Starfleet Command issued a request to the major fleet yards in 2353 for a design and engineering specifications for a new Heavy Cruiser to supplant the Excelsior and Ambassador Class starships as the primary instrument of Federation defense. The production contract was awarded to the New Aberdeen Fleetyards in the Aldebaran system, with the now infamous Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems as the primary engineering firm. Starfleet Command requested, specifically, a smaller, more heavily armed and most importantly quicker constructed vessel than the Ambassador Class, without sacrificing firepower or shielding.



This stipulation was no small request, as the Ambassador Class vessel was by far the most heavily armed and armored vessel Starfleet could field at the time. She was also the largest class in Starfleet history, until the launch of the Galaxy Class, and was also the most crew intensive in service.

The first test hull, now dubbed the USS Akira by the development team after the project name, was laid in 2356 and basic compartmentalization was completed two years later, when the Consolidated Fusion Inc. M/ARA core and nacelle structure was installed. Due to the unique configuration of the hull, along with the layout of the deckspace, which was unique compared to the Ambassador, Merced, Excelsior, and most other vessels of its classification, the standard General Propulsion Mark VI Impulse Plant and Malkinalis 8.5 M/ARA warp core used in the upgrades on the Excelsior Class and the Merced class Frigate, the standard Impulse and M/ARA configuration at the time, had to be abandoned (as it would later with the Steamrunner Project). The Akira hull, assigned the registry NX 62497, launched from the New Aberdeen fleetyards in the spring of 2358 for warp core testing.

At the time of her warp core and engine testing, she was unarmed, with plans for Type VIII phaser arrays planned for deployment aboard the class, along with two photon torpedo launchers. The USS Spann Excelsior Class - NCC 3995 and the USS Zachary Miranda Class - NCC 2311 escorted the Akira hull from her berth to deep space for trials. The Akira hull did not reach Warp 3 before the safety cutoffs dropped the hull from warp - under emergency power, she was towed back to the New Aberdeen Fleetyards for review. Simulations could not determine the exact cause of the error. Two more tests gave the same results - the hull was decompartmentalized and the structural framework went into review.

After this in-depth analysis, the Akira project design team rejected Consolidated Fusion Inc.’s M/ARA and Impulse engine design, after three Time trials utilizing the CFI M/ARA configuration, strong and potentially damaging hull stress fractures occurred within the main structural network. It was determined that the warp harmonics generated by the Core was the cause of the damage, and the CFI M/ARA unit was scrapped (the design was later picked up by the Steamrunner project). The Project Akira hull, along with its two half-completed sister ships were put into cold storage for nearly 5 years.

It wasn't until the development and widespread utilization of technologies found in the TPG Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Drive, by Theoretical Propulsion Group, that the Akira Project was revived. The new warp cores for the Galaxy Class utilized the latest in Plasma Induction and Warp Harmonic Control to create a stable, powerful warp core, and with Project Akira's unique hull configuration, was a must if the vessel was to see active duty. Project Akira took a new RamJet Mark I off of the assembly lines, updated it with the technologies developed by Theoretical Propulsion Group, which meant they had to abandon the traditional vertical warp core, instead using the horizontal mounting reminiscent of the Constitution-Refit class. The resulting configuration completely eliminated the shearing forces created by the warp core, while also reducing deuterium usage by nearly five percent in comparison to the original configuration.

To increase the combat efficiency of the Akira class, Yoyodyne propulsion systems lead designer Alex Jaeger proposed the addition of two additional torpedo launchers, each armed with 5 tubes, to be located both in the dorsal and ventral portion of the main dish hull and fixed to the forward firing arc. This would give the Akira class tremendous firepower in the forward firing arcs and could overwhelm even the vaunted shielding of the Cardassian Galor class battlecruiser, a vessel that clearly outgunned the Akira class before the redesign, and was a match for both the Excelsior and Ambassador class starship. With a total of 15 torpedo tubes, the Akira Class earned the distinction of being the first vessel in Starfleet history to rely on the Photon Torpedo, not the Phaser, as her primary armament. Further, the phasers were upgraded from Type VIII to Type X in mid-production - no Akira Class vessel ever entered service officially with anything less than a Type X phaser array.

NX 62497 left the New Aberdeen Fleetyard Facility in 2363 for final Impulse engine stress testing near Wolf 359, flanked by the USS Ottawa Excelsior Class - NCC 3299 and the USS Unification Ambassador Class - NCC 19995. Stress tolerances were well within expected levels, and the hull returned to Aldebaran for final interior compartment completion. The hull, named the USS Akira, had final compartmentalization completed on March 15, 2364 and took its final shakedown cruise through April 29, 2364 when she arrived at Sol system for its official launch. By the time the USS Akira entered into service in 2364, her sister ship, the USS Bejing NCC 62498 was nearing completion at New Aberdeen, with no less than 10 more hulls being prepared for construction at both the Utopia Planitia Fleetyards and the New Aberdeen Fleetyards.

At the height of production, the New Aberdeen Fleet Yards, the Balkinur Cosmodrome and the Atlas V Fleetyards of Deneb V were producing Akira Class vessels. Additional construction contracts were issued to the larger Utopia Planitia and the Antares V Fleetyards.

The USS Akira and her sister vessels were immediately dispatched to both the Romulan Neutral Zone and along the Federation/Cardassian Border. The Akira class was favored by many a Captain for being a durable and dependable vessel, thanks in part on being built using standardized Federation components already tested and deployed successfully in no less than three classes of vessels. With the advent of the Borg threat, along with increased tension between the Federation and the Cardassians, the Akira class was designated to more and more defense and patrol related duties, leaving the Nebula class to serve as the Diplomatic and Exploratory arms of Starfleet. Further, the deployment of the Kaneda Class Space Superiority Starfighter, mounting Micro-torpedoes and Type VI Shuttle class Phaser Emitters, extended the range of the Akira class and provided unprecedented sublight combat capabilities and intelligence gathering capabilities.

With Excelsior Class vessels taking staggering losses, and clearly outgunned when faced against Dominion Battleships, Starfleet reissued production contracts for the Akira class. It was a proven design, heavily armed for its size, and was well-suited for combat against Dominion Threat vessels. Production of the Akira class fell on Antares IV Fleetyards, Utopia Planitia, the Copernicus Fleetyard, and the newly revamped New Aberdeen Fleetyards, where production continues to this day. Several small modifications have since been made to the refit specifications on the Akira Class, including the addition of EMH technology in Sickbay and Ablative Armor to the nacelle and aft sail assembly, to further increase combat survivability.

After the war, most Akira Class vessels had their Fighter Wings transferred to fixed orbital facilities or ground based Starfleet or Allied Facilities to allow for additional cargo space and the addition of modular laboratories installed into the unused Hangar space. This gave the majority of the Akira class laboratories and, most of all, doubled the normal loadout of sensor probes, making the class a premier exploration vehicle with half of the crew and construction costs of a Galaxy or Sovereign Class Starship.

Each of the Pathfinders was to feature the major layout components and design structures. The Akira was a combat and modular Design study. The ground breaking work from this class of ship later help to produce the highly successful Nebula Class.

Primary Design Work

The Akira was to test the feasibility of Warp separation of a star drive section and saucer section. Strength was to be of paramount importance in this exercise which is why a dual secondary hull was used in the construction. Much break through work was performed, especially in Warp field remodulation during separation and later led to the perfected separation sequence of the Mass production vessels. Compared with the Active production vessels though the Separation sequence was vastly different, seen by the designers as more of a Escape Option rather than two separate functional starships. Unlike the Galaxy class which features a zero degree warp tolerance field to separate the ship where the warp field projects a speed surge in front of the ship in order to create a subspace buffer for the saucer section to decelerate, the Akira Class features a forty five degree warp tolerance field.

The Akira in essence drops the saucer at a forty five degree angle from the ship. Warp deceleration has, in later years been called a 'very uncomfortable experience'. The individual reason for this is inside the IDF generators which suffer from the lack of the Warp Engine power when the ship separates. Unable to cope with the Interial stress of dropping from warp, the IDF generators are under powered and leave a 'bumpy ride' until the saucer drops out of warp. This was cured in the Galaxy class with the zero degree warp tolerance field.

The Akira was also to be the test bed for the new combat performance systems currently found of the mass production vessels. New styles of Photon torpedo launchers and Phaser systems were tested on this class of ship. This starship was paramount in the development of the Type X phaser array, although much of the test bed work was carried out on the New Orleans class. It major contribution though was the rapid fire photon torpedo launching system developed especially for this class. Photon Torpedoes were still to that day considered to be the most dangerous of weapons currently in Starfleet's arsenal. Pre loaded torpedo's had been known to explode is starships and had been ruled out in favour of an auto filling system where the Torpedoes were armed by filling from antimatter storage pods. This though slowed the procedure of rapid launch down significantly.

As a precautionary measure in case of disaster the Weapons module was located on the aft section of the ship, away from major components such as main computers and more importantly, the Warp Core and antimatter storage systems. This Weapons module is fed by ejectable antimatter storage pods located in the aft sections of the secondary hull. As this class was to be a full production vessel, dependant upon its performance testing the design team left space for a secondary launcher in the Primary hull of the ship, however a fully operational launcher was not added to the class until the mid 2350's when mass production of the class was finally approved.

These tests pioneered the rapid fire torpedo and simultaneous launch system which went on to prove very successful in the Mass production classes such as the Galaxy, Nebula & Cheyenne and became the standard launch system until the innovation of the Tri Cobalt and Quantum Torpedoes.

Class Design Limitations

The Akira Class became one of the most successful Pathfinder classes in Starfleet's history. However there are dozens of design limitations. Most problems range from minor through to major. To go into all of the problems would be lengthy and pointless so we will look at one of the major problems that the Akira Class of ship has suffered.

The dualistical secondary hull has caused severe problems that have been addressed several time in the history of the class. There have been times that the Plasma Transfer from the Warp engine to the Warp nacelles has been severed on one side of the ship.

Throughout Starfleet history this type of problem has been dreaded by designers and thankfully this has only happened on five separate occasions in the entire of Starfleets history. One of the most notable occasions was the Daedalus class USS Bristol which was destroyed with all hands lost when such a failure occurred. Designers build in several major safety systems in order to warn the crew that this problem is about to occur, however there are times when unexpected situations will occur.

The Akira Class USS Tetsuo was the first ship of this class to register the problem in what has been called a miracle escape. The Tetsuo had been battle damaged on the Cardassian Border and with patch working completed began the long trek to the nearest Starbase for permanent repairs. It had taken heavy damage on the Port side of the secondary hull and engineers in their patching efforts had accidentally missed a fractured PTC. Travelling at Warp blowing a hole in the rear secondary hull. With the primary PTC lost and the secondary systems disabled in the explosion complete power loss occurred in the the port warp nacelle. The resulting distortion on the warp field and loss of safety systems sent the Tetsuo into a careening spin. In a final effort to drop the ship from warp, the MARA core was ditched into space as the crew were thrown around the ship.

The Tetsuo was in a serious state when it finally came to a stop. The crew over the next 12 hours inspected the damage caused. The Starboard side Structural latching system between Saucer and Stardrive had been severed completely with the mooring clamps ripped away from the saucer. Starbase Engineers were shocked the saucer had not been ripped clean away from the ship. Evacuation work began to clear crew members in the starboard secondary hull as there were other problems. With no Transporters the crew had to make their way through the severely damaged weapons module which had taken the full force of the warp core breach.

After much time the Tetsuo return to starbase after being towed back by three shuttles until the USS Galaxy and Farragut arrive to help. After full inspection by the Starbase Engineering team it only then transpired how lucky they had been to survive. It appeared that when the warp core was ejected from the ship it has immediately smashed into the Starboard Nacelle. Thankfully the strong construction of the the core it had simply bounced off the nacelle without going critical. If it had gone critical at minimum the Starboard secondary hull would have been destroyed and more likely the entire ship would have been destroyed.

The Tetsuo returned to active service after three year of refitting and Starfleet ordered all Akira Class vessels to return to base for retrofitting. A secondary backup of the safety systems was installed and a new auto feedback cut off to the core was installed.

2344: Starfleet issues a general design brief for a multi purpose Pathfinder vessel capable of Deep Space, Combat and diplomatic missions. The general idea is for a modular starship based around the Miranda and Centaur Design ideals. Two project briefs are handed to Starfleet for the Akira and Cochrane Classes. The Cochrane class is rejected by Starfleet. Permission for base designs are approved on the Akira Class.

2346: Starfleet view the Theoretical proposals for the Akira based on the Pathfinder parameters. After much deliberation in conjunction with the ASDB the Akira's primary Design is approved and briefs for the propulsion, computer, weapons and spaceframe parameters are sent out to Starfleet Design agencies for consultation.

2348: Propulsion Dynamic are approved and sent to the Jupiter Station for indepth study - Late in year MARA design is standardised for the Akira Class and follow up work is continued for the Galaxy Class. Spaceframe Design is approved by the ASDB and full specifications are forwarded to Utopia Planitia for designations - Utopia Planitia is currently full so Plans and briefs are designated to the Neo-Tokyo Yard in orbit of Venus. USS Akira Production begins with a projected 8 year turnover for the Prototype ship. Redesign on Saucer separation mechanisms returned to the Vulcan Construction agency for redesign work after concerns are raised within the ASDB with regards to Warp field dynamics.

2349: ASDB approves Saucer section separation mechanism. Design work on Galaxy Class Warp Coils are approved for modification onto the Akira Class. The official named Star Drive section nears chassis completion. Saucer section nears 30% chassis completion. Bolian Theorist propose a revolutionary Four-Lobed warp core for the Akira Class. ASDB consider this new design.

2351: Primary tests of the Saucer Separation prove successful. ASDB return the Four-Lobed Warp Core design to the Bolian Design agency due to Di-Lithium crystal geometry problems. ASDB do however authorise a ten year development programme for this new idea. Warp Core arrives from Jupiter station for initial fitting procedures. Primary and Secondary chassis's now at 100% completion. FTL Computer are delivered for fitting work.

2352: Work continues on habitat and out hull sections for USS Akira. Late in year Computer cores are activated and ship functions begin to be transferred from Station Control to ship control.

2354: Saucer section separation fails Review Two. Problems are found in the structural latching equipment and designers initiate a redesigning programme. Computer system now operating at 60% of maximum. System expected to become self aware within the year. Warpcore begins primary testing. Antimatter regulation control is found to be outside acceptable levels. Primary Magnetic containment malfunction found to be a problem. Star drive section near completion with final attachment of secondary navigational deflector array. Bridge module attached to Primary hull.

2355: Warp Core passes Review Three and it tested to 90% peak. Computer system fully self aware and umbilicles from the station are cut as the ship become self sufficient. Impulse systems pass Review Three and being autonomous low level power control. Secondary Back up Generators are shut down and become Auxiliary system control. Structural Latching system for saucer separation passes Review Three in a final test. Weapons testing module estimated to be delivered in by early 2356. USS Akira leaves Dry Dock for primary testing.

2356: USS Akira return to Utopia Planitia early in year with primary weapons module attached to the aft section of the ship. Warp Stress Coating is applied and USS Akira begins Deep Space assessments.

USS Akira returns to the Neo Tokyo Yards for final exterior markings and paint. On 22nd November 2256 the USS Akira is officially commissioned by Starfleet at The Neo Tokyo Yards during a brief Ceremony. Bridge Plaque is put in pride of place and Bolian Captain Jok Hk'ma takes command of the Akira from test Captain Jose Nasse. USS Akira is ordered to begin shakedown cruises estimate to last two years as testing of the Saucer Separation and weapons systems continue.

USS Akira Dedication Plaque Quote : "One vast force was released and, in seeking its ultimate goal, has flowed throughout the universe" - taken from the Manga Movie 'Akira'

Unlike the New Orleans Class, the Akira Class proved to be a very successful class of ship and was officially approved for mass production by Starfleet in the mid 2350's. Sixteen vessels were originally ordered by Starfleet as a one off production for pathfinder purposes and at this current moment there are 72 Akira Class starships in active Federation Service. Current production number total at this moment stands at 107 with a total of 35 ships decommissioned, lost or destroyed.

Three of the Mass produced Akira's were destroyed at the Battle of Wolf 359 while seven were lost during the Sector 001 Incident both at the hands of the Borg. The Akira's most recent battle endeavours have been during the Dominion war with nearly 22 of this class lost.

Commendable Mention

There are many Starships in the Federation however certain ships and their crews deserve special mention. The USS Thunderchild under the command of Captain Jaeger is one such case. Captain Jaeger, know affectionately by his crew as 'Nutty Ned', has been called one of the most unpredictable captains in Starfleet. His service record is far from exemplary with several Courts-Marshal brought against him. A brilliant tactician with an uncanny foresight, he has been one of the most commended Captains in the fleet, even with his poor service record.

To quote Commander Yi Cang, First Officer on the Thunderchild: "Captain Jaeger seems to simply get into the minds of his enemies and predict their actions before they even know what they are going to do. Thanks to him, I am still alive where our comrades on other ships are now no longer with us" Between 2270 and 2273 the USS Thunderchild has managed to survive 17 major altercations with the Dominion and the Borg and has been called 'the poxiest ship in the Fleet' by The Federation News Network.

Captain Jaeger himself has spoken on this subject to the Federation News Network. "What can I say. I have a good ship, a good crew and the luck of the devil"

Akira Class Overview
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