Images are an approximation of the exterior of the class.

Summarized History

   Originally intended to be a subclass of UFAR's/URZA's venerated Union-class, the Enterprise-class was introduced in 15 UA [465 EoD] with the re-launch of the 20-year-old URS Enterprise after a two-year long refit which amongst numerous improvements to all of the ship's systems included the addition of a secondary hull attached by a connecting dorsal structure to the ventral side of the main hull. This secondary hull housed a new Warp 6 engine core, improved sensor systems and an enlarged & more powerful navigational deflector which would be used in concert with the main hull deflector. The initial results of Enterprise refit shakedown cruise were encouraging and led Starfleet to increase the number of Union-class ships to undergo the refit from five to seven, expecting the refit program to be concluded by 30 UA.

   Six years after Enterprise reached and briefly surpassed Warp 6, ten years into the refit program and with six of the seven ships completed and no losses amongst the Warp 6 Enterprise-subclass ships, Starfleet made the unprecedented decision to elevate the Enterprise and her refitted sister ships from a subclass of the Union-class to their own class retroactive to the completion date of Enterprise's refit. Furthermore, Starfleet decided that all new “Frigate” designated ships would be built using the Enterprise design and the Warp 6 engine with the first new Enterprise-class frigate to bear the registry number RSC-301.

    The Enterprise herself would serve an additional 40 years in her refit configuration receiving necessary upgrades throughout her life until she was decommissioned in 55 UA after 60 years of service, initially to the Union, then the United Republic. This first ship of her class would be followed by two more United Republic ships of the Enterprise-class bearing the name Enterprise; RSC-347 & RSC-357. Enterprise-347 served honorably for 25 years between 65 UA and her disappearance with all hands in 90 UA. RSC-357 would also serve with distinction for 25 years from 95 to 120 UA.

    Overall the ships of the Enterprise-class would serve with honor and distinction however, following the introduction of the URZA's Tulemaa and Zel'Koni-class starships, and like the Union-class before her, the Enterprise-class would be retired by 125 UA.

General Specifications