Chandley Class XI Frigate

from FASA Star Trek^© Starship Tactical Combat Simulator – Federation Ship Recognition Manual (2^nd Edition)

 
NOTES:
After the conclusion of the Four Years War, Star Fleet Command initiated the Strategic Forces Survey to evaluate every major operation of the war, from its conception to its final outcome. All aspects of these operations, starting with the initial planning stages, to the deployment of forces, their use during the operation, and the after-action requirements of those forces, were evaluated. The results of this survey have directly influenced plans made by Star Fleet Command ever since.

One of the weaknesses identified by the survey was that Star Fleet needed combat vessels carrying boarding parties or prize crews so that it could follow up a successful campaign with rapid and decisive blows against a retreating or routed enemy. Star Fleet warships did not carry marine assault teams, and, therefore, they were unable to board and capture enemy vessels or outposts. In many operations, Star Fleet vessels were held back so that their combined boarding groups could take control of disabled enemy vessels or outposts; this caused lengthy delays in follow-up operations and allowed the enemy to recover. To take enemy outposts, assault ships were called in, frequently a poor choice because they were slow, vulnerable, and usually carried too many troops for small operations. To solve this problem, Star Fleet began developing the frigate class of ships to carry marines trained to board hostile vessels and complexes. Of the several different ships with this design, the most impressive is the Chandley Class frigate.

On Stardate 2/1612, the USS Chandley, the first of this prestigious line of vessels, was commissioned. The Chandley not only met the requirements of being a deep-space fighting vessel but also could beam its 250 marines in less than four minutes. With this vessel, Star Fleet had the ability to follow up combat more efficiently. The Chandley’s large, wing-like assembly houses the company of marines, their equipment, training areas, shuttlebay, and the combat transporters needed. The marines are billeted by platoons, with each platoon having its own spacious training, mess, dormitory, and recreation areas. The training areas, located in the central core of the wing structures, are made up of modules that may be positioned to resemble the interior of enemy ships and installations, allowing assault teams to familiarize themselves with their intended operation area; this training technique is largely responsible for the high success rate in boarding actions. The training areas are also used for physical training and firing ranges. Each platoon has a recreation area containing a swimming pool, gymnasium, gravball chamber, and complete health facilities; these facilities are largely responsible for the notable successes enjoyed by marine sports teams.

Since its inception, the Chandley Class frigate has used the older FWC-1 warp drive system, an engine proven to be highly reliable. Though many ship designers have wanted to put newer, more powerful warp systems on the Chandleys, each time the power systems have been upgraded, it has been through improvements to the impulse drive system. Warp drives larger than the FWC-1 are more costly to run and maintain, an important factor that must be considered because of the relatively great expense required to keep a company of marines aboard.

The Chandley Mk II design merely increased the size of the marines’ storage cargo bays, but the Mk III changed the computer system, cargo bays, impulse drive system, and photon torpedo launchers. The computer was altered to the experimental M-6A for improved fire control, as the standard M-6 would not efficiently handle the increased capabilities of the FP-5 photon torpedo; the Chandley is the only class of ship in Star Fleet to possess this computer, as it has not been needed in other designs. The Mk IV design improved the shields; the earlier FSO shield generator was changed to the more efficient FSP. With this change, the Chandley Class frigate is one of the most powerful ships in known space. In all its modifications, it has gained a high level of respect from Romulan, Klingon, and Gorn commanders.

The Chandley is the only ship in Star Fleet named after the company that designed and built the class vessel. Actually, the company is owned by the descendants of Rear Admiral Thomas Chandley, one of the most-decorated naval heroes of Terran history. Chandley, an admiral in the U.S. Navy, is well known for his brilliant blockade of Soviet ports during the Aleutian Incident of 2003.

The first combat experience of any Chandley class vessel was considered a total success. While patrolling in the Gorn Sector, the USS Hanson (NCC 2309), received a distress call from a commercial freighter stating it was under attack by unknown vessels. Upon reaching the coordinates given by the freighter, the Hanson encountered two Gorn cruisers involved in a boarding action against a Liberty class freighter. When called upon to withdraw, the Gorn cruisers put up shields and opened fire. The Hanson made short work of the Gorn vessels, but the marine boarding parties found their task difficult at best, for they encountered Gorn marines who refused to give ground easily. Victory was won only after the Star Fleet marines gained access to the life support systems and shut them down. When the bridges of the Gorn vessels were entered, it was discovered that the entire bridge crew had committed suicide. Interrogation revealed that the ships had defected from the Gorn Alliance and were operating as renegades. The Hanson’s marines sustained only three deaths and 17 casualties during this spirited action; all units involved received Commendations of Valor. This was the first time a Gorn ship had been boarded by Star Fleet personnel; much of the current knowledge about the Gorn Navy stems from this encounter.

In another incident, this one occurring Stardate 2/1910, the USS Monson (NCC 2392), on a fact-finding mission within the Triangle, was overtaken by four Klingon K-23 class destroyers. At first, the Klingons merely scanned the Monson at a seemingly safe distance to its rear, but eventually two closed with the frigate, declared it had entered Klingon Imperial space, and demanded it heave to and prepare to be boarded. Finding himself well within the boundaries of the Triangle, and realizing that the Klingon demands were the prelude to an unprovoked attack, the Monson’s Captain immediately raised shields and warned the Klingons off. The Klingons attacked immediately, and the Monson returned fire. The Monson’s aft torpedoes hit the bridge of the lead K-23, causing it to veer off course and into the path of the other oncoming vessels, whose fire crippled their comrade. Seeing this as an ill omen, the Klingons immediately departed the area, leaving the crippled ship behind. The Monson approached the Klingon, accepted its surrender, and beamed aboard two marine platoons before the Klingon ship exploded, killing all aboard. An after-action investigation revealed that an unidentified device in the engine room had been touched by an unsuspecting trooper, initiating a critical overload in the matter/anti-matter mix chamber. The explosion was of low yield and caused no damage to the Monson. The device that caused it has never been seen or reported since, and it is suspected by Star Fleet Intelligence to have been a jury-rigged self-destruct unit.

Because of this incident, Star Fleet policy states that before marines board any enemy vessel, a complete scan will be made of the vessel to determine if the destruct systems are in operation. Only if the scan results are negative will the boarding operation proceed. If the scan is positive, the enemy will be given the chance to disarm any such devices, and should they fail to do so promptly, the vessel is to be disabled and the crew subjected to intense phaser stun. Only then will engineers and UXB personnel beam aboard to disarm the device.

On Stardate 2/2005, one of the most decorated frigates in Star Fleet, the USS Blackheart (NCC 2327), was reported missing while patrolling the Rimward Sector. A search was made, but all that was found was a communications buoy apparently discharged by the Blackheart. This buoy had only the partial message “…small object paralleling our course…no response on hailing freq…” The remainder of the tape was garbled, and portions had been intentionally erased. Star Fleet has no more information on the fate of the ship or its crew. The Blackheart is most remembered for the large black hearts painted on each of its lower wing assemblies; such painting is typical of Chandley class ships, making them easily distinguished on visual scan. The practice is thought to keep the crew’s pride in their vessel at a peak.

By 2286, 184 Chandleys had been built, with 63 Mk Is, 64 Mk Ills, and 47 Mk IVs remaing in active service. Two Mk Is were used by Star Fleet Training Command; 4 Mk Is and 1 Mk IV have been destroyed; 1 Mk I is listed as missing; 1 Mk I has been scrapped, and 1 Mk I has been sold to the private sector.

The Chandley class frigate was produced at the shipyards of Sol IV, Sol VI, and Andor at a rate of 4 Mk Is, 10 Mk Ills, and 14 Mk IVs per year.

Because of this incident, Star Fleet policy states that before marines board any enemy vessel, a complete scan will be made of the vessel to determine if the destruct systems are in operation. Only if the scan results are negative will the boarding operation proceed. If the scan is positive, the enemy will be given the chance to disarm any such devices, and should they fail to do so promptly, the vessel is to be disabled and the crew subjected to intense phaser stun. Only then will engineers and UXB personnel beam aboard to disarm the device.