Type:

Fast Cruiser

Commissioned:

2336 - 2349

Dimensions:

Length:

443 m

Beam:

260 m

Height:

152 m

Decks:

23 excluding nacelles

Mass:

2,800,000 tons

Crew:

520

Armament:

6 x Type VIII Phaser arrays, total output 22,500 TeraWatts

2 x Standard photon torpedo tubes + 80 torpedoes

Defense Systems:

High capacity shield system, total capacity 1,647,000 TeraJoules

Standard Duranium/Tritanium double hull plus 0.4 cm High Density armour

Standard level Structural Integrity Field

Warp Speeds:

Normal Cruise: Warp 7

(TNG Scale)

Maximum Cruise: Warp 9

Maximum Rated: Warp 9.4 for twelve hours

Strength Indices:

Beam Firepower: 450

(Galaxy Class = 1000)

Torpedo Firepower: 250

Weapon Range & Accuracy: 755

Shield Strength: 610

Hull Armor: 140

Speed: 890

Combat Maneuverability: 2700

Overall Strength Index: 480

Diplomatic Capability:

Grade 4

Expected Hull Life:

50 years

Refit Cycle:

Minor: 1 year

Standard: 50years

Major: 25 years

Added Features:

The Niagara design was fielded shortly after the Ambassador class, and originally showed a high degree of commonality with that class. Then Engineering hull and Nacelles were closely based on those of the Ambassador, and the ship is fitted with Type 8 phaser arrays and a pair of photon torpedo tubes which, combined with its speed and agility, make it a formidable opponent in battle. The Primary Hull shows elements of the Ambassador design, but is also clearly a forerunner of the later Galaxy/Nebula/New Orleans family. Like all Starfleet ships its role is primarily one of peaceful exploration and diplomacy, and the Niagara has served well in these arenas. The ship is fitted with Grade 4 diplomatic facilities, and as such is capable of handling multi-planetary conferences involving several high level diplomats and their staffs. In the scientific areana the ships high average speed allows it to cover greater areas than would be normal for a ship of this size, while the sensor fit on commissioning was of a generaly more advanced type than that of the Ambassadors

In the mid 2360's the Niagaras, together with their smaller cousins the Freedom class, where refitted with Galaxy class nacelles in order to enhance their acceleration and turning ability, important to a ship which is more biased toward combat than most Starfleet ships