Danube class The " Danube " - class , also known as a Runabout - class , was a type of Federation runabout in operation during the latter half of the 24th century . All runabouts assigned to Deep Space 9 were named after river s on Earth . ( ) History . The " Danube " - class was first commissioned by Starfleet in 2368 for use as a light multipurpose craft in situations that demanded a vessel more capable than a standard shuttlecraft , but lower profile than a full - sized starship . With this flexibility , a runabout could be utilized as a long - range personnel and cargo transport , an agile mobile defense platform , or a high - speed reconnaissance vehicle . ( ) The following year , the space station Deep Space 9 took on three runabouts for use in their daily operations : the , the , and the . They were housed within landing bays situated around the habitat ring . ( ) On occasion , Starfleet Academy cadet s were allowed to command runabout s during training missions . ( ) In 2371 - 2372 of an alternate timeline , the was an upgrade to the " Danube " - class . ( ) Use at Deep Space 9 . In the first two years of the space station ' s use by Starfleet , the runabout remained the primary method of transport and defense support . The runabouts were instrumental in discovering many new worlds and civilizations within the Gamma Quadrant , as well as the Bajoran wormhole itself . The runabouts were also utilized in fighting off Maquis raider s . ( ) Although typically customary for both seats to be turned on so that a second individual may pilot the craft in the event of an emergency , Commander Sisko intentionally did not illuminate the ship ' s controls at the other pilot ' s station where Gul Dukat was seated during a joint mission to the Volan colonies in the Demilitarized Zone in 2370 . Dukat assured Sisko that he would not " steal [ his ] little technical secrets . " It was later revealed that despite Starfleet ' s best efforts , the Cardassian Central Command already possessed knowledge on the operations of this class vessel , as Dukat later stated that he " knew all about these controls before I ever came on board " and pointing out to Sisko the correct location of the photon launcher control . Dukat later noted that Cardassian pursuit vessel s were " years ahead " of the runabout design . ( ) The runabouts were used in exercises with the Ninth Fleet in 2374 . ( ) Even after DS9 took delivery of the in 2371 , the runabout was still widely used . Just before the beginning of the Dominion War , Elim Garak and Worf used a runabout to stealthily rescue crew members at Internment Camp 371 . ( ) They were also used to help defend DS9 against a Dominion fleet . ( ) Colonel Kira Nerys used a runabout to covertly travel to Cardassia Prime to aid Damar ' s resistance movement . ( ) Technical data . The innovative feature that made the runabout possible was its compact , high - performance warp propulsion system . Runabouts were designed to have a maximum speed of warp 5 . ( ) Their overall width was 14 meter s . ( ) The " Danube " - class runabouts were also equipped with an aft tractor beam emitter . This emitter could be used to tow starships at least as large as a . ( ) It was also capable of being rigged to tow at warp velocities . ( ) For defense , the runabout was armed with phaser s and photon torpedo es . The torpedo launcher assembly was accessible via a hatch on the floor of the forward cabin . ( ) In late 2370 , Chief Miles O ' Brien of Deep Space 9 began retrofit ting the weapon systems of the runabouts and with extra banks of photon torpedoes in preparation to the Federation ' s first engagement with the Dominion . ( ) He also made some modifications to the phaser array s and shield generator s of the station ' s runabouts . ( ) The hull of a " Danube " - class ship was made up of metallic composites that could interact with magnetic fields . Lost ships could be found by using a differential magnetometer to detect fluctuations in the hysteresis curve . In the case of low power , the runabout had a contingency fuel cell to provide an emergency supply of power . The vessel also had the ability to eject its antimatter pod if so needed . ( ) Interior configuration . Ideally , a runabout was piloted by two crewmembers , although one pilot would suffice . ( ) The pilots ' consoles faced forward upon two large portholes . The cockpit had stations for up to four crewmembers . The two large portholes were equipped with retractable blast shutters . ( ) Small square viewscreens mounted within the forward corners of the cabin were used for video communication and ship status displays . ( ) In the original configuration , a food replicator and a compact personnel transporter were located immediately behind the cockpit stations . After the class underwent a refit as hostilities arose between the Federation and the Dominion , the transporter and replicator were moved further back and a secondary tactical console was positioned in the cockpit . The transporter was capable of transporting multiple persons simultaneously . ( ) The rear of the craft could be configured as a large crew cabin complete with sleeping and dining areas for extended travel . ( ; ) This area could also be used as a cargo bay . ( ) In the center of the craft , between the two wing pylons , a series of replaceable modules could be connected . These modules could be swapped to suit mission requirements . Examples of available modules included science laboratories , crew quarters , and photon or quantum torpedo bays . ( ) The runabout was equipped with at least one manual escape hatch , located near the front side of the vehicle . ( ) A small Jefferies tube was also present , immediately underneath the warp core that ran along the spine of the vessel . ( ) The craft could also contain an emergency unit for medical emergencies . ( ) Appendices . Background information . Although originally called " Runabout - class " by Benjamin Sisko in " Emissary , " the official class designation is " " Danube " - class . " The official name was originally mentioned in the , but was later seen in episodes as part of display graphics and reiterated in the " " . The term " " Danube " - class " was first officially spoken on screen in . Interestingly enough , the aft cabin sections were never seen in any of the " Deep Space Nine " episodes wherein they were a staple of the series , yet the aft cabin was featured prominently in , the only TNG episode in which the runabout was seen . Studio model . The " Danube " - class runabout was designed by Rick Sternbach and Jim Martin , and the interior cockpit set was designed by Joseph Hodges , all under the direction of Herman Zimmerman . The aft compartment was designed by Richard James . The miniature was built by Tony Meininger . According to Sternbach , the studio model of the , first seen in , was to have become the basis for DS9 ' s runabouts , before a new design was ordered . Computer generated model . VisionArt Design & Animation created a computer generated model of the runabout . " Technical Manual " . The following information of specifications and defenses comes exclusively from the " " : The runabout ' s modular platform allowed easy configuration for a multitude of missions . Two such modules were the mission module and sensor pod . The runabout could carry four different sizes of mission modules . ( " " ) The " Technical Manual " also states that the USS " Danube " , registry number NX - 72003 , was the prototype of this class .