BC-304

"It has a few advantages over the Prometheus. The more advanced alien technologies were integrated into the original design rather than tacked on after the fact."

- Samantha Carter

The 304, also known as the Daedalus-Class warship, is a class of deep space carrier built by the Tau'ri, and the most advanced series of vessels in the Tau'ri fleet. As of 2008, four Daedalus-class battlecruisers have been built and three are in active service. One 304, the Korolev, was given to the Russian Federation, and subsequently lost in a battle with the Ori.

Although referred to as "sister ships" to the BC-303 Prometheus, the 304s differ significantly in their design and technology. While the Prometheus was originally built with reverse-engineered Goa'uld technology and salvaged equipment such as the transport rings, the 304s incorporated Asgard technology in their original design. All 304 class ships are equipped with Asgard shields, sensors and transporters, as well as intergalactic hyperdrive technology that allow the ships to carry supplies to Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy. However, the Asgard initially refused to install any of their weapons on the 304s, changing their minds only when faced with their extinction as a species, they equipped one ship, the Odyssey, with advanced plasma beam weapons. Later, the Daedalus, Apollo and Phoenix were updated with these weapons. It is assumed that all future ships will be provided with these weapons as well.

Bridge
304s feature several upgrades over the Prometheus, but the bridge layout is relatively similar. The forward view port is wider to allow a greater visual field. This is particularly useful during battle situations, allowing several officers to make suggestions about how to proceed without obstructing the captain's chair. A weapons officer sits to the right of the captain; a helmsman to the left.


 * At the beginning of a 304's neck is the bridge. The map display table in the back of the bridge is lit in a different color for each ship — on the Daedalus it is green, as opposed to orange on the Odyssey and an alternate version of the Daedalus and blue on the Apollo. The Korolev's bridge featured a display more reminiscent of that on the Prometheus; the significance of this, if any, is unknown.

Engineering
The engineering deck has several control panels specifically rigged for Asgard operators. A view port overlooking the Asgard hyperdrive can be found at the aft end of the chamber. The engine room can accommodate a dozen personnel at any given time. Tasks from systems diagnostics to the deployment of weapons can be carried out here.

Flight Deck
The 304s are able to carry twice as many F-302s as the Prometheus — eight in each of its two hangar bays, for a total of 16. However, the Daedalus and Apollo carry fighters only in the starboard hangar; the port hangar has been used to carry other vehicles, such as puddle jumpers from Atlantis. Asgard shields can extend around the hangar doors in the event the flight deck is occupied while decompression procedures are scheduled to commence.


 * It's unclear whether the Odyssey or Korolev carried a full compliment of fighters. Given that the Daedalus and probably the Apollo were used to ferry equipment to Atlantis, the port hangars on those particular ships might be reserved for extra cargo storage.  Alternatively, the port deck might serve as a re-entry bay when a skirmish must end quickly.

Officer's Mess
Because the 304s are designed for extensive deep-space voyages, an officer's mess is available to off-duty personnel. It is located on the starboard side of the ship and offers a view port into space. Hot coffee and perhaps other drinks are available in the mess, no matter the time of day.

Bomb Bay
At least one 304, the Apollo, featured a large bomb bay built into the underside of the ship, capable of deploying the Horizon weapons platform. A control room just aft of the bay included a set of observation windows, arranged much like the ship's engine room. So far, it has only been mentioned in relation to the Apollo, and no corresponding bay doors appear on the underside of the Daedalus; it's unclear whether the Odyssey or Korolev were so equipped, or if the Apollo constitutes a new variant of the class.

Sensors
The 304s feature a long-range transmitter, located with a series of other communications-related equipment including Asgard sensors at the top-rear port section of the ship.

Engines
The 304 features multiple means of maneuverability, notably 3 engines: maneuvering thrusters, the sublight drive and the Asgard hyperdrive. An alternate version of the Daedalus was equipped with a fourth drive known as the alternate reality drive, allowing the ship to alternate between realities.

Armaments
The 304 has a vast array of weapons, ranging from projectile to energy based.

Railguns


The 304s have 32 railguns, which have become standard on F-302s, the Prometheus, and all Daedalus-class vessels for ship-to-ship combat. Just a few shots are able to take out a Wraith dart relatively quickly and deal a large amount of damage to hive-ships, though Ori shields are significantly more difficult, practically impossible, to pierce. During the Battle of Asuras, an opening salvo or railguns proved powerful enough to cause severe damage to an Asuran-built Aurora-class warship, possibly leading to its destruction.

Missiles
The 304s have 16 missile bays, carry naquadah enhanced nuclear warheads to beam aboard other ships, and only one ship, the Apollo, is known to have the Horizon weapon system.

Known 304s

 * USS Daedalus
 * USS Odyssey
 * RFS Korolev (destroyed)
 * USS Apollo
 * USS Phoenix (under construction)

Alternate timelines
In an alternate timeline, a fifth 304, the USS Phoenix, was rushed into service and assigned to Colonel Samantha Carter of the Atlantis Expedition.