The Pathfinder-class (also known as Pathfinder II-class) was a type of long range science vessel (LRSV) and refit of the Intrepid-class. It entered service within Starfleet in the early 25th century.
History[]
The Pathfinder-class design was ordered in tandem with the Sutherland-class research vessel and was heavily influenced by the design of the Vesta-class explorer. While the Intrepid-class light explorer had served admirably for the past few decades, Starfleet wanted to take that design further and develop a pure science vessel using a similar space frame.
This new design would use the same cutting-edge equipment deployed on the Sutherland with the high top speed and tactical independence of the Vesta, at the expense of the Intrepid's ability to sustain long-duration missions and serve in a more generalist capacity.
The design process continued throughout the 2390s, with the USS Pathfinder (NX-97600) herself beginning construction in 2395. The prototype was launched in 2398 while the first production run were brought online later that year. Following shakedown cruises, the class formally entered service in 2400 and the USS Voyager (NCC-74656-B) was launched in 2401 following Frontier Day.
Technical information[]
Designed around a state-of-the-art quantum slipstream drive, the Pathfinder class also served as a culmination of technologies implemented in past LRSVs.
The vessels also carried sophisticated EM and radiation-dampening technologies that greatly increase the ship’s passive stealth capabilities.
Another key component of the subclass' versatility was its modularity. Two large, modular mission bays were housed in the secondary hull. A variety of modules could be quickly installed to allow for Pathfinder starships to be easily adapted to their specific missions.
Pathfinder Class External Design (Enethrin)
Physical arrangement[]
The Pathfinder Class design is based on the Intrepid Class and a such its hull arrangement is extreamly similar.
Propulsion[]
The Pathfinder class employed a taFar-8 Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Assembly powering 2 Yoyodyne VGN-5 Linear Warp Drive Nacelles attached via variable-geometry pylons with Multi-Phasic Bussard Ramscoop Collectors and 2 Mod32b Hyper Subatomic Unified Energy Impulse Engines.
A X06 Quantum Slipstream Propulsion System allowed the vessels to travel at slipstream speeds with the slipstream tunneling projector integrated into the design's deflector dish. An IT-4 Transwarp Coil was equipped on Pathfinder-class starships, allowing each to connect to the Federation Transwarp Network and jump to gateways within the network.
Tactical systems[]
The hulls of Pathfinder-class starships are a neutronium alloy with a duranium nanomesh coating reinforced with micro-ablative generators as well as 3 Yoyodyne 960-A unified field emitter deflector shield arrays. These projected unimatrix shields with regenerative, multi-spectrum, covariant, and metaphasic properties around the vessels.
The primary armaments of the Pathfinder-class were 13 Type-XII Annular Confinement Beam Phaser Arrays including an additional 2 Type-XIII Pulse Phaser Cannons were included as part of the starship's close-in weapons system. Pathfinder Classes also included 4 Variable-Payload Mk-115 Torpedo Launchers with Photon and Quantum Torpedoes carried as standard ordnance, but the class also carried a complement of Tricobalt Warheads and Transphaisic Torpedoes for the bombardment of heavy targets.
Science systems[]
To accomplish Starfleet's primary mission of exploration, Pathfinder frigates carried ultra high-fidelity DYN-90 Multi-Band Linear Sensor Suites and Omniwave Passive Sensor Matrices.
Unlike the Sutherland, which is a university in space, the Pathfinder has focused and lean science departments. To keep their mission profiles versatile, these departments usually have just one specialist in each major area, but more generalists than ships of a similar assignment, allowing teams to shift to the appropriate discipline as necessary.
Some vessels of this type are fitted out as extreme specialist units, though, with an entire crew dedicated to the study of one scientific area. Thanks to the modular nature of Starfleet vessels, a quick refit of the science labs could allow a ship of this class to be configured for archaeology, biology, or almost anything else on short notice.
Aeroshutle
Aeroshuttle[]
As with the Intrepid-class, Pathfinder vessels were equipped with a ventrally docked subordinate craft: a VAR-8/B Aero-class shuttle (generally known as an "aeroshuttle"). The craft was designed for atmospheric operations, and short-term missions as a support vessel, rather than as an independently operating small starship like the Danube-class on which it was based.
USS Pathyeager (NCC-60097)
Pathyeager Class[]
Inspired by the USS Yeager and clumpships of the 2380s, Starfleet's first Pakled starship designer Nahamcam constructed the USS Pathyeager zero-mission science vessel at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards at Mars.
The Pathyeager-class combined the upscaled hull of a Maquis Ju'day-class raider with a Starfleet primary hull. Instead of an Intrepid-class saucer, Nahamcam substituted the relevant section from the Pathfinder-class long-range science vessel. Admiralty and the Starfleet Corps of Engineers assigned the Pathyeager to cargo-haul duties and determined it would remain the only vessel of its class.
Terran Trailblazer Class
Trailblazer Class[]
By 2411 the Terran Empire had gained access to the design plans of the Pathfinder Class and had built their own version of the class resulting in the Trailblazer Class LRSV Refit. This class is occasionally described as a monstrosity, due to the arrays of phasers, sensor arrays and launch tubes grafted onto the hull of the formerly sleek Pathfinder-class starship.
EMH Mark VII[]
Dr T'ana 2380s (Neldorwen)
The Prototype for the Mark 7 Emergency Medical Hologram was installed on the USS Pathfinder in 2398 and tested during its shakedown cruise, This iteration was based on Caitian Doctor and former CMO of the USS Cerritos (NCC-75567), Vice Admiral T'ana. Starfleet Medical was sceptical of the program largely due to it's consistant use of swaring and aggressive demeanor possessing a personality similar to Dr T'ana's during her time on the Cerritos.
Interior design[]
Main bridge[]
The Main bridge of a Pathfinder-class was right on top of the Saucer Section was similar to the Original Intrepid Modual but darker with more consoles and updated LCARS.
Transport and cargo[]
Transporter rooms[]
The Pathfinder-class features 3 Personnel, 2 Cargo, and a dozen Emergency Transporters. with 6 Pads each at strategic locations throughout the ship connected to 12 outer hull mounted emitter arrays and recievers.
Auxiliary Systems[]
Keeping with its design heritage, the Pathfinder-class was also designed with the ability to enter a planet's atmosphere and land on the surface. As such, vessels were equipped with antigravity generators and impulse lifters on the underside of both the primary and secondary hulls and landing pads on the lower section of the star drive hull. Vessels of the class would go to blue alert when engaging in a planetary landing.
Another key component of the Pathfinder class versatility was its modularity. Two large, modular mission bays were housed in the secondary hull. A variety of modules could be quickly installed to allow for Pathfinder starships to be easily adapted to their specific missions. Modules included: advanced research facilities, advanced sickbay, dedicated personnel billets, advanced security complex, diplomatic suites, or an expanded shuttlebay for Warp Fiighters of a Yellowstone Runabout.
Shuttlebays[]
Mark-3 Workbee
Type-14 Shuttlecraft
Type-17 Shuttlecraft
Type-18 Shuttlecraft
Mk-I Tovarek Class FTR Drones
Yellowstone Class Runabout
The Pathfinder Class has 1 Shuttlebay at the Aft of the Secondary Hull housing 3 Mark-III Workbees and 8 Interchangeable Shuttles: Type 14, Type 17, and Type 18 as well as a complement of Mk I Tovarek Class FTR Drones including 1 VAR-8/B Aeroshuttle docked at he underside of the Saucer Section and 1-2 Yellowstone Class Runabouts housed in the 2 modular mission bays.
Ships commissioned[]
- USS Pathfinder (Prototype, NX/NCC-97600)
- USS Dawkatcher (NCC-61002-A)
- USS Voyager (NCC-74656-B)
- USS Patagonia (NCC-85916-A)
- USS Koyama (NCC-91916)
- USS Heleus (NCC-93232)
- USS Pallantias (NCC-97097)
- USS Mangalyaan (NCC-97604)
- USS Sherpa (NCC-97605)
- USS Ragnarok (NCC-97608)
- USS Driftwood (NCC-97613)
- USS Eaves (NCC-97621)
- USS Drexler (NCC-97626)
- USS Weyzhiss (NCC-97044)
- USS Dunnottar (NCC-97647)
- USS Trailblazer (NCC-97667), Retrofit to Trailblazer Class
- USS Marrone (NCC-97684)
- USS Agamemnon (NCC-98630)
- USS Perseverance (NCC-97608)
- USS Mariner (NCC-97607)
- USS Explorer (NCC-97606)
- USS Ranger (NCC-97605)
- USS Sojourner (NCC-97604)
- USS Ingenuity (NCC-97603)
- USS Tianwen (NCC-97602)
- USS Stardust (NCC-97601)
Gallery[]
.webp "USS Voyager (NCC-74656-B).webp (14 KB)")
External Links[]
- Pathfinder Class article at Memory Alpha, the canon Star Trek wiki.
- Pathfinder Class article at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek wiki.
- Pathfinder Class article at Star Trek Expanded Universe.
- Pathfinder Long Range Science Vessel article at The Star Trek Online Wiki.
- Pathyeager Class Zero-Mission Science Vessel article at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek wiki.
- Terran Trailblazer Science Warship article at The Star Trek Online Wiki.