The Fenlon is the only monitor class in Star
Fleet. Because ships of what Starfleet currently terms the monitor
type generally are used to patrol and maintain order over subjugated worlds,
the UFP has little need for a vessel of this type, except near the
borders. These ships patrol border systems and protect them from
marauders and pirates.
The monitor role definition is under review in Star
Fleet, historically Star Fleet used the monitor designation for vessels used
for planetary bombardment prior to assault by marines or other ground
troops. As these vessels were often slow, the definition was later applied
instead to ships such as the Fenlon class. This has been recognised as being
in error. A new generation of Marine Assault support craft, currently being
proposed, has meant that Star Fleet has to reconsider its use of the monitor
term. As such, it is likely that the Fenlon class, and any future
successors, will be reclassified as Planetary Defence Ships.
Fenlons are usually moved to their deployments by
specially converted pusher transports of the MoKal class (a 'train' of up to
10 at once can be accommodated), or towed behind the Kethkin class (up to 6
at once). In the event of a major war, a contingency plan would see single
Fenlon class vessels mated with with a Mokal class transport to produce an
auxiliary cruiser, a concept similar to that of the Achernar and Tikopai
classes from the Four Years War.
The Fenlon's spherical hull design is a drastic
departure from normal Star Fleet designs. The engines are mounted
centrally and are difficult to locate on a visual scan. The sub-Iight
drive system is capable of moving the Fenlon at 0.9 warp for periods of up
to 6 months. Of course, being stationed in-systern or at a border
outpost because their limited top speed limits their range, the monitors
will seldom need this capability because they are always near their supply
depots.
The Fenlon Class monitor is seldom found alone.
Its primary function is to support the cutters that are operating in the
area. It will act as a heavy support vessel when the cutters have
encountered a ship that they cannot deal with alone. The Fenlon, with
its 10 phasers, is an unwelcome sight to smugglers, pirates, and marauders.
In design concept, the Fenlon is radically different
to all other contemporary Federation designs, harkening back to the Archon
and Horizon class cruiser primary hulls of the late 22nd century. There is
still some support for the spherical hull in Star Fleet circles for use in
roles where warp dynamics are less important than usable volume.
The size and immense volume of the Fenlon, affords it
the luxury of hangar facilties second only to the purpose built carriers of
the Audacious and Ariel classes. Initially Star Fleet only embarked shuttles
aboard ships of this class, but deployment patterns have recently been
changed to take full advantage of the capabilities offered.
The Fenlon's immense hangar bays can hold up to
50,000mt of craft, or in more practical terms a pair of cutters or a flight
of six Scorpio class corvettes. As such in many remote areas of the
Federation, the Fenlon acts as a combination of carrier, mother ship and
tender to a number of small craft.
Generally Fenlon class ships will launch all such
embarked craft before entering combat, as maneuverability is 33%
better when unladen.
The Fenlon is produced at the Alpha Centauri shipyards
at a rate of 2 per year. For most of its service career, the Fenlon relied
purely on phasers, the recently introduced Mk V added a pair of FP-2
torpedoes. Although relatively light weight weapons, these do add a
significant additional punch to the class. All new build ships are now Mk V,
and a programme is being instituted to refit other ships in the field to
this specification. It is planned that all operational vessels will be
upgraded by 2300. The Fenlon class has no planned out of service date, as
stresses on the hull are relatively low compared to conventional Starships,
it may be possible that some may survive until the mid 2350s.
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