View source for Excelsior class

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Excelsior'' class}}
{{MyriadExcelsiorClass}}
{{ImageInfoBox2|name=''Excelsior'' class|file=excelsior_class-st-06.jpg|caption=''Excelsior'' class ([[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Film)|ST06]])}}
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In [[Chronology: 2285|2285]], the [[U.S.S. Excelsior NCC-2000|U.S.S. ''Excelsior'' NX-2000]], the first of a new class, was commissioned. The newest vessel in [[Starfleet]] at the time, it incorporated many experimental systems, including the [[transwarp drive]], earning it the nickname "The Great Experiment"<ref name="ST03"/> among those in influential circles. With so many new systems aboard these vessels, the process of testing them was slow. Prior to being installed, each component was tested and retested until it met standards. Nevertheless, when the ''Excelsior'' was taken out for trials, the evaluation teams were constantly faced with primary system malfunctions that would not allow any of the secondary or backup systems to be tested. This caused the evaluators to deal with these new components on a one-at-a-time basis, thus creating time delays in the commissioning of the class.<ref name="FASA2302E2"/>

The ''Excelsior'' class underwent a number of late design changes when the transwarp project ultimately failed. While transwarp was never realized, designers were unwilling to cast aside what was otherwise a sound cruiser design. The transwarp engines were removed in favor of conventional [[warp drive]] engines. The ''Excelsior'' class could cruise at Warp 8 (OCU), sustain speeds of Warp 10 (OCU) for several hours, and reach Warp 13 (OCU) when necessary. This made it by far the fastest Starfleet vessel for almost five decades.<ref name="Decipher4"/>

After these changes were made, Starfleet built a second ship of the class, the [[U.S.S. Proxima NCC-2001|U.S.S. ''Proxima'' NCC-2001]], which finished her trials on Reference Stardate [[Chronology: 2286#February|2/2302 (February 2286)]]<ref name="Proxima"/> and was commissioned immediately thereafter. The [[U.S.S. Columbia NCC-2002|U.S.S. ''Columbia'' NCC-2002]] was also completed on 2/2302, while the [[U.S.S. Galacta NCC-2003|U.S.S. ''Galacta'' NCC-2003]] was commissioned on [[Chronology: 2287#June|2/2406 (June 2287)]]. All of these ships were constructed at shipyards orbiting [[Earth]] and [[Mars]].<ref name="FASA2302E2"/><ref name="FASA2012"/>

A state-of-the-art capital ship with impressive size, speed, and tactical characteristics, the ''Excelsior'' class was well-suited for a number of mission roles. Specializing in emergency response and long-range exploration, the ''Excelsior'' class also distinguished itself through superior firepower and the ability to project force into neighboring sectors. They served as the mainline fleet vessel for Starfleet after the retirement of the [[Constitution class|''Constitution'' class]], and before the wide-scale use of [[Ambassador class|''Ambassador'' class]] ships. They frequently operated as command and control vessels, dictating fleet actions. A number of scientific laboratories and the ability to launch long-range probes also made the class viable for exploration and scientific missions. As a support vessel, the ship's sensor capabilities were average for its class, while its operations and computer systems were top of the line. A large shuttlebay and ample cargo room gave the class the ability to operate in a number of auxiliary roles, such as colony supply, emergency relief, and deep-space surveying missions.<ref name="Decipher4"/>

{{ImageBox|imgname=excelsior_class-st-07|caption=''Excelsior'' class refit [[U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-B|U.S.S. ''Enterprise'' NCC-1701-B]] ([[Star Trek: Generations (Film)|ST07]])}}
The flagship of Starfleet, the [[U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-B|U.S.S. ''Enterprise'' NCC-1701-B]], was commissioned as an ''Excelsior'' class vessel,<ref name="FASA2012"/><ref name="TNGTM"/><ref name="ST07"/> while the ''Excelsior'' herself went on to a fine and distinguished career under [[Starfleet Ranks#Captain|Captain]] [[Sulu, Hikaru|Hikaru Sulu]].<ref name="ST06"/> The [[U.S.S. Gorkon NCC-40521|U.S.S. ''Gorkon'' NCC-40521]] and [[U.S.S. Cairo NCC-42136|U.S.S. ''Cairo'' NCC-42136]], commanded by Captains [[Nechayev, Alynna|Nechayev]] and [[Jellico, Edward|Jellico]], respectively, saw extensive action against the [[Tholian Assembly|Tholians]] and [[Cardassian Union|Cardassians]] in a number of conflicts.<ref name="Decipher4"/>

Tactically, the ''Excelsior'' class was the most powerful Starfleet vessel fielded during the 23rd and early 24th centuries. Mounting several Type-VIII [[phaser]] banks, the ''Excelsior's'' firepower provided it with excellent strike capabilities. The addition of Mk 22 direct-fire photon torpedoes allowed the class to lay down multiple fields of fire. Supplemented by the proven CIDSS-2 shield system, the class enjoyed significant combat endurance.<ref name="Decipher4"/>

During the Cardassian and [[Dominion War|Dominion]] wars, the ''Excelsior'' class was an oft-seen combatant on the front lines. ''Excelsior'' class cruisers fought at the [[Chin'toka]], [[Archanis]], and [[Bolarus IX|Bolian]] sectors, to name a few, in the latter parts of the Dominion War.<ref name="Decipher4"/>

{{ClassExcelsior}}
{{References}}
<references>
<ref name="ST03">{{RefST03}}</ref>
<ref name="FASA2302E2">{{RefFASA2302E2}}</ref>
<ref name="FASA2012">{{RefFASA2012}}</ref>
<ref name="TNGTM">"[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual (Book)|Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual]]." Book. November 1991. Pocket Books.</ref>
<ref name="ST06">{{RefST06}}</ref>
<ref name="ST07">{{RefST07}}</ref>
<ref name="Decipher4">{{RefDecipher4}}</ref>
<ref name="Proxima">The Reference Stardate for the ''Proxima's'' commissioning was given as 2/2312 in the ''TNG Officer's Manual,'' which postdates the next several ships in the line by several months. As all other ships were given sequentially chronological dates, it appears that this was a typographical error, and has been corrected for this entry.</ref>
</references>
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