Bravo Fleet's Type 9 Shuttle

Relatively few Starfleet shuttlecraft are capable of undertaking true interstellar journeys, and those that are tend to be the larger classes. Although Starfleet has occasionally requested the resources to correct this situation, such projects have never been a high priority and have tended to be cancelled in their early stages. It was 2368 before Starfleet finally decided to really push for a new design to correct this deficiency; in this year a request was made for a new type of shuttle capable of carrying one or two people across distances of several light years in relative comfort, or of carrying up to four persons on shorter duration missions. The speed requested was much higher than most previous vessels, in line with the general trend towards much faster vessels which has been a recent feature of all Starfleet designs after recent advances in warp propulsion technology.

The design process was implemented late in 2368 and was almost completed by early next year when Starfleet halted the program and reassessed its requirement. It was decided that several new features should be included in the craft; these included an increase from one to two micro torpedo launchers, a more capable onboard computer system, and a beefing up of the armament by the addition of two phaser arrays to the single emitter which had been the only beam weapon.

The first ships to try out this new construction philosophy under normal field conditions where the Intrepid class; the USS Intrepid replicated three Type 9 shuttles during her maiden voyage in 2370, and reported complete success with all three. When news of the predicament of the Intrepid class USS Voyager reached Starfleet in 2373 it was learned that the ship had lost several shuttles during their attempts to reach home, and had had to rely heavily on their ability to replicate new craft. Starfleet has viewed this as a triumphant vindication of the Type 9 concept, and has announced that this feature will be a basic requirement of all future small craft designs.

Although Starfleet headquarters has - naturally - not said as much, it is likely that the recent proliferation of fighter level craft during the Dominion War is due in large part to this new philosophy. It seems likely that new or modified fighter designs will have been circulated which are suitable for shipboard replication, allowing the use of Starships as mobile construction facilities. If true, this would increase the Federations production of fighters by at least tenfold at a stroke.

2366: Starfleet issues a brief for a new shuttle design. General brief is for a new shuttle. Capable of holding 6 crew in emergency situations. Capable of a maximum of warp 9 for 3 hours and ability to be fitted with light arms and shielding. To be able to be used by 90% of Starfleet's Starships.

2367: ASDB release a general idea to Starfleet for the Type-9 Shuttle. Project is rejected, but after redesign using data gathered by the Type-8 Shuttle design team, project is approved.

2368: Shuttle exterior designed. Up to date computer systems and sensors added. Design work completed and prototype begins construction

2369:
    May: Basic space frame is laid out according to the design. Mini computer core from Jupiter Station designed and installed. Micro Cochrane engines installed. Micro Shield Generator installed. Micro Torpedo Tubes installed.
    August: Warp engine is fitted, computer core is deemed operational and basic testing on the shuttle begins.
    November: Ship passes all regulatory control and proceeds with testing.

2370:
    October: Ship is proved to be operational and Starfleet examines the performance. The Shuttle Craft is officially commission. Starfleet places an order to 1800 craft to be distributed within the Federation.

Technical Specifications for Type-9 shuttles in Bravo Fleet:

classification: Personal Shuttle

Structure:
Duranium/Tritanium
length: 9.2 meters
width: 4 meters
height: 3 meters

Warp Systems:
power: Matter/Antimatter Reactor ( dilithium mediated )
nacelles: 2
cruising warp: Warp 8
maximum warp: Warp 8.4
emergency warp: Warp 9 ( 3 hours )

Impulse Systems:
power: Fusion
engines: 1

Tactical Systems:
phasers:
    2 Type-V phaser bank
    2 Micro Torpedo tubes ( 60 Photons )
shields: Lite shielding.

Crew and Auxiliary Systems:
crew: 2 ( maximum 6 )
transporters: 1×2 personnel/cargo

Additional Information:
Currently there are 7573 in service. 36 are building per year through 2386. 849 were lost during the Dominion War, mostly aboard the starships they were assigned to.