Anderson Class IX Heavy Scout

from Jackill’s Star Fleet Reference Manual-Ships of the Fleet Volume II – by Eric Kristiansen

 
NOTES:
The Anderson Class is considered by many to be one of the most successful heavy scouts to be fielded by Star Fleet since the late 2240’s. The Anderson is designed to use multiple external arrays of sensors, mounted above and below the primary warp nacelle, to focus its research and detection abilities with minimal interference from other internal equipment. its ability and accuracy rivals that of many cruisers and research vessels, even while the vessel is at high warp.

The basic Anderson is little changed from the successful layout of other scout designs, with its ancestry in the single-engine, single primary hull designs of the 2240’s. The Anderson mounts its primary sensor systems on a large sensor pallet just aft of the ships center-line. This simple design provides extra internal room for the larger support equipment necessary for the dual warp nacelles used by the craft. Under the dual mounted warp nacelles is a second long-range sensor array giving the scout excellent scientific and first-contact capabilities in the field. The additional internal space allows for a larger crew and support systems, including a large cargo bay and recreation facilities.

The Mk I, launched in late 2271, was considered over armed when first fielded. its medium phasers and twin torpedo tubs gave the Mk I firepower equal to many cruisers and destroyers of the day, and most fleet planners attempted to use this heavier combat capability to their advantage. For nearly 10 years, the Anderson was utilized along the Klingon and Romulan frontiers where its highly sensitive sensor systems could easily track enemy fleet movements. Many Andersons saw skirmish combat near the Triangle and along the flanks of the Klingon Empire.

By 2279, the Mk II had been approved and launched, increasing the vessels overall power and combat capabilities. The main impulse drive was enlarged and heavier weapons installed, continuing the trend of the scout being as capable as a light cruiser or destroyer of the era. In multiple encounters over the next few years, the Anderson’s combat capability overshadowed its science and research ability.

But by 2295, the Anderson class was beginning to show its age. The youngest vessel has served two full tours and fleet planners began to investigate a further upgrade or decommissioning. Unlike other vessels, the Andersons were not originally design for lengthy service records. Most were intended to serve two too three “five-year” tours and be retired or scrapped. Several vessels were now over 20 years old, and the initial refit of Mk I’s to Mk II’s did not include service-life extending systems or equipment. By 2310, nearly all the the Anderson class were relegated to followup missions.

In early 2315, Tellarite planners fielded an upgrade design that would increase the combat potential of the Anderson while retrofitting sub-systems that would greatly extend the service life of the aging vessels. While the retrofit would prove more costly that other retrofits, designers were able to upgrade the vessels for less than the construction of new hull designs. By 2316, the Mk III was in service.

The Mk III saw a number of internal equipment upgrades, including improved sensor calibration and data interpretation sub-routines. To help facilitate these upgrades, several internal compartments were re-configured, including the secondary bridge and main computer interface center. These changes allowed easy instillation of the improved phaser, torpedo and shield systems. Effectively doubling the overall combat capability of the Anderson, these new systems would serve the design well for the next 30 years. All 74 remaining Anderson Mk II’s were converted to Mk III configuration.

With the deterioration of relations between the Cardassians and the Federatlon, designers in the early 2340’s immediately upgrade the Anderson. The massive refit saw the replacement of over 60% of their internal space frame as well as nearly every major ship component. Yet the overall design retained its older features and continued to be a popular vessel. The new Mk IV became a surprisingly capable mid-range scout that saw extensive use during the Cardassian conflict, gathering data and fending off enemy vessels throughout the war. The primary phasers saw a minor improvement in power while the main torpedo system was updated to the FP-20. The most notable change was the decision to upgrade the main computer to the Isolinear I-5. With vastly superior computing capabilities, the I-5 allowed the inclusion of the extremely powerful FST shield system, which allowed the Anderson to continue engaging targets twice as long as other medium sized scout.

While most Andersons were used near Cardassian space, several had been deployed along the Tholian boarder. In 2350, deteriorating relations with the Holdast threatened to involve the Federation in a two-front war. To better prepare for this eventuality, the Mk V was commissioned to allow the scout to engage several Tholian light vessels simultaneously. The new configuration would prove vital in 2353 when several brutal engagements took place along the Tholian frontier.

By 2365, nearly half of the remaining 73 Anderson space frames had been converted to the Mk V version. The two versions would remain in service until the Dominion war where they were slowly pulled from front line duty to serve in secondary roles deeper in the Federation interior. While the only original component on all of the operation Anderson scout was their dedication plaque, the age of the design did necessitate the eventual retirement of the class overall. By 2381, the last Anderson scout had been officially retired and placed in mothballs.

At this time, most Andersons are scheduled to be struck from the fleet rolls and scrapped. Several of the more recently updated vessels are scheduled to be disarmed and sold.