Captain's Chair |
Helm and Navigation |
Weapons and Defense Systems |
Shuttlecraft Galileo |
Shuttlebay |
2270-2271 Refit
The Constitution-class
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 was equipped with state-of-the-art
weaponary and defensive systems.
Phasers
The phaser is a directed energy weapon that came into general use on Starfleet vessels between 2254
and 2265.
Ship's phasers had an effective range of 300,000 kilometers and were used in sublight combat. The USS
Enterprise's main phaser banks were located on the lower half of the saucer section. Phasers could be
adjusted to different settings: when the ship was in planetary orbit, an experienced operator could use
them to stun, heat, or disintegrate objects or beings on the surface. The target area could be as large
as a city block or as small as a house.
Photon Torpedoes
Because they can travel faster than light, photon torpedoes were used when the Enterprise needed to
defend itself while traveling at warp speed.
Photon torpedoes gather momentum from their launcher, and their velocity is sustained by a small onboard
engine. However, if a warp capable ship reacts quickly enough it can outrun a photon torpedo. Photon
torpedoes contain packets of matter and antimatter which are held apart by magnetic seals until forced
together to generate an explosion. In the 2260s, photon torpedoes were effective only at distances up
to 750,000 kilometers.
Shields
Deflector shields were energy fields used to protect the Enterprise from deliberate attack and
dangerous spaceborne debris.
Deflector shields can be rised to different levels or strengths. Lower levels can repel space debris;
higher levels can protect the ship from enemy weapons. Shield strength is weakened by repeated attacks,
but can withstand several phaser or disruptor blasts from enemy vessels. Deflector shields can also be
used to prevent beings with primitive technologies from detecting the presence of a ship. The Enterprise
was able to extend its shields to protect a smaller ship.
Computer and Sensor Systems
Sensor information was relayed to the ship's computers, which controlled all of the Enterprise's
weapons and defensive systems.
Tactical functions were divided between several stations on the bridge. The science station provided
detailed analysis of any spaceborne objects, allowing personnel to determine their composition and, if
relevant, shield strength. The helmsman and navigator could access information about the range of
enemy vessels, the likely effects of any weapons fire on the ship, and how much damage had been
sustained.
