3.0 PHASERS
Arrangement: Three dorsal phaser arrays on the primary hull. The main array, extending in a 120 degree arc, is located just forward of the bridge module. The final two dorsal arrays are located aft of the Bussard Collectors on the port and starboards (P/S) sides. Their positioning allows for FOF coverage from lateral attacks as well as attacks from above. They also provide some limited coverage to the "6 o'clock" (directly aft). Two ventral phaser arrays on the primary hull. The twin primary arrays are located slightly forward of the dorsal phaser array placement.
Phaser Array Type: Originally the Steamrunner class utilized Type-X phasers. Following the upgrade, even though the Steamrunner was a medium sized vessel, it was fitted with the new standard Type-XI array system and eventually upgraded with the experimental Type-XII arrays. Each array fires a steady beam of phased energy, and the forced-focus emitters discharge the phasers at speeds approaching .986c (which works out to about 182,520 miles per second - nearly warp one). The phaser array automatically rotates phaser frequency for maximum shield penetration.
Phaser Array Output: Each phaser array takes its energy directly from the impulse drive and auxiliary fusion generators. Individually, each type XI-emitter can only discharge approximately 7.0 MW (megawatts). However, several emitters (usually two) fire at once in the array during standard firing procedures, resulting in a discharge approximately 14.0 MW.
Phaser Array Range: Maximum effective range is 300,000 kilometers.
Primary purpose: Assault
Secondary purpose: Defense/anti-spacecraft/anti-fighter
3.1 TORPEDO LAUNCHERS
Arrangement: Three fixed-focus torpedo launchers, two located on the top of the roll-bar on the primary hull, and one located on the trailing edge of the primary hull. The Steamrunner has been fitted with the second generation of automated, high-speed launcher found on the newer ships, such as the Sovereign and Akira Class starships.
Type: Mark XXV photon torpedo, capable of pattern firing as well as independent launch. Independently targeted once launched from the ship, detonation on contact unless otherwise directed by Tactical Operations. Quantum torpedoes can be launched as well, though they are not part of the standard weapon load-out.
Payload: The Steamrunner Class can carry a maximum of 300 completed torpedoes, with a standard load-out of 150. Components stored onboard can allow for the manufacture of additional photon torpedoes.
Range: Maximum effective range is 3,000,000 kilometers.
Primary purpose: Assault
Secondary purpose: Anti-spacecraft
3.2 DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
Type: Asymmetrical peristaltic subspace graviton field. This type of shield is similar to those of most other Starships.
Output: There are ten shield generators on a Steamrunner class vessel. Each generator consists of a cluster of ten 28 MW (megawatt) graviton polarity sources feeding into a 575 millicochrane subspace field distortion amplifier. Each generator produces 280 MW of shield power, and each can approach 98,000MW for 150 nanoseconds during peak momentary loads. During Red Alert situations, seven of the generators will operate in a phase lock, producing a continuous output of about 1960MW. During Cruise Mode (Green Alert) three generators are required to be operational at all times with one additional generator on standby. Deflector output during Cruise mode is approximately 800MW.
The Ares has been fitted with experimental covariant tetryon shielding, designed to work in concert with the standard deflector shields. These generators surround the ship with a highly energetic yet unstable field of tetryons, which can neutralize the energy of incoming weapons fire.
Like all Federation starships the Ares has been equipped with metaphasic shielding that allows her to withstand the pressure, radiation, and energy of a star's corona.
Range: The shields, when raised, stay extremely close to the hull to conserve energy - average range is ten meters away from the hull and can be projected out to sixty meters.
Primary purpose: Defense from enemy threat forces, hazardous radiation and micro-meteoroid particles.
Secondary purpose: Ramming threat vehicles.
