Norway class

The Norway class is a type of Federation starship in service with Starfleet during the late 24th century.

Designed to function for long periods in non-definitive missions, the Norway Class starship is visually impressive on first sight. Though not the largest ship in Starfleet by any means, its midsize condition allows it to both impose and relieve those that see it as an arm of Federation sovereignty when it is encountered. As a ship tasked with diplomacy as much as scientific endeavors, the Norway class starship is stronger than it is powerful. High-powered engines, computer systems, and shields allow the vessel to operate in relative safety even in the presence of larger more heavily armed enemy vessels. At the very least, the Norway Class’s non-standard configuration can be made use of strategically and allow the ship to escape to safety with its crew and any VIPs that may or may not be aboard.

History
After the destructive Battle of Wolf 359 in 2367 Starfleet Command conducted an urgent review of its standard starship design and looked for ways to improve the fighting ability of its next generation of ships. The result was a new generation of Starfleet vessels, which included the Norway class, entering service by the early 2370s. The Norway class boasts of the latest propulsion systems, defensive and offensive packages and a revolutionary design intended to lessen the profile of the ship making the class a smaller target for the enemy to hit.

Appearance
Compared to the large design of the Galaxy class, Norway class vessels are almost flat, featuring a triangular saucer section with two rectangular beams projecting rearward from the top of saucer to which compact nacelle struts support the warp nacelles to the sides. From the side the Norway class presents a very narrow profile. Its largest surface can be found on the dorsal or ventral sides, which are still compact compared to earlier starship designs. The class also features an unusually small number of viewing ports on the external hull.

Functions & Capabilities
The Norway class’s small size allows the ship to be more determinedly designed for its dual tasks of Science/Diplomacy and Destroyer ship-type combat. Much of the interior of the ship is utilized primarily by science systems and has almost two full decks tasked specifically for diplomatic housing and functions.

An additional ability of the Norway class is atmospheric entry and landing. With better ‘breathing’ intakes to handle the stresses of atmosphere, the Norway class can enter planetary atmospheres with impunity and utilize its strategically placed and sensitive anti-gravity engines and ventral impulse engines when out of the relative weightlessness of space, and to maneuver the over seven hundred thousand ton starship over a planet.

Additionally, the broad wing-type nacelle struts on the catamaran aft section allows simple lift to slow the ship’s descent and guide it with the help of etheric rudder in the form of manipulated gravity and impulse propulsion. Once near the surface, three landing struts are extended from the ventral hull with the aft legs angled toward the back to counterbalance the weight of the nacelles and catamaran.

Concluding Notes
The Norway class is a heavily armed starship that can supplement the Akira, Steamrunner, and Saber classes in combat while still being able to undertake diplomatic mission of all kinds.