Battle cruiser

In traditional terminology, a battle cruiser is any large armed cruiser (or warship) that is not as heavily armored as a battleship.

In starship classification, the term battle cruiser is sometimes used synonymously with heavy cruiser. The Klingons once referred to the Federation Constitution-class USS Enterprise as a battle cruiser. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

The Klingon Empire and Romulan Star Empire utilized battle cruisers throughout the 23rd and 24th centuries.

Beginning in 2268, the Romulans acquired the D-7 class battle cruiser from the Klingons as replacement of the Bird-of-Prey. (TOS: "The Enterprise Incident", et al.)

Some Klingon battle cruisers were equipped with cryonic technology, which allowed crews of the late 23rd century to be placed in cryogenic sleep for long voyages. (TNG: "The Emissary")

During the late 2370s, Klingon battle cruisers were not always the ship of choice for all missions, however, as more agile craft, like the Klingon Bird-of-Prey, were better suited for some tasks. (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")

Battle cruisers by race

 * Cardassian battle cruiser
 * Federation battle cruisers
 * Constitution-class
 * Jem'Hadar battle cruiser
 * Klingon battle cruisers
 * Vorok's battle cruiser
 * D5 class
 * D7 class
 * Kohlar's battle cruiser
 * K't'inga-class
 * Kriosian battle cruiser
 * Promellian battle cruiser
 * Rekag battle cruiser
 * Romulan battle cruisers
 * Romulan battle cruiser (2364)
 * D7 class
 * Son'a battle cruiser