Caesar Class

The Caesar class was developed as an innovative type of research ships with the design objectives to replace the outdated and too small Oberth-class and Newton-class surveyors and also to take over some of the tasks of the larger Excelsior and Ambassador classes. Starfleet oftentimes regarded it as a waste of material and personnel when a large cruiser was sent to examine a region of space or a certain phenomenon, for which a small science vessel would have been sufficient in hindsight. The Caesar class has the smallest command, security and engineering overhead of all science ships so far and is exactly the ship type the scientific branch of Starfleet has been demanding from Starfleet Command for decades. Organizations that regularly hire Starfleet ships for science missions, such as the Daystrom Institute or the Archeological Society, were also pleased because they were expecting more freedom for their research programs on "less military" ships, as an undisclosed official is said to have expressed it.

The optional separation of the ship extends its possible range of research missions. The detachable saucer section is capable of entering the upper atmosphere of a gas giant and is equipped with independent and redundant sensor systems. The Caesar class uses modified versions of the Mediterranean-class warp nacelles, shortened by two sets of coils. The armament of the ships is moderate. There are two combined torpedo/probe launchers and seven type-7 phaser emitters.

When the huge and advanced Nebula class and Galaxy class were introduced in the 2360's, many ships of medium size with a broad range of scientific equipment, e.g. the Excelsior and Miranda classes, were withdrawn from heavy duty and became available for specialized scientific research missions. Thus, the scheduled series production of the Caesar class became dispensable and only 17 were built - considering that there was never a lack of personnel to hire for exploratory missions on the large ships. It is possible that after many Miranda class ships have been destroyed in the Dominion War and the last remaining ships will prospectively be retired in 2380, construction of the Caesar class will continue, probably with enhanced sensor and weapon systems. Since the design is already over 25 years old, there may be further upgrades, also to power and propulsion.

 

Gallery

 

Datasheet

 

Credits

Thanks to Lennier for his 3D model.

 

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