Sutherland Class
History
Torpedo Launcher: 6
- 2 forward, beside deflector
- 1 rear, below central impulse
- 2 burst fire located on pod
Designed as a direct successor to the venerable Nebula class cruiser, the Sutherland class’ design brief was slightly different than that of her predecessor. Whereas the Nebula became the jack-of-all-trades thanks to her size and modular design, the Sutherland would need to be a specialist.
The Reliant, Duderstadt, and especially Pathfinder classes would assume the mantle of generalist science explorer, leaving the Sutherland free to become a mobile research platform and deep space scanning array.
Sporting the latest sensor technology, combined with second generation bio-neural circuitry for her state-of-the-art computers, the Sutherland can process huge volumes of data quickly and accurately. Highly adjustable subspace transmitters also give the class unparalleled communications capabilities.
The new, more powerful warp nacelles were mounted lower and further aft of the primary hull, minimizing interference with the aforementioned sensor palates. And while the Nebula class before her would go on to offer quite a few modular upper pod options, the Sutherland would initially have only two: A round sensor / communications suite, or a larger triangular pod containing sensors, extra weapon mounts, and a strategic operations bay for special ops.
This specialization means that while capable of defending herself, ships of this class are often found with escorts, especially in any situation where conflicts are likely to arise. This is where the Sutherland was first to field another innovation: synchronization of the escort ship’s computer systems with her own.
This system allows the escort to operate unmanned if need be, and the escort’s targeting system can be enhanced with the Sutherland’s more advanced sensors. This idea would eventually be scaled up to command ships could remotely control an entire fleet.
The design process began in the mid 2370’s, while construction of the class prototype was originally scheduled for 2383. However, this project was shelved temporarily while Starfleet turned its attention entirely to hastily refitting the majority of her existing fleet and simultaneously construction of the Wallenberg class transport flotilla.
All of this was part of a massive plan to help the Romulan Star Empire relocate its citizens a safe distance away from the dying star at the heart of the empire. These altruistic actions were abruptly ended by the events of the Synth attack on Utopia Planitia and Mars Colony.
Starfleet, now in an extremely vulnerable position, chose to focus on development and construction of a fleet of defensive ships to shore up her borders and protect her people. Once a sufficient number of these defensive vessels were fielded, some attention was finally given to the scientific vessels that Starfleet prided itself on.
All of these innovations have led to the Sutherland class becoming the object of many struggles, with the admiralty seeing the vessel as an ideal flagship, while the various scientific bodies both within Starfleet and external civilian groups coveting the class as the last word for studying various astrological and geological phenomena.
Exacerbating this struggle further is the long and resource-intensive construction times required, with many of the ship’s impressive capabilities requiring components which cannot be replicated, and exotic materials that aren’t easily procured. Given Starfleet’s current ship-production capacity and the onus to build back a defensive force, it is unlikely that this dilemma will resolve itself anytime soon.