| History
of the Ane Ship in
Starfleet The following is a rough lineage of the Ane starship in Starfleet. Due to the Handicapped nature of the Ane they are seldom able to serve in a normal capacity on Federation starships designed with the needs and capacities of humanoids in mind. This noted, the Ane have expressed a desire to participate in Starfleet in a full capacity since its founding. This became a reality in 2260 with the launch of the USS Nia, a specially configured Constitution class ship. The Nia had on board new technologies that allowed telepaths to directly work the ship controls and robotic service and maintenance machines to aid with the inevitable problems. Since the Nia the "Horned Fleet" as it has been called has increased in number and capacity. While still a small part of Starfleet it is an active and important part. The Ane have never had more than 200 active ships out of the 40,000 that Starfleet fields. Ane participate fully in both the defense and exploration wings of Starfleet. They are one of the few guns and gentlebeings members of the Federation, being strong on defense and crawl in you lap friendly. Both the prefix USS, and ADF are used for Ane vessels. USS when they work under Starfleet command and ADF when directly under the Ane Confederation Defense Force. Neither prefix is painted on the hulls. Ane ships are not identified by an NCC number but by the class prefix (CA, CX, FF etc..) and their number. All Ane ships are painted translucent blue over the bare hull metal. A practice started with the Unity class. (The term "Blue Fleet" was already in use for the Andorian arm of Starfleet.) Ane vessels carry all Fleet banners otherwise. The Ane are also noted for using the finicky high efficiency warp drive system that requires a proactive level of control that to date has required sentient computers. Something else that Earth Humans cringe about and Starfleet was not comfortable with at the start. The twin core HE drives sip at the fuel and provide ships so equipped with a third more range than more standard warp drives. However like the highly tuned thoroughbred machines they are the maintenance cost is higher. Starfleet in its wisdom prefers the more antimatter guzzling, but far more stable standard system. Nia class heavy cruiser (CA)  2260 to 2288 The Nia class is a basic "Constitution" class heavy cruiser modified for Ane command and control. The exterior is unmodified as are the weapons and performance. All changes are to the deck layout and control systems. Bios were advanced even in 2260. The computer system was Dualtronic. While these four ships are not considered an unqualified success, they did prove the concept that Ane, with the proper equipment, could command and use starships. Their contribution was added to and expanded in further designs  Unity
class heavy cruiser (CA
later FF)2286 to 2376 This ship was the philosophical equivalent of the "Enterprise" class vessel. It has a slightly lighter tonnage, a slightly heaver power plant than the Enterprise class, and the first inclusion of the torpedo turret. Due to these factors it saw more use as a border patrol frigate than as a general exploration ship. In further construction and refits the preference for this use was continued to the point where the last Unity class ships in service are classed as frigates. Any trace of their former role as multi use ships has vanished. The design has proved amenable to repeated refits. The ships currently in service with planetary defense are every bit as fit as the day they were launched. This ship, and those types that follow were the first designed for Ane by Ane. They incorporated the HE warp drives of the first generation and the newly designed Crystalmind computers. 
Refit
programs:2310: A general refit and upgrade of ships systems. Only the first three Unity class ships underwent this program. 2330: All Unity class ships over 10 years of age were evaluated as to fitness for service and upgraded to the current technology. All ships regardless of age were refitted with G3 Crystalmind computers replacing the G1 units that were in use up to that time. Also included in this upgrade was the second generation of the HE warp drive developed in 2318  2360:
All Unity class ships were evaluated for general wear and
fitness for duty. This was the most extensive refit of the Unity
class vessels. The ship's profile was altered when the nacelles were
moved from the side by side position to the upper-lower position. 3rd
generation HE warp drives and cores were installed. Weapons
upgrades included the latest fire control, and collimator phaser
banks. The torpedo turrets were moved to the quartering position
instead of the cardinal points on the main hull. This arrangement
solved several problems with the ship's fire arc. At the time of
the 2360 refit all Unity class ships were designated as Frigates (FF)
and their registry changed accordingly. 2376: The remaining ships are declared surplus. All remaining Unities in service or in mothballs are refit for non-telepath command and control and turned over to Avaian, Koo and later Balmorian service. They are replaced by the Stingray class.  Emerald
class escort/destroyer (DD)2286 to 2310 This design is sometimes called the "token failure". With a mass at 70% of the Unity and only 60% of the power plant, it was not the fast escort and light cruiser envisioned. Only six were built, and after the first three were destroyed in run-ins with Orions in "Botock's Little War" the rest were relegated to in system defense until decommissioned. The idea of the light patrol ship was abandoned by the Ane. Emerald class ships were never refitted or upgraded during their service life. After "Botock's Little War", the three remaining Emerald class ship were relegated to patrol duty in the three major Ane star systems. But the end of their service life all three ships were totally automated.  Euphrates
class transport (CT)2288 to 2400 This large hulled ship has proven the queen of the fleet, and built in greater numbers than any Ane design except the Falcon class cutter. At 150% the mass of a Unity class ship and 300% of the power output, what was envisioned as a heavy transport/tug was refitted into a highly useful exploration cruiser. The large hanger bay and internal cargo spaces could be refitted in a multitude of ways. Some credit this ship with the modular design idea. In addition the ship could haul three fully loaded standard cargo pods. It is the direct ascendant of the Planet class ships. All ships are named for rivers in the Federation. The ships currently in service are the largest available for use as private research platforms. They are made available to universities and research groups on a generous lease basis. None is used in the front line capacity any longer. In 2383 a number of vessels were refitted with standard warp drives and humanoid control interfaces for the Balmorian branch of Starfleet. An effort to quickly upgrade the Balmorain branch of Starfleet to more modern ships. While old and outdated they were better than anything the Balmorians had. They served until new vessels could be built in the Balmorain fleet yard. Refit Programs: A regular schedule of refits is in place for the Euphrates class ships. At worst every ship sees a refit yard at least every fifteen years. At this time the ship is evaluated for wear and needed repairs and upgrades. If the ship is considered unsuitable for further up grades or use it is stricken for the list. If current needs make it surplus, it is mothballed.  2330: All Euphrates class ships regardless of age were refitted with G3 Crystalmind computers replacing the G1 units that were in use up to that time. Also included in this upgrade was the second generation of the HE warp drive developed in 2318. Consideration is also given to the new role the Euphrates is playing in the fleet and additional laboratory space is added at the expense of raw cargo handling. Provisions are made so that these labs can be pulled if that cargo space is required.  2360 All Euphrates class ships, in service or in mothballs are evaluated as to condition. Those suitable are upgraded to third generation HE warp drives. Those not suitable are scrapped. The Ane are seriously looking at an end of life program for all current Euphrates ships. they wish to continue the lease program as it is useful in terms of data received. A totally new and updated version of the hull is under consideration for construction with disodium warp drives and all the latest developments. With the development of the Tigris class science cruiser the remaining. Euphrates class ships will be decommissioned and scrapped. The ADF James the oldest of the class will be returned to ADF trim and donated to the Starflight Museum.  Falcon
class cutter (varies)2340 to present The Falcon is about half the length of the Defiant (NX 74205), and has a vastly over powered impulse drive. It has limited warp capacity, and is heavily gunned for its size. Its sole mission is in-system patrol, defense, and law enforcement. The design is still in service and still being built. This is one of the few military/police class ships the Ane build for export. It can be found in the hands of system defense forces around the Federation in a dozen configurations. The usual armament is phasers and a single torpedo turret with one tube, the original cyclops turret designed as a proof of concept.. The latest cutters out of the El Nanth shipyard incorporate a new weapon that disrupts the systems of the target ship with a power overload instead of damaging the structure of the ship. The ionic disrupter looks to have a future in law enforcement.  Nova
class battleship2293 Never commisioned This ship was built around an idea, a drastic and abandoned idea, of the resonance torpedo. This weapon, believed to be an outgrowth of the failed "Genesis Project" would cause a star to "nova" that is to explosively shed a layer of gas. This would devastate any inhabited world within the system of that star. The Ane stopped the project while it was underway, and the two ships begun were scraped in progress. However, it has been noted that no part or parts from the two near complete vessels has ever been seen. For years the Ane will not answer any questions about these ships. As to the resonance torpedo, the only comment they will make is "It did not function as theorized." The Ane reluctance to "admit" anything about the Nova has been traced down to the ears pinned "You didn't ask" reaction. Intelligence operatives sneaking about and trying to learn things covertly were cheerfully sent to chase red herring after red herring. Usually in as close proximity to the unfinished and mothballed hulls as possible. Someone finally asked directly and nicely. The Nova hulls were too specialized to refit as standard cruisers and were mothballed for five years looking for something they could do, and scraped thereafter. Rumors of Ane super ships were just that, rumors. The resonance torpedo was a case of a bad idea taken too far. Such a weapon has no legitimate use under the Federation philosophy, we do not destroy worlds, and would only provoke possible enemies to develop similar weapons, a development that would end well for no one. The theoretical work was finished and any program for practical application dropped.  Manta
class heavy frigate (CB)2358 to present The Manta is the direct descendant of the Unity class FF. These vessels are built from the keel up as warships. All incorporate the latest advances in technology and weaponry. At the time of their design and construction the Mantas were equipped with photon torpedoes, a weapon admittedly losing its punch to the shielding of the day. The octclops turret was hoped to offset this with a higher rate of fire. When the Quantum torpedo became available the Mantas were equipped with them. What had been a dangerous ship to tangle with became a monster. It was seriously questioned whether it was within the Federation philosophy to field such a vessel. It was also questioned whether it was within the Federation philosophy to be assimilated by the Borg. The Mantas kept the quantum torpedoes. The other factor noted about the Manta is the relatively short range compared to other vessels. A fourteen month standard on station time is the maximum recommended. Mantas have superior tactical maneuverability but inferior warp maneuverability. The over-under arrangement of nacelles favors quick impulse turns and tight maneuvers but makes them slower to turn in warp. Refits and other notes: 2370 A standard in service refit for all vessels built in the first run 2358-62 2375 A standard in service refit for all vessels built in the second and third run 2366-69  2375: The class of '75 were delivered with the Builder stations. For their own reason the Builders have included complete copies of the Builder squadron, two Mantas and one Planet class ship, with every Starbase supplied. Once the disodium breakthrough was made those ships were disodium refits proving that it quirks something in the Builder psychs to do so. So far ten Mantas have been added to the fleet this way. A bonus as with the Romulan peace further Mantas were not planned. While a useful ship, even the Ane feel it is not the ship Starfleet should be about. Effort is concentrated on the Dolphin class which packs the same punch, but in a heavy cruiser hull. 2376 All units in service are upgraded to disodium warp cores and nacelles. Planet class multiuse-exploration cruiser (CX)  2355
to present The direct descendant of the successful Euphrates class ships. These ships take the ideas expressed in the Euphrates class and stretch them. Like the Galaxy class they can separate into two parts, unlike the Galaxy class, the two parts are not intended to operate separately. The smaller part of the ship, about a third the total mass contains all the necessary equipment for the operation of the vessel, impulse and star drives, weapons, etc. The rest of the hull is dedicated to a particular mission. All ships are built with a standard general science and exploration mission hull. Additional hulls for more specialized missions are stored at the three Ane space docks. The ship can also operate as a heavy tug when stripped of the secondary hull. It could conceivably be used as a fast attack cruiser in this configuration, but that would not be the best use of the ship. In practice it has been found that the multi hull concept was little used. Most of the multi mission hulls have languished at the starbases they are stored at. As a result planet class ships after the CX 19 Accord have not been equipped with multiple hulls on construction. However, interoperability with existing mission hulls has been maintained. Planet class vessels also have a Class of '75. Copies of the Glade have been included in every station supplied by the Builders for their own reasons. All have been passed back to the Horned fleet for obvious reasons. Each was named for the planet that the given station orbits. The Builder made ships do not have additional hulls.  Refits and other Notes.2378 The disodium question was hotly debated with the Planet class. while its warp slipstream is tight enough to include it in the upgrade programs, some through the Planet class too expensive to maintain in the long run, and that they should be shuffled to secondary status and new classes allowed to predominate. Then Vice Admiral Jay P. Hailey disagreed stating that every ship that could be upgraded should be upgraded. He was instrumental in designing the chop job on the Galaxy class so it could be upgraded. Amd. Hailey's viewpoint won out and the Planet class was upgraded to disodium in stages beginning in 2377. Planet class ships are lighter armed than the subsequent Dolphin class and are considered last as first responders if any choice is to be had.  Stingray
class light frigate (FF) 2370 -- present The Stingray is a direct replacement for the Unity class frigates. While the Manta is a formidable ship it is not a cheap ship and a smaller lighter frigate was desired. With the Unity class hulls no longer suitable to further upgrades a new class was designed to fill the role. The Stingray slots into the space left by the Unity class, a light frigate. This is the role seen for the Emerald class, but one it was not suited for. The increasing size of ships has placed the "300 meter class" ships once considered heavy into this role. The stingrays pack three of the octoclops turrets giving them four more torpedo tubes than the Unity's four pentclops turrets. The reduction in machinery spaces is a bonus in this smaller vessel.. They are also equipped with collimator phaser strips and ionic distuptors. 
Stingrays are built from the start as
frigates and have minimal science capacity. This leaves more
room for crew comfort. Refits and other notes. The Stingray was one of the youngest classes to get the disodium refit. Only a handful of ships were required to be refit and a half dozen were refit on the ways as they were being built. The disodium Stingray is now the standard vessel of the Ane Defense Forces. Basking Ray class scout (FS)  2380 -- present The Basking Ray is a scout development of the stingray class light frigate hull. She exchanges, one phaser strip, one torpedo turret and most of her torpedo load for range and sensor power. the basking ray has superior sensor fidelity and range, but lacks in staying power and shields. They are a touch on the fragile side and basically have enough weapons to shoot and GTFO. Basking Rays are over-engined both in the warp and impulse categories. They are also built to handle those engines and can use them to their full capacity. Basking Rays are mainly used for fleet scouts, first in space survey work, and courier duty. They see some use as Search and Rescue ships at least in the Search capacity. Their small crew capacity makes then unsuitable as primary rescue craft. Basking Rays are reasonably comfortable for a small crew of under 110 persons. Ane crewed versions (pictured) will seldom have more than two to three bond groups and an RI. Dolphin class heavy cruiser (CA)  2378
-- present The Dolphin is a direct development of the disodium project. A brand new cruiser designed to take full advantage of the new technology. It is the first ship designed by the Ane yards for general use in Starfleet. To that end two versions have been built. The "Blue" Dolphin for the Horned Fleet, and the "Fleet" Dolphin for Starfleet in general. As well as major differences in the layout of the decks, the Blue Dolphins have the HE warp drives and RI control systems which the Fleet Dolphins do not. The Dolphin is a monster of a ship built on the successful platform of the Manta class but twice the length and eight times the volume. Disodium stresses mean that graceful swan necks are out, sleek designs are in. The Dolphins have not yet been is service long enough to require upgrades. The ADF Dolphin herself is not part of the Fleet but is detached to the Tabooists to seek out Rishan artifacts and render them inert.  Covenant
class light cruiser (CL)2390-- present The Covenant class is a new concept for the Horned Fleet. They traditionally have not fielded light cruisers. However along with the Dolphin a light cruiser variant was requested for Starfleet. As they designed a Fleet variant of the Dolphin El Nanth Starships designed a blue variant of the Covenant. Learning the lesson of the Emerald the Covenant has an over powered warp drive and twin impulse engines so as to run from anything it cannot fight. Covenant class ships are tad on the chunky side and carry half the torpedo battery of the larger Dolphins. They are adequate combatants should the need arise. The Covenant carries the same weapons as a Planet class heavy cruiser. The primary mission of the Covenant class is look go see. A first in scout on where to send heavy cruisers. To that end she is stuffed with sensors and science labs. One of the reasons for the chunky looks.  Tigris class science cruiser (CS)2400 - Present The Tigris is the disodium replacement for the aging and slow Euphrates class. The Tigris is built to perform the job the Euphrates came to perform, the dedicated heavy science ship. Only she will do it without having a big target painted on her hull. Numbering will be in the CS-00 range the Tigris CS-01 is the first of the class. A Fleet version of this class is being discussed. The Tigris is a direct replacement. As new Tigres class vessels come on line The remaining Euphrates class ship will be decommissioned and scrapped. The ADF James the oldest of the class will be returned to ADF trim and donated to the Starflight Museum. Tigris class ships will be available to universities and private expeditions for lease as were the Euphrates in their latter years. Currently 80 ships are planned. The ADF Tigres CS-01 is undergoing space trials and is expected to be accepted into the fleet in a matter of weeks. She will replace the USS James in the fleet line up. As with the Euphrates class Tigris class ships will be named for rivers in the Federation. Beheamoth class mobie starbase (MSTB) 2370 -- present  (Click on the image for a full sized view.) The Behemoth class container ship was a commercial effort of El Nanth Starships. The massive 256 container vessel was seen as the next big thing in commercial bulk haulers. It was a ship too far. Too much capacity. It looked like El Nanth Starships was going to take a bath. The far sector rescued the Behemoth With the opening of the Far Sector a need existed to get massive amounts of goods over a long distances. Eventually six Behemoths were bought in the HE version for the Far Sector run. 10 more are in the process of ferrying the Sixliss from their Exodus fleet to Newhome. One was bought by the Klingon empire in standard drive for the rescue mission to the Great Orion sphere. The event of the disodium breakthrough doomed the Behemoth to a short service life. It was too long to live. Simulations indicated that disodium speeds would set the massive ship to vibrating itself to death. No upgrades for the Behemoth. A smaller version the disodium powered Mastodon was developed from the previous model the Mammoth half the size of the Behemoth. The question remained of what to do with the Behemoths. The answer was the mobile starbase. Equipped with the weapons pods used for the STB-224 to STB-600 run, and a variety of specialized pods for ship servicing and resupply, crew quarters and recreation they could act as small starbases placed on station for as long as needed. The six Behemoths used in the Far Sector were so converted as the newer Mastodons came on line. Mastodon class container ship (HCC) 2381 -- present  (Click on the image for a full sized view.) The Mastodon class is the latest development in El Nanth Starships' line of massive cargo ships. These vessels incorporate disodium drives. They are a step down from the previous Behemoth class ships which were simply too large. The faster Mastodon makes up for the lack of space with speed. Starfleet has taken these vessel into the fleet proper rather than as a contract. The widely separated bases of the far sector called for something larger to move personnel and cargo. One Mastodon has been taken as as light mobie Starbase (MLSTB) or fleet tender. Obviousdly not as large or able to carry as much as the Behemoth class, but sometimes how fast you get it there matters more than now much you get there. Fully loaded she still moves 6 times faster than the Behemoth class ships. Return to the Ane Confederaion Page Return to the Epiphany Trek Files Your Comments Welcome. Any resemblance to persons, places, or situations living or dead is coincidental. © Garry
Stahl: 2009-2010. All rights reserved, re-print only with permission.
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