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Bird-of-Prey
Klingon b-o-p, Borderland 2
Affiliation: Klingon Empire
Type: Warship
Length: 115± meters
Armaments: 8 disruptor cannons; 2 photon torpedo launchers
Defenses: Deflector shields
Speed: Warp 5+
Klingon b-o-p shuttlebay, Cold Station 12

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 would be revamped over the next two centuries, and would be 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

Klingon b-o-p docked with Enterprise, Borderland

Docked with an NX class starship.

Comparable in design to its sister classes, the Raptor class scout and D5 class battle cruiser, the exterior design of the Bird-of-Prey utilizes the same basic avian design, including a bold feathered pattern painted on the hull.

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

Overview of vessel.

The bulk of the ship's overall mass is incorporated in the aft section of the ship. The bridge module is 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 sweeps down below the main body forming wings.

Located on the caudal section of the ship, is the ship's shuttlebay, impulse engines and warp nacelles. The nacelles are positioned on the extreme upper aft section of the ship, positioned 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")

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

Klingon b-o-p tractor beam, Borderland

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 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 ships 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")

Shuttlebay

The shuttlebay is 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-Preys 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")

Crew Quarters

Ships of the Class

Unnamed

Appendices

Appearances

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.

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.

Related Links

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