Centaur-A

The first refit to the Centaur class. Replaced in production by the second refit, the Centaur-B, with the last ships fit to the Centaur-A standard refit in 2326.Q1.

The Centaur-A refit program, beginning in 2307, was very well-received, updating the Centaur design from the Rogers admiralty's original concept of a beefed-up combat escort designed to compete with the Constellation-class cruisers as a general support vessel, into a superior all-round generalist that bid fair to make the Constellations entirely obsolete.

The Centaur-A was fitted with a significantly more capable sensor package, a more rugged and dependable drive for long range cruising, and far greater multi-mission capability than the Mirandas of the previous generation, even after the latter were extensively refit in an attempt to remain competitive. While the Miranda-A was more cost-effective as a pure fighting vessel, it could not compete in other roles, including the critical "fleet scout" missions required even during wartime.

Despite a daunting demand for exotic materials and rare materials in construction, the light, lean-crewed design of the Centaur-A lent itself to mass production and manufacture by relatively low-budget member world fleets. This, combined with being a highly satisfactory all-round generalist within its weight class, resulted in an ambitious wave of Centaur-A production throughout the Federation, in both Starfleet and the member fleets, through the late 2300s and the 2310s.

Refit Cost: 15br 15sr