Zephyr II Class XI Light Cruiser

Class design by Guidomc

 
NOTES:
The concept and design of they Zephyr II class of light cruiser was initiated shortly after the destruction of Praxis. The basic mission for the Zephyr class was to operate at farther ranges from support and conduct research near hostile boarders without the need for escorts or other support units. The Zephyr class is a Tellarite design, with much of the overall layout and equipment placement similar to a number of Tellarite ship designs.

The Zephyr class design used the now established Excelsior as it’s starting point. Designers had hoped to compete with the seemingly endless number of designs based on the Constitution and Enterprise classes; however, the design direction quickly focused on creating a light cruiser with the capabilities of an Excelsior class. To achieve this goal, designers centralized the laboratory facilities into two distinct on-board facilities. Each facility had access to it’s own set of sensors and support equipment which gave the cruiser the desired front-line research capability. Located in the primary hull, the space science laboratory facility had sufficient offices and research space to conduct analysis and with a full complement of science and support personnel. The space science labs were somewhat smaller and less extensive, yet were considered sufficient to perform nearly any deep space research mission. Zephyr class cruisers also had several large spaces in the primary hull that could be converted to research facilities when needed.

The Zephyr class was never designed to be a front line heavy combat platform, and it’s standard weapons load reflects this. Equipped with 10 primary and 4 secondary phasers, the Zephyr class utilized a third generation of the FH-3 main weapon system. Smaller, lighter and requiring less maintenance than most other combat systems, the FH-3 gave the cruiser the ability to engage other medium vessels when necessary. During military operations, the Zephyr class would serve as a heavy scout or destroyer, supporting heavier combat platforms.

Despite it’s under-armed nature, the Zephyr class, like many Star Fleet vessels, it saw it’s fair share of combat over the years. Several Mk Is saw action in the later half of the Romulan conflicts of 2310-11. Nearly every Zephyr class cruiser saw combat during the Cardassian-Federation war of the 2340s. The Zephyr classes ease of repair meant many were back on the front lines quickly. Despite this, the Zephyr classes under-gunned nature did restrict it to secondary combat roles. By the time of the Dominion war, most Zephyr class vessels were already scheduled to be decommissioned. However, the demands of the conflict kept nearly every vessel in operation. By wars end, the Zephyr class was still in operation as an exploration vessel, freeing other cruisers to participate in the conflict.

Although most Zephyr class cruisers are still in operation, the class is scheduled to be retired in the early 2400s, well past it’s initial operational timeline. While some have talked of a modernization campaign, Star Fleet Procurement has announced it will be selling several hulls to Federation member states. Of the 27 hulls fielded, 1 Mk I was destroyed and 1 Mk II was scrapped.