The Raptor Class of starship was born out of the 'failings' of the Defiant Class starship. Starfleet, feeling the pressures of the Borg and the new threat of the Dominion, decided that they needed to increase the number of Starships quickly. Building large Galaxy and Nebula Classes would take much more time then smaller, powerful escorts, like the Defiant Class, which now numbered 8 active ships.
In 2368, after the USS Defiant had started making her mark as one of the best Starships in the fleet, Starfleet command called for yet another class or small vessel, capable of fast, heavy strikes. As production continued on the Defiants, new technologies were found to cure some of it's weaknesses. Some old technologies were used as well. One Engineer proposed using modified Klingon weapons and power systems which didn't seem to suffer from the 'overpowered' problems of the Defiant Class. Notes written by Captain Montgomery Scott after his time on the HMS Bounty (Klingon bI'rel), 75 years in the past were used in one initial design to prove the viability of the idea. These, along with other information learned in the field, were reviewed by the new Avalon Shipyards Starship Design Team.
The preliminary test results of the hybrid prototypes were so promising that the Klingon Empire was invited to join the project at Avalon Shipyards. There, in 2369 the Federation's top designers, ASDB engineers, as well as a team from the Klingon Empire met to work up plans for a new class of Escort ship. They used a lot of the existing plans from the Defiant class, added in the new technology, and thus was born the Raptor class starship.
Testing began in simulators as the Raptor's keel was laid in late 2369. The simulator tests went better then anyone had ever thought possible. The ship handled like a dream. She featured the same weaponry, and engines as the Defiant class, and even used the same Bridge module. The USS Raptor was commissioned in April 2371 at Docking Bay 2, of Avalon Shipyards.
In June of 2371, two months after the Raptor's commissioning, she left Avalon to start a three day cruise, testing her systems in the real world. This first flight went well, until the second day when the ship's fusion reactors over heated and shut down. The Raptor, nearly powerless, was towed back to Avalon where new reactors and cooling systems were added. This upgrade was included in the other Raptors being built. The next three flights went well. Avalon began taking the Raptor class a step farther, and with several upgrades and redesigns, introduced the plans for a new class, the Sunfire Class.
The use of Captain Scott's notes in the preliminary stages would have been unremarkable if not for his return from the past in 2369 (stardate 46125.3). Starfleet's most famous Engineer was consulted by subspace and a quick solution was found. In early November 2371, the Raptor was on the edge of the Raeyan system, testing an upgrade to her warp core when she suffered a core breach, killing everyone on board and destroying the ship. Starfleet was ready to halt the Raptor project but instead, gave Captain Scott a call. He was given two months to review and modify the specifications of the class. He proposed dozens of system changes and several key modifications as well as documenting several serious flaws in the previous designs. Despite his work, he was never able to explain the catastrophic failure of the Raptor. However, he was able to duplicate the event in simulation by sabotage. While no evidence of foul play could be found, the theory couldn't be disproved either. Scotty's new designs were reviewed and tested in simulation and approved. The changes took 3 months to apply to the Lexington but the project was back on and the Sunfire Class was put on hold.
The USS Lexington-C was commissioned in March of 2372 and cleared to pick up where the Raptor left off. Under the command of Captain Paul MacLeod, the Lexington showed just what a Raptor class ship could do. After the Borg incursion of Sector 001 in late 2373, the Lexington was sent to join Starfleet's Special Operations fleet, Bravo Fleet. The ship was assigned to Starbase Bravo where she performed beyond expectations. Under the Command of Captain Mike Hammond, the ship joined the Federation fleet sent to reclaim Deep Space 9, and even lead the fleet's attack fighters. At this time, the Sunfire Class was officially dropped.
The Lexington's next test would prove to be far greater, the Krazzle. A Cat-like, warrior race, the Krazzle are sitting on the Federation's back door, with Bravo Fleet, specifically, Starbase Bravo sitting in their way. In 2374, the Krazzle made their presence known. One of the first ships sent in to counter attack was the Lexington. In the words of Captain Hammond, 'The Raptor class has proven to be a real pain in the ass for the Krazzle.'
The Raptor Class of Starship was a hurried project, just like the Defiant class had been, however, this time there were no divisions in the Advance Starship Design Bureau. The project at first officially labeled as the Viper project with 4 submitted designs. The variation using Klingon components and designers was labeled Raptor to distinguish it. Due to the success of the hybrid design, the project was renamed Raptor.
The submitted brief from Avalon was for a small, fighter like starship very similar to
the new Defiant Class ship. The overall design was crude, like the Defiant, however
powerful and extremely functional at the same time. The warpcore and IPS systems were
those from a ship five times its size, the weapons systems were cutting edge and it also
was to feature the new Ablative Amour, a relatively new concept for protecting vital
areas on a ship. In a nutshell, the Raptor would be capable of disabling and destroying
any known starship that the Romulan's, Cardassian's, Breen - in fact anyone who dare to
take it on could throw at them, including the Dominion and Krazzle. It was also to be
capable of withstanding multiple direct weapons hits on its shielding system. After the
shields had collapsed the Ablative Amour would be capable of withstanding hours of abuse.
But the ultimate key was the capability of the ships 'dog fighting' techniques.
Another key point with the Raptor class was the ship itself, being small did not need the
vast keel structure to hold it in place therefore they were built quickly. Four ships were
started on originally at the new Avalon Shipyards. Although the first, the Raptor, was
destroyed, the prototype vessel was designed for testing only.
Being such a relevant newcomer to the Fleet the Raptor Class is currently low in numbers, with only eight commissioned vessels in the fleet. After the Prototype, the USS Raptor was lost, the Lexington has been involved in numerous high ranking incidents within the Federation including retaking DS9, several Dominion Skirmishes before the most recent war, and most recently against the Krazzle in sector 349.
Starfleet has found the USS Lexington to be far better than originally though possible by the Design Team. This is due to of work needed to 'tune' the Lexington and her sisters. Not to mention, the knowledge learned from her close cousin the Defiant class.
2368: Starfleet issues a brief for a long range, maneuverable warship to complement the Defiant class as the Dominion threat rises. Design plans commence at the Avalon Shipyards.
2369: Six Design plans are submitted, the Viper and Raptor projects are approved. Primary design work begins on the Raptor class and the primary hull construction begins. By late in the year design work on the Viper class is halted and that project is closed. Work on the Raptor continues as weapons consultants are brought in from the Klingon Empire. Avalon decides to work off of the Defiant class blueprints. Type II MARA core as primary power source arrives as does 2 1/2 finished Defiant class frames. Nacelles under go redesign. Weapons systems work begins on a new Type-U+ Phaser/Disruptor emitter.
2370:
February: Basic chassis modifications and retrofitting on the Raptor and Lexington complete. Central computer core is Gamma Welded into place on both ships. Lexington put on hold till Raptor is closer to completion. Type-U+ emitters finished and fitted. Quantum torpedo launchers arrive and fitted. Klingon Cloaking device also arrives.
March: Ablative Amour arrives from the Arteries Ship Yard. Outer hull is nearing completion except for the engine bay.
October: Outer hull fully sealed and internal fitting begins. Warp coils arrive and are welded into place. A modified Sub computer core from the Galaxy Class project found to suitable for use as a main computer. Unit is installed and technical modifications begin.
2371:
January: Bridge module is attached. Crew quarter are fitted. Computer
becomes self aware.
March: Preliminary testing of all systems complete.
June: Ship completes its first warp jump. Problems are discovered with
the new warp Nacelles Problems are rectified as best possible. Testing of basic systems
continues. Lexington construction restarted.
September: After full power weapons testing the ship is deemed
'Excellent' by Starfleet inspectors and the ship is ordered to return to Avalon for
application of Warp stress coating and markings.
November: USS Lexington-C nears completion. The USS Raptor
destroyed during Warp flight weapons test firing. Raptor Project is almost closed by
Starfleet. Captain Montgomery Scott is called in to save the project.
2372: The Lexington is completed in March and tests start. Within a month redesigning and retrofitting work has cured the major problems with the weapons systems, and the Raptor class, is approved for production, four ships are planned. USS Lexington-C is commissioned at Avalon Shipyards, the ship shortly after being immediately assigned to station Starbase Bravo.
2373: Starfleet reviews the modification field work carried out on the Lexington-C and deem that although the class has some flaws still, it is a very capable ship and with the new technical design information gathered by the SBB team on the ship decides to place the class in Active production as the Dominion War begins. 55 ships are planned to be build.
Note, the USS Lexington-C first saw combat during the Sector 001 incident in 2374 against the Borg. The ship suffered heavy damage, but dished out her fair share of punishment. Most of her damage was caused by the blast from Cube's destruction. After 4-1/2 months of repairs and refit, the Lexington-C was returned to service and sent to Station Starbase Bravo. Three years later, the Lexington-C was destroyed during the Second Battle of Chintok'a.
Technical Specifications for Raptor class ships