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In Wikipedia, it is speculated that the Cardassian has a sub-level technology development.

I was wondering about it. We are often shown how much Cardassian ships are inferior to Federation. However, I don't think comparing Defiant Vs Galor Class or Galaxy Vs Galor Class to be a true examen of their technology.

After all, these two ships are battleships...

Anyway, back to the topic. How developped would you see the Cardassian compared to, let's say, the Klingons? The Romulans? The Federations?

It has always been my speculation that on many range, the Cardassians had superior technologies when it came to mind-affecting devices, A.I. development, and the such. Cardassians were probably also of higher tech when it came to weapons, compared to the Romulans.

Also, where Federation technolgy seems to be rated higher, I would say the Cardassians have better "masterised" their technological implimentation on the field. My main example would be Kira's comparison of the Cardassian phasor Vs the Federation's. "You can put it in the mudd and it will still be functionning"

I think they are inferior but they may have been in space such a long time they have a developed empire. If they were weak technologically how are they not taken over? Possibly because they are built up and esablished but also have a poor society structure that hampers advancement. Humans on the other hand have been in space bugger all time but have the right society to get ahead.

Most of the incidents where Cardassian ships get thrashed involve either Galaxys (which considerably outmass Galors) or the Defiant (which probably has the highest power:mass ratio of any Alpha Quadrent ship). The only example I can think of where Cardassian technology is appreciably deficient is The Wounded, where it's revealed that the Federation can read Cardassian transponder signals without the Cardassians even realising.

Conversely, there is evidence that Cardassian technology is equal or superior to the Feds.

1) The Cardassians at the very least fought the Federation to a standstill in the first war, as demonstrated by the fact that in the peace treaty the Federation surrendered territory to the Cardassians rather than simply dictating terms.

2)They can fool Federation sensors into believing they are developing metagenic weapons when in fact they are not.

3) Their infantry weapons, as Solka mentioned, are superior to their Fed equivalent in combat conditions (a blatant rip-off of the AK-47 vs M16 argument).

then again, let's not forget that technolgical advancement isn't uniform.

The U.S. maybe had inferior assault gun designs, but I think they had superior ___ (put something here. I really don't know a thing where the U.S. were superior technologically by design, and not simply by budget cut).

Sensor technology is maybe superior on the Federation side (since they try to be more scientific in their ship design). If you made an average of Federation technological advancement, compared to the Cardassian's tech advancement, I would bet the Federation is superior.

If you simply compared military technologies, I would bet on the Cardassian.

And I do not think the Cardassian's social structure impede technological progress. On the opposite, scientists are praised! They are considered an important part of the society.

The old Galaxy vs. Galor argument isn't really fair, as the Galaxy is listed as a Heavy Cruiser, with the Galor class being rated (in Federation terms) as a Destroyer. (For those who don't know the most basic chain of command for ship types is Frigate>Destroyer>Light Cruiser>Heavy Cruiser>Dreadnought)

However, this poses a bit of a conflict. The Miranda class (in the 24th Century) is a Destroyer also, but a Galor would easily kick the crap out of one. So it makes me wonder if the statement in Sacrifice of Angels is wrong, and that the Galor may be a Light Cruiser, or that Mirandas are so old they're basically Frigates now. (Which is plausible as they were sent to flank the Defiant)

A more approprite comparison might be Galor to say a Vor'Cha? Opinions?

Bryan Moore wrote:A more approprite comparison might be Galor to say a Vor'Cha? Opinions?

Vor'Cha class is an Attack Cruiser and made by the Klingons. The Vorcha would easily win.

Bryan Moore wrote:

JudgeKing wrote:

Bryan Moore wrote:A more approprite comparison might be Galor to say a Vor'Cha? Opinions?

Vor'Cha class is an Attack Cruiser and made by the Klingons. The Vorcha would easily win.

Not to be harsh, or anything rude, but while I am happy you agree with him so much that you felt quoting him.. what is your point?

You also have to remember that it is aplication of technology. I think the Cardasians may be just as advanced more or less as everyone else but have such a crappy society it holds them back.

I think it's just the fact that they've plundered their own industrial plant while occupying numerous worlds (ie. Bajor) that has stripped them of the ability to field competitive warships. Thus they're forced to rely on Galor class ships and the like.

Early on, when they fought a war with the Federation one-on-one, they may have been able to compete. But deteriorating economic conditions within the Cardassian Union forced them to rely on obsolete ships well past their expiration date.

Yes I think thats it. They had been competitve but social and economical issues have ruined their empire.

I Am Spartacus wrote:I think it's just the fact that they've plundered their own industrial plant while occupying numerous worlds

I tough having a poor homeworld is what brought the conquering/enslaving policy in the first place?

SolkaTruesilver wrote:

I Am Spartacus wrote:I think it's just the fact that they've plundered their own industrial plant while occupying numerous worlds

I tough having a poor homeworld is what brought the conquering/enslaving policy in the first place?

Cardassian territory is comprised of a hell of a lot more than just one planet. The idea that all of the worlds colonized and industrialized by the Cardassians are resource poor is just absurd.

But what I meant was they depleted their treasury and exhausted their industrial plant building up a military and sustaining that military during the course of a series of costly occupations, including Bajor. As the Dominion War loomed, they lacked the ability to introduce newer and better designs, or to significantly upgrade existing ships. Thus, Galor class ships were not able to compete on the battlefield.

I was suggesting they are more like some of the troubled African nations. They have the resorces but due to a combination of bad goverment and social system they don't use it to its full potential.