User:The Sandman/2331 Cruiser

With the Renaissance-class inadequate to face the Cardassian and Harmony cruisers of the 2320s in combat, or likely in any capacity in the case of the Harmony, a new cruiser design was needed. This design is intended to be equal or superior to any comparably-sized vessel that the Federation might encounter, and to be possible to mass-produce so as to relieve Starfleet's explorers from garrison duties throughout Federation space.

The class is tentatively named "Equinox", but that's subject to change.