Starfleet Prototype - The Journal of Innovative Design and Ideas, David Schmidt & Mastercom Data Center

Notes:
        As Star Fleet began the massive refurbishment of the Fleet in 2271, it was felt that a full size corvette would provide a unique platform for in-system customs duties while providing a large enough vessel to act as a defense ship for the local star base commander. The Davenport Class was one of the first accepted designs.
        The Davenport evolved from a light research ship that was already in dry-dock. The prototype had four large “notches” out of the main hull. These areas were originally intended to house probe recovery systems and open-to-space science facilities, but when Lixis Construction Inc. learned of the proposed design criteria, they immediately modified the prototype to fit the niche. In possibly the second oddest re-arrangement of components, the Davenport had is standard phasers removed in favor of the powerful new Mega-phaser cannons. To provide ease of repair and modification, the cannons main components were imbedded within the hull. Fairly successful, the Mega-phaser cannons provided the Davenport with a unique combat ability capable of fending off even medium size warships.
        But the final launch vehicle was far less successful that originally anticipated. A myriad of changes were required to give the ship the desired multi-role capability that designers and planner sought. Space was created for a full scale medical section, large troop training areas, specialized boarding apparatus, and a large shield projector, as well as a second tractor beam emitter. These changes allowed the Davenport to fulfill its dual role as a rescue vessel, but reduced the science capabilities of the Class, and provided no internal room for expansion or modification. This would later hurt design efforts and required extensive refit time to modify the Mk I to the Mk II. This costly re-fit nearly ended the Davenports career, but front line commanders insisted that the Class allowed other ships to maintain deep space patrols, and so the Mk II remained in service for nearly 15 years before being again re-fit.
        The Mk III was the first true upgrade to the Class, increasing firepower, shielding, internal storage space, and computer power, allowing base commanders to extend the range of the Davenport to neighboring systems. The Mk III was enough of a production variant to cause delays in the re-tooling process, but provided sufficient deterrent to larger aggressive craft.
        The Davenport is produced at the Inkestra III Primary Construction Docks and the B'jea Starship Construction Drydocks at a combined rate of 5 per year.