Special Weapons Policy Statement

[will_marx 0]

UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS

STARFLEET COMMAND

USS ARCADIA, NCC-1742-E

 

Subject: Arcadia Supplement to Starfleet Command Directive 5120.1: Storage, Security and Utilization of Special Weapons

Classification: CONFIDENTIAL/NOFORN

 

A. Background:

 

1. During recent events with a newly discovered subset of the Borg Collective, the USS

Arcadia

constructed a graviton bomb as a secondary means of defeating the Borg Cube intercepting the ship. As diplomatic means were utilized, the Bomb was not deployed and remained under guard in Transporter Room 6.

a. This device has been in development since the Battle of Wolf 359, Stardate 44002.3, as a potential means of dealing with the Borg’s technological supremacy.

b. As of this time, stability issues have prevented full scale deployment of this weapon, as well as personnel reliability issues that are a concern (see Section B, paragraph 2, subsection d).

 

2. Tests conducted at the Antares Weapons Range indicated that this weapon has a nominal blast radius of 2575 kilometers. However, computer modeling shows that for every tonne of matter it consumes the mass of the quantum singularity released will increase by the square root of the mass (in millions of tonnes) consumed. A scenario involving the detonation of a graviton bomb on an asteroid similar to the near-Earth asteroid Apophis (2x1010kg) would result in a singularity massing 141421.4 kilograms.

a. The recommended distance to launch the graviton bomb is a minimum 36 thousand kilometers against targets such as a Borg Cube. Electromagnetic and gravimetric pulses resulting from the release of hard radiation are limited to this radius.

b. In the event of a planetary target, computer modeling indicates that the initial detonation will result in a 2575 kilometer radius supervolcano once the blast cracks the planet’s crust. As the singularity feeds on the planet, the resulting gravimetric stress will continue to enlarge the initial supervolcano until the planet implodes on itself. Additional computer modeling indicates that an airburst will limit this damage.

c. The resultant singularity may result in the sector of space being unusable to warp travel for an as yet undetermined period of time. Starfleet R&D is still researching the resultant detonation of the prototype device.

 

B. Storage:

 

1. Starfleet Directive 5210.1, Section 3, governs the use of Special Weapons, which states:

Special Weapons shall only be utilized a clear and present danger in the direct defense of the United Federation of Planets, when all other means have failed, and with the consent of the Commanding and Executive Officers of the deploying starship. In the event that the Commanding or Executive Officer is incapacitated, due to medical reasons, not physically located on the ship, or in accordance with Section C, Starfleet Order 104 (as noted by the ship’s Medical Officers); the next senior officer(s) in the Chain of Command will have the authority to deploy said Special Weapons.

 

a. What this states is that this device will only be utilized against an Opposing Force who either had a technical, tactical, or strategic advantage over the Federation, to the point where the Core Worlds are in danger of invasion or destruction; and only with the consent of the Command Officers, or designated representatives.

b. Consent will be duly recorded by the deploying ship’s computer; identification will be by voiceprint identification.

 

 

2. Directive 5210.1, Section 4 discusses storage and access to Special Weapons. This section states:

Special Weapons will be secured in a manner consistent with their status. Pre-arm and arming mechanisms will be stored away from such devices, until as such time as required to deploy said devices. The dual consent requirement prevents pre-arming and arming of said devices, as these devices are strategic in nature.

 

a. To ensure the safety of the carrier vessel (e.g. USS

Arcadia

), the arming mechanisms will be stored in Main Engineering, accessible only to the Chief Engineer (or his designated representative), while the Weapon is stored in a secure section of the torpedo magazine.

b. Safety interlocks will be hardwired into the core to prevent the Device from arming without pre-arming. This hardwiring will allow for further security to the carrier vessel.

c. There will be no lone access to any part of the Weapon. At a minimum, two authorized personnel will be allowed access to any portion of the Weapon. Upon notification that the Device will be deployed, the Chief Engineer (or Designated Representative) will, with one other authorized crewmember, retrieve the pre-arming mechanism, and proceed to the torpedo bay to arm the weapon. Two torpedomen will then load the weapon and prepare for deployment.

d. Personnel involved with the direct handling, security, or maintenance of the graviton bomb will comply with all requirements of Starfleet Instruction 5210.42 Personnel Reliability Program, to ensure the safety and security of the weapons system, and well-being of the carrier vessel

 

3. Pursuant to Starfleet and Federation policy regarding the deployment of Special Weapons, this device will only be utilized only in the direct defense of the Federation. Such instances may be, but not limited to:

 

a. Direct defense of the Federation Core Worlds (Earth, Vulcan, Tellar, Andor) and member states

b. The defense of Federation Allies (Klingon Empire, etc.)

c. In direct response to a Threat Force utilizing Special Weapons

 

C. Deployment:

 

1. Deployment of the Graviton Bomb can be accomplished in multiple ways

 

a. Torpedo Tube

1. The Graviton Bomb is housed in a standard Mark VI photon torpedo casing, allowing the weapon to fit within the multiple platform torpedo tubes.

2. Tube launch is the preferred method, allowing for stand-off arming and detonation.

 

b. Transporter

1. Transporter deployment allows the device to bypass automated defense systems, and be placed directly on target

2. Transporter deployment is susceptible to jamming, shields, and other electronic countermeasures.

 

c. Small Craft

1. The Graviton Bomb/Mark VI photon torpedo casing allows for multiple hardpoint mating

2. Craft carried on USS Arcadia capable of carrying the Graviton Bomb include Marine Combat Shuttles and the Incom T-65 X-wing.

a. These craft will maintain the 2 person security concept through the use of the pilot and weapons systems operator. In the case of the Incom T-65 X-wing, the role of the weapons systems operator will be conducted by the onboard astromech droid

3. Small craft delivery is considered more suitable than transporter delivery, but less suited than direct fire.

 

 

Distribution: Captain, Executive Officer, Commander 355th MarBn, Executive Officer, 355th MarBn, Chief Engineer, Chief Science Officer, Tactical, Chief of Security

Edited March 20, 2007 by will_marx