Excalibur class

The Excalibur Class was submitted at the same time as the Sovereign Class. Both ships were roughly equal in proposed specs. The Sovereign was approved while the Excalibur was put on hold.

Following the Borg attack of 2371, Starfleet re-opened the Excalibur files. They altered the ship from Explorer/Battleship specs to include rapid response abilities, increasing the size of the vessel by nearly 50%. Weapons were slightly scaled back though as was crew needed for those systems. In their place was put facilities for Covert Ops Teams, Marines, and even Diplomatic and Medical personnel. In the event of a medical emergency, these spaces could be configured for emergency medical care, and thus the ship is equipped with no less then 4 separate EMH programs. Only the Hope Class Medical Ship and Starbases carry as many independent EMH programs.

As the Dominion war began, three of the ships were rushed into building and service. Two took active part in the war, rushing troops to Chin'toka and AR-115. Others of the class also rushed medical aid to Betazed when that planet was liberated, and later Cardassia Prime itself.

Since the end of the war, only one more of the class has been built, making six in active service. Two other hulls that were under construction where stopped and stored, in case the need arises for them.

Starfleet has dispatched the four ships across the Federation. One services in the 7th Fleet near Cardassian space, one is with the 3rd Fleet near the Romulan border, another is with the 2nd Fleet near Sector 001, and the other three are with the 4th Fleet guarding against the Borg threat.