Hello all, Ric here looking at the  significance of the Klingon Bird of  
Hello all, Ric here looking at the  significance of the Klingon Bird of  

Prey in a video which is pretty much just going  to be me gushing over it for 7 minutes straight. 
Prey in a video which is pretty much just going  to be me gushing over it for 7 minutes straight. 

The B’rel is one of the most iconic vessels of  the Klingon Empire, sharing the position perhaps  
The B’rel is one of the most iconic vessels of  the Klingon Empire, sharing the position perhaps  

with the D7 Battle Cruiser and has long been one  of my favourite non-starfleet ships. Aside from  
with the D7 Battle Cruiser and has long been one  of my favourite non-starfleet ships. Aside from  

their poor security (as they are repeatedly  being stolen it seems), they make a strong  
their poor security (as they are repeatedly  being stolen it seems), they make a strong  

addition to the Klingon Defence Force and are one  of the longest serving styles of vessel in their  
addition to the Klingon Defence Force and are one  of the longest serving styles of vessel in their  

armada. At every period of Klingon spacefaring  history, there has been a Bird of Prey in service,  
armada. At every period of Klingon spacefaring  history, there has been a Bird of Prey in service,  

as seen in multiple iterations of Trek. The earliest we see is the Vo’N’Talk Class seen  
as seen in multiple iterations of Trek. The earliest we see is the Vo’N’Talk Class seen  

around the 22nd century and a very similar design  to the later ships that would fit the same roll.  
around the 22nd century and a very similar design  to the later ships that would fit the same roll.  

The Bird of Prey was an attack vessel, designed  along the philosophy of striking with overwhelming  
The Bird of Prey was an attack vessel, designed  along the philosophy of striking with overwhelming  

force before pulling back. While not focused  on warp speed, they were very manoeuvrable  
force before pulling back. While not focused  on warp speed, they were very manoeuvrable  

at impulse which is a good thing as their  weaponry was mostly front facing, so they  
at impulse which is a good thing as their  weaponry was mostly front facing, so they  

needed to bring their bow to bear on a target. Generally, the various Birds of Preys are rather  
needed to bring their bow to bear on a target. Generally, the various Birds of Preys are rather  

small vessels, however there is a bit  of variety here too, but those that were  
small vessels, however there is a bit  of variety here too, but those that were  

smaller were capable of atmospheric flight and  planetary landing, a feat that larger vessel  
smaller were capable of atmospheric flight and  planetary landing, a feat that larger vessel  

cannot accomplish without a significant  investment into their structural integrity field.  
cannot accomplish without a significant  investment into their structural integrity field.  

The typical B’Rel is around 51 metres long and 83  wide, although there were larger versions of this  
The typical B’Rel is around 51 metres long and 83  wide, although there were larger versions of this  

ship seen. This is partially going to have to  be written off as inconsistencies in production,  
ship seen. This is partially going to have to  be written off as inconsistencies in production,  

but there are several different terms given  to seemingly identical looking ships, such as  
but there are several different terms given  to seemingly identical looking ships, such as  

the B’Rel, the K’vort or simply the D12 Class,  so along with differing internals and systems,  
the B’Rel, the K’vort or simply the D12 Class,  so along with differing internals and systems,  

these could conceivably all relate  to different scale versions too. 
these could conceivably all relate  to different scale versions too. 

The general silhouette for the Bird of Prey  remains fairly consistent with large wing-like  
The general silhouette for the Bird of Prey  remains fairly consistent with large wing-like  

struts which themselves are positional for several  modes. When raised, they are in standard flight  
struts which themselves are positional for several  modes. When raised, they are in standard flight  

mode, but they can be lowered into an attack mode,  or raised above the hull to deploy landing gear.  
mode, but they can be lowered into an attack mode,  or raised above the hull to deploy landing gear.  

The reasoning for this positional wing mechanism  is not explained, but I have seen several  
The reasoning for this positional wing mechanism  is not explained, but I have seen several  

non-canonical explanations. Well, landing mode is  obvious, it just gets the wings out of the way,  
non-canonical explanations. Well, landing mode is  obvious, it just gets the wings out of the way,  

but the variation between attack and flight mode  is less defined, especially as they can fire or  
but the variation between attack and flight mode  is less defined, especially as they can fire or  

warp in either position. One explanation is that  it alters the power flow, so in attack mode,  
warp in either position. One explanation is that  it alters the power flow, so in attack mode,  

energy is routed from the warp drive and that may  be the case, but why would you not just design as  
energy is routed from the warp drive and that may  be the case, but why would you not just design as  

system to do that without physically shifting  the vessel? Another explanation is that the  
system to do that without physically shifting  the vessel? Another explanation is that the  

warp coils are actually lined throughout the  wings, so in order to generate a warp bubble,  
warp coils are actually lined throughout the  wings, so in order to generate a warp bubble,  

they have to raise them to a higher point like  Voyager’s Variable Warp Geometry. The inverse  
they have to raise them to a higher point like  Voyager’s Variable Warp Geometry. The inverse  

is true for the shields when bringing the wings  down, tucking them inside its defensive bubble.  
is true for the shields when bringing the wings  down, tucking them inside its defensive bubble.  

The one most commonly mentioned is that because  it is capable of atmospheric flight, the raised  
The one most commonly mentioned is that because  it is capable of atmospheric flight, the raised  

wings are literally to deal with aerodynamics,  but then… space. Finally, there’s the suggestions  
wings are literally to deal with aerodynamics,  but then… space. Finally, there’s the suggestions  

that it is merely a visible indicator of intent on  the Klingon’s part, and considering their culture,  
that it is merely a visible indicator of intent on  the Klingon’s part, and considering their culture,  

I can see this being so, it’s the spaceship  equivalent of cocking the hammer on a revolver. 
I can see this being so, it’s the spaceship  equivalent of cocking the hammer on a revolver. 

Much like the Excelsior Class is for  the Federation, the Bird of Prey was  
Much like the Excelsior Class is for  the Federation, the Bird of Prey was  

continually produced, but refitted with  up-to-date technology, keeping the class in  
continually produced, but refitted with  up-to-date technology, keeping the class in  

service long after other contemporaries  had been set aside for newer builds,  
service long after other contemporaries  had been set aside for newer builds,  

but the length of service of the class does  mean that older models are still in circulation,  
but the length of service of the class does  mean that older models are still in circulation,  

complete with their outdated gear, such as  the one owned by the Duras Sisters. However,  
complete with their outdated gear, such as  the one owned by the Duras Sisters. However,  

a top of the line B’rel, such as the IKS Rotarran,  the flagship of House Martok, was an incredibly  
a top of the line B’rel, such as the IKS Rotarran,  the flagship of House Martok, was an incredibly  

hardy ship that could stand against several  Dominion Fighters and return to tell the tale. 
hardy ship that could stand against several  Dominion Fighters and return to tell the tale. 

The Bird of Prey is also a great exemplar of  Klingon technology and their philosophy of combat.  
The Bird of Prey is also a great exemplar of  Klingon technology and their philosophy of combat.  

As mentioned, everything is forwards facing, with  the occasional exception of a 360 degree turret,  
As mentioned, everything is forwards facing, with  the occasional exception of a 360 degree turret,  

but the most prominent weapons are the main photon  torpedo launcher, and twin disruptor canons. These  
but the most prominent weapons are the main photon  torpedo launcher, and twin disruptor canons. These  

canons are incredibly powerful, although far  less adaptable than say a Federation phaser.  
canons are incredibly powerful, although far  less adaptable than say a Federation phaser.  

Their impulse engines are prominent and  comparatively large for the ship of its size,  
Their impulse engines are prominent and  comparatively large for the ship of its size,  

giving it it’s extreme mobility. When in flight  mode, it could cruise at warp 8 and even burn at  
giving it it’s extreme mobility. When in flight  mode, it could cruise at warp 8 and even burn at  

9.6 …for about 5 minutes, keeping pace with even  Galaxy Class vessels, which themselves were one of  
9.6 …for about 5 minutes, keeping pace with even  Galaxy Class vessels, which themselves were one of  

Starfleet’s beefiest ships in terms of raw power. The addition of widespread cloaking technology  
Starfleet’s beefiest ships in terms of raw power. The addition of widespread cloaking technology  

around the mid-23rd century lends itself well to  the Bird of Prey’s mission profile, which again,  
around the mid-23rd century lends itself well to  the Bird of Prey’s mission profile, which again,  

is to hit hard and fast. Getting a sneak attack  critical on an unsuspecting ship is an almost  
is to hit hard and fast. Getting a sneak attack  critical on an unsuspecting ship is an almost  

guaranteed victory for a B’Rel’s captain. The  sudden attack, swooping down for a lethal hit  
guaranteed victory for a B’Rel’s captain. The  sudden attack, swooping down for a lethal hit  

with as little fuss as possible; just like a  Bird of Prey. While a single ship can present  
with as little fuss as possible; just like a  Bird of Prey. While a single ship can present  

a challenge to overcome for a foe, having to  deal with its rapid movement and hard hitting  
a challenge to overcome for a foe, having to  deal with its rapid movement and hard hitting  

attack runs, the real danger is when there is  more than one. In this scenario, it’s akin to  
attack runs, the real danger is when there is  more than one. In this scenario, it’s akin to  

a pack of wolves on a hunt, circling their prey  and viciously striking before retreating under  
a pack of wolves on a hunt, circling their prey  and viciously striking before retreating under  

the cover of their allies, maybe even getting a  chance to cloak and repeat their initial ambush. 
the cover of their allies, maybe even getting a  chance to cloak and repeat their initial ambush. 

Over the generations, many modifications have  been made to the Bird of Prey and its varieties,  
Over the generations, many modifications have  been made to the Bird of Prey and its varieties,  

and although it is a standardised design,  produced by the KDF, many Houses choose to  
and although it is a standardised design,  produced by the KDF, many Houses choose to  

customise its systems to better suit their  personal tactics, leading to an intimate  
customise its systems to better suit their  personal tactics, leading to an intimate  

familiarity with the vessel. While in Starfleet,  a Vessel is an assignment for an officer,  
familiarity with the vessel. While in Starfleet,  a Vessel is an assignment for an officer,  

with the senior staff often being the only  ones stationed on it for the long-haul,  
with the senior staff often being the only  ones stationed on it for the long-haul,  

a Bird of Prey can be a work of dedication. It  is sometimes produced for a specific house, often  
a Bird of Prey can be a work of dedication. It  is sometimes produced for a specific house, often  

with a specific captain in mind and therefore  tailored for that Klingon. The captain has the  
with a specific captain in mind and therefore  tailored for that Klingon. The captain has the  

final say on who gets to serve on their vessel,  and with a crew of only 12 to 24, these ships  
final say on who gets to serve on their vessel,  and with a crew of only 12 to 24, these ships  

tend to produce tight-knit communities, where  every officer has to pull their weight. A Bird of  
tend to produce tight-knit communities, where  every officer has to pull their weight. A Bird of  

Prey ends up being an extension of its captain  and crew, a representative of that Klingon’s  
Prey ends up being an extension of its captain  and crew, a representative of that Klingon’s  

House and their allies, and in my opinion, a  character in its own right. Funnily enough,  
House and their allies, and in my opinion, a  character in its own right. Funnily enough,  

in the times where we have seen them fall into  the hands of non-Klingons, such as Dukat or Kirk,  
in the times where we have seen them fall into  the hands of non-Klingons, such as Dukat or Kirk,  

that tighter-knit atmosphere seems to come to  the fore and I think it’s more than coincidence. 
that tighter-knit atmosphere seems to come to  the fore and I think it’s more than coincidence. 

In many ways, the B’rel was the  Defiant-Class, before the Defiant was cool.  
In many ways, the B’rel was the  Defiant-Class, before the Defiant was cool.  

Actually, seriously, the Defiant has a lot in  common with the Bird of Prey come to think of it,  
Actually, seriously, the Defiant has a lot in  common with the Bird of Prey come to think of it,  

like Starfleet looked at the Klingons and  went, “Yeah… we’re just gonna do that.” 
like Starfleet looked at the Klingons and  went, “Yeah… we’re just gonna do that.” 

Thanks for watching this breakdown on the  significance of the Klingon Bird of Prey.  
Thanks for watching this breakdown on the  significance of the Klingon Bird of Prey.  

It’s one of my favourite starships from Trek,  right up there with the D’Deridex and Excelsior.  
It’s one of my favourite starships from Trek,  right up there with the D’Deridex and Excelsior.  

I’ve been Ric and I’ll see you next time  for another video. Thanks again and goodbye!
I’ve been Ric and I’ll see you next time  for another video. Thanks again and goodbye!