Keldon class

## SPACECRAFT CLASS

Orthographic views

The ***Celdon nay'ut*** or ***Keldon*-class** was type of spacecraft developed by the Cardassian Union in the mid-24th century as a refit of the *Galor*-class.

## History

Even though the *Galor*-class served well in early engagements against Starfleet in the opening years of the Federation-Cardassian War, leadership in the Cardassian Guard saw the need for significant upgrades to the class to achieve continued success. Development of what was later designated the *Keldon*-class began in 2350.

The design was based upon the *Galor* frame to easily facilitate the retooling of Union shipyards to construct the new class.

The prototype, CUV *Keldon*, entered trials in 2355. The project received a setback when the *Keldon* and its two escorts were discovered by a Starfleet patrol. The CUV *Linyus* and CUV *Trakes* engaged the USS *Kodiak Island* and USS *Kyushu*, while the *Keldon's* crew rushed to make repairs and get the vessel back into warp. Though the *Linyus* and *Trakes* were lost, the prototype escaped.

Fears about the design's warp systems led to a return to the drawing board. Increased losses in its war with the United Federation of Planets further forced the delay of the *Keldon*-class entering service. Cardassian shipyards could not be retooled to construct the vessels, as they were under constant use in repairing and constructing starships of the *Galor*-class.

It was over a decade before the *Keldon*-class finally entered production. Even though tensions with the United Federation of Planets were waning and a treaty was in the works, Guard leadership pushed through the needed changes to the shipyards at Monac IV in order for construction to begin. The CUV *Keldon*, along with three others of its class, were commissioned in 2369. By the end of the next year, 15 additional *Keldon*-class battleships had been commissioned.

The Obsidian Order also secretly constructed fourteen vessels of the class at the shipyards in the Orias system. With assistance from the Romulan Tal Shiar, these were equipped with cloaking devices, and bore additional upgrades to their weapon systems. All these modified *Keldon* vessels but one were lost in the attack of the Obsidian Order and Tal Shiar upon the Dominion homeworld in in 2371.

## Technical information

### Physical description

The upper hull section, known as the *mek'hout* or "backfin," of the *Keldon* was greatly expanded from the base *Galar*.

## Appendices

### Connections

**Notable spacecraft:** CUV *Damar* • CUV *Letau* • CUV *Taced* • CUV *Tain*

**Spacecraft classes:** *Brinok* • *Damar* • *Detapa* • *Galor* (***Keldon***) • *Ghemor* • *Groumall* (*Tuffli*) • *Hideki* (*Yukuwa*) • *Kulinor* • *Rasilak* • *Sartan* • *Thakliv* • *Vasad* • *Vidren* • *Vystan*

**Facility classes:** *Cefta* • *Nor*

### Sources consulted

* Keldon class article at *Memory Alpha*.
* Keldon class article at *Memory Beta*.
* *Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection* issue 136: "Cardassian *Keldon* Class."
* Keldon Class article at the *Star Trek Online Wiki*.
* Cardassian Keldon Cruiser article at the *Star Trek Online Wiki*.
* *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Core Game Book* by Last Unicorn Games.
* *Star Trek Roleplaying Game: Starships* by Decipher, Inc.
* *Star Trek Adventures - Alpha Quadrant* sourcebook by Modiphius Entertainment.
* Keldon Class XIII-XIV Battlecruiser article at FASA Star Trek Starship Tactical Combat Simulator.