upgrade design by Andrew Probert; stats from Klingon Ship Recognition Manual, 2nd Edition, FASA, design by Forest G. Brown
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation: Empire-wide use
Data Reliability: B
Major Data Source: Klingon Sector Intelligence
One of the most venerable and numerous vessels in the Klingon inventory, no other vessel exemplifies the Klingon Empire like the D-7 Cruiser. In production for over 90 years, the D-7 has had more variants and modifications than any other starship in known space. Shortly after the introduction of the D-7s, designers began to realize that the massive and bulky KWE-3 drive system was limiting the combat capabilities of the venerable vessel. The massive coolant tanks and control systems required by the KWE drive forced the empire to underpower the impulse drive and limited interior spaces allowed for computer components and shield systems. Although the D-7 had been successful as a weapons platform, talk of retiring the class was soon in the forefront of military planning sessions. The Drell Corporation, initial designers of the D-7, fought vehemently to counteract the sudden lust for the Bird of Prey classes of vessel, and in 2275, finally made the concession to reduce the main drive bulk to accommodate a larger impulse drive. The benefits were immediate, and breathed new life into the D-7 production. Coupled with a lighter drive, the enlarged impulse drive, enlarged computer, and strengthened shields all brought the D-7 up to comparable levels with both Federation and Romulan cruisers.
In early 2277, the first D-7Ts were completed and immediately began service as command vessels for combat squadrons. Later, in 2278, the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council personally bought a D-7T, naming it after the home-world and using it as his personal flagship. This trend would continue for nearly 50 years, with venerable vessels passing from one chancellor to the next. None the less, the new equipment was expensive and time consuming to install, and production of the D-7 was cut nearly in half. By 2280, the production rate was down to 15 per year, and would never again return to the high “war” production levels.
Design work would continue during the early 2280’s with the eventual launch of the D-7U. The D-7U improved the impulse drive and shield technologies, giving the D-7 equal footing against Romulan vessels. Several designers also began looking at new ways to increase the boundaries of the Empire in an attempt to stave off the still necessary peace accords. The scientific and exploratory successes of the D-9 class spurred designers to increase the science base of the D-7, reducing the number of troops and their support network. By 2287, an even more improved version, the D-7V was under construction. The D-7V used the experimental ZD-9 computer, which had not yet been successfully tested on so light a vessel. Fears that the computer would overpower the onboard systems proved unfounded, and the D-7V was rushed into production. The D-7V was the first cruiser to use the new KIF-2 drive system, which provided more power then the smaller KIE-2. Also incorporated in the design was the new KSQ shield system, which was finally delivered some 10 years after the KST. The most dangerous new system incorporated in the D-7v was the new KP-8 Torpedoes. Although requiring the same power as the KP-6, the KP-8 had better range and were easier to produce and repair, extending the striking range of the D-7. The D-7V would continue in production, until 2293. In 2293, after the destruction of the Klingon moon of Praxis, Klingon production of warships fell dramatically, and upgrades of existing ships and designs became a massive priority for the now cash stricken empire. Despite possible peace accords with the Federation, increasing tensions with the Romulan Empire forced Klingon designers to continue research into starship design.
Even with it’s need, it was not until 2295 that the Klingon Empire was able to produce a new variant of the D-7.The D-7W was first proposed as a massive improvement to the current D-7V. The D-7W became the center piece of the Klingon military efforts, with construction boosting to nearly 10 per year. The D-7W was considered the perfect medium cruiser, armed with KD-17, capable of increasing the striking distance of the D-7 from 200,000 to 240,000 km. The D-7X, one of the last variants of the D-7 to be produced, incorporated the devastatingly powerful KP-11 torpedo system, giving the D-7X the equivalent firepower of vessels twice it’s size. None the less, the D-7 is now considered a light cruiser, even in the Klingon inventory. The D-7W and the remaining D-7 variants have all become highly automated, reducing crew compliments by 1/3. The D-7W has no troop compliment, opting for improved sensor equipment and new safety features incorporated from Federation/Klingon technology exchanges. The D-7 is still in production at Fonwal and Iosha at a rate of 8 per year. This rate is expected to drop slowly, unless new resources are found to supplement current production facilities. Of the 400 D-7s recently built, 304 remain in active service, most currently on patrol duty within the empire or near Romulan space. To date, 10 Ts, 7 Us, 8 Vs, and 6 Ws have been destroyed. 4 Ts, 2 Vs, 1 W, and 3 Xs are listed as missing, most believed lost in battle. 3 Ts and 5 Vs have been scraped due to various natural encounters, and 18 Ws, and 10 Xs have been scraped after combat encounters. 2 Ts, 10 Ws, and 1x are used as training vessels. 2 Ws and 1 X are listed as captured. 2 Ts and 1 V were sold to interests outside the empire. The D-7T is named for the Klingon “K’t’ may’moH” which translates to Bringer of Battle. The D-7V is named for “K’t’ HajmoH” which translate to Bringer of Dread. The D-7W is named for “K’t’GhlimoH” which is translated as Bringer of Judgment. The Klingon designation for the D-7X has not yet been discovered, although the class is though to be called the Bringer of Power.