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Rochey wrote:The problem with using them as explorer ships is simply that they're old, and thus filled with sub-standard science equipment and engines. They'd have to refit the entire thing to make it anyway useful in such a role. whereas they already have plenty of explorer ships lying around.

We have never seen any indication that they are outdated to the point where the only role left for them is as a Troop/Supply Transport. It is entirely possible and likely that they have been refitted over the years with newer equipment.

Have we even seen troop transports? I mean the idea of colony/troop transports is essential, or at least should be, but based on canon, they're seemingly non-existant. I'd be all for converting Excelsiors, etc. into them, assuming you were willing to provide them with some escorts. Which brings up another topic: Why not build a LOT more Defiant type escort vessels. Cost?

We've never seen troops...

Teaos wrote:We've never seen troops...

Unless you count Redshirts.

Assuming that there are, in fact, troops to transport and we have either a transport or actual assault ship to take them to and drop them on a planet; considering the inconvenient and sometimes dangerous propensity of transporters to fail, does this presuppose the existence of the 'Trek equivalent of the LVT or amtrack?

I highly doubt they would have it purely based on what we have seen of Starfleets operations.

General purpose starships, be it an Old Miranda or a new Nebula, fill a variety of roles. We have never seen a dedicated ship, apart from the Defiant. But i would imagine they would use whatever ship they could get there hands on, another sign of starfleets stupidity.

I tend to agree. I'm talking about IF there were a dedicated assault ship.

I'd rather see an Armoured Shuttle like the Danube in the role. If I was Starfleet I wouldn't even touch down, just get in close to the ground, hover drop the rear a bit, open the door (ramp style to the ground) and deploy that way, troops can get out and vehicles can drive out, almost like a helicopter but able to carry vehicles internally. We also have references to the 'Hopper' In a few episodes and most of the Community has taken this to be Starfleet's Combat Insertion/Transport Shuttle.

Aye, the only problem with it being the fact that it needs troops on the ground to cover it, rather than the other way round.

KM's idea would be fine. As to the "hopper," I've never seen a concrete reference, so I really have no idea what exactly one is.

It was mentioned in 2 eps, a toss away thing really, Geordi mentions it once ad somone else does the same.

Rochey wrote:Aye, the only problem with it being the fact that it needs troops on the ground to cover it, rather than the other way round.

Not neccesarily, you use Fighters or Bombers, ie the Peregrine, to cover it for the most part, drop your troops and get out. Helicopters do basically this now with out too many problems, sure they can be taken out but thats why you use armour on the shuttle. Transporters are out since they can be so easily jammed or blocked thus they are a horrible deployment tool unless you have perfect conditions or an enemy that fights like SF does now...

KuvahMagh wrote:I'd rather see an Armoured Shuttle like the Danube in the role. If I was Starfleet I wouldn't even touch down, just get in close to the ground, hover drop the rear a bit, open the door (ramp style to the ground) and deploy that way, troops can get out and vehicles can drive out, almost like a helicopter but able to carry vehicles internally. We also have references to the 'Hopper' In a few episodes and most of the Community has taken this to be Starfleet's Combat Insertion/Transport Shuttle.

Why bother? They've got transporters.

A "dedicated assault ship" would just have numerous transporter pads and the power capabilities to activate many of them simultaneously.

In "Voyager" they transported the entire crew (over 100) of the old Klingon cruiser in just a few seconds. Why not just transport a bunch of troops and tanks to the surface the same way? You never need to touch the atmosphere (unless there is sufficiant interference).

unless there is sufficiant interference

A problem that occurs so frequently in Trek.

stitch626 wrote:

unless there is sufficiant interference

A problem that occurs so frequently in Trek.

True 'dat.

But when you have such ridiculous technology, you have to find SOME way to create tension...

Part of the original idea - transporters are often prone to fail, be interfered with, etc., at rather frequent (and dramatic) times in 'Trek.