design by Steve Bacon
NOTES:
The Daring Class was first proposed in 2290 as a heavy destroyer variant of the popular Miranda Class cruiser. The Daring mounted heavier weaponry at the expense of the standard scientific and exploration capability associated with the Miranda Class. The original launch of the Daring was reportedly delayed to ensure the design was kept state of the art. These ships were originally intended to use the new FWL-2 warp drive system. However, delays in mass production of the FWL systems meant the Mk I was fitted with the standard FWG-1 drive.
The decision to delay the launch of the Daring proved both a blessing and a curse for proponents of the class. The final design was not commissioned until well after the detente with the Klingon Empire following negotiation as Khitomer. As a result, it was decided that only the two hulls under construction would be complete despite initial plans for 20 of these powerful vessels.
When compared to the Miranda, and it’s frigate variant, the Avenger Class, the nacelles were fitted with an experimental armored variant of the FWG-1. Two additional megaphaser mounts were added to the Daring Class. The primary torpedo pod was also modified to include and improved defensive screen system to increase protection for crew assigned to the torpedo system.
In trials, the Daring Class outperformed the majority of other classes in fleet exercises. Both speed and firepower were clearly evident in the commissioned design. The gave the two ships of the Daring Class a level of prestige among those assigned to the Military Operations Command. The Daring was cramped, however, with nearly 50% less available space for recreation and crew comforts, even when compared with the Avenger Class. Enlisted crew were assigned to cohabitation barracks style spaces, rather than the more traditional dual or even individual crew quarters.
The Andorian designers of the Daring envisioned the design as a deep-penetration ship, operating independently behind Klingon lines in times of war. Following the Khitomer accords, the two vessels were assigned to the Romulan Border where their nearly complete lack of research and exploration capabilities did not prove troublesome. Despite eventual conflict with the Romulans, where both Darings proved effective, some felt that the design, like many other Star Fleet designs, were far too militant. Despite early calls for the retirement or retooling of these designs, both went on to prove successful against the Tholians and Cardassians and acquitted themselves well in action.
In 2343, both ships were scheduled for retirement when designers successfully petitioned for these ships to be granted a Service Life Extension contract. Both vessels were upgraded to the Mk III model and would go on to serve in numerous conflicts, including the Dominion War. The USS Daring herself was lost during that conflict. Her sister ships would eventually be retired and is now housed as the Starfleet Museum at Andor.
| Construction Data: | |||
| Model Number — | Mk I | Mk II | MK III |
| Ship Class — | XII | XII | XII |
| Date Entering Service — | 2293 | 2298 | 2344 |
| Number Constructed — | 2 | Refit | Refit |
| Hull Data: | |||
| Superstructure Points — | 54 | 54 | 54 |
| Damage Chart — | C | C | C |
| Size: | |||
| Length — | 237.51 m | 237.51 m | 237.51 m |
| Width — | 141.7 m | 141.7 m | 141.7 m |
| Height — | 66.91 m | 66.91 m | 66.91 m |
| Weight — | 202,785 mt | 203,025 mt | 202,302 mt |
| Cargo: | |||
| Cargo Units — | 422 SCU | 422 SCU | 422 SCU |
| Cargo Capacity — | 21,100 mt | 21,100 mt | 21,100 mt |
| Landing Capacity — | None | None | None |
| Equipment Date: | |||
| Control Computer Type — | M-8 | M-8 | I-8 |
| Transporters: | |||
| Standard 6-person — | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Combat 20-person — | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Emergency 22-person — | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cargo — | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Other Data: | |||
| Crew — | 367 | 367 | 367 |
| Troops — | 100 | 100 | 60 |
| Passengers — | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| Shuttlecraft — | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Engines And Power Data: | |||
| Total Power Units Available — | 84 | 84 | 84 |
| Movement Point Ratio — | 4/1 | 4/1 | 4/1 |
| Warp Engine Type — | FWG-1 | FWG-1 | FWG-1 |
| Number — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Power Units Available — | 26 ea. | 26 ea. | 26 ea. |
| Stress Charts — | D/F | D/F | D/F |
| Max Safe Cruising Speed — | Warp 8 | Warp 8 | Warp 8 |
| Emergency Speed — | Warp 10 | Warp 10 | Warp 10 |
| Impulse Engine Type — | FIG-2 | FIG-2 | FIG-2 |
| Power Units Available — | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Weapons And Firing Data: | |||
| Beam Weapon Type — | FH-11 | FH-11 | FH-18 |
| Number — | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Firing Arcs — | 2 f/p, 2 f/, 2 f/s, 2 a | 2 f/p, 2 f/, 2 f/s, 2 a | 2 f/p, 2 f/, 2 f/s, 2 a |
| Firing Chart — | Y | Y | Y |
| Maximum Power — | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Damage Modifiers: | |||
| +3 | (1-10) | (1-10) | (1-10) |
| +2 | (11-17) | (11-17) | (11-17) |
| +1 | (18-24) | (18-24) | (18-24) |
| Beam Weapon Type — | FMH-8 | FMH-8 | FMH-10 |
| Number — | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Firing Arcs — | 4 f/a | 4 f/a | 4 f/a |
| Firing Chart — | S | S | V |
| Maximum Power — | 20 | 20 | 28 |
| Damage Modifiers: | |||
| +3 | (1-8) | (1-8) | (1-10) |
| +2 | (9-14) | (9-14) | (11-16) |
| +1 | (15-16) | (15-16) | (17-21) |
| Torpedo Weapon Type — | FP-4 | FP-9 | FP-18 |
| Number — | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Firing Arcs — | 2 f, 2 a | 2 f, 2 a | 2 f, 2 a |
| Firing Chart — | S | R | S |
| Power to Arm — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Damage — | 20 | 28 | 28 |
| Shield Data: | |||
| Deflector Shield Type — | FSQ | FSQ | FST |
| Shield Point Ratio — | 1/4 | 1/4 | 1/4 |
| Maximum Shield Power — | 30 | 30 | 45 |
| Combat Efficiency: | |||
| D — | 241.2 | 241.2 | 261.2 |
| WDF — | 193.6 | 210 | 255.6 |