High Maintenance Lady

The stark reality of Wolf 359 and the Borg Invasion of 2381 are clear reminders that resting on one's laurels will not guarantee innovation. In the 2360's there was a pervasive belief that Starfleet's war-fighting capability had stagnated in past decades. Leading starships of the era were seen as bloated, conservative and as one critic would quip, "Starfleet luxury liners". A paradigm shift was on the horizon and previously controversial or radical designs were reviewed. Furthermore, a great portion of Starfleet's R&D was diverted to developing these new vessels.

By the mid-2370's a game-changing generation of designs had emerged. The Akira, Defiant and Sovereign are among several types that have proven their worth in the field. Even Federation strategists cannot stress their sheer importance in wartime situations. A fighting force comprised by these vessels is seen as the key in maintaining galactic parity with other powers. This renewed philosophy of high technology coupled with decades of shipbuilding experience continues to be refined and developed. The latest in this modernization effort is the newly launched Athena Class.

Avant-garde at first glance, it is a contemporary starship that takes cues from its larger ASDB siblings - Namely the Prometheus and Sovereign. Measuring 305 meters long, the Athena boasts a compact, aggressive profile with the familiar Starfleet ethos. Thus making her combat oriented nature instantly recognizable. Primarily aimed to supplement the aging Sabre Class fleet, the Athena will form the backbone of Starfleet's quick response force in the coming years.

With Albative Armor, a myriad of advanced weapons and a possible option for Quantum Slipstream, the capabilities of the type will be invaluable in the field. In situations where the Defiant would be outclassed, the Athena would address this capability gap. Improvements in impulse engines and warp nacelle geometry allow favorable turn rates and FTL acceleration for a ship of this size. A simplified two-hull MVAM is also a key feature of this design. An assessment of past engagements had Starfleet combatants regularly outnumbered. For example, a Sabre Class would typically engage a force of at least three Cardassian Rasilaks during the Dominion War. The integration of MVAM, despite its complexity will ensure the Athena's survival and opens potential for "being in two places at once".

This quantum leap in operational capability comes at a price however. A new strategy in Starfleet's destroyer fleets increasingly favors quality over quantity as older types are retired. The cost and sheer technicality of the Athena makes it a "high maintenance lady" to the layman. However this argument is rendered a moot point, as Starfleet has already authorized the first batch of starships to be constructed across UFP Yards.


_{Athena by DJ_Curtis
BG from NASA and Hameed}