Romulan starships
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The Star Trek fictional universe has presented a number of designs for Romulan starships. Since Star Trek: The Next Generation, larger Romulan starships have been referred to as Warbirds.
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[edit] Bird of Prey (22nd century)
The Bird of Prey was an advanced starship encountered first in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Minefield" named for its aggressive bird-like styling; the earliest featured Bird of Prey was encountered by humans – specifically those aboard the Earth starship Enterprise – in 2152, and was revealed to have advanced tactical systems including a cloaking device.
This type of Bird of Prey was only seen in the episode "Minefield"; at least two were in service in the year 2152 and were encountered when the Enterprise struck a mine during a survey of a Minshara class planet. The two Birds of Prey ordered the Enterprise to leave the system at once notifying them that the planet they had attempted to reach was "annexed" by the Romulan Star Empire.
[edit] Drone ship
The drone ship was designed to be remotely controlled across vast distances of space, using the telepathic abilities of captured Aenars. The vessel was heavily armed and extremely maneuverable, capable of dodging torpedoes fired at close range.
The vessel's primary task was to imitate the visual and sensory appearance of alien vessels such as the Andorians and Vulcans using holographic technology and specially configured disruptors, attack a vessel of another race and so create instability and distrust among the powers of the time. Upon its discovery, however, the vessels' actions may have served instead to promote greater co-operation. The drone project was overseen by Admiral Valdore, a former Romulan Senator and presumably the namesake of the later Valdore-class of Warbird. There were at least two of these vessels constructed by the Empire. The two featured craft were destroyed by each other when the captured Aenar pilot was contacted telepathically by another member of his race.
In the original script, Valdore referred to the drone vessels as "Raptors" though this never made it to the screen. However, the Romulan senator did refer to them as "Warbirds".
[edit] Bird of Prey (2260s)
The Bird of Prey was a variety of Romulan starship in use during the 2260s (not to be confused with the Klingon platform also known as the Bird of Prey). Ships of this class were built as a saucer-shaped primary hull with two nacelles attached by forward-angled pylons. The most distinctive feature, however, was a red and white bird in flight painted onto the bottom of the hull. According to background lore, the original script for the episode "Balance of Terror" called for the Romulans to have a ship that was a copy of the USS Enterprise, which the Romulans had built using Federation technology that they obtained through espionage. However, the producers ultimately decided to have the Romulan ship only vaguely resemble the Enterprise, as evidenced by the saucer-like hull and pylon-mounted cylindrical nacelles.
In the episode "Balance of Terror", one such vessel crossed the Romulan Neutral Zone, destroyed three outpost satellites, and retreated as a test of Federation strength; however, the Bird of Prey was destroyed by the USS Enterprise before it reached Romulan space, possibly causing the century-long wait before another Romulan vessel was seen.
Birds of Prey had advanced weapons compared to Starfleet ships of the period, featuring a cloaking device and powerful plasma-based weapon; however, the ships were slower than Federation craft, possibly even lacking warp drive. This ship also seemed to suffer from an acute fuel shortage in the episode, which implies limited range, and also more of a Federation-style fusion or antimatter-based drive system as opposed to the artificial quantum singularity power sources of the later Romulan ships in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
[edit] D-7 class
In the original series, at least three starships of the Klingon D-7 class were used by the Romulans. (This came to pass when a fire at NBC's studio warehouse destroyed the only existing Romulan ship model (the 2260s Bird of Prey), necessitating re-use of the surviving Klingon props.) Novels (as well as fans) have speculated that these vessels were given to the Romulans during a brief alliance with the Klingon Empire against the Federation (in exchange for which, the Romulans provided the Klingons with cloaking technology), though this is non-canon and has never been confirmed onscreen. The Romulans refitted the D-7s in their service with cloaking devices and the Federation occasionally referred to Romulan controlled vessels of this class as "battlecruisers."
[edit] Scout ship
This small Romulan vessel was first seen (obliterated) in the TNG episode "The Enemy", and later that season in "The Defector". It is used as a surveying/research vessel and transport. It is a small craft that was observed to hold a crew complement of about three. The class is equipped with deflector shields. Its forward crew cabin has a blunt-nosed profile bearing a distinct resemblance to the 20th century Boeing 747. The ship model was designed by TNG art illustrator Rick Sternbach.
The scout ship later received the designation "Talon" in the Star Trek: Armada computer game series, though this name is non-canonical.
[edit] Known scout ships
- Pi - This scout ship crashed on the planet Galorndon Core in 2366, after venturing about 0.5 light-year into Federation space. The ship is soon autodestructed after crashing on the planet; only the wreck was recovered and observed partially on-screen. It is likely that the scout ship was on a covert operation in Federation space.
- Unnamed vessel - Seen in the episode "The Defector", this marked the first and only intact appearance of the ship type. The scout ship, commandeered by the notorious Admiral Jarok (who assumed the alias Sublieutenant Setal), flees across the Neutral Zone to the Federation with information of a possible invasion. After the ship is severely damaged by weapons fire from a pursuing Romulan D'deridex class Warbird, Jarok is granted asylum and evacuated from the scout; however, he activates the scout's autodestruct mechanism before Starfleet can board and inspect it.
[edit] Science vessel
The science vessel was a redress of the scout ship model, though hosts a crew of up to 73. The vessel was known to be equipped with deflector shields.
[edit] Known science vessels
- Unnamed vessel - In 2368, a vessel of this class (the only one seen externally) was testing an experimental interphase cloaking device. The vessel's warp core was damaged during testing, and it was aided in repairs by the Enterprise-D. The Starfleet crew provided the Romulan crew with a modified subspace resonator which allowed the science vessel to reach Warp 2 on its journey home. (TNG: "The Next Phase").
- Talvath - This science vessel, commanded by Dr. Telek R'Mor, was engaged in an extended three-year scientific mission; in 2351, it encountered a micro-wormhole whose opposite exit was located twenty years in the future, in the Delta Quadrant. Using this wormhole, R'Mor made contact with the stranded Federation starship, USS Voyager (VOY: "Eye of the Needle"). The vessel exterior remains unseen throughout the episode; given this and the time differential, it is unclear if the Talvath is of similar design to the science vessel seen in TNG.
[edit] D'deridex-class warbird
The D'deridex class, also known to Starfleet as a B-type Warbird, is a heavily-armed class of starship used by the Romulans in the mid- to late 24th century. This class was first encountered by Starfleet circa stardate 41986.0 in 2364 when the starship Enterprise-D encountered an example, commanded by Commander Tebok, that violated Federation territory while investigating the destruction of outposts on both sides of the neutral zone (TNG: "The Neutral Zone"). The Romulan class moniker was revealed in the episode "Tin Man". Powered by an artificial quantum singularity, the D'deridex class is substantially larger than a Starfleet Galaxy class starship, despite most of the Warbird being hollow, and believed to have greater firepower but a lower top speed and less maneuverable. The D'deridex class served during the Dominion War. On board, decks are lettered and sections numbered: some crew quarters are on C deck and launch bay 3 is on deck E, section 25. In real life, the D'deridex class was designed by Andrew Probert for Star Trek: The Next Generation.
[edit] Known D'deridex class Warbirds
- Belak - The Belak was part of the fleet assembled by the Romulan Tal Shiar and the Cardassian Obsidian Order in late 2371 for an assault on the Founders homeworld, but was ambushed by 150 Jem'Hadar attack ships near the Omarion Nebula.
- Decius - Commander Tomalak's vessel. It is seen in several episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, most notably in "Future Imperfect" where it is first identified by name. Named for a Romulan officer in the original series episode "Balance of Terror".
- Devoras - Commanded by Admiral Mendak circa stardate 44390.1 in 2367, the Devoras met the Enterprise-D inside the Romulan Neutral Zone to transfer Federation ambassador T'Pel aboard the Devoras for treaty negotiations. Ambassador T'Pel was actually Romulan agent Subcommander Selok, and the transfer was her means of returning to Romulan territory.
- Dividices - The Dividices served during the Dominion War and was docked at Deep Space Nine for three weeks awaiting repair in 2375.
- Generex - The Generex served during the Dominion War and was docked at Deep Space Nine for three weeks awaiting repair in 2375.
- Haakona - Commanded by Subcommander Taris circa stardate 42609.1 in 2365, the Haakona entered the Romulan Neutral Zone at the same time as the Federation starships Yamato and Enterprise-D, searching for the planet Iconia. The Haakona was nearly destroyed by an Iconian software weapon which destroyed the Yamato.
- Khazara - Commanded by Commander Toreth circa stardate 46519.0 in 2369, the Imperial Romulan Warbird Khazara was seized by Subcommander N'Vek and Deanna Troi (posing as Major Rakal of the Tal Shiar) as part of a plot to enable the defection of Romulan Vice-Proconsul M'ret and his aides to the Federation.
- Koderex - Fought several major engagements in the Dominion War, and suffered heavy casualties (DS9 episodes "Image in the Sand", "The Siege of AR-558").
- Makar - The Makar was part of the fleet assembled by the Romulan Tal Shiar and the Cardassian Obsidian Order in late 2371 for an assault on the Founders' homeworld, but was ambushed by 150 Jem'Hadar attack ships near the Omarion Nebula.
- Temet - Commanded by Subcommander Alnak, the Temet was one of three Warbirds sent to recover the USS Prometheus (NX-74913) from the Federation in 2374. Shortly afterward, one Warbird was destroyed by Starfleet ships in the battle that followed.
- Terix - Commanded by Commander Sirol circa stardate 47457.1 in 2370, the Terix attempted to locate the starship Pegasus (NCC-53847). In an alternate universe, the Terix was commanded by Commander Tomalak in the Romulan Neutral Zone circa stardate 47988.1.
- Tomal - Fought several major engagements in the Dominion War, and suffered heavy casualties (DS9 episodes "Image in the Sand", "The Siege of AR-558").
[edit] Romulan Shuttle
Romulan shuttles are known to be in use in the 2370s and are similar in size to a Federation Danube-class runabout. The only featured vessel of this class was that of Senator Vreenak, shown visiting Deep Space 9, in the episode "In the Pale Moonlight". This type of vessel is known to possess a cloaking device; the ship was seen decloaking after landing at the station. The design scheme and design follows the general Romulan design of a D'deridex-class.
The game Star Trek: Armada II contains a scaled-up version of the vessel, referred to class as the Kestrel class, though this is not regarded as Star Trek canon.
[edit] Valdore
The Valdore is a type of starship utilized by the Romulans. This type of starship was first seen in the movie Star Trek Nemesis. It is not as long as a Federation Galaxy class starship, it encloses a smaller volume and is certainly not as massive. Very little is known about these ships: they are equipped with cloaking devices and appear to be very maneuverable despite their size. In spite of this, the two featured vessels were disabled by the Reman Warbird Scimitar; in comparison, the Enterprise-E was heavily damaged, but still able to impair the Scimitar. (However it should be noted that the Scimitar intended only to disable the Enterprise-E as Shinzon needed to board the starship and capture Picard alive; he had no reservations about annihilating the other Warbirds).
The sleek and modern design is similar in concept to the Klingon Bird of Prey and may have been designed to serve during the Dominion War. It may also have been developed in response to the new Sovereign class starship or the Negh'Var class battleship - two newer designs. At least two starships of the class existed in 2379.
The ship's official class designation is unknown: it is listed in the customisable card game as the Norexan-class (Valdore being the name of an individual ship), while the Star Trek: Titan novels identify the frame as Mogai class; however, none of the three names have been confirmed onscreen. Due to the named onscreen vessel Valdore, this is how the class is most commonly known.
[edit] 'Bird of Prey' terminology
- No Romulan ship has ever been identified on live-action screen as a "Bird of Prey." Lieutenant Stiles stated in TOS episode "Balance of Terror" that the ship was "painted like a large bird-of-prey." However, Star Trek merchandise (often models and action figures) has been labeled with the name "Romulan Bird of Prey". Additionally, the term is undoubtedly the origin of the ship class 'Bird of Prey', as the Klingon ship of the same name was introduced long after the Romulan ship appeared, and Klingon Birds of Prey possess the same abilities as their Romulan counterparts, strongly implying that the Romulan ship is the origin of the term. The term "Romulan Bird of Prey" therefore falls somewhere between fanon and canon, as the ships have not been explicitly referred to as such by Paramount.
[edit] Dominion War
- During the Dominion War, the Romulan flagship was the D'ridthau. Its class is unknown, although (given its name, and its status as fleet flagship) it may have been a Warbird (D'deridex-class), or of a new class. It never appeared onscreen, but in the episode "What You Leave Behind" the D'ridthau was destroyed in battle by the Dominion.
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