The Z'gavva-class (translated as Stronger Bird-class, and numerically known as the D32-class) was one of the series of Klingon bird-of-prey cruiser starships in Imperial Defense Force service beginning in the late 2260s decade.
Specifications
The class VII D32 was reverse-engineered from projects started during the Klingon-Romulan Alliance of the 2260s. Based on the Romulan S11 Vas Hatham (scout), it was upscaled to cruiser proportions and included a variable wing configuration.
Initially having a crew of 142, these vessels measured 110 meters in length, 161 meters in width and 21 meters in height, with a mass of 83,700 metric tons. Propulsion was provided by two type KWC-1 warp engines and a type KIE-3 impulse engine. Offensive capabilities included four type KD-9 dual disruptor banks placed forward and aft, and two type KP-5 photon torpedo launchers. The ships were defended by type KSD deflector shields and a type KCC cloaking device.
An uprated D32B variant improved maneuverability. A more massive D32C variant with six additional personnel weighed 89,300 metric tons and used type KSK deflector shields. Starfleet Intelligence believed that the D32C had a plasma weapon launcher instead of a torpedo bay. (FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual)
Service history and disposition
Shipyards at H'renn was known for building this class, and Starfleet Intelligence suspected that production would be taken over or continued at Mustaka. (FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual)
The IKS Death Rattle, IKS Hawk Stoops, and IKS Repentance served as escorts for the D7-class IKS Swift Victory during a late 2260s mission to expand holdings within the Organian Treaty Zone. (TOS board game: The Adventure Game)
Kuln's Squadron consisted of three D32C-class ships. (StarDrive Issue 1: "Tactics of the Imperial Klingon Navy")
The D32B and D32C variants entered service on reference stardate 2/2004. As of the late 2280s decade, 22 D32As & D32Bs, plus 18 D32Cs, had been produced. (FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual)
Referring to this and other copycat classes as the "great Klingon scourge", Romulan leadership commissioned the D'vas-class cruiser expressly for hunting down and destroying such vessels. (Stardate Magazine vol. 3, Issue 3: "Romulan V-24 (Great Bird) Class Cruiser")
- The fact that this vessel was created as part of the 2260s alliance may explain why the vessel appeared in a novel of that earlier time period, despite other FASA sources classifying this as a later-23rd century vessel.
- Although later sources attributed the HMS Bounty to the B'rel-class, FASA RPG module: Star Trek III Sourcebook Update identified it as Z'gavva-class.
Notable vessels
Appendices
Connections
| Bird-of-prey classes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Romulan birds-of-prey | 2150s • late-2150s bird-of-prey • 22nd century • 23rd century (Kelvin timeline) • Ferrax • T'varo • T'Liss • Vas Hatham • Temar Vastaram • D'vas | 
|
| Reman birds-of-prey | T'varo |
|
| Klingon birds-of-prey | 22nd century • 2260s • 23rd century (Kelvin timeline) • M'Chla • B'rel • Chuq'Beh • D12 • D'Gavama • E4 • E6 • G2 • Khitomer • K'vort • QuD • Z'gavasta • Z'gavva • QulDun • Norgh • Ki'tang • Hegh'ta | 
|
Background
This FASA role-playing game vessel was the earliest example of a Klingon bird-of-prey being re-sized to fill a role as a cruiser, making it a predecessor to the TNG K'vort-class light cruiser.
Appearances
References
- FASA RPG module: Klingon Ship Recognition Manual
- FASA RPG module: Star Trek III Sourcebook Update
- Stardate Magazine vol. 3, Issue 3: "Romulan V-24 (Great Bird) Class Cruiser"