The PeaceKeeper was commissioned in July of 2375. This class vessel started originally as a Galaxy class ship and was going to be the 7th vessel in that class. The skeletal framework had just been completed, early in 2367, when news had reached STARFLEET COMMAND that the armada commanded by Admiral Hansen was destroyed by the Borg at Wolf 359. The framework was removed from the Utopia Planitia STARFLEET Yards - Mars, to a secure location near Rhea IV so that ships capable of salvage would be given top priority.

    Delays in building grew more frequent as STARFLEET shifted its focus to defense due to the Borg threat and the alarming increase of incidents with the Romulan and Cardassian Empires. Construction materials originally slated for the PeaceKeeper went towards building the Olympus class Dreadnoughts and Courageous class Shuttle Carrier. The PeaceKeeper Project was never in danger, but was given a low priority since STARFLEET'S attention was drawn away for some time.

    One of the things was the Klingon Civil War. In closed door sessions, the United Federation of Planets decided to solidify its position with the Klingon Empire due to the covert supply operations of the Romulan Empire during that war. The UFP's decision was to allow Klingons greater access to Federation technology through closely monitored means. The Office of Diplomatic Affairs became very supportive of the idea and proposed several ideas of their own.

    STARFLEET'S ENGINEERING CORPS were submitting several plans and designs to the Advanced Starship Design Bureau for a new generation of quad-nacelle vessels since the last of the Constellation class ships were being "mothballed". The desire "to make bigger ships go faster, for longer periods of time" will never be lost to the Engineers. The proposed test bed for their designs would be based on the Galaxy class since there would be adequate deck space to provide for the additional engineering equipment necessary to handle the quad-nacelle design. Lessons learned from the Borg and Romulan encounters would allow for the new improvements in weapons, defense, and sensors in addition to the greater speed, mobility, and survivability. STARFLEET was pleased to learn that representatives from Tau Alpha C would be willing to assist in developing Federation propulsion systems. New theories relating to Trans warp would also be tested due to recent classified developments and discoveries in that field.

    In September 2373, on orders of STARFLEET COMMAND, the PeaceKeeper framework was brought back to the Utopia Planitia STARFLEET Yards - Mars for its initial testing and overview. This was a logical choice since major design modifications would be fairly easy, and would be cost effective.

    The biggest modification would be the additional warp nacelles and support pylons. The additional mass and tonnage would require more powerful SIF and IDF generators. Due to the large amount of engineering required in addition to the new technology, one more computer core was added for a total of (4) four. A relatively simple change that had a major impact was the addition of a photon torpedo pod over the saucer section's shuttle bay. This would give the saucer section the ability to defend itself against warp speed targets and a more powerful weapons delivery system. The tactical advantage would allow for the deployment of STARFLEET MARINES via P.O.D.S. (Personnel Orbital Deployment System) or other form of orbital bombardment, while the battle section could act as an outlying picket ship and challenge or engage hostile vessels at a greater distance from the planet. This would give the PeaceKeeper class vessel a distinct advantage over the Galaxy or Olympus class ships during planetary embargoes or assaults.

    STARFLEET'S DIPLOMATIC CORPS saw potential in this ship as a space faring embassy, negotiation, and training facility. With a full contingent of Klingons aboard, there would be ample time for learning, cultural and scientific study. The PeaceKeeper class would host a larger diplomatic and ambassadorial staff than most STARFLEET vessels. By the agreement resulting from the renegotiations of the Treaty of Algeron, this would be one of the few Federation vessels using Cloaking technology.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

    The general design is that of the Galaxy class ship. The nacelle construction is an over/under design with a pair of nacelles above and a pair below the engineering hull's center line. A photon torpedo pod consisting of (4) fore/aft launching ports in addition to a phaser emitter and a tachyon field generator is mounted in a "roll bar" configuration above the saucer's shuttle bay.

OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS

    As a space control ship, the PeaceKeeper is a match for the Courageous class Shuttle Carrier, lacking only the massive hanger facilities.

    With Type X Phaser arrays and Omicron-Omega Photon Torpedo Launchers, the PeaceKeeper is more then ready to handle most hostile encounters. Fire-Control is provided by the CETIS Mk III system with Type 225 TACAR. These systems incorporate classified upgrades. An AEGIS system with Federation and Klingon use packages is also built into the system.

    For defense, the PeaceKeeper utilizes a FSS-4B Deflector Shield System Upgrade (soon to be refitted into ships capable of using this upgrade). The CIDSS 3B Close-In Deflector Shield System was also incorporated into the vessel.

    In 2370 the Treaty of Algeron was renegotiated because of the Pegasus incident in the Devron System. After intense negotiations for 3 years, it was decided that the Phased Cloaking Device may be installed in selected federation vessels. The PeaceKeeper will be one of the first ships to have this cloaking device.

CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

    This vessel is classified as: EXPERIMENTAL. The systems on board will be tested and evaluated over the next five (5) years before further expenditures will be allotted.

    Future production of this class ship will probably be on a "As Needed" basis depending on the growth and stability of the United Federation of Planets and its relations with its members and neighbors.