Akira class

The Akira-class was a type of heavy cruiser starship in service to the Federation Starfleet in the 24th century. Planned in the 2350s in response to rising hostilities with the Cardassian Union, the vessel was given an increased priority when the mid-2360s brought on the Federation's awareness of the threat of Borg invasion. Akira class vessels entered service in the year 2368 as fast, maneuverable attack ships. 

The Akira vessels were registered as class 3 heavy cruisers. 

History
Starting out as just a hypothetical exercise in starship design, the design that became the Akira-class was initially conceived during a period of rising tensions with the Cardassian Union in the mid-24th century. Worked on by engineers in their spare time, most never expected the vessel to be used, much less built, and as such the Akira project was assigned a relatively low status on the priority list. That changed following Starfleet’s disastrous losses to the Borg in the Battle of Wolf 359, as Starfleet began a major program of research, development and starship construction to meet any future Borg threat.

The prototype ship USS Akira was launched in 2368, and fairly soon the class went on to become a major player in the fleet. Performing admirably during the wind-down of the Federation-Cardassian War in the late-2360s, and against the Borg on their return to Federation space in the 2370s, the Akira-class also was a common sight during the later Dominion War, serving on the front lines in most of the war's major battles. 


 * The Star Trek: Myriad Universes novel The Embrace of Cold Architects features an appearance by an Akira-class ship, the USS James T. Kirk (Akira class), in late 2366-early 2367. Though set in an alternate timeline, it is unclear how the apparent point of divergence might have led to an earlier launch for this class.

Features
The Akira class was heavily armed with an amazing nineteen torpedo launchers, capable of firing either photon or quantum torpedoes, as well as tricobalt devices. The weapons pod carried 13 launchers (11 photon, 2 quantum); and the saucer section housed the other 6 launchers. One located under and one above the deflector dish, and 4 firing sideways (2 port, 2 starboard). The ship carried a total complement of 375 torpedoes. 

The weapons pod could also be converted to carry specialized scientific sensors for exploration and research missions. 

However, one of the ship's defining features was its large main shuttlebay. One of the largest such facilities on any Federation vessel, the Akira's shuttlebay encompassed almost a third of the ship's saucer section, allowing the Akira-class to act as a fighter carrier as well as a cruiser. Its complement of forty fighters exit through the forward shuttlebay doors and returned through one of two aft bays. 

The large complement of shuttles also allowed the Akira-class to act as a rescue ship for evacuation missions, especially in situations where transporters didn't work or weren't suitable. 

The Akira-class heavy cruisers were equipped with Type-X phasers, Mk 80 torpedo launchers, and LF-35 linear warp engines. These starships were designed to operate for 18 years without a major overhaul and refit.