V-88 (Bloodwing) Class VIII Cruiser

design by Morgan Donovan

 
NOTES:
Known Sphere Of Operation:  Klingon & Triangle borders
Data Reliability:  C
Major Data Source:  Romulan Sector Intelligence; Triangle Sector Intelligence

The destruction of the Preator’s own flagship both shocked and galvanized the Romulan Star Empire. Even as the final report arrived on Romulus, designers and planners immediately set about designing a battlecruiser that would far outclass anything before it. Attempting to balance and improve the performance of the V-8, engineers created what would be known as the Bloodwing class of cruiser. Nearly two thirds again the overall mass of the V-8, the Bloodwing was more heavily armed and incorporated stronger shields. Designers also allocated sufficient space to include up to 160 ground troops and their equipment.

Seeming set to become the next significant class of Romulan starship, production was paused on the Bloodwing after only nine ships were commissioned. It appears that the V-88’s focus on being a pure warship quickly proved it’s downfall. The design was cramped, even for a Romulan vessel, and service aboard proved unpopular at best. Even though the V-88 was a powerful combat platform, the rush to field the ship meant that corners were cut. Backup and support systems were run through habitable areas and a number of secondary systems were not included. Sensors were also considered less than ideal although adequate for combat.

Even as production restarted and more hulls neared completion, the V-88’s speed and extensive support needs reduced the ship to a secondary roll in the Romulan Fleet. Reports indicate that the class was originally intended to have 100 or more hulls; however, production was ended after only 19 hulls were completed.

Most V-88’s detected seemed to have few if any ground troops aboard, with many vessels patrolling near star bases and deep space outposts. Only one has been confirmed destroyed in combat. One had been seen in the Triangle, but it is unknown if it is operating under the Romulan flag or was sold.
 

Construction Data:
Model Number — Type 1
Ship Class — VIII
Date Entering Service — 2268
Number Constructed — 19
Hull Data:
Superstructure Points — 22
Damage Chart — A
Size:
Length — 232.1 m
Width — 190.3 m
Height — 37.4 m
Weight — 100,425 mt
Cargo:
Cargo Units — 500 SCU
Cargo Capacity — 25,000 mt
Landing Capacity — None
Equipment Date:
Control Computer Type — R4M
Transporters:
Standard 9-person — 6
Combat 20-person — 3
Emergency 20-person — 3
Cargo — 3
Cloaking Device Type — RCC
Power Requirements — 15
Other Data:
Crew — 228
Troops — 160
Passengers — 5
Shuttlecraft – 6
Engines And Power Data:
Total Power Units Available — 44
Movement Point Ratio — 3/1
Warp Engine Type — RWD-1
Number — 2
Power Units Available — 16 ea.
Stress Charts — O/O
Max Safe Cruising Speed — Warp 6
Emergency Speed — Warp 7
Impulse Engine Type — RID-3
Power Units Available — 12
Weapons And Firing Data:
Beam Weapon Type — RB-9
Number — 4
Firing Arcs — 2 p/f/s, 2 a
Firing Chart — W
Maximum Power — 6
Damage Modifiers:
+3 (1-8)
+2 (9-16)
+1 (17-20)
Torpedo Weapon Type — RPL-3
Number — 1
Firing Arcs — 1 f
Firing Chart — T
Power to Arm — 8
Damage — RL-3
Torpedo Weapon Type — RP-3
Number — 1
Firing Arcs — 1 a
Firing Chart — Q
Power to Arm — 1
Damage — 10
Shield Data:
Deflector Shield Type — RSK
Shield Point Ratio — 1/2
Maximum Shield Power — 13
Combat Efficiency:
D — 90.5
WDF — 44.8