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Yes, by science ship I mean similar (in role) to the oberth etc.

Sonic Glitch wrote:I mean the Oberth was taken out in what, 1 shot from a BOP?

So what? It's a science ship, not a cruiser or a battleship. It's not meant to fight, so it's unsurprising that it would be destroyed by a weapon that could seriously shake up Starfleet's top-of-the-line battleship.

Captain Seafort wrote:

Sonic Glitch wrote:I mean the Oberth was taken out in what, 1 shot from a BOP?

So what? It's a science ship, not a cruiser or a battleship. It's not meant to fight, so it's unsurprising that it would be destroyed by a weapon that could seriously shake up Starfleet's top-of-the-line battleship.

You're right, it's not meant to fight. But it'd be nice if it could survive long enough for help to get there. I'm not saying we make every ship a galaxy-class equivalent when it comes to weapons but it'd be nice if they could last. As someone commented in the novel Star Trek: Best Destiny they "aren't the cavalry or even the covered wagons. They're the choo-choo trains meant to go in after everything is declared safe." However, apparently Klingon ships have a way of turning up in the middle of Federation space to take potshots, so I don't think we should necessarily increase their offensive capabilities but enhance their defensive capabilities and/or warp drive so they can survive long enough to signal for help then Run Like Hell.

Sonic Glitch wrote:However, apparently Klingon ships have a way of turning up in the middle of Federation space to take potshots, so I don't think we should necessarily increase their offensive capabilities but enhance their defensive capabilities and/or warp drive so they can survive long enough to signal for help then Run Like Hell.

Again, I don't see why. Equipping science vessels against the possibility of Klingons turning up in Federation space is the equivalent of issuing scientists in Yosemite with body armour in case a bunch of trigger-happy Spetsnaz show up.

Captain Seafort wrote:

Sonic Glitch wrote:However, apparently Klingon ships have a way of turning up in the middle of Federation space to take potshots, so I don't think we should necessarily increase their offensive capabilities but enhance their defensive capabilities and/or warp drive so they can survive long enough to signal for help then Run Like Hell.

Again, I don't see why. Equipping science vessels against the possibility of Klingons turning up in Federation space is the equivalent of issuing scientists in Yosemite with body armour in case a bunch of trigger-happy Spetsnaz show up.

So they shouldn't be able to run like hell and we should just write them off in the event something unfortunate happens? (Which seems to be ever 3rd episode on average)

I say troop transport. S/E is already covered to an insane point with the UFP. As for medical, the troop transport could always double as such. One carries troops, the other carries doctors. Simple enough call there.

Sonic Glitch wrote:So they shouldn't be able to run like hell and we should just write them off in the event something unfortunate happens? (Which seems to be ever 3rd episode on average)

Would said scientists be able to run like hell? The solution is to make sure that the Klingons don't get into Fed space in the first place, and to respond firmly in the case of such incidents (either economically or militarily).

If you're in unprotected space, send an Intrepid. If you're outside of UFP space then send a GCS. If you're looking at funny star stuff with cadets, pack them in an Orbeth or Nova and don't waste the resources that could be used else where.

Captain Seafort wrote: The solution is to make sure that the Klingons don't get into Fed space in the first place, and to respond firmly in the case of such incidents (either economically or militarily).

I do agree with you there, but that doesn't seem to happen in Trek. This is the Federation we're talking about and while since the DW they've become less hippie-like, that doesn't mean there aren't enough hippies still in power for their to be a resurgence.

Deepcrush wrote:I say troop transport. S/E is already covered to an insane point with the UFP. As for medical, the troop transport could always double as such. One carries troops, the other carries doctors. Simple enough call there.

While the two roles would certainly require similar ships, I don't think they could double up. The main requirements for a troop transport would be large open storage areas for vehicles and barracks for the troops. A medical ship would require wards, operating theatres, and much wider corridors than your typical starship. You'd probably be able to use the same basic hull, as speed and the ability to load and unload large numbers of people quickly would be required by both, but the internal arrangements mean that they'd be two separate classes.

They are however close enough together that you could make one base outer hull design. Then work in subsections to allow the same ship to do two things. I agree with you on most, so I'll only point out the part in which I don't.

and much wider corridors than your typical starship.

Is there any reason that the corridors on a transport/troop ship would have to be any different then that of a transport/medical ship? I don't think so. In fact, for your troop ships you'd want a lot of shoulder room as to ready your troops for deployment or recall as rapidly as possible.

Deepcrush wrote:Is there any reason that the corridors on a transport/troop ship would have to be any different then that of a transport/medical ship? I don't think so. In fact, for your troop ships you'd want a lot of shoulder room as to ready your troops for deployment or recall as rapidly as possible.

You might want a bit of extra room (I'm not sure how wide the corridors are on a modern LPD compared to other warships), but even fully-equipped troops don't need as much room as mobile beds, which a hospital's corridors need to accommodate.

Captain Seafort wrote:You might want a bit of extra room (I'm not sure how wide the corridors are on a modern LPD compared to other warships), but even fully-equipped troops don't need as much room as mobile beds, which a hospital's corridors need to accommodate.

Unless you plan on moving troops in single file, you're going to want a wide space. My shoulders (i'm about average build) are just under two feet in width. Double file each way means a corridor of eight feet in width. Which would also allow a mobile bed with medical to pass side by side without having to worry about hitting each other.

I voted for medical. Might be intriguing. Have we devoted our brainpower to such a field?

Sonic was right... initially. I did mean a dedicated science ship, in nature like the Oberth or Nova. However, byt "more capability" I didn't mean military capability. Like Seafort, I have no issue with science ships being comparatively unarmed compared to warships or explorers(which are by nature intended to "beat the bounds.") By greater capability I meant rather that it would be nice to see a dedicated science/research ship with the stamina to stay on-site at a point of interest, or with the range and top end to get to one that's farther than the next system over. If we're talking about a phenomenon or POI in unexplored, disputed, or dangerous territory, then by all means the answer is to send an explorer or a science ship under escort - not upgun a research vessel.