Based on the Prometheus class, then in development, this new ship would
not have the separation ablities of it's cousin. However, it would also have very limited
Science, Diplomatic, and Civilian facilities and population aboard. The Titan's weapons
and shield systems would take up the bulk of her internial volume. Taking advantage of
features like the quantum torpedos, Type-XII phaser arrays, and most advanced shielding
avaliable, the Titan class was destened to equal the Prometheus and became one of
Starfleet's premier deep space tactical ships.
The prototype ship used plans from the Prometheus project as a basis to
begin. Modifications were made to the design, removing all separation systems. Only the
saucer section's retractable warp nacelle was left. The designers intention was for this
to be used in extreme emergencies when the two primary nacelles were damaged or destroyed.
Weapon systems where slightly improved over the Prometheus. Eight torpedo launchers, two
Type-U pulse phasers, and no less then twenty Type-XII phaser arrays. Also improved over
the Prometheus class was shuttle bay space. The Titan only carries six shuttlecraft
compared to the Prometheus's eight, but she carries two runabouts and six Razor fighters.
However, what the Titan has in combat capabilities, she lacks in comfort for her crew. The
ship's crew quarters are comparable to those of the Defiant Class, cramped, however there
is room for Starfleet Marines in even smaller bunk quarters (20 men to a room using the
'hot bunk' sleeping arrangement). The only recreation facilities are the crew's mess hall
and a small holodeck. Sick bay is also small compared to most Federation starships and
science facilities are almost nonexistent.
At the end of the short but bloody Federation/Klingon war, the Titan
project was set aside, four days before the prototype was to have her keel laid.
Starfleet, seeing a war with the Dominion was unavoidable, began full scale construction
and refits of existing starships. Only a handful of new classes were given the green light
to continue development. This however didn't last, two months after the beginning of the
war, with the Federation and Klingons taken heavy losses, the Titan Class was put into
full scale production. Ten ships were ordered, even before the spaceframe for the
prototype USS Titan was complete.
During construction, several problems arose in the class. Most serious was
a lack of power. Starfleet always knew 'more nacelles=more power usage' so two of the
ship's four original nacelles were dropped and the design modified. This however still
didn't give the needed power. Designers looked at two options, dual cores as in the
Carrier Class and the Trelinium core design in the Galaxy Dreadnought. The latter was
chosen since it would give a maximum power output while requiring least space. Other
problems surrounded the saucer section nacelle, joking referred to as the 'third eye' by
the design team. This nacelle, about 1/6 of the size of one of the ship's primary nacelles
couldn't seem to generate enough of a stable warp field for the entire ship. This was
never corrected before the first ten ships left Avalon Fleet Yards to join the battle
fleet, but several ingenious ideas by the Chief Engineers of these ships helped correct
the problem. These modifications are now standard in all Titan class ships.
Three Titan's were lost during the war. Two were destroyed in battle and
one was lost when it tried to use it's third nacelle after it's primary nacelles were
destroyed. (This was prior to implementations of modifications to correct this problem).
No trace of this ship was ever found. One ship, the prototype, USS Titan stood out during
the war. In two separate engagements, the ship is credited with destroying twelve Dominion
ships on her own. She also took beatings of her own. Returning to Deep Space 9 after one
of these fights missing one nacelle, 1/3 of her Saucer Section, and running only on
emergency power, while loosing just 29 of her crew. She proved the class could not only
deliver the brute force intended, but could also take a pounding and yet return her crew
safely home. The USS Laffey, another Titan Class ship also stood out in the war, near it's
end, by saving the Starship Clemson after she'd been damaged by Breen weapons fire. While
covering the ship, the Laffey managed to destroy eight Breen, Cardassian, and Dominion
ships. Currently there are five Titans in Starfleet with two building per year though 2414
when building will stop.
A sad note to the USS Titan class's history. In 2378 the USS Titan itself
was lost while providing aid to a damaged Starship. The ship's crew took command of the
newest Titan class ship, USS Omega, while the next USS Titan was given to newly promoted
Captain Riker, former USS Enterprise XO. The new Titan is a Sovereign class vessel.
2372:
March:Starfleet issues a general design brief for a vessel
capable of combat and high speed. The general idea is for a modular starship based around
the basic design of the Prometheus (then testing), using the most up-to-date design
ideals and weaponry. One project brief is handed to Starfleet for the Titan class. The
design is approved.
May: Theoretical proposals closely resemble the Prometheus
class. Defense parameters are approved and the class is made into a working computer
model. Primary design is approved and briefs for the propulsion, computer, spaceframe, and
weapons are sent out to Starfleet Design agencies for consultation. New M/ARA design is
standardized for the class. Spaceframe Design is approved and full specifications are
forwarded to the Avalon Fleet Yards for designations. The scientific and diplomatic
sections were drasticly scaled back in favor of increased armament and power for weapons
and shields.
2373:
January: After a 7 month halt on design work, production begins
on the Prototype ship with a projected 1 year turnover. Quick turnover time because all
ship building facilities working triple time due to Dominion war. Standard turnover time
projected to be four years during peace time. Saucer nears 30% chassis completion as the
Engineering hull near 28%. Computer cores are delivered for fitting work.
March: Nine additionial ships begin. Prometheus Class primary
Nacelles approved for the class. Design flaw found in Saucer phaser power couplings and
corrected. Power levels found to be well below desired or even required levels. Work
continues on habitat and outer hull. Type-XII phaser arrays from the Galaxy Dreadnought
project integrated. Saucer near 100% completion.
July: Trelinlum core design from Galaxy Dreadnought project
found to deliver needed power and intergrated into design. Computer cores are activated
and ship functions begin to be transferred from Station Control to ship control.
October: Problems found in emergancy nacelle. No solid
solution found and the ship continues construction. Computer system now operating at 45%
of maximum. System expected to become self aware early next year. Warpcore begins primary
testing. Ablative Armor integrated. Bridge module attached to Primary hull.
2374:
February: Ship undergoes inspections and reviews. Warp Core
passes Review Three and is tested to 95% peak. Umbilical from the station are cut as the
ship becomes 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. The ship leaves Dry Dock for primary testing which lasts 3 months. Other
nine ships of the class building near Review Two Stage.
May: USS Titan returns to Avalon and Warp Stress
Coating is applied as is final exterior markings and paint. On 5, May 2374 the USS
Titan is officially commissioned by Starfleet during a brief Ceremony. Bridge Plaque
is put in pride of place and Captain Roger Waters takes command of the ship. Deep space
assessments cancelled, ship ordered to Starbase 375 to join 4th Fleet ships operating from
there against the Dominion. First combat action is the mission to retake Deep Space 9 from
Dominion Forces. Ship credited with 23 enemy ships destroyed, 12 on her own.
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