Challenger class

The Challenger-class light cruiser was a type of starship on active duty in Starfleet during the late 24th century.

The four vessels of this class were commissioned in 2344. (Ships of the Star Fleet, Vol. 1: Cruisers. )

The design of the class was based in part on the USS Challenger (NCC-2032). The design is little more than a saucer section adapted from the Galaxy class with a pair of warp nacelles attached aft. Two variants exist, one with the nacelles above and behind the saucer and the other with one nacelle above and one below the saucer. Compared to other light cruisers the Challengers were underpowered despite upgrades throughout its service history. The vessels of the class have served well as patrol ships, short-range explorers and scouts and as diplomatic couriers. (Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 1: The Ships of Starfleet)

According to the SRMV1 the class entered service in 2355.

The Challenger-class USS Buran was one of the ships lost during the Battle of Wolf 359. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II")

A variant of the Challenger existed that was fitted to serve as a diplomatic vessel and was referred to as Surak-class envoys. (Star Trek: Armada III)

Background information

• Specifications from the Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 1: The Ships of Starfleet.
• USS Marco Polo is designated Challenger class in a TNG comic story "Thin Ice" — but bears little resemblance to the Buran. There may have been another Challenger class extant earlier in the 24th century.

Challenger-class starships
USS Anchorage - USS Armstrong - USS Buran - USS Kearsarge

External links

• Challenger class article at Memory Alpha, the canon Star Trek wiki.
• Challenger class article at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek wiki.
• Challenger-Class Reconstruction