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Description

The Horizon class heavy cruiser and its subclasses (Advance , Whorfin , Indomitable , Horizon Flt II , Advance Flt II , Essex , Archon ) are Part 1 of the Project Starship series.

Image provided by: Adrasil

Original inspirations from: Rick Sternbach (Spaceflight Chronology) and video game Star Trek: Legacy

History from: Hobbyist's Guide to the UFP Starfleet , by Timo Saloniemi

Variant blueprints: Access via Adrasil's Download button

Featured in: Starship Recognition Manual #296

The Horizon class heavy cruiser was immediately respected for the exploratory capacity provided to Star Fleet, but there was, no doubt, acknowledgment of some shortfalls that needed to be addressed as the ships ventured forth. The class had been designed in a holistic sense to be a cruiser; however, the design that sailed from the rails to the border addressed the exploratory nature of a cruiser over that of the defensive role. The defensive needs of the Federation had to be addressed (as highlighted by the feline Xindi unrest of 2196-97) and rather than design a brand new battle cruiser, it was decided to adapt the Horizon and build this subclass alongside. The Federation Council released additional funds to increase the total number of cruiser hulls to twenty-six, evenly divided between exploratory and defensive types.

The Advance battle cruiser maintained the dimensions of her matriarch, but internal changes were significant. The tactical suite was rethought, with upgraded targeting systems, aft phased particle cannons swapped out to match the strength of the forward suite, and four of the forward cannon replaced by two additional photonic torpedo launchers on the dorsal saucer rim. Very little of the scientific nature of the original was retained, as most laboratories were ripped out to make space for the heavier tactical package. The shuttlebay was also re-designed to accommodate a small flight of tactical craft.

While the addition of the Advance was appreciated for the strength it provided to the "hearth world defense," there was a notable amount of disappointment with its actual battle prowess. Though military threats receded a touch in the design's initial years, when USS Sentry (NCC-1010) engaged the newly belligerent Klingons in 2209, it struggled against the aggressors and lost. The final three hulls were put on hold until the shortfalls could be addressed. Therefore, the class was limited to only ten named Advances (the hull for NCC-1023 was deemed flawed well before completion, and would be commissioned in a different subclass in 2210).

Note: the changes to this release are minor indeed. The extremely subtle differences are best seen with image software that allows you to flip back and forth between the master Horizon and child Advance files. You'll see two plasma cannon ports removed from both the dorsal and ventral views, as well as two view ports on the bow view also, replaced by off-set dorsal launchers (saucer rim). In the end, the only perspective that has not changed from the Horizon is that of the stern.

Would you like to learn more about this class of ship? Download the free Hobbyist's Guide to the UFP Starfleet , a three-volume, 1236-page history of space flight, by Timo Saloniemi.

For an extremely rich gallery of Star Trek starships and vessels from other universes, check out my partner, Adrasil , here on DeviantArts.

Description

The Horizon class heavy cruiser and its subclasses (Advance , Whorfin , Indomitable , Horizon Flt II , Advance Flt II , Essex , Archon ) are Part 1 of the Project Starship series.

Image provided by: Adrasil

Original inspirations from: Rick Sternbach (Spaceflight Chronology) and video game Star Trek: Legacy

History from: Hobbyist's Guide to the UFP Starfleet , by Timo Saloniemi

Variant blueprints: Access via Adrasil's Download button

Featured in: Starship Recognition Manual #296

The Horizon class heavy cruiser was immediately respected for the exploratory capacity provided to Star Fleet, but there was, no doubt, acknowledgment of some shortfalls that needed to be addressed as the ships ventured forth. The class had been designed in a holistic sense to be a cruiser; however, the design that sailed from the rails to the border addressed the exploratory nature of a cruiser over that of the defensive role. The defensive needs of the Federation had to be addressed (as highlighted by the feline Xindi unrest of 2196-97) and rather than design a brand new battle cruiser, it was decided to adapt the Horizon and build this subclass alongside. The Federation Council released additional funds to increase the total number of cruiser hulls to twenty-six, evenly divided between exploratory and defensive types.

The Advance battle cruiser maintained the dimensions of her matriarch, but internal changes were significant. The tactical suite was rethought, with upgraded targeting systems, aft phased particle cannons swapped out to match the strength of the forward suite, and four of the forward cannon replaced by two additional photonic torpedo launchers on the dorsal saucer rim. Very little of the scientific nature of the original was retained, as most laboratories were ripped out to make space for the heavier tactical package. The shuttlebay was also re-designed to accommodate a small flight of tactical craft.

While the addition of the Advance was appreciated for the strength it provided to the "hearth world defense," there was a notable amount of disappointment with its actual battle prowess. Though military threats receded a touch in the design's initial years, when USS Sentry (NCC-1010) engaged the newly belligerent Klingons in 2209, it struggled against the aggressors and lost. The final three hulls were put on hold until the shortfalls could be addressed. Therefore, the class was limited to only ten named Advances (the hull for NCC-1023 was deemed flawed well before completion, and would be commissioned in a different subclass in 2210).

Note: the changes to this release are minor indeed. The extremely subtle differences are best seen with image software that allows you to flip back and forth between the master Horizon and child Advance files. You'll see two plasma cannon ports removed from both the dorsal and ventral views, as well as two view ports on the bow view also, replaced by off-set dorsal launchers (saucer rim). In the end, the only perspective that has not changed from the Horizon is that of the stern.

Would you like to learn more about this class of ship? Download the free Hobbyist's Guide to the UFP Starfleet , a three-volume, 1236-page history of space flight, by Timo Saloniemi.

For an extremely rich gallery of Star Trek starships and vessels from other universes, check out my partner, Adrasil , here on DeviantArts.