design by John Bandow
NOTES:
An Andorian design, the Belfast class was a joint venture between Choikis and M’Yengh to construct a compact and less expensive alternative to the new Constitution class. Through the use of extensive automation and miniaturization, the Belfast class was eventually commissioned in early 2248 and was immediately deployed to explore the frontiers of the Federation.
The Mk I was equipped with the reliable but under-powered FWE-1 warp drive system. Able to maintain it’s cruising speed for month on end when needed, the FWE system allowed the Belfast to move from assignment to assignment quickly. For three years, the Belfast continued it’s operations and was successful in dozens of discoveries and in support of a wide variety of missions with other Federation cruisers.
But in 2252, three Belfast cruisers participated in the Battle of Andromeda in the early part of the war. The Mk I’s heavy lasers and twin accelerator cannons made short work of the Klingon ships during the first volleys of the engagement. But the Belfast’s under powered nature meant that the cruisers were soon mauled along with a number of other Federation ships involved in the battle. Two of the three were destroyed and the third was later scrapped. Two more Mk Is saw combat during the war before the first Mk II was fielded.
The Mk II, three of which were launched in very early 2256, was immediately sent into combat as the war drew to a close. All three, now armed with the new phaser and photon torpedo systems, conducted independent operations for the remained of the war. After the war, the Belfast returned to it’s primary mission of exploration and research, with many of the remaining vessels sent to the expanding frontier.
The Mk III was launched in mid-2264 after an extensive impulse drive upgrade. Inclusion of the new trinary shield system and heavy photon torpedoes meant that the Belfast could operate in both an exploratory and military roll. But the Belfast’s cramped interior was now pushed to the limits. The few remaining Mk I & Mk II hulls that were converted to the Mk III design showed signs of stress and degradation in many of the main support structures. The decision to retire the Belfast was made in 2269. The last Belfast cruiser was withdrawn in 2273.
Of the 20 Belfast class cruisers launched, 4 Mk Is and 1 Mk II were destroyed. 2 Mk Is, 2 Mk IIs and 1 Mk III were scrapped. 2 Mk Is and 3 Mk IIs were converted to Mk IIIs. 10 are listed in reserve fleet. The Belfast was produced at the Andor, Ciat and Sol IV yards.
| Construction Data: | |||
| Model – | Mk I | Mk II | Mk III |
| Ship Class – | VIII | VIII | VIII |
| Date Entering Service – | 2248 | 2256 | 2264 |
| Number Constructed – | 8 | 8 | 4 |
| Hull Data: | |||
| Superstructure Points – | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Damage Chart – | C | C | C |
| Size: | |||
| Length – | 257 m | 257 m | 257 m |
| Width – | 46 m | 46 m | 46 m |
| Height – | 56 m | 56 m | 56 m |
| Weight – | 117,085 mt | 116,910 mt | 116,705 mt |
| Cargo: | |||
| Total SCU – | 155.4 SCU | 154.35 SCU | 154.35 SCU |
| Cargo Capacity – | 7,770 mt | 7,7.5 mt | 7,7.5 mt |
| Landing Capacity – | None | None | None |
| Equipment Date: | |||
| Control Computer Type – | M-2 | M-3 | M-3 |
| Transporters: | |||
| Standard 6-person – | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Emergency 22-person – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cargo – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Other Data: | |||
| Crew – | 296 | 294 | 294 |
| Passengers – | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Shuttlecraft – | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Engines And Power Data: | |||
| Total Power Units Available – | 19 | 29 | 32 |
| Movement Point Ratio – | 3/1 | 3/1 | 3/1 |
| Warp Engine Type – | FWE-1 | FWE-2 | FWE-2 |
| Number – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Power Units Available – | 8 ea. | 13 ea. | 13 ea. |
| Stress Chart – | G/K | G/K | G/K |
| Max Safe Cruising Speed – | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 |
| Emergency Speed – | Warp 9 | Warp 9 | Warp 9 |
| Impulse Engine Type – | FIC-2 | FIC-2 | FIC-3 |
| Power Units Available – | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Weapons And Firing Data: | |||
| Beam Weapon Type – | FL-4 | FH-3 | FH-10 |
| Number – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Firing Arcs – | 2 f | 2 f | 2 f |
| Firing Chart – | G | W | W |
| Maximum Power – | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Damage Modifiers: | |||
| +3 | (-) | (1-10) | (1-10) |
| +2 | (-) | (11-17) | (11-17) |
| +1 | (1-4) | (18-20) | (18-20) |
| Torpedo Weapon Type – | FAC-2 | FP-1 | FP-5 |
| Number – | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Firing Arcs – | 2 f | 2 f | 2 f |
| Firing Chart – | G | L | R |
| Power to Arm – | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Damage – | 10 | 10 | 16 |
| Shield Data: | |||
| Deflector Shield Type – | FSE | FSH | FSI |
| Shield Point Ratio – | 1/1 | 1/2 | 1/3 |
| Maximum Shield Power – | 9 | 12 | 13 |
| Combat Efficiency: | |||
| D – | 50.6 | 73.6 | 93.1 |
| WDF – | 7.4 | 20.4 | 33.6 |