View source for Ambassador class

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Ambassador'' class}}
{{ImageInfoBox2|name=''Ambassador'' class|file=ambassador_class-tng-163.jpg|caption=''Ambassador'' class ([[Star Trek: The Next Generation|TNG]] [[Yesterday's Enterprise (Episode)|163]])}}
{{TableRow|title=Commissioned|data=[[2322]]}}
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The design of the ''Ambassador'' class, which entered service in 2322,<ref name="LUG25000"/> was closely related to the ''[[Constitution class]]'' and formed the basis for the design of later vessels like the ''[[Nebula class|Nebula]]'' and ''[[Galaxy class|Galaxy]]'' classes.<ref name="LUG25000"/><ref name="Decipher3"/> Designed for long range exploration and defense of the [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]], the ''Ambassador'' class heavy cruisers served as [[Starfleet]]'s the primary capital ships from 2322 through 2360,<ref name="Decipher4"/> and were responsible for a number of first contacts, including that of the [[Zakdorn]], who would go on to become [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] members, during the coreward frontier survey in the mid-24th century, and the class took the brunt of the fighting during wars with the [[Cardassian Union]] and [[Tholian Assembly]] of the 2340s and 2350s.<ref name="Decipher3"/><ref name="Decipher4"/>

In the early 24th century, [[Starfleet Command]] desired a new class that could explore further beyond the borders of the Federation, and with greater safety, than before, and it was no accident that the ''Ambassador'' class mimicked the ''[[Constitution class]],'' which was arguably the most successful starship design in Federation history, in appearance, if not in function.<ref name="Decipher4"/> 

Part of the ''Ambassador's'' rugged durability stemmed from its redundant and shielded systems. [[Electroplasma System]] (EPS) taps throughout the ships were the first to employ triple-redundancy, allowing the ships to continue to operate even after multiple hull breaches. The Type IX [[Phaser]] arrays employed on the class, new when the class was initially designed, had an efficient power use curve that allowed the ships to mount more arrays than prior designs. Many aspects of the design were beyond the capabilities and standards of the era, however, and in the end several key systems, notably [[Warp drive|warp drive]], paid the price. The end result was a multi-role starship capable of operating independently on extended-duration missions, but one that was never quick to the scene.<ref name="Decipher4"/> The ''Ambassador'' class was nevertheless a very maneuverable ship that could outperform equivalently sized [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulan]] vessels,<ref name="TNG163"/> and at the height of Romulan aggression against the [[Klingon Empire]], ''Ambassador'' clas ships sometimes found themselves in&mdash;and holding their own against&mdash;three-to-one odds.<ref name="Decipher4"/> These heroic displays, particularly that of the ''[[U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-C]]'' in 2344, eventually paved the way to a formal alliance between the Klingons and the Federation.<ref name="TNG163"/>

''Ambassador'' class heavy cruisers continued to serve with distinction in significant fleet actions and frontier patrol capacities for many years after production on the class ended in 2372.<ref name="Decipher3"/> While outgunned by [[Jem'Hadar]] warships during the [[Dominion War]], the ''Ambassador'' class still managed to wreak a deadly toll on the Cardassian ''[[Galor class]]'' vessels.<ref name="Decipher3"/> Those ''Ambassador'' class vessels still in active service by 2375 continued to fulfill either patrol or training duties, as well as the occasional survey or diplomatic profile mission.<ref name="Decipher4"/>

{{BoxOutline|width=30%|float=left|other=clear:left;}}
===Statistics===
{|
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Length
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 525m
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Width
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 133m<ref name="Decipher3"/>
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Height
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 361m<ref name="Decipher3"/>
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Decks
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 40
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | [[Transporter|Transporters]] (Personnel)
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 4
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Transporters (Emergency)
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 4
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Transporters (Cargo)
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 4
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Shuttlecraft
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 4<ref name="Decipher3"/>-8<ref name="Decipher4"/>
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Crew
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 900
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Evacuation Limit
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 4,100
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Cruising Speed
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | [[Warp drive|Warp]] 7<ref name="Decipher3"/>
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" | Emergency Speed
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | Warp 9.2 for 6 hours
|-
| class="HeaderRow ButtonLeft" style="width:25%;text-align:right;vertical-align:top;" rowspan="2" | Weapons
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | Type IX [[Phaser]] arrays
|-
| style="text-align:left;vertical-align:top;" | 2 torpedo launchers; 250<ref name="LUG25000"/> Type V [[Photon torpedo|Photon torpedoes]]<ref name="Decipher3"/>
|}
</div>
{{ClassAmbassador}}
{{References}}
<references>
<ref name="TNG163">{{RefTNG163}}</ref>
<ref name="LUG25000">{{RefLUG25000}}</ref>
<ref name="Decipher3">{{RefDecipher3}}</ref>
<ref name="Decipher4">{{RefDecipher4}}</ref>
</references>
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