Perimeter action ship

A perimeter action ship is a type of vessel in Starfleet service since at least the Four Years' War. 

Perimeter action ships are minimally-crewed (no more than 50), short-mission vessels purpose built for high-warp military engagements. They combine aspects of 20th and 21st century submarines, PT boats and airborne strike fighters.

Classes of this type of vessel include and  starships of the Four Years' War era; and the later,  and.

USS was an perimeter action ship. She was destroyed by unknown threat forces in 2289. (, Vol. 2) Years later, after the recovery of the decades-lost USS, Starfleet deduced that the threat forces had been Cardassians. (Star Trek: Accord)

During the years 2289-93, a trio of perimeter action ships was assigned to the sector around Shadowstar Station. 

In early 2298, the perimeter action ships USS Morrigan, USS Balor and USS Ogma were commissioned as a group and attached to Task Force Accord. (Star Trek: Accord)