Shuttles, however, have ample energy weapon power with their integral phasers, and often are instead equipped with additional microtorpedo launchers and magazines.Īs guidance and propulsion systems on capital-grade torpedo weapons improved over the years, they eventually got accurate enough to pose a huge risk to small craft.
STAR TREK RUNABOUT INSTALL
The largest non-runabout shuttle comes with an option to install a weapon pod with a Type-8 capital-grade phaser, making it the heaviest-armed small craft ever developed. Modern shuttlecraft are also equipped with at least one modular external hardpoint for multimission capability. Their compactness does, however, allow for a relatively large magazine size. However, microtorpedoes still suffer from the fact that their small size prohibits any decent guidance systems, effectively making them more useful being dumbfired at close range like explosive rockets.
Type-6 and Type-7 phasers have finally been compacted to a size that can be installed on shuttles, and Mark I Microtorpedo launchers have had a similar increase in compactness. Weapons systems have also been compacted considerably. Armor itself has also been upgraded to the new reactive polarizing armor, affording the shuttles even more protection and also retaining their remarkable maneuverability. The most recent shuttles have been equipped with a miniature regenerative shield system, giving the shields a much needed boost be once again on par with armor protection. Recent advances in phaser and disruptor weapon prefire chambers have made weapons even more powerful than ever, making shuttles once again vulnerable to threats from well-equipped enemies. The Deployable Ablative Armor brought back with the USS Voyager has been a great boon to shuttle defense capabilities, but even the armor has its limits. With increasing amounts of hostility from both pirate and terrorist groups on the fringes of Federation territory, and the threat from major powers such as the Breen, Sheliak or Klingons, shuttles have become increasingly vulnerable to attack. They were usually armed with a pair of Type-4 phasers, if any armament at all. Shuttlecraft of old were rarely armed with any real firepower. The largest non-runabout models are capable of Warp 8 for a week, and the runabout models are even capable of Warp 9.4 for an equal duration. The beginning of the 25th century has seen some of the highest-performance small craft ever to see service in Starfleet. It was, however, vastly cheaper to deploy than a bona fide starship. It was only capable of Warp 5, making even a medium-range trip last a few weeks. This revolutionary vessel quickly became the workhorse for interstellar courier, patrol, and cargo/personnel delivery duties. However, the limited size and capacity of these ships prevented them from being used in any greater role.Īdvancements in magnetic constriction technology eventually led to true interstellar capability in small craft with the development of the Danube-class runabout in 2368.
By the 24th century, shuttlecraft could sustain these speeds for up to two days, making short-range interplanetary journies possible. These shuttles were far from capable of interstellar travel, and their tiny warp drives could only sustain any appreciable warp factor for a few hours. During the mid 23rd century, M/A reactors were finally small enough to install on larger shuttlecraft. Shuttlecraft back in the 22nd century had no warp capability at all, due to the fact that the smallest M/AM reactors of the time were as large as the shuttles themselves. Many models are now capable of short interstellar journeys. Coupled with several more recent situations where a starship must effectively be in one place and also deliver someone or something to another led to a sudden resurgence in the use of shuttles. Many new ways to subvert and detect transporter use have developed during the late 2360’s and 2370’s. Nevertheless, starships have carried expansive facilities for these cheap, usually expendable craft. Shuttlecraft have always been a secondary means of getting people from ship to shore, in favor of the much quicker matter-energy transporter system. Images by Robert Crosswell and Chris Edmonds Section 5.0: Auxiliary Vehicles 5.1: Overview Star Trek: Renaissance Technical Manual, Section 5
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