Crew complement: 750 crew + 1,000 troops

Weapons: 1 plasma cannon, 6 missile launchers with 150+ "Mothra" or "Mambo" long-range attack missiles, 90+ "Moolah" short-range defensive missiles, 30+ "Grater" or "Goblin" surface-attack missiles

Velocity: wf 2.6, cruise; wf 2.8, supercruise; wf 2.9

Akula-class ships weighed an estimated 500,000 tons. Behind the 118-m-diameter hemispherical command hulls was a spherical fusion reactor that powered 3 pedunculated warp nacelles mounted in a 120-degree configuration. The fusion reactor also powered a single axial impulse drive unit with thrust shapers for travel at sublight speeds. The main weapon was an extremely powerful plasma cannon that, although not capable of supraluminal speeds, was effective at ranges up to 5 million km. This plasma cannon had been designed to destroy enemy ships, space stations, and even surface installations. Akula cruisers also carried a variety of fusion-powered, warp-capable, fusion-tipped missiles for defense and long-range attacks against ships and fixed targets.

Akula cruisers had an observed maximum speed of wf 2.9 and a cruising speed of wf 2.6, which were slightly better than those of the UESN's fusion-powered Amarillo-class cruiser. However, because of the inefficient fusion reactor, which powered both the warp and impulse drives, range at cruising speed likely did not exceed 3 ly despite the large deuterium fuel tanks Akula carried. Therefore, to attack across average interstellar distances in the Romulans' push into UE space, refueling en route could not be avoided. Predictably, handling at both warp and sublight speeds was extremely poor and can best be described as sluggish. However, because of their great size, Akula cruisers could absorb enormous amounts of damage and remain in action.

Akula’s were the primary colony raiders of the early war years. With their out sized troop compliment, they were able to establish foot holds on many fringe colony worlds before work ever reached the core systems. This lead to the Vega Protocol, where colonial picket forces were instructed to focus all fire on any Akula’s present in assaulting forces to deny Romulan forces the orbital high ground footholds on fringe worlds.