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Miranda class/Class Profile: Difference between revisions
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{{UP Class Banner|Miranda|Medium Cruiser|2283}} | {{UP Class Banner|Miranda|Medium Cruiser|2283}} | ||
For over a century, the ''Miranda'' class cruiser has served the Federation with distinction. Introduced to the fleet in 2283, her initial design incorporated many shared elements of the venerable {{c|Constitution}} refit of the 2270s. Yet from this modest beginning emerged one of the most versatile starship platforms ever employed by Starfleet. | |||
===Class Introduction=== | |||
The ''Miranda'' class was introduced in the latter half of the 23rd century to supplement Starfleet's aging fleet during the long-running Federation-Klingon Cold War. Even the iconic {{c|Constitution}}, which had undergone a refit in the 2270s, was nearing forty years of service when USS ''Miranda'' was commissioned in 2283. | The ''Miranda'' class was introduced in the latter half of the 23rd century to supplement Starfleet's aging fleet during the long-running Federation-Klingon Cold War. Even the iconic {{c|Constitution}}, which had undergone a refit in the 2270s, was nearing forty years of service when USS ''Miranda'' was commissioned in 2283. | ||
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By every measure, the ''Miranda'' class achieved these goals. Based on the ''Soyuz'' class frame, the ''Miranda'' class streamlined the primary hull and added a rollbar that gave her more firepower than her larger ''Constitution'' class cousin with a pair of pulse phaser cannons and four photon torpedo launchers. Yet even with this arsenal, she boasted impressive maneuverability for a cruiser thanks to her compact design. As the [[Klingon Empire|Klingons]] and [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulans]] continued to invest in agile light warships such as the deadly Bird-of-Prey, the ''Miranda'' class allowed Starfleet to answer these threats with what was effectively a heavy cruiser's complement of weaponry on the frame of a much smaller starship. | By every measure, the ''Miranda'' class achieved these goals. Based on the ''Soyuz'' class frame, the ''Miranda'' class streamlined the primary hull and added a rollbar that gave her more firepower than her larger ''Constitution'' class cousin with a pair of pulse phaser cannons and four photon torpedo launchers. Yet even with this arsenal, she boasted impressive maneuverability for a cruiser thanks to her compact design. As the [[Klingon Empire|Klingons]] and [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulans]] continued to invest in agile light warships such as the deadly Bird-of-Prey, the ''Miranda'' class allowed Starfleet to answer these threats with what was effectively a heavy cruiser's complement of weaponry on the frame of a much smaller starship. | ||
Rather than limit her versatility, the ''Miranda'' class's size was a testament to the efficiency of her design. While only three quarters the size of the ''Constitution'' class, she | Rather than limit her versatility, the ''Miranda'' class's size was a testament to the efficiency of her design. While only three quarters the size of the ''Constitution'' class, she possessed double the shuttlebay and cargo capacity. This enabled her to serve as both a front line patrol vessel as well as a cargo and personnel transport. | ||
After her introduction and success, the ''Miranda'' class frame became the basis for several variant configurations within the class. Over her long service life, she received numerous upgrades to her propulsion and tactical systems, allowing her to continue serving on the front lines during the major conflicts of the 24th century such as the Cardassian border wars of the 2340s and 50s, the Federation-Tzenkethi War, and the Dominion War. Although newer starship classes have since taken on her previous front line duties, the ''Miranda'' class continues to see service throughout the Federation as a support vessel, augmenting colony and outpost defenses, continuing transport runs, and patrolling trade routes in Starfleet's current anti-piracy effort [[Operation Safe Harbor]]. | After her introduction and success, the ''Miranda'' class frame became the basis for several variant configurations within the class. Over her long service life, she received numerous upgrades to her propulsion and tactical systems, allowing her to continue serving on the front lines during the major conflicts of the 24th century such as the Cardassian border wars of the 2340s and 50s, the Federation-Tzenkethi War, and the Dominion War. Although newer starship classes have since taken on her previous front line duties, the ''Miranda'' class continues to see service throughout the Federation as a support vessel, augmenting colony and outpost defenses, continuing transport runs, and patrolling trade routes in Starfleet's current anti-piracy effort [[Operation Safe Harbor]]. | ||