Type:

Destroyer

Unit Run:

U.S.S. Brattain, NCC-21166
U.S.S. Majestic, NCC-31860
U.S.S. Miranda
U.S.S. Nautilus, NCC-31910
U.S.S. Reliant, NCC-1864
U.S.S. Saratoga, NCC-1867
U.S.S. Shir Kahr, NCC-31905
U.S.S. Sitak
U.S.S. Tian Nan Men, NCC-21382
plus 281 vessels built in total. None remain in service

Commissioned

2243 - 2278

Dimensions

Length 245 m
Width 150 m
Height 63 m
Decks 18 excluding nacelles
Mass 230,000 tons

Crew

280 in standard Miranda;
some science and cargo vessels carry only a few dozen depending on the mission

Warp Speeds

Normal Cruise Warp 5
Maximum Cruise Warp 8
Maximum Rated Warp 8 for twelve hours

Armament

18 x Type VI Phaser banks, total output 7,250 TeraWatts
4 x 2nd class photon torpedo tubes + 150 torpedoes

Defense Systems

Shield system, total capacity 378,000 TeraWatts
Standard Monotanium single hull
Standard level Structural Integrity Field
Strength Indices (Galaxy Class=1,000)
Beam Firepower 130
Torpedo Firepower 120
Weapon Range & Accuracy 185
Shield Strength 140
Hull Armour 5 Speed 325
Combat Manoeuvrability 9,800
Overall Strength Index 160

Diplomatic Capability

Grade 4

Expected Lifetime

120 years

Refit Cycle

Minor 5 years
Standard 25 years
Major 30 years

General Information

First fielded in the 2240's, the Miranda class holds the Starfleet record for the longest serving Starship, still in active service some one hundred and twenty years after the launch of the USS Miranda herself. Even more amazing, seven of the ships in the current fleet were launched in that first year and have continued in service ever since!
When launched the USS Miranda was a smaller, lighter and easier to build counterpart to the Constitution class then just entering service. Their smaller size was largely compensated for by a lower level of habitability for the crew and a reduction in the number of science labs from fourteen to ten. Even so the Miranda's were full Explorer type ships, fully capable of conducting long duration research missions.
Their considerable armament also made them an important addition to the defence of the Federation. When the Constitution class began to go through a major refit cycle in the 2270s, the Miranda's were similarly upgraded in order to extend their life span. They continued to act as Explorer class units for the next century, forming the backbone of Starfleet throughout this period. In time however, their relatively low cruising speed combined with the gradually increasing distances they had to cover - caused by the expansion of the Federation - began to wear on the ships.
Their relative lack of recreational facilities and the cramped quarters began to lead to a marked drop-off in crew performance, and Starfleet considered retiring the class. Instead, it was decided to use the Miranda design as the basis for a general purpose vessel for use within the body of the Federation. The science labs were removed and replaced with expanded cargo bays and an upgraded weapons fit. The Miranda class was used extensively to patrol the Klingon and Romulan borders, as cargo carriers and particularly as colony transport craft. In fleet actions they acted in support of the larger ships, acting as outer pickets to the fleet.
Some vessels were refitted as ammunition ships, using their extra cargo space to carry photon torpedo reloads and phaser components. Others were converted to tankers, carrying supplies of Deuterium and Antimatter. A group of six ships was fitted with modern extra sensor pods and used in the electronic intelligence role. Their ability to look after themselves during a battle made them an excellent choice for these roles.