STSTCSOLD&A | Constitution Class ● Cruiser ● United Federation of Planets

THIS IS IT, THE GREAT-GRANDADDY OF ALL STAR TREK STARSHIPS! This design—originally put together to satisfy the requirement that the TOS-era Enterprise look like both a flying saucer and a rocket ship—is probably the most widely-recognized vessel in all of television science fiction history. Matt Jefferies, the original model maker, probably had no idea when he built the thing that this ship would launch an entire design philosophy which would resonate down through over a dozen feature films and half a dozen different television series. Next to Star Wars ships like the X-Wing fighter and the Imperial Star Destroyer, the Consitution Class and the Constitution Refit are far and away the definitive sci-fi ships of the modern SF screen age. Models of this ship are currently perched on countless desks around the world, hung from countless ceilings in childrens' bedrooms, and the graphics of the ship(s) adorn countless Windows computer desktops.
         I was born in the early 1970s and grew up with this ship, but I will admit I do not like it as much as the Constitution Refit. Maybe that's because the special effects of the 1960s just were not up to the task of making the old Constitution seem realistic—a problem remedied in the new century, thanks to the CGI Remaster of all three seasons of the original Star Trek.
        In game play, the ship lives up to her heritage as the backbone of the TOS-era Starfleet. No other TOS-era Federation ship can match her, and it's probably safe to say no other TOS-era Klingon or Romulan ship can match her either. Combining a good balance of offensive weaponry—including torpedoes—and defensive shielding and superstructure, this vessel can easily dominate any TOS-era battle scenario unless faced with multiple, sufficiently armed opponent vessels. Even entering the Motion Picture-era time, the original Constitution class can hold her own against all but the most modern enemy ships, and therefore this class makes a nice playing piece in most Kirk-era games.
        Some of the scenarios I have used—as either the Federation player, the Klingon Player, or the Romulan player—are as follows:
        1 Constitution versus 3 Klingon D-7 cruisers.
        1 Constitution versus 2 Romulan V-8 cruisers.
        1 Constitution class and 2 Anton class cruisers versus 6 Klingon D-7 cruisers.
        No matter what, the Constitution class is going to be the focus—both offensive and defensive—in just about any game. With skillful play this class can sometimes win whole battles all by itself, even in the face of enormous enemy numeric superiority.

— BRT

From the FASA Star Trek FEDERATION SHIP RECOGNITION MANUAL, circa 1985
Constitution Class XI Cruiser
NOTES: The Constitution Class cruisers are the most renowned vessels of their time. Serving as both a research vessel and a cruiser, these ships have performed their duties to perfection for the last 35 years. The Constitution Class ships were an integral part of the buildup during "The Great Awakening," from the outset the most versatile of all ships built for the expansion efforts.
        The original construction contract called for 13 vessels to be built that would serve as cruisers, have complete research facilities, and be capable of operating on 5-year research and exploration missions. On Stardate 1/8801, the first of these vessels, the USS Constitution, was commissioned, followed by one more each month for five months. As soon as these vessels were completed and commissioned, they were sent on 2-year shakedown cruises. Over the next five years, the remaining 7 cruisers were built. The construction program came to a halt with the commissioning of the USS Defiant.
        When the Four Years War broke out, Star Fleet decided to produce warships instead of the dual-purpose cruisers that devoted large areas of their space to research and laboratories. Even though the Constitution Class was not put into production for the war effort, four of the ships saw action. Each distinguished itself in battle time and again, soon gaining the nickname "The Queens Of Star Fleet". After-action reports continued to show the combat ability of this ship to be superior to any other ship in the fleets, and so the decision to produce more of them was finally issued on Stardate 1/ 9611.
        The ship that would be produced was the Mk II version, mounting the new phaser weaponry and newer, more powerful shields. Because of these modifications to the original design, construction did not begin until Stardate 1/9709, and the first ship did not come off the line until 1/9901, 7 months after the end of the war. Star Fleet decided to continue the production of the Constitution Class cruisers and expanded the total number to 42 vessels.
        On Stardate 2/0104, the FWF-1 warp drive engine was brought into the inventory, and all Constitution Class ships were recalled to be refit as Mk Ills. By Stardate 2/0510, the refitting was complete and the Constitution Class remained the most advanced starship of its time. One Mk Ill, the USS Ark Royal, still serves in Star Fleet, exploring the rimward areas and acting as ongoing proof of this class' successful record.
        After the first successful test firing of the FP-5 photon torpedo, Star Fleet ordered that 12 Constitution Class ships be modified to fire it. On Stardate 2/1202, the USS Discovery, USS Saratoga, USS El Dorado, and USS Kitty Hawk were sent into service as Mk IVs, mounting not only the new torpedo system, but also more powerful impulse engine and shield generators.
        The Mk IV was the last version of the Constitution Class to be built, but not the last to use that particular hull style. The Enterprise Class cruiser was originally built from older Constitution hulls and retains its general appearance. Constitution Class ships were constructed at the Sol IV shipyards.

Construction Data: Model Numbers- Ship Class- Date Entering Service- Number Constructed	MK I XI 1/8801-2/1210 13	MK II XI 2/0206 28	MK III XI 2/1202 6
Hull Data: Superstructure Points- Damage Chart- Size Length- Width- Height- Weight- Cargo Cargo Units- Cargo Capacity- Landing Capability-	20 C 290 meters 127 meters 73 meters 162,425 tons 380 units 19,000 tons None	20 C 290 meters 127 meters 73 meters 164,600 tons 390 units 19,500 tons None	22 C 295 meters 127 meters 73 meters 167,900 tons 390 units 19,500 tons None
Equipment Data: Control Computer Type- Transporters- Standard 6-person- Combat 20-person- Emergency 22-person- cargo-	M-3 4 None 5 2	M-4 4 None 5 2	M-4 4 None 5 2
Other Data: Crew- Passengers- Shuttlecraft-	410 80 10	430 60 12	430 60 12
Engines and Power Data: Total Power Units Available- Movement Point Ratio- Warp Core Type- Power Units Available- Stress Charts- Maximum Safe Cruising Speed- Emergency Speed- Impulse Engine Type- Power Units Available-	36 4/1 FWC-1 32 O/M Warp 6 Warp 8 FIB-2 4	44 4/1 FWF-1 40 G/L Warp 6 Warp 8 FID-2 4	48 4/1 FWF-1 40 G/L Warp 6 Warp 8 FIE-2 8
Weapons and Firing Data: Beam Weapon Type- Number- Firing Arcs- Firing Chart- Maximum Power- Damage Modifiers +3 +2 +1 Missile Weapon Type- Number- Firing Arcs- Firing Chart- Power To Arm- Damage-	FL-6 6 in three banks 2f/p, 2f, 2f/s H 3 (1 - 4) (5 - 7) FAC-3 2 F H 4 12	FH-3 6 in three banks 2f/p, 2f, 2f/s W 5 (1 - 10) (11 - 17) (18 - 20) FP-1 2 F L 1 10	FH-3 6 in three banks 2f/p, 2f, 2f/s W 5 (1 - 10) (11 - 17) (18 - 20) FP-5 2 F R 1 16
Shields Data: Deflector Shield Type- Shield Point Ratio- Maximum Shield Power-	FSG 1/1 9	FSN 1/2 16	FSO 1/3 16
Defense Factor- Weapon Damage Factor-	64.6 12.4	83.6 43.6	97.5 53.8

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