Type 18H shuttlecraft

SMALLCRAFT CLASS
Type-18H shuttlecraft
Affiliation:	Federation Starfleet
Classification:	personal shuttle
Service period:	24th and 25th centuries
Dimensions
Length:	approx. 9.5 meters
Width:	3.2 meters
Height:	4.8 meters
Specifications
Capacity:	2 crew, plus cargo
Speed:	Warp 6
Maximum speed:	Warp 9.5 Warp 9.8 (emergency speed, 40 hours)
Cruising speed:	Warp 9
Armaments:	transphasic torpedo launcher 4 type V phaser emitters 2 micro torpedo launchers (both quantum and photon torpedoes)
Defences:	deflector shields, ablative armor generator, stealth technology

The Type-18H shuttlecraft was a 25th century Federation auxiliary craft class, a shuttlecraft for personal use by Starfleet personnel in the 2400s decade. Through time travel, this type prochronistically entered service in the late 24th century. (VOY episode & novelization: Endgame, The Official Starships Collection Issue Shuttle 24: "Janeway's Armored Shuttle", SOTL calendar: Ships of the Line 2020)

Service history

In an alternate timeline, Type-18H shuttlecraft had entered service by the year 2404. (VOY episode & novelization: Endgame)

In its design, it was an evolution of the Type 9 shuttlecraft of the 2370s decade. The newer type carried different warp nacelles, and the aft section behind the avionics bay had been enlarged to make room for a small cargo compartment. (VOY reference: The USS Voyager NCC-74656)

24th century Starfleet acquired the shuttle's specs when USS Voyager returned from the Delta Quadrant with its futuristic technology in 2377. This technology was removed from Voyager, its databanks, and studied, all under the auspices of Project Full Circle. (VOY novel: The Farther Shore)

At some point after, the Type-18H shuttle SC-4 entered service and was launched from Starfleet Command. (SOTL calendar: Ships of the Line 2020, September image)

Specifications

Standard version

In its standard configuration, the Type-18H shuttle could accommodate two flight crew and additional cargo. (VOY reference: The USS Voyager NCC-74656)

The shuttle was approx. 9.5 meters long and could maintain a speed of warp 6, which outcompeted the baseline Type-9 shuttle.

With ablative armor deployed

The vessel was fitted with anti-Borg technology, some of which had been developed by USS Voyager in a decades-long journey across the Milky Way Galaxy. This included an ablative generator that, when active, could protect the hull by deploying a nigh-impenetrable ablative armor. In addition, the shuttle was fitted with a type of -stealth technology. (The Official Starships Collection Issue Shuttle 24: "Janeway's Armored Shuttle")

This stealth technology was incompatible with a 2370s-era Intrepid-class starship. (VOY episode & novelization: Endgame)

Weaponry consisted of a forward-facing transphasic torpedo launcher built into the ventral hull. (VOY reference: The USS Voyager NCC-74656)

While the ship's weaponry was no match for a Klingon Voodieh-class warship, the ablative could effectively protect the shuttle and its occupants from nadion-laced disruptor fire. (VOY episode & novelization: Endgame)

A Type-18H shuttlecraft could be controlled by its pilot in three ways: through tactile control consoles with LCARS touch interface, voice commands to the computer, and a neural interface. For the latter, a synaptic transceiver had to be implanted into the pilot's brain. (VOY reference: The USS Voyager NCC-74656)

Special operations

In 2404, Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway fitted a Klingon chrono deflector on the roof the Type-18H shuttle SC-4. This transformed the vessel into a timeship shuttle but the chrono deflector burned out after one use. (VOY episode & novelization: Endgame)

Known shuttlecraft

• SC-4 (24th century)
• SC-4 (24th century)
• SC-4 (25th century)

Other information

The Type 18H shuttlecraft is a Starfleet auxiliary support craft attached normally to starships and stations to be used for long range missions. This type is designated as a class three shuttlecraft as it mainly built to be operated by more than two people for longer duration.

It was specifically designed for senior ranking Starfleet and Federation officials and Starfleet Captains through interstellar means. Its designed to be used on the Sovereign-class starships, the design is now back in to high production through Starfleet. (Star Trek: Intrepid)

Development

The SC-4 in 2380

The Type 18H was brought in to service in 2380 when Admiral Kathryn Janeway stated she found being flown around in Type 9's as uncomfortable, and the use of Type 11 shuttlecrafts was an insufficient use of their purpose. The shuttle was capable of achieving the speed of at least warp 6.

Admiral Janeway ordered the Starfleet Corps of Engineers to come up with a design which was appropriate to transport important dignitaries in comfort and security through interstellar means. Months later the type 18H was designed and was put in to small construction to be used by Starfleet flag officers (and other high ranking officers) stationed at Starfleet Command Headquarters and also Starfleet Captains.

Shuttle cockpit

The users of this craft were highly impressed and Starfleet pushed for the class to enter service to the rest of the Federation and fleet.

In 2380, the SC-4 was built at Utopia Planitia shipyards and was given to Captain Typhuss James Kira by Admiral Kathryn Janeway for use as his personal shuttlecraft to keep. The type 18H shuttlecraft was based on Admiral Janeway's shuttlecraft from 2404. (Star Trek: Intrepid)

Prototype

A type 18H shuttlecraft decloaks

It is now currently the test bed for further enhancements for shuttlecraft design and technology, including the use of stealth like cloaking system which would make the shuttlecraft invisible.

It is also the prototype in Starfleet’s attempt to install ablative hull armor generators to a smaller vessel without using too much power. The type 18H was also equipped with ablative hull armor.

The shielding is capable of withstanding substantial enemy bombardment yet not retard the maneuvering ability or weapons capability of the vessel on which the armor is installed. Weapons fire is easily absorbed by the ablative armor.

The shuttlecraft includes a defensive shield that is virtually impenetrable to both Klingon and Borg weapons although not to Borg-locating scans. Located on the underside of the main hull are a series of transporter emitters, allowing the occupant to beam into or out of the vessel. This type of shuttle was similar to the type 9 shuttlecraft, but more streamlined. (Star Trek: Intrepid)

Gallery

SC-4

A type 18H shuttlecraft in a shuttlebay

Ablative armor

Type 18H views