Fort class

The Fort-class was designed by Starfleet as a deep space orbital outpost with the specific purpose of functioning as satellite base of operations to deep space stations in the furthest limits of known space.

As of the second quarter of 2385, twenty-one (22) Fort-class orbital outposts were constructed in strategic and equidistant locations 10 light years away from each of the starbases and space stations attached to Vanguard Command.

Background
The design of the Fort-class outposts was based on the space frame of the Invictus class orbital outposts and the orbital office complex operated by Starfleet, but with more than twice the size and internal capacity.

Starfleet's Corps of Engineers designed and developed a deep space orbital outpost that is small yet fully equipped to function as a satellite base that would complement deep space stations located in frontier space, as well as powerful enough to defend itself from hostile starships.


 * Science research, astrometrics and defense – Fort-class orbital outposts are equipped with advanced long range sensor arrays that gather information on stellar phenomena and starship movements over a large area of space, roughly 30 light years away from the outpost.
 * Diplomacy – Though not as expansive as space stations, Fort-class orbital outposts have several dedicated diplomatic facilities for functions with friendly or allied races that are within 5 light years from the outpost.

Station Defense
The Fort-class outpost has an arsenal of 16 Type-XII rotary-mounted pulse phaser cannons, 16 Type-XII stationary-mounted phaser emitters, 6 Type-XII slide-mounted phaser emitters, and 12 torpedo launchers. It has a torpedo payload of 500 quantum torpedoes and 1,000 photon torpedoes.

The outpos is also protected by regenerative Multiphasic Shielding, triple-redundant shields, ablative hull armor, and regenerative ablative armor plating.

Personnel complement
The Fort-class has a full Starfleet complement of 400. 80 are officers and 320 are enlisted. Excluding the station complement, it has basic space for 500 inhabitants.

Ship support and auxiliary craft complement
Following new tactical and defensive protocols instituted by Starfleet Command and Vanguard Command, Fort-class outposts are provided with the following support ship and auxiliary craft complement:

For defense -
 * Two Tactical Corvettes
 * 9 Advanced Tactical Fighters. This is equivalant to one squadron.

Auxiliary crafts -
 * 1 runabout
 * 2 Type-11 shuttlecrafts
 * 2 Type-9 shuttlecrafts

Computer systems
The outpost is equipped with some of the most advanced computer systems of the time. It is equipped with two independent computer cores. The bio-neural circuitry speed up the computer's data functions and improved overall performance.

Communications array
In its role as a satellite base of operations in deep space, the outpost's advanced communications array allows the sector commander to relay critical information instantaneously to Starfleet Command, Vanguard Command and all elements of Starfleet in the general vicinity.

Emergency holographic complement
The outpost is equipped with holo-emitters on every level and area to allow emergency holographic programs a higher level of access and free movement. The station’s computer systems can simultaneously bring the following online:
 * 1 Emergency Command Hologram (ECH)
 * 1 Emergency Security and Tactical Hologram (ESTH)
 * 2 Emergency Engineering Holograms (EEH)
 * 1 Emergency Medical Holograms (EMH)
 * 1 Emergency Science Holograms (ESH)

Astrometrics & Stellar Cartography
The outpost is equipped with a compact but fully equipped Astrometrics lab, which is not only dedicated to the science and practice of charting space, but could also be used for long-range communications purposes or even, as a workplace for easy access to sensor information.