Ascension Class
History
Torpedo Launcher: 6 (4 fore, 2 aft)
Arrow Class: 6
Mustang Class Runabout: 4
In the wake of the Dominion War and other conflicts, Starfleet's approach to carrier vessels underwent a dramatic evolution. The war had proven the value of fighters in major combat operations, leading to the hasty deployment of makeshift carrier vessels like the Vikrant Class to support wings of Peregrine Class fighters. However, these stopgap solutions were showing their limitations, with increasing maintenance issues keeping them in drydock. While ships like the Akira Class could transport fighters, they lacked the capacity Starfleet desired.
In 2380, Starfleet greenlit the development of the Ascension Class, a next-generation carrier designed to address these shortcomings. Drawing inspiration from the Excalibur Class, the Ascension was conceived as a multirole vessel capable of carrying a significant complement of fighters and runabouts while also serving as a rapid response ship for humanitarian aid and exploration.
The design process was meticulous and comprehensive. The ship's massive frame, stretching 1400 meters in length, allowed for an expansive main shuttlebay that dominated nearly half the engineering hull. This cavernous space was transformed into a state-of-the-art flight deck, featuring an intricate network of maintenance bays, refueling stations, and a revolutionary multi-tiered launch system, enabling the deployment of fighter squadrons in mere minutes.
Power generation posed a significant challenge for a vessel of this size and capability. The engineering team opted for a dual warp core configuration, supplemented by a distributed network of fusion reactors. This setup not only met the enormous energy requirements but also provided crucial redundancy for deep-space operations.
Defensive systems were a top priority. The hull was reinforced with triple-layered ablative armor, while the shield grid incorporated regenerative technology adapted from Sovereign Class vessels. The Ascension boasts a considerable number of Type XII phaser arrays, giving it formidable defensive capabilities.
The Ascension Class was designed to be a formidable force in both space and ground operations. Its typical complement includes thirty-six state-of-the-art fighters, a variety of runabouts, and specialized auxiliary craft. What truly sets the Ascension apart is its capacity to carry a full battalion of Starfleet Marines. This marine contingent, complete with their own dropships, armored vehicles, and tactical equipment, enables the Ascension to conduct large-scale planetary operations, from peacekeeping missions to full combat deployments.
To accommodate its dual role as both a carrier and a marine assault ship, the Ascension's internal layout underwent extensive modifications. Entire decks were repurposed to create a network of specialized areas catering to both aerospace and ground forces. The ship features expansive pilot ready rooms and cutting-edge flight simulation centers alongside marine barracks, armories, and holographic combat training facilities. Tactical briefing areas were designed to accommodate joint operations, allowing fighter pilots and marine officers to plan coordinated air-ground assaults.
The computer core of the Ascension received a substantial upgrade to manage this complex integration of forces. It orchestrates not only the intricate dance of fighter launches and recoveries but also coordinates marine deployments, manages ground operation logistics, and processes real-time battlefield data from both airborne and ground units. This advanced system enables seamless coordination between the ship's various elements, from fighter squadrons providing close air support to marine units conducting planetary operations, all while maintaining the ship's own defensive and offensive capabilities. In future conflicts, the Ascension was anticipated to form a critical part of the fleet command and control structure, allowing flag officers to have a comprehensive tactical overview of a battlefield from a rear position.
Despite its primary role as a carrier, the Ascension Class was also equipped for scientific exploration and humanitarian missions. Its cargo capacity was equivalent to three Galaxy Class vessels, allowing it to transport massive amounts of aid or supplies. While its scientific facilities were slightly reduced compared to dedicated science vessels, they were still on par with the Nebula class, ensuring the Ascension could fulfill Starfleet's mandate of exploration and scientific discovery even as it stood ready to defend the Federation.