Despite the huge success of the Clarke Class, and plans to authorize the construction of more Miranda Class ships, the idea of a new and larger Frigate style starship is one that just refuses to die. The Guardian Class is, arguably, the most successful attempt at this so far, as the previous attempt (the Indefatigable Class) had been canceled after an initial order of only six ships.
The added internal volume offers this class room for more shuttle storage, giving them a shuttle fleet twice that found in a Miranda Class ship. Also, additional room for science labs and other exploratory facilities allows this class to take on missions comparable to Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers. Finally, the torpedo pod with four forward facing and four aft facing launch tubes (a style of pod which was first used on the Indefatigable Class, and also added to the Manhattan Class when those vessels underwent refitting) gives this ship a considerable tactical punch, in addition to offering room for the storage of significantly more scientific probes then is usual in a Frigate style starship.
In the end, after testing was complete on this class authorization was given to construct a total of twenty vessels. But with the impending authorization of the construction of at least fifty new Miranda Class starships, it is unlikely that further Guardian Class starships will also be ordered.
The legacy of the Guardian Class does not end here, however. When additional shuttle carriers were desired, rather then authorize more Courage Class starships, Starfleet decided to look into a new design based on extending the length of a Guardian Class hull and adding additional shuttle bays. The result would be the Shield Class.
The added internal volume offers this class room for more shuttle storage, giving them a shuttle fleet twice that found in a Miranda Class ship. Also, additional room for science labs and other exploratory facilities allows this class to take on missions comparable to Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers. Finally, the torpedo pod with four forward facing and four aft facing launch tubes (a style of pod which was first used on the Indefatigable Class, and also added to the Manhattan Class when those vessels underwent refitting) gives this ship a considerable tactical punch, in addition to offering room for the storage of significantly more scientific probes then is usual in a Frigate style starship.
In the end, after testing was complete on this class authorization was given to construct a total of twenty vessels. But with the impending authorization of the construction of at least fifty new Miranda Class starships, it is unlikely that further Guardian Class starships will also be ordered.
The legacy of the Guardian Class does not end here, however. When additional shuttle carriers were desired, rather then authorize more Courage Class starships, Starfleet decided to look into a new design based on extending the length of a Guardian Class hull and adding additional shuttle bays. The result would be the Shield Class.
List of Starships:
NCC-9060 U.S.S. Guardian
NCC-9061 U.S.S. Luna NCC-9062 U.S.S. Artemis NCC-9063 U.S.S. Diana NCC-9064 U.S.S. Usagi NCC-9065 U.S.S. Ami NCC-9066 U.S.S. Rei NCC-9067 U.S.S. Makoto NCC-9068 U.S.S. Minako NCC-9069 U.S.S. Haruka |
NCC-9070 U.S.S. Michiru
NCC-9071 U.S.S. Setsuna NCC-9072 U.S.S. Mamoru NCC-9073 U.S.S. Chibiusa NCC-9074 U.S.S. Naru NCC-9075 U.S.S. Gurio NCC-9076 U.S.S. Haruna NCC-9077 U.S.S. Motoki NCC-9078 U.S.S. Yūichirō NCC-9079 U.S.S. Serenity |