Quantum Slipstream Drive is scientifically known as Reversible-Field Quantum Restructuring Quadraxial Drive.  QSD enables an object to travel at speeds equivalent to Warp 9.9999999999999999999999998125.  A system has been developed whereby the first 24 nines after the decimal point in the warp factor are omitted, leaving a more manageable Exponential Warp Factor 81,250.  This technology enables a vessel to cross from one side of the Federation to the other in a matter of hours (a journey that ordinarily takes weeks), and allows a vessel to cross the entire galaxy in approximately six months (one way).

 

Slipstreams are flowing areas of subspace.  QSD is a form of transwarp drive, enabling a vessel to enter and navigate these flows using course corrections at greatly accelerated speeds.  Entrance is gained via a narrowly focused, directed warp field initiated by manipulating the fabric of the space-time continuum at the quantum level. It works by focusing a quantum field through a ship's deflector dish to generate massive changes in local space curvature, projecting a subspace tunnel in front of the vessel. Once a ship has entered this tunnel, the forces inside propel it at incredible speed.  More than one vessel can use the same slipstream; a ship can accompany another vehicle generating it. To maintain slipstream the quantum field must be constantly modified through a ship's deflector dish; however, the calculations involved are too complicated, and the reaction time available too short for safe manual control.  For this reason an autonomous computer system was designed to oversee and process the necessary calculations.  To exit slipstream, the ship generating it must reduce field strength by fifty percent. This can be done by reversing drive polarity.

 

The Quantum-class starship, introduced in late 2379, began as a redesign of the previous Intrepid-class (uprated). The first ship of this class, the U.F.S. Arcadia (launched in 2378) was an uprated Intrepid-class vessel featuring most major advances of the time plus the first, stable, working Quantum Slipstream Drive (QSD) developed exclusively by the Federation. The manufacture of QSD ships halted in late 2378 due to security concerns, with Arcadia being the sole ship of her kind until 2379, when the ban was lifted from the program. Rather than resume production of uprated Intrepid-class vessels, Starfleet Research & Development opted to produce a new class of ship based on studies made in the first year of Arcadia's service, as well as incorporating advances in other areas of starship operation and hull-variable geometry. Arcadia underwent an extensive redesign/refit over the course of three months (late 2379-early 2380), becoming the prototype for this class design.  (See Ship's History.)  Thus, the Quantum-class was born.

 

While combining aspects of both Intrepid-class and Prometheus-class starships, Quantum-class vessels are technologically superior as well as proportionately larger in dimension. The major feature is Quantum Slipstream Drive, which requires reconfigured hull geometry and differences in internal design and structural efficiency. These ships have been optimized to allow quick swaps of modular sections in accord with specific mission profiles and design updates, such as new bridge modules (the bridge is located on Deck Three aboard Quantum-class starships).  Combat proficiency has also been greatly enhanced, in keeping with the Federation's credo of a 'new golden age' era of peace in the galaxy through superior technology. Some notable examples include: "anticloaking" sensors--the ability to detect cloaked ships; phase-shifting "smart" torpedoes (which alter trajectory to match course & position of targets, and penetrate shields by adapting to their power output); regenerative multi-matrix shielding; and, in areas of high conflict, self-reproducing ablative armor. Cumulatively, this makes the "new breed" of Starfleet highly invulnerable, to the point that battle is rarely necessary and short-lived when it is.

 

Quantum-class ships sustain a maximum warp velocity of 9.99, making them Starfleet's fastest warp-drive vessels as well. Holoemitters installed throughout these ships allow holographic crew supplements to operate in all areas. Other notable additions include extra decks for scientific research facilities, supporting dedicated multi-tasking science departments and a wide array of auxiliary craft (necessitating double-tier flight deck capacity), supporting forays of a range deeper into unexplored space than most Federation starships travel.  (See the Specs page.)  Overall, this makes the Quantum-class superbly equipped for long-range exploration, diplomacy and defense. The first ship of the line was Arcadia, refitted from an Intrepid-class frame in late 2379. By 2385 twelve such vessels had been launched.

(twelve as of 2385)

(* destroyed)