D-30 (K’Teremny) Class VIII-IX Destroyer

Artwork by Todd Guenther

 
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation: Empire-wide use
Data Reliability: C for all models
Major Data Source: Klingon Sector Intelligence

In early 2267, the Klingon Empire launched one of the most successful and prolific destroyer designs ever created. Simple, sleek, powerful and roomy, the K’Teremny quickly became the front line destroyer of choice among squadrons on both the Romulan and Federation boarders. The Type A was originally built as a stand alone combat vessel. Mounting the powerful KWD-1 drive system and had as much power as it’s D-7 cousin. The K’teremny’s sleek design reduced the restrictions of the earlier weapons mounting, and 10 disruptors were mounted on the boom section and secondary hull. Four were mounted on the Command Pod, giving the destroyer excellent forward firepower in head on engagements. With the addition of a forward and aft torpedo bay, the Type A was thought to be the wave of the future.

The K’teremny’s would suffer a crushing blow in 2270 when two squadrons were destroyed along the Romulan boarder by a single V-6 on a retaliation mission for an earlier Klingon attack. Battle reports indicated that the lack of maneuverability had allowed the larger cruiser to out flank and eventually outgun the squadrons. This battle, coupled with several other near defeats, caused a panicked reevaluation of Klingon designs, and a number of improvements were quickly implemented. In 2271, the Type B was launched. Faster and more maneuverable, the Type B was even more successful than it’s original design. The new design increased maneuvering power by installing the KWF-1 warp engine and upgrading to the highly successful KD-8 disruptor system. Coupled with new shields and a reinforced hull, this ship was equal to any cruiser of the day. But in 2272, the Type B would see a test of fire against an unwarranted foe.

A total of 211 D-30As were constructed. 2 are listed as missing and believed to be operating with the IKS. 13 have been destroyed, 2 have been scrapped and 2 have been captured by the Romulans. 20 are in service to Ranking Families in the empire and 172 were converted to B models.

Fearing that the Klingon High Council had lost the backbone to fight the Federation, Admiral Komax, commanding an L-24 along the Romulan boarder, announced his intention to defect to the IKS. One of the most popular and charismatic commanders along the frontier, Komax had been in charge of the deployment and advancement of over 200 front line commanders and their squadrons. Several personal fortunes were due to Komax’s political influence. As Komax began his long journey towards the IKS, dozens of commander were faced with a conflict of honor. None the less, duty to the empire forced the commander of the 281st Attack Squadron, Captain Klevalt to chase the larger battleship and hunt down his personal mentor. Within 6 weeks, Klevalt and the 281st had caught up with Komax near IKS territory. In typical stoic fashion, Komax turned his vessel and argued with his favorite pupil to carry out his duty. Klevalt and his squadron of 5 Type B attacked, and for over 2 hours battled fiercely with the larger and more powerful L-24. Shortly there after, IKS re-enforcement arrived, forcing Klevalt to withdrawal, but not before crippling the L-24. Komax, it was later learned, had died in the final moments of the battle, and had ordered his ship to self-destruct, rather than be taken by the IKS without him at the helm. Although his remaining crew joined the IKS, the mighty battleship was not taken.

The B model saw the production of 153 new hulls along with the conversion of 172 A models. 3 are listed as missing, 29 have been destroyed, 5 have been scrapped and 1 was captured by the Romulans. 60 were traded to the Romulans; 100 were converted to C models and 127 were converted to D models.

The B remained successful for almost 4 years before technological and political needs required yet another upgrade to keep the popular design at the forefront of destroyer commands. The Type C mounted the massive KIF-2 drive, which nearly doubled the already powerful impulse output and the KP-4 torpedo. With in hours of the successful design tests, the Type C was rushed into production. More powerful than several cruiser designs, the Type C was again, more popular than it predecessors. But the C, like so many popular designs, suffered significant cutbacks after the destruction of Praxis. The K’Teremny construction project was nearly halted completely for two years, before being re-initiated in 2295. Production of starships, at an all time low, would not increase until 2301. By then, the Empire had to consider combat with new political enemies.

The Empire eventually fielded 278 D-30Cs, including 178 new builds. 9 were destroyed, 1 was scrapped, 5 were sold to Naussican forces, 5 were sold to private interest in the Triangle, 5 were traded to the Orions and 10 are in the service to Ranking Families of the Empire. 118 were converted to D models and 125 were converted to E models.

The D, intended as a next-generation high survivability version of the D-30, suffered immediately from major computer problems that often crippled the destroyer during test combats. By years end, one test bed had been lost and the other was being retooled. The addition of more weapon emplacements and stronger shields was simply too great for the design. In the end, the D model same the updating the main torpedoes. Plans to continue production of the C and D simultaneously were eventually cancelled, and the slightly more combat efficient Type D became the dominant model. Production of the D models continued for several years after the introduction of the E model. 201 new D-30D were eventually built, bringing the total number commissioned to 466. Of those, 2 are listed as missing, 11 have been destroyed and 2 have been scrapped. 5 have been captured (2 by Cardassians, 2 by Romulans and 1 by an Andorian expedition); 50 are in reserve fleets, 5 are used by Ranking Families in the Empire and 371 have been converted to E models.

The Type E was the shortest production run for the destroyer, with over 115 new E models built. The E model used the newly inventoried KD-16. Not as powerful as earlier heavy weapons, the KD-16’s extended the range of the destroyer combat effectiveness and allowed the installation of the more powerful KP-10 torpedo. Also installed was the stronger KSS deflector shield system. The D-30E was the last main-line construction model of the popular destroyer. Of the 611 commissioned, 1 is listed as missing, 18 have been destroyed, 3 have been scrapped and 4 have been captured (2 by the Romulans and 2 by Cardassian forces). 50 older refit models were placed in reserve fleets and 2 are used by Ranking Families in the Empire. 533 were converted to F models.

Only 100 F models were originally scheduled to be commissioned; however, the attack on Narendra III was a severe blow to Klingon nationalism. While relations with the Federation had remained cool at best, the loss of the Federation flag ship Enterprise in defense of the colony again polarized the Empire into action. Construction and upgrading of many of the Empire older vessels took on a new urgency. The D-30F saw a massive refit to nearly every on-board system. By 2356, all D-30s had been refit to the new configuration.

533 F models were commissioned. They would continue to serve with the Empire against the Cardassians, Romulans, and eventually against the Dominion. Currently, 122 D-30Fs remain in active service, although most are scheduled to be replaced soon. 7 are listed as missing, though most of these are believed to have been destroyed during the Dominion War. 152 have been destroyed, 14 have been scrapped and 11 were captured (3 by Romulan forces, 8 by Dominion forces). 200 are currently in reserve fleets.