This dynamic command capability allows for anti-piracy patrols to be further enhanced rapidly, without the need to wait for permanent space station or starbase facilities to be constructed. The additional flexibility allows them to act as assault ships and SAR role utilising enhanced transporters in the cargo bays.Įnhanced command and control facilities are being fitted to allow Ascension class DNL to act as command ships for squadrons of frigates, escorts and patrol vessel sized ships.

All Ascensions are to adopt the new flexibility systems as used in the Belknap class to increase their mission capabilities. These are the mid-sized members of the Belknap family of tactical ships, ranging from Belknap to Ulysses. Whilst the additional acquisition of dreadnoughts was a hot topic in the Federation Council, the Klingon offensive in 2283 was a motivator for better protection. Conquest, was a revised design that whose first vessel was taken from the Athabasca production run. Twenty Ascension class were built as Flight I by 2281, with most still in service to-date.įlight II replace those destroyed Flight I (with names that duplicate canon ships – ie Leander (Apollo class and Repulse (Excelsior)) after they were lost to the Klingons in 2283. Whilst the Federation class were mothballed between threats in their early years, the Ascension class were retained in action as flagships.

The Ascension class were more manoeuvrable than the Federation class.

The design showed itself to be more resilient than the Federation class, proving itself in the Metar Crisis. This design was to replace the Federation class against the perceived combined threats from the Romulans and Klingons. The Ascension class was a creation of the 2280s, a larger version of the Belknap class cruiser and first commissioned in 2281.

Star trek belknap class