20) |
| Beam Weapon Type — | OD-3 | OD-7 | OD-10 |
| Number — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Firing Arcs — | 2 a | 2 a | 2 a |
| Firing Chart — | R | K | O |
| Maximum Power — | 4 | 8 | 7 |
| Damage Modifiers: | |||
| +3 | (-) | (-) | (-) |
| +2 | (-) | (1-15) | (1-7) |
| +1 | (1-16) | (-) | (8-14) |
| Shield Data: | |||
| Deflector Shield Type — | OSM | OSQ | OSR |
| Shield Point Ratio — | 1/3 | 1/3 | 1/4 |
| Maximum Shield Power — | 8 | 12 | 10 |
| Combat Efficiency: | |||
| D — | 104.4 | 131.4 | 170.9 |
| WDF — | 31.0 | 34.8 | 41.8 |
| |||