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Originally Posted by August
How well does IR and radar work against an object that is light years away and moving very fast? Would any data they produce arrive in time to do any good?
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Unless the ship was travelling faster than the speed of light then IR and Radar, and other means of electromagnetic detection would provide weeks or months worth of warning.
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Also within a solar system, where the speeds and distance are relatively less, there are plenty of planets, moons, asteroids and other stuff to hide the biggest of ships behind.
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The element of surprise would probably only work if the system was outside of the detection range of the vessel you intend to attack, or if you were able to approach the vessel keeping a planet between you and it at all times, which would be difficult and easily countered by the enemy having more than one unit with sensors, for example a capital ship with smaller scouting vessels around it, arranged in a manner that their radar and IR systems cover a maximum range would mean that even if the capital ship doesn't detect the vessel entering the system, the scouts would and relay that message to the capital ship, thus eliminating the element of surprise.
Hiding near objects that emit electromagnetic interference and product a larger amount of heat than your vessel might work...or might just get you killed. Stars perhaps, but again, you'd be detected moving into position.
EDIT: Also, I didn't see TLAMs post at #35 (hence my blunder on IR detector a few posts later) but yes, a Galaxy class is a good all rounder vessel for long range space exploration/flag planting/diplomacy. Although in TNG, it's rare that they actually go out of communications range of Starfleet Command, so the element of the captain of the vessel being a joint military/diplomatic officer/scientist is a bit lost...BUT, it is a core principle of training for Starfleet officers, so it is at least acknowledged in the Trekverse. Kirk on the other hand, had a more primitive comms setup, and when Archer went into the Expanse he was pretty much on his own...but then his Enterprise was, well, mostly outmatched by anything it faced.