USS Healy Specifications

[Solluk]

USS HEALY * NCC-65559 * New Orleans Class

When the Ambassador Class starship was launched in 2325, it represented the pinnacle of Federation technology and Starfleet starship development.  The huge multimission explorer was a major leap forward in starship design, instantly eclipsing the Excelsior class which had previously dominated deep space exploration and front line defense efforts.  The age of the Excelsior, and the even older fleet workhorse, the Miranda class, had begun to draw to a close.  However, due to the size and complexity of the Ambassador, it could not be constructed and deployed in sufficient numbers to quickly replace these older fleet mainstays.   Starfleet wanted to further develop the Ambassador tech on a series of smaller, easier to construct companion vessels which might be able to more quickly and cost-effectively replace the hundreds of Excelsiors and Mirandas then in service.

To meet this need, a number of designs were proposed, each developing Ambassador-class tech into the next generation of capability, and testing concepts that would eventually become features of the Galaxy class starships in thirty years.  Starfleet experimented with different warp nacelle configurations:  Single nacelles on the Freedom class, Vertical nacelles on the Challenger class, Tri-nacelles on the Niagara class, Quad nacelles on the Cheyenne class.  With the Springfield, they experimented alternative nacelle designs and routine saucer separation.

Each approach had its advantages and disadvantages in terms of warp efficiency and maximum speed.  Some designs were optimized for ease of construction.  Other designs stressed prolonged warp endurance.  Some were envisioned as shuttle carriers, while others were angled towards deep space exploration.  The phaser arrays on the Ambassador were powerful, but Starfleet wanted to push the capabilities of this new innovation even further.  New designs got larger arrays.  They received new hull geometries theorized to allow easier subspace transitions, and improved fields of fire.

Each design was tested and manufactured in limited numbers, but there was always the craving to design the magic bullet: One standard light cruiser or frigate that could be outfitted to do any job without being too resource-intensive to construct.  This quest led to the development of the New Orleans class.

The USS New Orleans was launched in 2345, during a time of increasing galactic strife.  The USS Enterprise had been lost a year previously in  the battle of Nerendra III.  Skirmishes had begun along the Cardassian border.  The need for a robust frigate that could be rapidly produced was more apparent than ever.  After initial testing of the class prototype, the production of the class began in earnest and continued throughout the tumult of the Cardassian-Federation war period.

The New Orleans frigate was a brilliant refinement of technologies initially developed for the Ambassador class.  She sported many architectural and technological design improvements that edged her beyond the capabilities of the fleet's heavy explorer.  The New Orleans had more powerful LCARS computer systems, with second-gen isolinear data storage.  She sported large continuous phaser arrays with more energy output than the Ambassador's, and a more efficient warp engine.  Coming just twenty years after the Ambassador, she challenged the need for continued manufacture of the larger ships.

The real innovation of the New Orleans class went beyond her core systems.  Rather, it was her mission-specific modular pods which promised to make the starship a versatile workhorse throughout the fleet.  These modular pods were the lynchpin of her design, allowing the frigate to accomplish any mission a heavy cruiser might be expected to undertake.  In theory, a quick stop at a starbase could convert a ship of this class from a perimeter action vessel, to a scientific surveyor, an evacuation ship, a deep space explorer, or anything else that might be needed at any given time.

Starfleet initially produced and deployed a large number of torpedo weapons pods due to increasing tensions with the Cardassian Union- tensions which would soon erupt into war.  When open hostilities began, the ability to quickly up-arm the New Orleans frigates was a great boon.  Starfleet also produced large numbers of Sensor Pods so that the ship could act as a picket ship near hostile borders, detecting enemy fleet movements at extreme range.  It was hoped that when the war concluded, these pods would enable the class to perform more noble duties as a deep space explorer.

There was additional manufacture of enhanced Shield Pods for surveying dangerous regions festooned with ion or plasma storms, like the Badlands near Cardassian space.  Enhanced Communications pods were built for times when the ship might be called upon to act as a command vessel far from Starfleet support.  Even Particle Emission pods were constructed in limited numbers, designed to enable special research missions involving the probing of galactic anomalies.  Most Starfleet ships had to use their deflectors to perform large scale exotic particle experiments.  A New Orleans class could keep its deflector in the intended role, and use a particle projection pod instead.

Despite these broader plans, the Cardassian War and Galen Border conflicts resulted in most New Orleans class ships being relegated to simple defense duties.  A full 80% of the constructed vessels kept their initially issued weapons pods mounted throughout their service.  When war activity began to diminish, some Admirals adopted a philosophy that moved the fleet away from small frigate and light cruiser construction.  Instead, it was mused that colossal vessels stuffed with next-generation technology would be so imposing, and such a force multiplier, that no enemy would dare to attack them.  It was believed that a few vessels of unparalleled size and capability would be able to keep the peace, and simultaneously perform any role Starfleet might desire.  The eternal pendulum of power vs efficiency had begun to swing in the opposite direction.

When the Nebula class was launched in the late 2350's, it was not only an imposing vessel, but one with much better mission modules.  There was now little incentive to shift the New Orleans away from defense and into scientific research and exploration duty.  The Galaxy followed soon after the Nebula, and the fleet was no longer much interested in deploying light cruisers and frigates.  That need would not be perceived again until after the battle of Wolf 359 in 2366, a year after New Orleans construction had already ceased.  By that time, smaller surveyors like the Nova class, and light cruisers like the Intrepid, were planned to fill many of the niche roles the New Orleans was originally intended to address.

Most admirals in Starfleet felt that whatever the New Orleans could do from a scientific or exploration perspective, these other ship classes could do better.  As a result, the majority of New Orleans class starships continued to be relegated to defense roles whenever and wherever tensions became elevated.   Occasionally, Starfleet toyed with the idea of prematurely decommissioning the class.  However, the ships have continuously proved capable enough to keep on the active rolls.

In tactical engagements, the class remains very competitive with newer ships like the Intrepid, Norway, and Steamrunner classes.   While not as potent as the vaunted Akira class, the amount of torpedo firepower the New Orleans class can bring to bear is formidable, especially considering her comparatively small size.  In addition, the class' triple impulse drive system allows for surprisingly spry sub-light maneuvers.

Meanwhile, she sports much broader scientific resources than the smaller Saber or Defiant class vessels, which might otherwise challenge her on the basis of maneuverability and phaser firepower, respectively.

The New Orleans even has a viable secondary role as a fleet transport.  Her compact silhouette belies the capacity of her voluminous hull, which has made the ships a popular choice during invasion and evacuation scenarios.

The New Orleans class was initially intended to have a 100 year service lifecycle from the time of the class' initial commissioning.  Major refits were planned to occur at 20 year intervals.  The first fleetwide refit of the class was in 2365, with the second following in 2385.  Further refits are scheduled in 2405 and 2425, before the class is finally retired in 2445.

Refits thus far have focused on increasing phaser firepower to keep up with modern threat forces, and improving maximum warp speed to keep pace with newer starships during task force operations.  Perhaps no less important was the addition of holodecks in the year 2365, a welcome amenity celebrated by crews during long, uneventful patrols.  Advances in torpedo technology have only served to make the New Orleans class increasingly relevant as she ages.  When equipped with the latest quantum torpedo warheads, she doubles the torpedo bombardment capability of dedicated warships like the Defiant.  To quote Captain Rogan, who commanded the New Orleans class USS Gol during the battle to liberate Betazed, "There is life in these old bones, yet."

Ship Name: USS Healy
Ship Registry: NCC-65559
Ship Class: New Orleans
Commission Date: 2360
Length: 340 meters
Wide: 244 meters
Depth: 80 meters
Decks: 17 Decks (16 Habitable Decks not including mission pods)
Crew Complement: 350 officers and crew
Routine Passenger Capacity: Up to 500 humanoids
Emergency Evac Capacity: 1,500 humanoids

Weapons:

Phasers
(Original 2340's Configuration) Six Type IX Phaser Arrays
(2360's Refit Configuration) Six Type X Phaser Arrays
(Current 2380's Refit Configuration) Six Type X Phaser Arrays with ACB Jackets for superluminal engagement

Torpedo Launchers
(Core Vessel) Two rapid-fire torpedo tubes (one fwd, one aft)
(With Weapons Pods) Eight rapid-fire torpedo tubes (four fwd, four aft)

Torpedo Capacity
(Core Vessel) 100 Torpedo Casings (50 fwd, 50 aft)
(Weapon Pod, Each) 100 Torpedo Casings (50 fwd, 50 aft)
(Total Capacity) 400 casings

Shield Systems: Seven Pridwen Type V Gravimetric Shield Generators, each feeding twelve 30 megawatt graviton polarity sources which in turn supply 525 millicochrane subspace field distortion amplifiers.  Mission specific shield module pods can provide additional capability, including special resistance to exotic particles and conditions.

Impulse Drive: Two Yoyodyne MX-52 Impulse Drive Units, One Yoyodyne RX-48 Impulse Drive Unit

Warp Core:
(Original 2340's Configuration) Particle Dynamics Class VI Warp Core
(2360's Refit Configuration) Particle Dynamics Class VI-B Warp Core
(2380's Refit Configuration) Particle Dynamics Class VI-C Warp Core
(Current 2398 Reliability Refit) Re-Bored Particle Dynamics Class VI Warp Core

Warp Drive:
(Original 2340's Configuration) Two Theoretical Propulsion Group TPG-45-C 857 cochrane warp nacelles
(2360's Refit Configuration) Two Theoretical Propulsion Group TPG-45-G 970 cochrane warp nacelles
(2380's Refit Configuration) Two Theoretical Propulsion Group TPG-45-K 1097 cochrane warp nacelles
(Maintained in 2398)

Warp Speed:
     (Original 2340's Cruising Speed) Warp 6 until fuel exhaustion (1 year)
(Original 2340's Maximum Speed) Warp 9.3 for 12 hours
(2360's Refit Cruising Speed) Warp 7.2 until fuel exhaustion (1 year)
(2360's Refit Maximum Speed) Warp 9.5 for 12 hours
(2380's Refit Cruising Speed) Warp 8 until fuel exhaustion (3 years)
(2380's Refit Maximum Speed) Warp 9.6 for 12 hours
(2398 Reliability Refit Cruising Speed) Warp 8 until fuel exhaustion (1 year)
(2398 Reliability Refit Maximum Speed) Warp 9.2 for 12 hours
(2398 Reliability Refit Emergency Speed) Warp 9.7 for 10 minutes

Embarked Craft:  (Shuttlebay is 24 meters wide by 30 meters deep by 4 meters tall, for purposes of what can fit inside.)
2 Workbee Maintenance Pods

Crew: Pilot  Passengers: NA  Acceleration: 2km/second

2 Type VIII Shuttle 'Bear' and 'Thetis' optionally armed with Type IV phaser emitters

Crew: Pilot, Copilot  Passengers: 4 or 12 cubic meters of cargo.  Max Cruise Speed: Warp 3 Emergency Speed: Warp 4 for 12 hours

2 Type IX Shuttle 'Rush' & 'Corwin' optionally armed with Type V phaser emitters

Crew: Pilot, Copilot  Passengers: 2 or 8 cubic meters of cargo.  Max Cruise Speed: Warp 4 Emergency Speed: Warp 5 for 12 hours

USS Healy Namesakes

Michael A. Healy, the first man of African-American descent to command a ship for the United States government.
USCGC Healy, a late 20th, early 21st century research icebreaker named in his honor.
USS Healy, NCC-559, a Saladin class starship which earned distinction during the Klingon-Federation war of the 2250's.

Service Record - Notable Events

* Commissioned on April 6, 2360 under the command of Commander Greg Tlapa, and assigned to border patrol duty near Cardassian space.
* On July 23, 2360, engaged a Cardassian Galor class vessel briefly during a border skirmish.
Both vessels were moderately damaged, and the Cardassian ship was repelled.
* On February 7, 2362, apprehended spies bringing stolen Federation ship plans into Cardassian space.
* On August 7, 2365, the ship received its first major refit, including the installation of holodecks.
* On March 19, 2368, was equipped with Shield Mission Pods and sent on a mission to thoroughly map the Cardassian Badlands.
The mission was unsuccessful, as the badlands proved too chaotic to be accurately mapped.
However, the shield pods protected the vessel as intended.
* On Janurary 12, 2370, acquired a new commanding officer as Commander Michelle Challip was promoted to replace the retiring Captain Tlapa.
Weapons pods were refitted at this time.
* From 2370-2372, conducted patrols of Orion space to prevent suspected pirates and smugglers from conducting arms trade with the Maquis.
* Throughout 2373, participated in numerous actions during the Klingon-Federation conflict.  Commander Challip was killed in action.
* On December 12, 2373, Commander Nu Nix replaced Commander Challip as commanding officer.
* From 2374-2375, participated in numerous actions during the Dominion war, including the liberation of Betazed.
* On February 2, 2385, the ship received its second major refit, and spent two months conducting warp speed and endurance trials.
* On January 18, 2386, Commander Nix was promoted and Commander Ko Au was placed in command.
* On November 7, 2390, the ship entered a major engagement against Pelotran pirates near the Delta quadrant divide.
Suffered heavy damage, but was repaired.
* On April 21, 2396, helped to conduct important peace talks on Horbor Prime.
Terrorists threatened the diplomatic mission, but Captain Au safeguarded the delegates at great personal risk.
* On May 3, 2396, the ship lost its commanding officer when then Captain Ko Au was promoted to Admiral.
The vessel's crew were reassigned and the ship was placed 'in ordinary' at the Qualor depot while Starfleet debated the fate of several similarly aged spaceframes then in service.
* On February 13, 2397, the ship was confirmed for active service and ordered prepared for duty.
The Starfleet Admiralty had decided that no spacefames could be retired earlier than scheduled due to fleetwide attrition rates.
* On March 12, 2397, the ship was officially assigned to the command of Acting Captain Solluk and attached to Katra Station as its support vessel.
* In late February, 2398, Captain Solluk ordered an unscheduled refit to the USS Healy to deal with some reliability problems the ship was having with the prior refit warp core.  The refit was conducted by Catherine Goodspeed, and involved increasing the diameter of the reaction chamber while lowering energy states of the resulting plasma.  This lowered fuel efficiency but ended all reliability issues the ship was having, restoring it to the New Orleans class' proud tradition of rock-solid performance.

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Deck Listing

Deck 1 - Bridge, Briefing Room, Captain's Ready Room, Senior Officer's Mess, Dorsal Pod 1&2 Level A
Deck 2 - Dorsal Pod 1&2 Level B, Workbee Storage, Lateral Sensors, Senior Officer's Quarters,  Shuttlebay Level A
Deck 3 - Shuttlebay Level B, Cargo Bay 5,  Officer's Quarters, Dorsal Saucer Phaser Array
Deck 4 - Shuttle Storage, Shuttle Lift,, Transporter Room 1 , Holodeck 1 & 2 Upper, Main Computer Core Level A, Armory, Enlisted Quarters
Deck 5 - Holodeck 1 & 2 Lower,  Science Labs, Main Computer Core Level B, Enlisted Quarters, Saucer Impulse Drives (Port/Starboard)
Deck 6 - Main Computer Core Level C, Sickbay, Medical Labs, Officer Quarters, Warp Core Ejection Hatch
Deck 7 - Main Computer Core Level D, Officer Lounge, Enlisted Quarters, Warp Core Upper Level
Deck 8 - Planetary Sensor Array, Crew Lounge, Ventral Saucer Phaser Array & Phaser Control Room, Forward Tractor Beam & Control
Deck 9 - Transporter Room 2, Enlisted Quarters, Main Impulse Drive and Fusion Generators
Deck 10 - Forward Torpedo Storage Level A, Forward Torpedo Launcher Level A
Deck 11 - Forward Torpedo Storage Level B, Forward Torpedo Launcher Level B, Main Engineering, Fuel Storage Level A
Deck 12 - Main Engineering, Arboretum Level A, Fuel Storage Level B
Deck 13 - Arboretum Level B, Aft Torpedo Storage & Launcher Level A
Deck 14 - Cargo Bays 1 & 2 Level A, Arboretum Level C, Aft Torpedo Storage and Launcher Level B
Deck 15 -  Cargo Bay 3, Cargo Bays 1 & 2 Level B, Main Environmental System Handlers
Deck 16 - Cargo Bay 4, Industrial Replicators, Replicator Matter Banks Level A
Deck 17 - Warp Core, Lower Level, Replicator Matter Banks Level B

[Solluk]

Locations of Interest

BRIDGE

SICKBAY