Editing Defiant Class (section)

==SHUTTLEBAYs==

The current version of the Defiant-class vessel is equipped with one main shuttlebay and two auxiliary bays that double as exterior access hatches for Cargo Bays 1 and 4. 

Shuttlebay 3 is a recent addition that has now become standard on the Upgraded version of the Defiant, and houses a single Type-10 Shuttlecraft and the facilities to maintain it. This two-story bay is located on Decks 2 and 3 directly beneath the main bridge in an area originally intended to house future weapons stores and computer upgrades. Two horizontal sliding hatches on the ventral side of the ship allow access to space while a ceiling-mounted tractor beam holds the shuttle in position for launch as the doors open. The Deck two portion of the bay features a flight control booth that serves as the nerve center for shuttle operations. This room also controls the doors of the other Shuttlebay as well as having direct control of the main tractor emitters should a damaged shuttle need to be towed in.  Force field emitters throughout the bay ensure that atmospheric integrity will not be lost, even when the bay doors are open. 

Shuttlebays 1 and 2 are located on Decks three and four and are each capable of housing two Type-18 Shuttlepods that, like the Type-10, were specifically designed for the Defiant before being put to use elsewhere in the fleet. The Deck three portion serves as the main bay and contains an interior door that connects to a Work Bee storage area, as well as access to nearby cargo bays located throughout the deck.  The back of the bay contains an area for servicing the Shuttlepods and Work Bees, and a connecting elevator lowers the craft to the Deck 4 portion.  The lower portion contains the elevator mechanism, as well as the exterior doors for the bay, which are mounted facing the center of the ship.  These Shuttlebays also act as an exterior platform from which to conduct repair operations.