Miranda Class

refit

Universe :	Prime Timeline
Affiliation :	Federation
Class Name :	Miranda Refit
Type :	Destroyer
Unit Run :	USS Miranda - Active USS Sitak - Destroyed [1] NCC 1837 [2] USS Lantree - Destroyed [3] NCC 1864 USS Reliant - Destroyed [4] NCC 1867 USS Saratoga [5] - Retired NCC 21166 USS Brittain - Missing [6] NCC 21382 [2] USS Tian An Men [7] - Missing [8] NCC 31860 USS Majestic - Destroyed [1] NCC 31905 [2] USS ShirKahr - Destroyed [9] NCC 31910 [2] USS Nautilus [9] - Active NCC 31911 USS Saratoga - Destroyed [10] plus 809 others built in total. 384 have been lost in all. 83 have been retired from service.
Commissioned :	2270 - 2285, class remains in service
Dimensions :	Length : 243 m [11] Beam : 150 m Height : 63 m Decks : 18
Mass :	655,000 [12] metric tons
Crew :	280
Armament :	18 x Type VII phaser bank [12], total output 8,000 TeraWatts 4 [4] x 2nd class photon torpedo tube [4] with 150 rounds
Defence Systems :	Standard shield system, total capacity 621,000 TeraJoules Standard Duranium Single hull. Standard level Structural Integrity Field
Warp Speeds (TNG scale) :	Normal Cruise : 5 Maximum Cruise : 6 Maximum Rated : 9.2 [12] for 12 [12] hours.
Strength Indices : (Galaxy class = 1,000)	Beam Firepower : 160 Torpedo Firepower : 250 Weapon Range and Accuracy : 255 Shield Strength : 230 Hull Armour : 10 Speed : 852 Combat Manoeuvrability : 5,720
Overall Strength Index :	262
Diplomatic Capability :	4
Expected Hull Life :	120
Refit Cycle :	Minor : 5 year Standard : 5 years Major : 30 years

Notes

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.

Today the Miranda's operate in a similar capacity, and although they are not front-line combat units in themselves they are still to be seen operating in major fleet actions in support of the modern vessels. Recently several Miranda class vessels have begun to show signs of serious stress fractures in their hulls; investigations are underway with all ships in the class, and although the results are yet to be announced it is thought that the problem is likely due to the age of the hulls. If so, the Miranda class is likely to be forced into retirement sometime over the next few years.

Colour key

References

#	Series	Season	Source	Comment
1	DS9	6	Sacrifice of Angels
2			Star Trek Encyclopedia
3	TNG	2	Unnatural Selection
4			Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan
5			Star Trek IV : The Voyage Home
6	TNG	4	Night Terrors
7	TNG	5	Redemption, Part 2
8	DS9	5	In the Cards
9	DS9	6	Tears of the Prophets
10	DS9	1	Emissary
11			Speculative	This is one of the most difficult lengths to work out - any way you do it seems to give a radically different answer. There are at least three possibilities : Mr. Stipes says that the Miranda class is 500 - 560 feet (152 to 171 metres) long. From the scale diagram on Page 317 of the Encyclopedia (1st edition), we get 243 metres (compared to the E-A). Using the Omnipedia diagram comparing the Daedalus, Oberth, Miranda, and Intrepid class ships ('show resource' entry under Starships), we get 259 metres (compared to a 343 metre Intrepid). In the end I arbitrarily decided to use the 243 metre figure because it looked like the best match to what we saw of the USS Reliant in Startrek II.
12			Star Trek Deep Space Nine Technical Manual

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Last updated : 22 Dec 2021

Series :	DS9 Season 6
Episode :	Sacrifice of Angels

Series :	TNG Season 2
Episode :	Unnatural Selection

Series :	TNG Season 4
Episode :	Night Terrors

Series :	TNG Season 5
Episode :	Redemption, Part 2

Series :	DS9 Season 5
Episode :	In the Cards