design by Morgan Donovan
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation: Empire-wide use
Data Reliability: D
Major Data Source: Project Grey Ghost; Romulan Sector Intelligence
The Romulan R-7 was originally designed as a much smaller vessel. However, the design was significantly scaled up in early 2276 to respond to the increased number of Klingon warships fighting along the shared Romulan-Klingon boarder. Designers reoriented the R-7 from a simple convoy escort to a far more dangerous heavy destroyer-escort. The design would go on to become on of the most powerful and dangerous class VII ships in the Romulan inventory.
The Type 1 incorporated a number of well established components as was armed with the medium RB-9 disruptors as well as a twin-tube forward torpedo launcher. The Type 1 was maneuverable and well loved by their crews. Production of the Type 1 continued well after the Type 2 was introduced, with both serving alongside each other.
The Type 2 increased the overall power of the vessel, but reduced its maneuverability. Designers increase the firepower with the introduction of the RB-12 and RP-5 weapon systems. Improved shielding also gave the R-7 excellent combat capability.
The final production variant, the Type 3, increased several systems, most notably the main computer and primary torpedoes. An enlarged impulse drive provided sufficient power to keep the R-7 in the forefront of operations well into the 2300’s.
The design proved problematic, though, with numerous limitation cropping up in the late 2310’s. While the designs heavy firepower was well loved, maintenance and operation costs far exceeded other front-line vessels. The R-7 have little science or research capability, having been designed to escort such ships. By 2320, designers realized that a quantum-singularity drive could not be installed on the R-7. The rarity of pure dilithium within the empire meant the R-7’s days were numbered. The class was finally retired and placed in reserve fleets in 2347.
Records indicate that over 200 R-7 entered service. 2 Type 1s, 6 Type 2s and 3 Type 3s have been destroyed. 3 Type 2s and 2 Type 3s are listed as scrapped. 1 Type 3 is reportedly missing. 71 Type 1s were converted to Type 2s and then to Type 3s. 48 Type 2s were converted to Type 3s. The class is named after a Romulan bird of prey so visually similar to the Terran Harrier that some believe it may have been transplanted by the Preservers, although this has not been confirmed.
| Construction Data: | |||
| Model – | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 |
| Ship Class – | VII | VII | VII |
| Date Entering Service – | 2284 | 2287 | 2299 |
| Number Constructed – | 73 | 57 | 77 |
| Hull Data: | |||
| Superstructure Points – | 20 | 19 | 19 |
| Damage Chart – | C | C | C |
| Size: | |||
| Length – | 127 m | 127 m | 127 m |
| Width – | 96 m | 96 m | 96 m |
| Height – | 44 m | 44 m | 44 m |
| Weight – | 98,338 mt | 98,508 mt | 98,868 mt |
| Cargo: | |||
| Total SCU – | 180 SCU | 220 SCU | 220 SCU |
| Cargo Capacity – | 9,000 mt | 11,000 mt | 11,000 mt |
| Landing Capacity – | None | None | None |
| Equipment Date: | |||
| Control Computer Type – | R4M | R5M | R5M-1 |
| Transporters: | |||
| Standard 9-person – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Combat 20-person – | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Emergency 20-person – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cargo – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cloaking Device Type: | RCC | RCC | RCC |
| Power Requirements: | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Other Data: | |||
| Crew – | 182 | 214 | 214 |
| Troops – | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Passengers – | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Shuttlecraft – | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Engines And Power Data: | |||
| Total Power Units Available – | 42 | 50 | 55 |
| Movement Point Ratio – | 3/1 | 4/1 | 4/1 |
| Warp Engine Type – | RWD-1 | RWD-2 | RWD-2 |
| Number – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Power Units Available – | 16 ea. | 20 ea. | 20 ea. |
| Stress Chart – | O/O | O/Q | O/Q |
| Max Safe Cruising Speed – | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 |
| Emergency Speed – | Warp 8 | Warp 8 | Warp 8 |
| Impulse Engine Type – | RIE-1 | RIE-1 | RIE-2 |
| Power Units Available – | 10 | 10 | 15 |
| Weapons And Firing Data: | |||
| Beam Weapon Type – | RB-9 | RB-12 | RB-12 |
| Number – | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Firing Arcs – | 2 f/p, 2 f/s, 1 a | 2 f/p, 2 f/s, 1 a | 2 f/p, 2 f/s, 1 a |
| Firing Chart – | W | W | W |
| Maximum Power – | 6 | 9 | 9 |
| Damage Modifiers: | |||
| +3 | (1-8) | (1-10) | (1-10) |
| +2 | (9-16) | (11-15) | (11-15) |
| +1 | (17-20) | (16-20) | (16-20) |
| Torpedo Weapon Type – | RP-4 | RP-5 | RP-7 |
| Number – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Firing Arcs – | 2 f | 2 f | 2 f |
| Firing Chart – | P | R | R |
| Power to Arm – | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Damage – | 12 | 15 | 20 |
| Shield Data: | |||
| Deflector Shield Type – | RSK | RSP | RSP |
| Shield Point Ratio – | 1/2 | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| Maximum Shield Power – | 14 | 18 | 18 |
| Combat Efficiency: | |||
| D – | 88.6 | 105.2 | 109.7 |
| WDF – | 45.0 | 61.8 | 67.8 |