In 2371, Starfleet stepped up a few new ship designs. One of these designs was a refit to the Sovereign class. New weapons, shields, computers, and other systems continued to develop rapidly. The design was modified constantly to incorporate all the newer technology. As a result the prototype emerged from the dry dock as Starfleet's most sophisticated and comprehensively armed vessel. The vessel is equipped with a variant of the Type XII phaser array, formerly known as the 'Type X+' for security reasons, which equips the Federation's most powerful Starbases, deep space facilities, Sovereign Class, and the Galaxy Class Refit. The type twelve has a raw beam power output some 60% more powerful than the Type ten arrays installed on the Standard Galaxy class. In addition the type twelve has a shorter recharge time and can fire a longer sustained burst, giving each array a combat effectiveness 79.4% greater than a type ten array. The first ship commissioned of the class was the USS Intimidator.
The torpedo armament is similarly impressive. The quantum torpedo turret forward of the deflector dish is capable of firing five rounds per second, a greater overall rate of fire than the two main ten round burst torpedo tubes of the Standard Galaxy class combined. Backup to the turret is provided by six tubes. Each is capable of firing twelve round bursts. This gives the vessel the most powerful torpedo armament of any ship in Starfleet service.
The shield system of the Sovereign Refit class is similarly the most powerful of any Starfleet ship not using the MLSS shielding. The design was modified just prior to installation in order to increase effectiveness against both high energy tractor beams and phased polaron particles, measures clearly aimed at the Borg and Dominion respectively. Under normal operation the shield modulation frequencies are under the control of the ships computer system, which continually evaluates incoming weapons fire and automatically re-modulates the shields to give the most effective possible defense. It is thought that this system will also enable the shield system to prevent beam-through by Borg transporter technology.
The warp engines of the Sovereign Refit are of a new design which eliminates subspace distortion effects inherent to standard warp drives, a feature now becoming common on most Starfleet ships. The class is currently one of the fastest vessel in Starfleet, with a maximum cruise speed of Warp 9.85 and a top speed of Warp 9.98 for up to sixteen hours. The very high cruise speed is intended to allow the ship to deploy as rapidly as possible to potential trouble spots. Her Impulse drive system and maneuvering thrusters are the most sophisticated model in production, giving the class a maneuverability equal to that of a vessel one quarter its size.
In 2378, one of the ships of the class saw a major overhaul. The USS Gladiator was docked. He saucer section was gutted and many of the science labs were removed, as were several crew and visitor's quarters and one of the shuttle bays. The secondary deflector was also remove. In it's place, an internally mounted Type-XX phaser cannon was installed. The combat enhanced vessel was slightly slower, due to the extra power needed for the weapon's systems. The combat enhanced vessel became even more deadly to those that would attack the Federation. However, even though Starfleet's new stand was to increase the fleet's combat abilities following the Borg attacks, Dominion war, Son'a and Reman uprisings, it still wanted to have an exploration capable fleet. Therefore, only a handful of the Sovereign Refit Class are scheduled to be built.
In the early 2390s the class was upgraded with new Type-XIII phaser arrays, slipstream drive, improved computer hardware with the latest LCARS version, and improved power allocation systems.
2370: Design work begins. New M/ARA design is standardized for the class. Spaceframe design is approved and full specifications are forwarded to Utopia Planitia for designations. USS Intimidator and USS Dale Earnhardt production begin with a projected 6 year turnover. Design on saucer separation mechanisms arrive from the the Vulcan Construction Agency. Torpedo turret designed. Saucer section nears 30% chassis completion.
2371: The Stardrive section nears chassis completion. Primary and secondary chassis's now at 100% completion. Computers are delivered for fitting work. Work begins on USS Gladiator.
2372: Work continues on habitat and outer hull sections for USS Dale Earnhardt, and USS Intimidator is completed. Mid year computer cores are activated and ship functions begin to be transferred from station control to ship control.
2374: Computer system now operating at 60% of maximum. System expected to become self aware within the year. Warpcore begins primary testing. Ablative Armor designed for the Defiant Class integrated. Antimatter regulation control is found to be outside acceptable levels. Stardrive section near completion with final attachment of navigational deflector array. Bridge module attached to Primary hull.
2375: Type-XII phaser arrays installed, replacing the Type-X arrays. Warp Core passes Review Three and is tested to 95% peak. Computer system fully self aware and umbilical from the station are cut as the ship become self sufficient. Impulse systems pass Review Three and being autonomous low level power control. Secondary Back up Generators are shut down and become Auxiliary system control. USS Intimidator and Dale Earnhardt leave dry docks for primary testing.
2376: USS Intimidator returns to Utopia Plaitia mid year. Warp stess coating is applied and she begins deep space assessments. USS Dale Earnhardt returns to Utopia Planitia late in year and warp stress coating is applied. USS Dale Earnhardt begins deep space assessments. USS Intimidator reutns for final exterior markings and paint. USS Dale Earnhardt returns to the Utopia for final exterior markings and paint.
On 30, January 2377 the USS Intimidator is officially commissioned by Starfleet during a brief ceremony. Bridge plaque is placed with pride and Captain Daniel Martinez is assigned as her first Commanding Officer. She is sent on shakedown cruise estimated to last two years. On 1, March 2377 the USS Dale Earnhardt is officially commissioned by Starfleet during a brief ceremony. Bridge plaque is put in place with pride Captain John Hudson is assigned as Commanding Officer. She begins her shakedown cruises estimated to last two years.