Nebula class The " Nebula " - class was a type of Federation starship that was in service in Starfleet during the second half of the 24th century . History . Construction of the " Nebula " - class was spearheaded under the authority of the Yoyodyne Division , and ranged in construction dates from as early as 2363 to as late as 2367 . Vessels including the and and the were constructed at this time at both the 40 Eridani A Starfleet Construction Yards ( the first two ships ) and the San Francisco Fleet Yards , orbit ing Earth . ( ; " dedication plaque s " ) The mission profile of the " Nebula " - class varied from performing various scientific and exploratory roles to conducting patrol and transport duties . ( ; " set artwork " ; ) The " Nebula " - class was present in several major Federation engagements against the Borg , including the Battle of Wolf 359 and the Battle of Sector 001 . ( ; ) They were also present in numerous Dominion War battles , including the Second Battle of Chin ' toka and Battle of Cardassia . ( ) . A " Nebula " - class starship , the was one of three ships sent to transport the crew of the off Veridian III after the saucer section crash - landed due to a battle with a Klingon vessel . ( ) . Technical data . Design . The " Nebula " - class shared a similar design lineage with its larger counterpart , notably its primary and secondary hulls and nacelles . ( , etc . ) The " Nebula " - class was composed of two hull sections ; the saucer - shaped primary hull mounted atop the secondary hull , with two warp nacelle s mounted on either side of the secondary hull , directly below the primary hull . ( , etc . ) Atop the primary hull was a superstructure which could support a variety of modules , such as the inclusion of a triangular platform , fitted with torpedo launcher s , an oval platform , or additional warp nacelles . ( ) By 2375 , the " Nebula " - class was reconfigured slightly to include more of a " Galaxy " - class style secondary hull and deflector dish . ( ) By 2369 , the " Nebula " - class served among historic model designs used in the classroom aboard Deep Space 9 . ( ) Defensive systems . The " Nebula " - class was equipped with " a huge arsenal " , at least according to Cardassian Gul Macet , which included multiple phaser bank s and torpedo launcher s . The " Nebula " - class had a maximum effective weapons range slightly below 300 , 000 kilometer s . ( ) The typical offensive arsenal of the " Nebula " - class included a torpedo launcher located on the secondary hull above the deflector dish , and on some variants , a torpedo launcher located on the superstructure located above the primary hull . ( ; ) Phaser positions included the forward - most part of the primary hull , and on the secondary hull , below the deflector dish . ( ; ) While considered more than a match for a Cardassian supply ship , the " Nebula " - class was also capable of successfully withstanding a direct hit from a Cardassian warship , as a result of an unshielded attack . ( ) They were , however , unable to single - handedly withstand an assault from a wing of Cardassian destroyer s . ( ) Some " Nebula " - class starships , including the " Phoenix " , used a " high - energy sensor sweep " that cycled every 5 . 5 minute s . Between each of those cycles , a " window " of a fiftieth of a second would open , requiring the ship ' s shields to be realigned . ( ) Propulsion systems . The propulsion system s for the " Nebula " - class were constructed under the authority of Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems . ( " dedication plaque " ) The engines of a " Nebula " - class needed to operate with a mixture above ninety percent in order to successfully leave orbit of a planet . Additionally , the starboard power coupling was located adjacent to decks ten through twelve . In 2368 , the maximum warp for the class was warp 9 . 3 . ( ) By 2370 , the theoretical maximum speed for the warp drive of " Nebula " - class starships , including the was warp 9 . 5 . When fine - tuned , the warp drive could be pushed to warp 9 . 6 . ( ) By 2374 , the was able to pursue and catch the , that was traveling at warp 9 . 9 . ( ) " In an alternate timeline , the " Nebula " - class was described as being " a lot faster " than a runabout . " ( ) Auxiliary craft . " Nebula " - class starships were equipped with a variety of auxiliary craft , including the Type 6 and Type 7 shuttlecraft , as well as the smaller Type 15 shuttlepod , and other large shuttlecraft . ( ; ) Appendices . Background information . The " Nebula " - class was referred to by name for the first time in the chart seen on the main bridge in . ( This chart was seen again , with modifications , in and in several episodes afterwards , in the observation lounge of the " Enterprise " - D . ) " Nebula " - class was referred to on the dedication plaques for the " Phoenix " ( " The Wounded " ) , the " Sutherland " ( " Redemption II " ) , and the " Prometheus " ( " Second Sight " ) . " Nebula " - class was referred to by name in " The Wounded " and " Non Sequitur " . It was additionally referred to by name in the script notes for " Redemption II " . " Technical Manual " . The following information of specifications and defenses comes exclusively from the " " :