When it comes to fighters, I prefer to build up from shuttles and the like rather than down from starships. My own take (influenced by the Honorverse LACs) is the Aesir-class Cutter, a heavily modifed Danube-class runabout.
Basically, replace each warp nacelle with a pair of combined launch tube/magazines (CLT/M), one where the nacelle rides and the other above it but braced off the same pylon. Each CLT/M is a pod containing a launch tube 18.6 metres in length with a 2.8 metre revolver-type magazine of 9 torpedoes mounted directly to the rear. The Matter/Antimatter packages used by photon torpedos are stored in the spinal structure of the runabout, using the same systems that would normally comprise a runabout's warp propulsion system.
The modular pods that make up the hull of the Danube between the cockpit and the aft cabin are replaced with additional sensors, ECCM, targeting systems and computers to process the information.
The Aesir cutters are deployed in squadrons around Starbase and from starships modifed with expanded shuttle bays (usually Heavy Cruisers or Explorers) because they lack warp drives. The principal advantage is the ability to deploy several squadrons to generate massive barrages of photon torpedos against targets like a Borg Cube - firing at maximum rate 7 squadrons of 6 cutters can launch 3 volleys of over 500 photon torpedos in less than ten seconds. The effect on an enemy fleet or a Borg Cube is left to your imagination.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
Basically, replace each warp nacelle with a pair of combined launch tube/magazines (CLT/M), one where the nacelle rides and the other above it but braced off the same pylon. Each CLT/M is a pod containing a launch tube 18.6 metres in length with a 2.8 metre revolver-type magazine of 9 torpedoes mounted directly to the rear. The Matter/Antimatter packages used by photon torpedos are stored in the spinal structure of the runabout, using the same systems that would normally comprise a runabout's warp propulsion system.
The modular pods that make up the hull of the Danube between the cockpit and the aft cabin are replaced with additional sensors, ECCM, targeting systems and computers to process the information.
The Aesir cutters are deployed in squadrons around Starbase and from starships modifed with expanded shuttle bays (usually Heavy Cruisers or Explorers) because they lack warp drives. The principal advantage is the ability to deploy several squadrons to generate massive barrages of photon torpedos against targets like a Borg Cube - firing at maximum rate 7 squadrons of 6 cutters can launch 3 volleys of over 500 photon torpedos in less than ten seconds. The effect on an enemy fleet or a Borg Cube is left to your imagination.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.