Phalanx class

The Phalanx-class was a large Federation starship class in service to Starfleet during the late 24th century. ()


 * The Phalanx class was designed by digital artist D. M. Phoenix.

Technology
The Phalanx-class was equipped with two Mk XXIV warp cores, 11 Type-XII phaser arrays and 134 Sovereign-type escape pods. ()

History
Initially conceived as a potential replacement for the aging Excelsior class as Starfleet's "backbone," the Phalanx Class Development Project was forced to shift focus after the Battle of Wolf 359. This led to "bold leaps" in defensive and propulsion technologies. The prototype NX-74998 was rushed into production, developed in a joint project between the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, Starfleet Tactical and a private company, Magnus Heavy Industries. ()

Initially laid down in 2368, the USS Phalanx (NX-74998) was officially commissioned just three years later in 2371. She was subsequently assigned to the Federation-Klingon border, in order to restore tactical balance in the region following skirmishes provoked by the Kinshaya. Her designated homeport during that time was Sherman's Planet. (', ')

Two more ships soon entered service, the USS Veracruz (Phalanx class), and the USS Repulse (NCC-75000). These first three Phalanx-class vessels saw action during a period of renewed conflict with the Klingon Empire, another Borg incursion, and ultimately the Dominion War itself. All three starships served with distinction during this period, acknowledged for their durability and tactical prowess, even in light of sustaining critical damage on numerous occasions. Additional vessels of the class were laid down during the war, but with limited resources, construction was slowed until after the war's end in 2375.

Having traded range for power and speed because of her dual-warp core design, the Phalanx class was initially ill-suited for deep space exploratory assignments, but was shown to excel at diplomatic and humanitarian missions, as well as peacekeeping assignments along the borders of the Federation. Ships of this class were typically deployed within one-thousand light-years of Federation space.

However, post-war refits for the class resulted in improved engine and fuel efficiency, which extended its operational range far beyond its initially limited parameters. Accordingly, Phalanx class vessels began to operate far outside the confines of Federation territory, expanding the frontiers of known space. ()

Further design improvements from the USS Allegiance (NCC-73500) led to an offshoot sub-class, the Allegiance class, which entered service in the early 2380s. (Star Trek: Odyssey: "Illiad")