The U-24 (Codename 'Chowder') was a Strike Cruiser, for use as part of
the defensive strategy. Compared to the U-22 Class the U-24 was a far
lighter and more manoeuvrable design. This performance improved also
included an increase in maximum speed to Warp 3.2.
The U-24 gradually replaced the U-22 in production as the Romulans
shifted from offence to defence; operating close to bases meant that
Cruisers no longer required the amount of fuel that the U-22 had carried to
extend its reach.
In terms of armament, the U-24 did still pack an appreciable punch, again
carrying star bomb anti ship missiles and defensive cluster missiles. The
class also carried a nose mounted plasma cannon, although this was of lower
power than that of the U-22. Frequently, U-24s were employed in an anti
capital ship role, their speed and manoeuvrability giving an edge over the
lumbering Earth Battle Cruisers and Carriers. They proved to be vulnerable
themselves, as the lighter structure that gave the U-24s their speed made
them vulnerable to attack from nimble Minotaur class fighters and Powhatan
class Cruisers.
U-24s managed to destroy 5 Yorktown class carriers, and 19 other capital
ships of various types, but that was at enormous cost, of the 112 U-24s
deployed during the war, ships destroyed or listed as missing totalled 82.
Three distinct variants of the U-24 exist. The most common was the U-24A,
which entered service in 2258. This mounted a mix of defensive and offensive
missiles as well as the Plasma Cannon, 81 of the ships built during the war
were of this type. Production continued post-war and a further 38 ships were
built of this mark. The second variant (again in service from 2258) was the
U-24B, which carried only star bomb anti ship missiles. The Star bomb
variant carried by this mark was the lightest (and least powerful) produced
by the Romulans, the RM-SB4. It could however carry ten of the weapons, and
it retained its plasma cannon as a back up. Some 30 of the completed ships
were of this model.
The U-24C, of which saw only a single prototype built, adopted an all or
nothing approach. This variant dispensed with all weapons except for the
star bombs. As a result, it could carry sixteen of the light RM-SB4s for use
against high value targets. The variant was also fitted with a further star
bomb in its nose, for use as a last resort weapon in ramming actions.
Intended for use in the defence of Romulus, this variant began testing in
mid 2259. Luckily, for both sides, the war ended before this model saw
action. Testing indicated that the ship was woefully underpowered, and could
only fire a useful salvo if not manoeuvring or not powering the already
inadequate defensive screens, additionally it lost the manoeuvrability that
made the U-24A so devastating.
The U-24 was a departure from the larger designs that preceded it. Many
things including the changing nature of the conflict and the need for quick
to produce ships caused this change. However, the striking power of the U-24
was almost equal to that of many earlier and far larger cruisers; both the
Romulan and Federation fleets followed this trend post war, meaning the
leviathans that saw action in the Romulan War soon faded into history
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