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Description

Fighter crafts were a dying type of warship within the Federation in the 24th century. By the mid to late 24th century, technology had progressed to the point where computer-controlled multi-target phasers, faster-than-light sensors, or automated defense systems emerged. No pilot could keep up with that in the long run. Larger capital ships could take out unprotected squads of fighters in a matter of seconds, gradually fading them into the background.

This changed in the 2370s, when the Federation had to undergo a series of disputes that showed that they had too long neglected the tactical aspect of Starfleet. The Borg were able to destroy capital ships with a few shots. The Jem'Hadar, with their Polaron weapons, succeeded in rendering the shields ineffective. And even the Breen succeeded to destroy Galaxy class ships with their energy damping weapon. The loss of crews was gigantic, Starfleet had to change its strategy.

Now that Shields were no longer the big game-changer, smaller units that were in the mass as well armed as the big capital ships but needed far less crew came back into the game. Starfleet renovated the S.A.V. Unit (Small Attack Vehicles) new, which in the past were responsible for the production of small attack ships. During the Dominion War, Starfleet gear up its Peregrine squadrons. To that time they were used as training ships or couriers. The Peregrines proved itself as a very adaptable ship, that can be equipped with Mark VII Impulse Phasers, Photon Torpedos and particle accelerators.

While the Peregrine fighters proved themselves, they were decades old and a bit too big to be used effectively on carrier ships such as the Akira or Curry classes. Starfleet later decided to test a smaller, shuttle-sized model that would still have the punch of the Peregrines but were faster and more agile. The result was the Kestrel class fighter.

Rendered in 3ds Max 10

No Post Work

Kestrel model parts by David Metlesits thefirstfleet

More Starfighter images:

Description

Fighter crafts were a dying type of warship within the Federation in the 24th century. By the mid to late 24th century, technology had progressed to the point where computer-controlled multi-target phasers, faster-than-light sensors, or automated defense systems emerged. No pilot could keep up with that in the long run. Larger capital ships could take out unprotected squads of fighters in a matter of seconds, gradually fading them into the background.

This changed in the 2370s, when the Federation had to undergo a series of disputes that showed that they had too long neglected the tactical aspect of Starfleet. The Borg were able to destroy capital ships with a few shots. The Jem'Hadar, with their Polaron weapons, succeeded in rendering the shields ineffective. And even the Breen succeeded to destroy Galaxy class ships with their energy damping weapon. The loss of crews was gigantic, Starfleet had to change its strategy.

Now that Shields were no longer the big game-changer, smaller units that were in the mass as well armed as the big capital ships but needed far less crew came back into the game. Starfleet renovated the S.A.V. Unit (Small Attack Vehicles) new, which in the past were responsible for the production of small attack ships. During the Dominion War, Starfleet gear up its Peregrine squadrons. To that time they were used as training ships or couriers. The Peregrines proved itself as a very adaptable ship, that can be equipped with Mark VII Impulse Phasers, Photon Torpedos and particle accelerators.

While the Peregrine fighters proved themselves, they were decades old and a bit too big to be used effectively on carrier ships such as the Akira or Curry classes. Starfleet later decided to test a smaller, shuttle-sized model that would still have the punch of the Peregrines but were faster and more agile. The result was the Kestrel class fighter.

Rendered in 3ds Max 10

No Post Work

Kestrel model parts by David Metlesits thefirstfleet

More Starfighter images: