Ambassador class

The Ambassador class starship was a Starfleet heavy cruiser class launched in the mid 24th century. (TNG: "Conspiracy")

History
Construction on the first hull for the Ambassador class began in the early 24th century.

One of the most notable Ambassador class ships was the USS Enterprise-C. In 2344, while under the command of Captain Rachel Garrett, the ship responded to a distress call from a Klingon colony on Narendra III. Four Romulan warbirds had ambushed the colony. The Enterprise responded to the attack, and despite being destroyed there, defended it long enough to impress the Klingon High Council. Hostilities ended almost immediately between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. A lasting peace agreement would not be reached until 2352, but the cessation of nearly 60 years of conflict between the two powers was a welcome step toward galactic peace. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")

Ships of the Ambassador class fought against the Borg and the Dominion. (DS9: "Emissary," "You Are Cordially Invited")

Technical data
The Ambassador class featured the saucer section-engineering section-warp nacelle layout common to most Starfleet vessels. It was intermediate in size between the Excelsior class and the Galaxy class. The ship boasted at least three engineering levels. It was armed with both phasers and photon torpedoes with coverage to both fore and aft firing arcs. The control panels were flat-panel and LCARS based, using the interface introduced in the late 23rd century. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")

Families were allowed aboard Ambassador class ships, but only if they were related to a Starfleet crewmember who had served on the ship exceeding six months. (TNG: "Second Chances")

Refits
Several Ambassador class ships were seen with minor alterations from the original design. The saucer section's connection to the engineering hull was shifted slightly aft, with the nacelle pylon assembly moved a corresponding distance in the same direction. A new phaser strip was added to the lower part of the engineering hull. Cowlings were added around the Bussard collectors, making them appear closer to that of the Galaxy class, while the impulse engine exhaust changed from a blue to a red glow. The lower sensor dome became more elaborate and closer in appearance to the Excelsior class and the deflector dish was modified. Finally, the width of the shuttlebay was increased and a second facility resembling that on the Excelsior class engineering hull was mounted directly underneath the original one. Graphics were upgraded with the Starfleet insignia of the 2360s. (TNG: "Data's Day," DS9: "Emissary") The LCARS software was also upgraded to the standard interface of the late 24th century. (TNG: "Redemption, Part II")

Main Bridge
Primary operational control of the Ambassador class starship was provided by the Main Bridge. Located on top of the primary hull, the bridge directly supervised all primary mission operations and coordinated all departmental activities.

In 2344, the central area of the bridge provided seating for the captain only. Directly fore and to the right of the captain was the tactical station, with the helm station to the left. The consoles were similar to that used on the bridges of Excelsior and Galaxy class starships. At the very front of the bridge was a large viewscreen, with a freestanding console located directly below. Against the back walls of the bridge were consoles for the ops, engineering, and science positions. Additional displays flanked the aft consoles. The bridge was accessed through two doors, located on the forward halves of the port and starboard walls. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")

Ships commissioned

 * USS Adelphi (NCC-26849)
 * USS Ambassador (NX-10521)
 * USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-C)
 * USS Excalibur (NCC-26517)
 * USS Exeter (NCC-26531)
 * USS Gandhi (NCC-26632)
 * USS Horatio (NCC-10532)
 * USS Valdemar (NCC-26198)
 * USS Yamaguchi (NCC-26510)
 * USS Zhukov (NCC-26136)