Danube class

"You know, the rate we go through runabouts, it's a good thing the Earth has so many rivers."
 * - Major Kira

The Danube-class, also known as a Runabout-class, was a type of Federation runabout in operation during the latter half of the 24th century. All runabouts assigned to Deep Space 9 were named after rivers on Earth.

History
The Danube-class was first commissioned by Starfleet in 2368 for use as a light multipurpose craft in situations that demanded a vessel more capable than a standard shuttlecraft, but lower profile than a full-sized starship. With this flexibility, a runabout could be utilized as a long-range personnel and cargo transport, an agile mobile defense platform, or a high-speed reconnaissance vehicle. 

The following year, the space station Deep Space 9 took on three runabouts for use in their daily operations: the USS Ganges, the USS Yangtzee Kiang, and the USS Rio Grande. They were housed within landing bays situated around the habitat ring. 

On occasion, Starfleet Academy cadets were allowed to command runabouts during training missions. 

In 2371-2372 of an alternate timeline, the was an upgrade to the Danube-class. 

Use at Deep Space 9
In the first two years of the space station's use by Starfleet, the runabout remained the primary method of transport and defense support.

The runabouts were instrumental in discovering many new worlds and civilizations within the Gamma Quadrant, as well as the Bajoran wormhole itself. The runabouts were also utilized in fighting off Maquis raiders. 

The runabouts were used in exercises with the Ninth Fleet in 2374. 

Even after DS9 took delivery of the USS Defiant (2370) in 2371, the runabout was still widely used. Just before the beginning of the Dominion War, Elim Garak and Worf used a runabout to stealthily rescue crew members at Internment Camp 371. They were also used to help defend DS9 against a Dominion fleet. Colonel Kira Nerys used a runabout to covertly travel to Cardassia Prime to aid Damar's resistance movement. 

Technical data
The innovative feature that made the runabout possible was its compact, high-performance warp propulsion system. Runabouts were designed to have a maximum speed of warp 5. Their overall width was 14 meters. 

The Danube-class runabouts were also equipped with an aft tractor beam emitter. This emitter could be used to tow starships at least as large as a. It was also capable of being rigged to tow at warp velocities. 

For defense, the runabout was armed with phasers and photon torpedoes. The torpedo launcher assembly was accessible via a hatch on the floor of the forward cabin. In late 2370, Chief Miles O'Brien of Deep Space 9 began retrofitting the weapon systems of the runabouts USS Mekong and USS Orinoco with extra banks of photon torpedoes in preparation to the Federation's first engagement with the Dominion. He also made some modifications to the phaser arrays and shield generators of the station's runabouts. 

The hull of a Danube-class ship was made up of metallic composites that could interact with magnetic fields. Lost ships could be found by using a differential magnetometer to detect fluctuations in the hysteresis curve. In the case of low power, the runabout had a contingency fuel cell to provide an emergency supply of power. The vessel also had the ability to eject its antimatter pod if so needed. 

Interior configuration
Ideally, a runabout was piloted by two crewmembers, although one pilot would suffice. The pilots' consoles faced forward upon two large portholes. The cockpit had stations for up to four crewmembers. The two large portholes were equipped with retractable blast shutters. Small square viewscreens mounted within the forward corners of the cabin were used for video communication and ship status displays. 

In the original configuration, a food replicator and a compact personnel transporter were located immediately behind the cockpit stations. After the class underwent a refit as hostilities arose between the Federation and the Dominion, the transporter and replicator were moved further back and a secondary tactical console was positioned in the cockpit. The transporter was capable of transporting multiple persons simultaneously. 

The rear of the craft could be configured as a large crew cabin complete with sleeping and dining areas for extended travel. This area could also be used as a cargo bay. In the center of the craft, between the two wing pylons, a series of replaceable modules could be connected. These modules could be swapped to suit mission requirements. Examples of available modules included science laboratories, crew quarters, and photon or quantum torpedo bays. 

The runabout was equipped with at least one manual escape hatch, located near the front side of the vehicle. A small Jefferies tube was also present, immediately underneath the warp core that ran along the spine of the vessel. 

The craft could also contain an emergency unit for medical emergencies. 

Ships commissioned

 * Named:
 * USS Gander (Destroyed)
 * USS Ganges (NCC-72454) (Destroyed)
 * USS Mekong (Destroyed)
 * USS Orinoco (Destroyed)
 * USS Rio Grande (NCC-72452)
 * USS Rubicon (NCC-72936)
 * USS Shenandoah (NCC-73024) (Destroyed)
 * USS Volga
 * USS Yangtzee Kiang (Destroyed)
 * USS Yukon (Destroyed)


 * Unnamed:
 * Unnamed Danube-class starships
 * NCC-73918

Background information
Although originally called "Runabout-class" by Benjamin Sisko in "Emissary," the official class designation is "Danube-class." The official name was originally mentioned in the Star Trek Encyclopedia, but was later seen in episodes as part of display graphics and reiterated in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual. The term "Danube-class" was first officially spoken on screen in.

Interestingly enough, the aft cabin sections were never seen in any of the Deep Space Nine episodes wherein they were a staple of the series, yet the aft cabin was featured prominently in the only TNG episode,, in which the runabout was seen.

Studio model
The Danube-class runabout was designed by Rick Sternbach and Jim Martin, and the interior cockpit set was designed by Joseph Hodges, all under the direction of Herman Zimmerman. The aft compartment was designed by Richard James. The miniature was built by Tony Meininger.

According to Sternbach, the studio model of the, first seen in , was to have become the basis for DS9's runabouts, before a new design was ordered.

Technical Manual
The following information of specifications and defenses comes exclusively from the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual:
 * Height: 5.4 meters
 * Length: 23.1 meters
 * Width: 13.7 meters
 * Crew: Up to 40 passengers
 * Phasers: 1 emitter
 * Photons: 2 launch tubes, Stock: 2 micro-photon torpedoes
 * Cruise speed: 2
 * Max speed: 4
 * Impulse: Standard units

The runabout's modular platform allowed easy configuration for a multitude of missions. Two such modules were the mission module and sensor pod. The runabout could carry four different sizes of mission modules. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual)

The Technical Manual also states that the USS Danube, registry number NX-72003, was the prototype of this class.

Apocrypha

 * The Danube-class Runabout is in the game Star Trek Online, seen with its rollbar.

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