The Roger Young class of ships was designed in response to Starfleet Marines' request for ships capable of moving battalion-sized units quickly into position for combat effectiveness, and providing support for orbit-to-ground assaults.
Unlike the standard Federation starship, which can be broken down into two major sections, the saucer and engineering hulls, the Roger Young class breaks down into three sub-assemblies: the saucer; the engineering hull; and two hanger bays which can be independently jettisoned in the event of an emergency.
The initial production run of 12 ships has served the Marines with distinction.
Four ships of the class, the Roger Young, Quanah Parker, Gaius Marius, and Gary I. Gordon participated in the assault at B'khai, during the second Cardassian war. Their presence is cited as the leading cause of Federation Victory in the assault, which set the tone of Federation involvement throughout the war.
Development History
2383: Citing lessons learned in various wars, Starfleet Marines request improved troop delivery ships for orbital-to-ground assault. Starfleet reviews the request, and issues approval for design studies.
2384: Late in the year, a joint ASDB / Marine committee freeze the design requirements for the new class, now officially designated a troop transport. Design specs are released to contractors for evaluation and bids.
2386: Two companies, Broken Drive's Suzuki Konbinaato (based in NeoEdinburgh), and Earth's Electric Boat Co. (Based in New London), present designs which pass initial ASDB review. ASDB gives the go-ahead for both ships to be built as prototypes.
2389: Minimum flyable spaceframes of Suzuki and Electric Boat Co. ships inspected by joint ASDB / Marine committee. The Electric Boat hull is found to have several serious handling characteristic problems, and further work on it is ceased. The Suzuki hull, now named Roger Young, is approved for final construction.
2390: Final pre-commissioning checks on prototype completed in vicinity of Broken Drive. USS Roger Young commissioned, shakedown cruise begins.
2391: USS Rodger Young returns to Broken Drive for PSA. After evaluation, decision is made to build 11 more ships of the class, with construction split between Suzuki, Electric Boat, and Utopia Planitia.
2404:USS Quanah Parker underwent a massive refit as part of the Star Fleet Marines 25th Century Project. Trial proved successful, all other ships scheduled for refit over the next 18 months.
Technical Specs
Configurations
Current Configuration Marine Combat Transport
Optional Configurations: Strike Carrier
Dimensions
Length 470m
Width 286 m; 286 m
Height: 105 m: 105 m
Decks 30
Warp Drive System
Type Mark IV MARA Drive
Power Matter/Antimatter
Nacelles 2
Normal Cruising Speed >Warp 7
Maximum rated speed for 12 hours: Warp 8.5 (power transfer from other systems)
Emergency Speed:9.1 for 10 minutes (all power from all systems)
Impulse Drive Systems
Type: YPS 8063
Power: Deuterium
No. Engines: 3
NOTE: Provides sub-light velocities to .92C. 2 reactors in saucer, 1 in Engineering Hull. Reactors are field-replaceable.
