Vor'cha class

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.

See mirror universe starships for the mirror universe counterpart of this class vessel.

Vor'cha class
Port quarter view Port quarter view
Affiliation:	Klingon Empire
Type:	Attack cruiser
Active:	24th century - 26th century (alternate timeline)
Length:	481 m
Decks:	26+
Speed:	Warp 9.5+
Armament:	Disruptor cannons, disruptor emitters; photon torpedo launchers
Defenses:	Deflector shields, cloaking device

The Vor'cha-class attack cruiser was one of the largest and most powerful mainstays of the Klingon Defense Forces during the mid- to late-24th century. As such, many saw action in the Dominion War.

Contents 1 History 2 Technical data 2.1 Physical arrangement 2.2 Power systems 2.3 Tactical systems 2.4 Cloaking device 3 Interior design 3.1 Main bridge 3.2 Ready room 3.3 Armory 3.4 Engineering 3.5 Computer room 3.6 Command quarters 4 Ships of the class 5 Appendices 5.1 Appearances 5.2 Background 5.2.1 Origins 5.2.2 Technical Manual 5.3 Additional reading

[edit] History

The Vor'cha-class attack cruiser first appeared prior to 2367. Initially, limited to the disposal of the Klingon Chancellor and various other ranking officials, the class would eventually become fully integrated into the Klingon Imperial Fleet over the next five years.

For a time, one even served as the flagship of the Imperial Fleet, until the Negh'var-class battleship was introduced in 2371. (TNG: "Reunion"; DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")

At least one Vor'cha-class entered the Gamma Quadrant through the Bajoran wormhole. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae")

Despite the fact the class was no longer the flagship of the Imperial Fleet, they maintained a strong presence during both the Klingon-Cardassian War and second Federation-Klingon War of 2372-2373. They were used during the First Battle of Deep Space 9 and, later that year, several were used to deploy a minefield around Bajoran space. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior", "Sons of Mogh")

The class later served as capital ships during the Dominion War, beginning in 2374. They saw action during Operation Return, the First and Second Battles of Chin'toka and the final showdown of the conflict, the Battle of Cardassia. (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")

In an alternate timeline, at least one Vor'cha-class cruiser participated in the Battle of Procyon V. (ENT: "Azati Prime")

[edit] Technical data

The Vor'cha-class was one of the more powerful ships in the Klingon Defense Forces. Comparable in size to the Federation Excelsior-class starship or the Cardassian Empire's Galor-class cruiser, it was also one of the largest, carrying a formidable armament and demonstrating great maneuverability considering their relative size.

[edit] Physical arrangement

The outboard plan of the Vor'cha design incorporated the same basic shape and classic avian design lineage dating back over two hundred years to the Raptor-class scout, and to a lesser degree the D5 class battle cruiser.

The bridge module was separated from the main body by a thin neck that flared out into the wings, which contained the warp nacelles. The secondary hull was composed of duranium alloy. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae")

[edit] Power systems

The reactor core powering the Vor'cha-class was located on deck 26. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae")

[edit] Tactical systems

Heavily armed, Vor'chas were mounted with a heavy forward disruptor cannon and numerous secondary disruptor beam emitters. (TNG: "Redemption"; DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")

According to a line cut from "Redemption", a Vor'cha had twice the firepower of a Bird-of-Prey.

Interestingly, fire from the forward cannon has taken several different forms. The first time a Vor'cha was shown firing its primary weapon, the "bolt" appeared and acted more like some sort of torpedo. Latter episodes have shown it as either "bolts" and continuous "beams". It is unknown if the disruptor types used are the type-3 disruptors mentioned in Star Trek Generations.

[edit] Cloaking device

These vessels also incorporated, like all Klingon starships of the time, the ever-present cloaking device, which protected them from detection in most evasive situations. (TNG: "Reunion"; DS9: "Sons of Mogh")

[edit] Interior design

[edit] Main bridge

The design of the main bridge of a Vor'cha' shared numerous similarities to both its Romulan and Federation starship counterparts.

Located in the front of the bridge, against the forward bulkhead, was the ship's main viewscreen. The command chair was located in the center of the bridge, and had the ability to swivel 360 degrees, allowing the captain to visually monitor all bridge operations. At the rear of the bridge were several aft stations, including the tactical position. (TNG: "Redemption II")

[edit] Ready room

The ready room aboard a Vor'cha was designed to emphasize the prestige and prowess of the ship's captain. Along the walls, the captain displayed weapons and trophies. (TNG: "Redemption")

[edit] Armory

The armory was located in the upper half of the ship. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae")

This episode suggests that it was located somewhere between Deck 5 and 12.

[edit] Engineering

The main engineering section of the ship, which contained the reactor core, was located on Deck 26. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae")

[edit] Computer room

The computer room was typically a small, unmanned room, filled with computer consoles and equipment. The computer room allowed unobstructed access to the defense system database, as well as the computer core diagnostic and navigational control systems. (DS9: "Sons of Mogh")

[edit] Command quarters

The command quarters was a large cabin intended to house visiting generals or dignitaries. The walls were emblazoned with weapons and decorative banners of the Empire, denoting the occupant's rank or position. There were several movable chairs and tables located in the center of the room. (TNG: "Reunion")

[edit] Ships of the class

Named

• IKS Bortas
• IKS Drovana
• IKS Maht-H'a
• IKS Qu'Vat
• IKS Toh'Kaht
• IKS Vor'nak

Unnamed

• Unnamed Vor'cha-class starships

[edit] Appendices

[edit] Appearances

[edit] Background

[edit] Origins

The Vor'cha-class attack cruiser was designed by Rick Sternbach and built by Greg Jein. It first appeared in TNG's "Reunion", and was first identified by name in the Star Trek Encyclopedia. It was eventually referenced by name in DS9's "The Way of the Warrior," "Return to Grace", "Sons of Mogh," and "Tacking into the Wind."

According to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, the design of the Vor'cha-class ship was meant to illustrate the marriage of Klingon and Federation technologies, with engines reminiscent of those of 24th century Starfleet vessels and a color scheme somewhere between the dark green of the Bird-of-Prey and the light gray of the USS Enterprise-D.

The model for the future Klingon attack cruiser seen in "All Good Things..." incorporated many facets of the Vor'cha-class ship. That model later appeared in many episodes of DS9 as the Negh'Var-type.

According to the scripts for "Aquiel, "The Chase," "Dramatis Personae," and "Crossover", the Klingon Bird-of-Prey was intended to be used, but changed to a Vor'cha before production.

[edit] Technical Manual

The following information of specifications and defenses comes exclusively from the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual:

• Production Base: Qo'noS Orbital Factory Base
• Accommodation: 1,900 plus flight crew and troops
• Power Plant: One matter/antimatter warp system; two impulse system
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 481.32 meters
  • Beam: 341.76 meters
  • Height: 106.87 meters
• Mass: 2,238,000 metric tons
• Armament: Eighteen ship-mounted disruptor cannons; one large forward disruptor; three torpedo launchers
• Performance: Warp 9.6

Finally, while the Technical Manual itself is not canon, it is a Memory Alpha permitted resource.

[edit] Additional reading

• Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz & Robert Bonchune. Star Trek: Starship Spotter. New York: Pocket Books, 2001. ISBN 074343725X