Bonaventure class

The ***Bonaventure* class** was a type of Federation starship first introduced in the late 22nd century. It was a successor to the *NX* and *Columbia* classes. designed as a replacement for the aging *Daedalus*-class starships that had been mass produced during the Earth-Romulan War. (*Ships of the Line*)

The class was named for the *Bonaventure*, the ship piloted by Zefram Cochrane on Earth's first *interstellar* faster-than-light journey, following the initial test flight of the *Phoenix.* (*Star Trek Chronology*; *Star Trek: First Contact*)

## Development and design

On the drawing boards as early as 2163, the ***Bonaventure* Class Development Project** would take some fifteen years to see fruition. One of the project's designers was Dr. Tobin Dax, a Trill resident of Vulcan. (*ENT* novel: *A Choice of Futures*; *The Official Starships Collection*; *Ships of the Line 2006*)

With a secondary hull threaded through the center of the primary hull, rather than as a distinct body connected through a "neck," *Bonaventure*-class vessels otherwise featured the saucer-and-twin-nacelle design that had become common among Starfleet vessels. Dax strongly believed that the saucer and nacelle combination was better suited for a long-term, varied mission profile, rather than the warp rings of Vulcan design, or the dart-like shapes of Andorian craft. (*ENT* novel: *A Choice of Futures*)

Technologies from all members of the Federation were incorporated into the *Bonaventure* design. These included Vulcan tractor beams and sensors, weapons and shield technology from Andoria and Tellar. (Armada Files[1])

The Cochrane Institute of Alpha Centauri worked extensively on the project, developing next generation navcom and deflector tech specifically for use aboard the *Bonaventure*.

Other Federation member contributions included materials for the hull plating and electro-plasma control systems from the the Ithenites. Much of the medical technology in the *Bonaventure* sickbay was provided by Rigel V and Denobula, communications enhancements were made by the Arkenites. Environmental controls, including radiation shielding and waste reclamation and recycling systems were designed by the Kaferians. (*Star Trek: Pendragon*)

The *Bonaventure* design also significantly influenced the development of the *Constitution* class, with several vessels later upgraded and converted to *Constitution* specs. (*Ships of the Line*; *Jaynz' Starships*: *Ships of the Baton Rouge Era*)

While the *Bonaventure* project was considered a great success -- especially in regards to its goal of unifying Starfleet -- it proved too expensive to field quickly or in great numbers. In planning for this potential outcome, Starfleet Command had authorized the parallel development of the *Engle* class, and orders for the fourth and fifth *Bonaventure* class ships were cancelled, their contracts reassigned to the *Engle* project. Similar shifts would be made over the next decade as production on the *Bonaventures* lagged behind. More ships of the class did enter service, but at a much slower rate than originally hoped for. On a positive note, the slower rate of production meant that newer technologies could be more easily integrated into the *Bonaventures* before they were finished, resulting the class always being considered something of an experimental testbed where no two ships were completely identical.

To make up for the shortfall in commissioned *Bonaventure* class vessels, older designs like the *Columbia* class and *Intrepid* class were upgraded and continued production. And, along with the *Engle*, other new designs such as the *Baton Rouge* class and *Ranger* class were developed to grow the fleet strong into the 23rd century. (*Star Trek: Pendragon*)

## Service history

The prototype and lead ship of the class was the USS *Bonaventure* (NCC-1000), ultimately launched in 2178. (*Ships of the Line*; Armada Files[2])

By the 2240s, only a few of these vessels remained on active duty, though a variant, the sturdy, four-nacelled *Gemini* class would remain in service until the 2270s, at least. (STO game: *Agents of Yesterday*)

## Legacy

Though never produced in the numbers originally wanted by Starfleet Command, the *Bonaventure* class fulfilled its purpose in uniting the design philosophies of the early Federation member worlds into a cohesive whole.

As a symbol of unity and cooperation, the *Bonaventure* was unparalleled in Starfleet history, and its success as a deep-space exploration platform would remain unchallenged until the USS *Enterprise* and her *Constitution*-class sisters entered service almost fifty years later.

The design innovation and complete paradigm shift in Starfleet's philosophy that the *Bonaventure* brought as "The Great Uniter" would not be repeated until a century after her launch, when the USS *Excelsior* embodied "The Great Experiment" of transwarp drive in the 2280s.

## External links

* Bonaventure class article at ***Memory Beta***, the non-canon *Star Trek* wiki.