Klingon Bird-of-Prey (22nd century)

Bird-of-Prey
Affiliation:	Klingon Empire
Type:	Warship
Length:	115± meters
Armaments:	8 disruptor cannons; 2 photon torpedo launchers
Defenses:	Deflector shields
Speed:	Warp 5+

During the mid-22nd century, the Klingon Empire operated a type of small warship known as the Klingon Bird-of-Prey.

History

This class is one of the earliest class of starships encountered by Earth Starfleet during the early 2150s. The first encounter occurred on the outer perimeter of the Sol system in early 2153. (ENT: "The Expanse") Starfleet, however, had known of the existence of these ships as early as late 2151. (ENT: "Sleeping Dogs")

This Bird-of-Prey design was revamped over the next two centuries, and was used to represent several different variations of this class that were collectively known under the same name. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

Technical Data

Physical Arrangement

Docked with an NX-class starship

Comparable in design to its sister classes, the Template:ShipClass scout and D5-class battle cruiser, the exterior design of the Bird-of-Prey utilized the same basic avian design, including vaguely feather-like hull plating on its wings.

File:Klingon b-o-p, msd, Augments.jpg

Overview of vessel

The bulk of the ship's overall mass was incorporated in the aft section of the ship. The bridge module was located on a bulbous forward section, which was separated from the aft section by a relatively thin connective section that attached to and flared into the aft portion, which sweept down below the main body forming wings.

Located on the caudal section of the ship were the ship's shuttlebay, impulse engines and warp nacelles. The nacelles were positioned on the extreme upper aft section of the ship, perpendicular to the impulse engine.

Tactical systems

The offensive arsenal of the Bird-of-Prey was rather impressive, for the time, as the ship possessed at least eight forward disruptor banks, including a twin-pair of neck-mounted disruptor cannons, a pair of wing-tip mounted disruptor cannons, and a 360º rotating turret containing twin belly-mounted disruptor cannons. The class was also equipped with dual photon torpedo launchers, positioned fore and aft, and defensive shields. (ENT: "The Expanse", "Borderland", "Cold Station 12") This class, however, had minimal aft weapons. (ENT: "The Augments")

Forward torpedo launcher

Wing-mounted cannons
(intermittent beams)

Wing-mounted cannons
(solid beams)

Bridge-mounted cannons

Prior to the refitting of Enterprise, one Bird-of-Prey was more than a match with the NX class; however, it was unable to repel three older Earth vessels at one time. After Enterprise was upgraded, it was nearly an even match with the Bird-of-Prey. (ENT: "The Expanse") This class of Bird-of-Prey could outgun an Orion interceptor, two to one. (ENT: "Borderland")

It was stated by Arik Soong (in "The Augments") that the Enterprise outgunned their Bird-of-Prey "three to one." It is unclear if this statement, which seems unfair based on previous encounters, was Soong being overly cautious of the situation, or if his statement reflected the current condition of their vessel, which had sustained some damage at that time and was limited to warp 3.8.

Additional systems

Tractoring a transport shuttle

This class of vessel was equipped with tractor beam technology. It had one emitter located on the underside of each wing that, when used in conjunction, could be used to manipulate a ship to its belly docking port. (ENT: "Borderland")

Unlike the Raptor-class, this class of Bird-of-Prey was equipped with escape pods. The escape pod hatch was also located on the belly of the ship. (ENT: "The Augments")

One major drawback in the design of the Bird-of-Prey was found at the base of the ship's neck and primary hull. A direct hit on the main plasma junction above the sensor array could disable the entire power grid. (ENT: "The Augments")

Unlike its 23rd century counterpart, the 22nd century version was not equipped with a cloaking device. The Klingons most likely had not perfected the technology at this point.

Shuttlebay

The shuttlebay was located on the extreme aft of the ship, directly below the impulse engines. It was large enough in capacity to store a Denobulan medical ship. (ENT: "Cold Station 12", "The Augments")

Interior Design

Like the Raptor-class scouts of this era, live food was kept aboard these Birds-of-Prey in the targ pits, presumably adjacent to the galley.

Bridge

The bridge, plated with dispersive armor, was one of the most protected sections of the ship. (ENT: "The Augments")

Aft view, looking forward

Forward view, looking aft

Crew quarters

Crew quarters

Ships of the class

Unnamed

• Unnamed Klingon Birds-of-Prey
  • Duras's Bird-of-Prey
  • Malik's Bird-of-Prey

Appendices

Appearances

• ENT:
  • "The Expanse"
  • "Borderland"
  • "Cold Station 12"
  • "The Augments"
  • "Divergence"

Background

The term "Bird-of-Prey" was first referenced on Enterprise in "Sleeping Dogs", and may have been implied to be the "two ships approaching at high warp" at the end of that episode. An earlier reference made in "Broken Bow" to "a fleet of Warbirds" might have originally intended to be a reference to the Bird-of-Prey.

Klingon b-o-p, Borderland.jpg

22nd century class

23rd and 24th century class

The design of this CGI model was inspired by Nilo Rodis's Klingon Bird-of-Prey, which first appeared in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. At that time the "Bird-of-Prey" designation was originally believed to be a Romulan term that was adopted by the Klingons in the late 23rd century. With the appearance of ships of this name in use by both Klingons and Romulans during the 2150s, the origin of the term is much more obscure.