The Sovereign Class USS Pioneer (NCC 1982-E) was commissioned in 2377. In a move away from the luxurious cruise-liner style exploratory vessels similar to the Galaxy Class, Starfleet created the Soveriegn Class with greater military capability to prepare for the increasing threat of galactic war. While the first of the class, the USS Sovereign, wasn't launched until 2371, the ship had infact been in development since the late 2330's. It is generally consider to be Starfleet's most sophisticated and comprehensively armed vessel.

The USS Pioneer is the seventh in a long line of historic starfleet vessels baring the name. The ships are named for the spirit of exploration that Starfleet exemplifies and continue a long tradition of naval vessels of the same name.

The USS Pioneer has had two commanding officers since her launch in 2377, her current Captain being James a Sullivan.

The Pioneer is the only sovereign class in the fleet and as such, the largest. Many consider her presence in the Delta Fleet to be a consolation from Starfleet HQ, who have, as yet, been unable to provide further resources or reopen the Deltan Wormhole.

SPECIFICATIONS

Name: U.S.S. Pioneer
Registry No: NCC-1982-E
Class: Sovereign Class Battlecruiser
Commissioned: August 31, 2377
Construction Site: San Francisco Fleet Yards, Orbiting Earth
Design Life: 120 years

Dimensions:
Length : 680 m
Beam : 240 m
Height : 87 m
Decks : 24
Mass 3,500,000 tons

Crew:
700

Armament:
12 x Type XII Phaser banks
1 x Rapid fire quantum torpedo tube
4 x Type IV Burst fire photon torpedo tubes

Warp Speeds:
Normal Cruise : Warp Factor 8
Maximum Cruise : Warp Factor 9.9
Maximum Rated : Warp Factor 9.99 for thirty six hours

Refit Cycle:
Minor : 1 year
Standard : 5 years
Major : 10 years

Significant Areas of Note:
Deck 1 - Bridge, Observation Lounge
Deck 2 - Officer's mess, Officer's quarters
Deck 4 - Senior officer's quarters, VIP Staterooms
Deck 5 - Counsellor's officer, Security Officer
Deck 6 - Crew quarters, Main shuttlebay
Deck 7 - Stellar cartography, Transporter rooms 1-4
Deck 8 - Sickbay, Gymnasium, Holodecks 1-2
Deck 11 - Yorkshire pub, Function suite, Cargo bays
Deck 16 - Main Engineering
Deck 18 - Computer Core, Power transfer conduits
Deck 24 - Antimatter storage pods