Akira class

The Akira-class heavy cruiser was an advanced Federation starship used by Starfleet. Akira-class starships featured prominently in the 2373 Borg attack on Earth and in the Dominion War.

An unusual feature of the Akira-class was the shuttlebay arrangements. There were two large shuttlebays in the saucer section, one at the forward edge of the saucer section and one at the rear.
 * CGI designer Alex Jaeger said that the logic behind this was that departing shuttles would leave out the front bay, and return in the aft bay.

Several Akira-class starships were being constructed at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards in 2371. (VOY: "Relativity")

The Akira-class was involved in most of the major battles of the Dominion War. In 2374, they saw action during Operation Return and the First Battle of Chin'toka, where at least one ship of the class was destroyed by an orbital weapon platform. In 2375, they were involved in the Second Battle of Chin'toka and the Battle of Cardassia. (DS9: "Sacrifice of Angels", "Tears of the Prophets", "The Changing Face of Evil", "What You Leave Behind")

Several Akira-class ships were often stationed near Deep Space 9. (DS9: "The Magnificent Ferengi", "Afterimage")

Ships Commissioned

 * USS Akira, NCC-62497
 * USS Rabin, NCC-63293
 * USS Thunderchild, NCC-63549