Which ship could become the backbone of the Modern Starfleet

[Mark]

I don't think they'll continue the Nebula run much longer though. They have numbers enough to keep them fielded. They will need to move beyond it fairly quickly to keep up.

[Teaos]

Why? The basic chape and structure is fine, just keep updating systems in new designs.

The design is only 20 years old, which for the Federation, isnt much.

[Mark]

I'm speaking in relative terms. Maybe another 5 or 10 year run, before moving on to something else to support all the new techs, like the ablative armor generators, slipstream drive, and so forth.

[Mikey]

No reason that we know of that the Neb can't accomodate most of the new tech. In fact, with the seemingly swappable mission pod a/o pod variants, it seems to be one of the more flexible general designs we've seen.

[Deepcrush]

Agreed, all the more point that the Nebula class meets the call.

[Tsukiyumi]

That's why I went with a quantum torpedo pod for the Ravage in the Daystrom RP. That's a heck of an upgrade.

[Deepcrush]

Maybe you should think about upgrading the Saucer phasers too type XII's. Give you a little more kick.

[Teaos]

To upgrade phasers you need more power, which is a whole different level of upgrade. Swapping to QT's I imagin wouldnt be to hard at all, switching phasers would take months and a drydock.

[Deepcrush]

True, that and most likely added space would be needed. Which is why I thought about the Saucer but figured the rest of the ship may just be to packed. The GCS saucer seemed to have a ton of free space. Though, I doubt it would take months. Maybe a few weeks. Replacing two phaser grids shouldn't be too bad.

[Mark]

But could a Nebula power core support type XII phasers with all power routed to maximise tactical and manuvering systems?

[stitch626]

Maybe not the original cores, but sure with new ones.

[Praeothmin]

Maybe a few weeks. Replacing two phaser grids shouldn't be too bad.

I doubt it would be that easy.
You replace the Type X Phasers for Type XII Phasers.
You need new Phaser strips which will resist the increased power output.
You need more powerful power conduits.
You may need to redesign the Phaser circuits for the new equipment, a recalibration of the power output of the entire ship circuit because now more power is going to the weapons then previously, so the new circuits have to be fed differently then the old one, but this must not affect the rest of the ship's power needs, etc...

See, replacing Phasers seems less akin to replacing cannons for bigger cannons, then replacing a laser source in optical equipment by another source.
Low-powered optical sources aren't designed to house high powered lasers, to do so would require a redesign of the optical circuit.

[Mark]

Maybe not the original cores, but sure with new ones.

Which would massively increase said refit time, because then you'd have to redesign the entire power distribution net as well.

[Teaos]

Exactly, your pretty much better off just building a new ship and demoting the older ships to 2nd line ships.

[Deepcrush]

They completed a refit over the Lakota in less then a season's time. Improved armor, shields, phasers and TLs. Upgrading two phaser grids on a ship with far more free space that doesn't even have to be taken off patrol since its only two of eleven.