Greenleaf

A ship with a relatively long design history before reaching a yard, the Greenleaf was originally developed by Hyperelite Technologies of Orion for an STO skirmish and escort frigate mandate. When the STO signaled they were likely to build Comets instead, the proposal was picked up by Colhane Industrial and reworked without member-only technologies for export. The Yrillian government and several work gangs picked it up at once. Depending on its performance there, other buyers may be forthcoming.

Designed around a battery of relatively simple torpedo launchers linked to a targeting computer for offensive firepower, the Greenleaf is a combat-worthy Federation frigate and has a science suite as capable as a generalist Starfleet frigate. It has a relatively strong shield system and hull, matching the much larger Comet, though the diplomatic facilities on board are extremely limited, and endurance is poor. Compared in other areas to the Comet, the ship is substantially cheaper, and requires slightly fewer crew members, making it much more readily producible for smaller powers. Scientific capabilities are about the same, and the weapons suite is similar, if slightly inferior. It is also slightly less capable of high warp speeds. In many respects, the Greenleaf is essentially a downscaled Comet, utilizing many of the same components.

Where it stands above the Comet is in sublight speed and manoeuvrability, with even more mass devoted to twin heavy SDB-09 pattern High Efficiency Impluse drives. The Greenleaf will possibly be the fastest Frigate around at sublight speeds.

The Greenleaf is built for skirmish and peacetime fast response, though it can also perform minesweeping duties.

Ship Systems
Generally, as a Federal project, the Greenleaf-class uses mostly Starfleet-sourced components, despite not being operated by Starfleet.

Hullframe
The Greenleaf-class light response frigate uses a modern frigate hullframe, extremely closely related to those used for the Emerald and Carbon-classes. The frame also shares similarities with that used by the JAFFA, which pioneered many of the construction techniques for this newest group of frigates. Like its cousins, the Greenleaf employs a modular hull design, allowing for more capability to be crammed into the design.

Propulsion Systems
The Greenleaf is powered by the ONA-V-L warp core, a cutting edge core that delivers more endurance and power than any other frigate core in Federation service. The warp core delivers power to a pair of high performance nacelles, with the same Yoyodyne-XIII pattern coils as the Comet. These nacelles push the Greenleaf to extremely high warp speeds, allowing it to react to almost any crisis, and making the design an excellent skirmish vessel. At sublight speeds, the Greenleaf employs a pair of massive SDB-09 impulse drives, in addition to the standard impulse arrangement, further enhancing maneuverability and skirmish capability.

Computer Core
The Greenleaf employs the same Type-III-A information synthesis computer system as used on the Comet, enhancing scientific capabilities. The core provides rapid analysis of available scientific data, substantially improving the efficiency of the ships sensor systems and science teams. The core is, however, inferior to the Type-VI-N mounted to the Carbon.

Navigational Deflector
The Greenleaf-class uses the Hagelan-III-L graviton waveform navigational deflector, the same as employed on the Comet. This system maximizes power efficiency, allowing the class to maintain a higher top speed for substantially longer than similarly sized frigates. However, the Hagelan-III-L is not nearly as capable in combat as similarly priced systems, while increasing costs above baseline level. For a skirmish oriented ship such as the Greenleaf, however, this tradeoff is more than worth it. Having seen the performance of the Comet-class, many admirals are anxiously awaiting the delivery of their Greenleafs.

Defensive Systems
The Greenleaf is a well protected skirmish frigate, with protection equivalent to that of the larger Comet. The design mounts the Mark-V-E shield system, again the same as the Comet, built by Andor Shield Systems. These are backed by a Merfara Structural Co-Op Type-VII-L SIF node array. The ship is further protected by its extreme maneuverability, which it derives from its large impulse engines. In combat, the shield can be further reinforced by exotic anti-cloaking effects from the high fidelity sensor array.

Phasers
The Greenleaf mounts a Type V phaser bank fore, backed by 3 burst torpedo launchers, two fore and one aft. The powerful torpedo armament does unfortunately drive up the supply requirements of the design, but this tradeoff has been considered acceptable, as is the norm for frigate torpedoes. The torpedo launchers themselves are the same Type-IV Lightweight Burst launchers mounted to the Comet.

Specialists
In addition to direct combat systems, the Greenleaf has a number of dedicated damage control teams, helping to keep the ship in the fight and shooting. These specialists are extremely qualified, with the latest equipment.

Equipment
The Greenleaf incorporates a large communications array, constantly feeding reports to fleet command, and receiving updated information. The system betters response time, and provides fast access to diplomatic specialists on larger vessels or at a nearby colony.

Sensors
The Greenleaf, uses the brand new Mark-IV-HF sensor system. The system, while not as capable of long-range scientific scans as a traditional long range sensor system, provides much better resolution at combat range. The system, in conjunction with the other scientific systems on board, still provides excellent survey capability. The system also provides excellent anti-cloaking and minesweeping capability, and many of the systems exotic effects can be rerouted to strengthen the shield generators.

Specialists
The Greenleaf carries a team of highly qualified scientific specialists, substantially enhancing the ability of the class to perform survey and long term research work.