Beta Centauri Class

class. The result was a ship based off the original sovereign frame but with some major changes. First, the engineering hull was widened and merged with the saucer section in order to reduce the overall size. Next, the nacceles were moved up and a weapons roll-bar was added for an increase of torpedo spread. The first of these vessels was launched in 2586 with the cristening of the U.S.S. Beta Centauri NCC-86744. Five were built. These vessels would serve well into the 25th cenntury before finally being decomissioned after 38 years of faithful service.
After seeing how well the mighty Sovereign class did, Starfleet wanted a ship that had the firepower and technical abilities of the sovereign, but was as agile and quick as the mighty Defiant