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star trek - Why doesn't the Enterprise use stealth/invisibility technology like the Romulans and Klingons?


The stealth mode of starships plays a huge role in many Star Trek films and episodes and is a strong advantage in combat. I remember an episode revealing that the Federation developed a secret stealth technology (afair on Riker's former ship with another captain appearing in this episode) that even made it possible to fly with the ship through matter.


Nonetheless, while stealth technology seems standard for Romulans, Klingons (Ferengi, Vulcans?) and does not break any intergalactic laws (do these exist at all?), the Federation doesn't use it?



Answer



The Federation signed a treaty with the Romulans specifically forbidding the Federation and Starfleet (probably all life forms that are members of the UFP) to even research cloaking technology. They don't use it, because it keeps the peace truce with Romulus.



From Memory Alpha:



In 2311, with the signing of the Treaty of Algeron, the Federation explicitly agreed not to develop cloaking technology. The Bajoran Provisional Government also outlawed cloaking devices, stating that the possession of such a device is highly illegal. (TNG: "The Pegasus"; DS9: "Profit and Loss")



(emphasis mine)



Edit: I can only speculate about the out-of-universe reasons the writers have not to allow the Federation a cloaking device (maybe TangoOversway can provide better semi-official insight) but I suppose it's too easy to become a negative deus-ex-machina, ruining most plots. Or to put it differently, make it too hard to write good scripts. Additionally, it would be hindering Starfleet's original mission to explore strange new worlds and civilisations. They want to explore, not to hide.


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