Difference between revisions of "Romulan Bird of Prey"

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[[Image:Romulan Bird of Prey.jpg|thumb|right|Romulan "[[flagship]]" of the 23rd century]]
[[Image:Romulan Bird of Prey.jpg|thumb|right|Romulan "[[flagship]]" of the 23rd century]]
The '''Romulan Bird of Prey''' was a warship of the [[Romulan Star Empire]] built and deployed in the 23rd century.  It appears in the TOS episode "Balance of Terror", in which it destroys several [[Federation]] outposts bordering the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]].  After a long chase, the ship is eventually crippled by the ''[[USS Enterprise (TOS)|USS Enterprise]]'' and then scuttled by its captain.
The '''Romulan Bird of Prey''' is a warship of the [[Romulan Star Empire]] built and deployed in the 23rd century.  It appears in the TOS episode "Balance of Terror", in which it destroys several [[Federation]] outposts bordering the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]].  After a long chase, the ship is eventually crippled by the ''[[USS Enterprise (TOS)|USS Enterprise]]'' and then scuttled by its captain.


==Technical Data==
==Technical Data==
*The [[plasma torpedo]]s carried by the Romulan ship were far more powerful than the [[phaser]] armament of the ''USS Enterprise'', but their range was considerably shorter.
*The [[plasma torpedo]]s carried by the Romulan ship were far more powerful than the [[phaser]] armament of the ''USS Enterprise'', but their range was considerably shorter.
*While capable of [[warp drive|warp speed]], the Romulan ship did not have [[warp core|warp power]], relying instead on [[impulse engine]]s for all of its [[power generation]]. Incidentally, this demonstrates that faster-than-light propulsion is possible in ''Star Trek'' without a warp core.
*While capable of [[warp drive|warp speed]], the Romulan ship did not have [[warp core|warp power]], relying instead on [[impulse engine]]s for all of its [[power generation]].
*The Bird of Prey was the first Star Trek ship to demonstrate a [[cloaking device]].  The device made the ship invisible to normal light and targeting sensors, but it could still be detected with subspace motion detectors.  The Enterprise was able to attack it by laying down patterns of fire in the area where its movement had been detected.
**Incidentally, this demonstrates that faster-than-light propulsion is possible in ''Star Trek'' without a warp core.
**It also demonstrates that a ship that relies only on impulse power ([[nuclear fusion]]) is capable of threatening a ship that uses warp power ([[matter-antimatter annihilation]]).
**The lower energy density of its fuel, however, meant that the Romulan ship had a lower top speed and far more limited range than its Federation counterpart; fuel conservation was a major concern of the Romulan captain.
*The Bird of Prey was the first Star Trek ship to demonstrate a [[cloaking device]].  The device made the ship invisible to normal light and targeting [[sensor]]s, but it's general location could still be determined with [[subspace]] motion detectors, at least when it was moving.  The ''Enterprise'' was able to attack it by laying down patterns of fire in areas where its movement had been detected.
*The "old-style nuclear warheads" that the ship carried for [[self-destruct]]ion were capable of severely damaging a [[Constitution-class|''Constitution''-class]] starship, if they detonated close enough.


[[Category: ST Starships]]
[[Category: ST Starships]]

Latest revision as of 23:19, 12 January 2022

Romulan "flagship" of the 23rd century

The Romulan Bird of Prey is a warship of the Romulan Star Empire built and deployed in the 23rd century. It appears in the TOS episode "Balance of Terror", in which it destroys several Federation outposts bordering the Romulan Neutral Zone. After a long chase, the ship is eventually crippled by the USS Enterprise and then scuttled by its captain.

Technical Data

  • The plasma torpedos carried by the Romulan ship were far more powerful than the phaser armament of the USS Enterprise, but their range was considerably shorter.
  • While capable of warp speed, the Romulan ship did not have warp power, relying instead on impulse engines for all of its power generation.
    • Incidentally, this demonstrates that faster-than-light propulsion is possible in Star Trek without a warp core.
    • It also demonstrates that a ship that relies only on impulse power (nuclear fusion) is capable of threatening a ship that uses warp power (matter-antimatter annihilation).
    • The lower energy density of its fuel, however, meant that the Romulan ship had a lower top speed and far more limited range than its Federation counterpart; fuel conservation was a major concern of the Romulan captain.
  • The Bird of Prey was the first Star Trek ship to demonstrate a cloaking device. The device made the ship invisible to normal light and targeting sensors, but it's general location could still be determined with subspace motion detectors, at least when it was moving. The Enterprise was able to attack it by laying down patterns of fire in areas where its movement had been detected.
  • The "old-style nuclear warheads" that the ship carried for self-destruction were capable of severely damaging a Constitution-class starship, if they detonated close enough.