In 2369, refit began on an existing Galaxy Class hull. Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, in conjunction with the Avalon Fleet Yards and technical advisors Admiral (then Captain) Micheal Jarovik, Fleet Admiral (then Lieutenant Commander) Michael K'Wor Bremer, and Dr. Leah Brahms, were charged with the project, to refit the ship to be more survivable in combat. By 2372, the ship tentatively named Yorktown, was moved to the Avalon Fleet Yards for farther upgrades. These were finished in 2373 just before the Borg attack on Sector 001 of that year. After the attack, the ship was sent to Earth Station McKinley. There the ship stayed, undergoing inspections and testing by several Admirals and Engineers, many of whom were not convinced that the massive refit of the premier exploration vessel was needed. During these inspections, the Galaxy Class starship Pegasus, under the command of Captain Bremer, was destroyed. Most of her Command crew survived and were rescued by the Enterprise-E and taken to Earth. While in route, the first Refit Galaxy Class starship, referred to at the time as a Galaxy Class Dreadnaught, was named the USS Pegasus NCC-53847-A. Command was given to Captain Bremer.
Over the years, the Galaxy Refit Class has proven to be well suited for any mission assignment. By far the most famous vessels of the class has been the USS Pegasus, commanded by Admiral Mike K'Wor Bremer. The Pegasus-A, after making her name for herself during the Dominion War, was lost just after the end of the war while defending a helpless Cardassian planet from a rogue Federation vessel bent on revenge. The Pegasus-B was commissioned a few months later and has continued on with her predecessor's legacy, exploring space as well as defending the Federation from the Borg, Typhon Pact, and other threats since her commissioning in 2376. In 2389, the Pegasus-B was selected as the first vessel of the class to be upgraded with several new, state of the art systems. These include Quantum Slipstream Drive, Type-XIII Phasers, Positronic Computer Cores, and LCARS 7. By 2390, these upgrades were completed and successfully tested. The USS New Hampshire and USS George Washington received the same upgrades in early 2390 as well. By 2394 all vessels of the class received the same upgrades.
2368: Starfleet issues a general design brief to upgraded and refit the Galaxy Class Starship. The last of the original six Galaxy Class hulls was moved to pod 4 at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards. The general idea, to modify, upgrade, and refit the ship with the latest technologies is began. One month later, construction begins on two more 'Dreadnoughts'. A team from the Avalon Fleet Yards arrives to help.
2369: Starfleet reviews the design schematics and approve briefs for the propulsion, computer, weapons, spaceframe, shields, and other upgrades. The main shuttle-bay in enlarged by 50%, as is bay 3. Ablative armor is applied to the entire ship. Engineers submit specs for a new bread of warp core, not powered by dilithium, but by a new synthetic substance called Trelinium. ASDB rejects this, but Starfleet command over rules the decision. Reasons are marked classified. Battle Bridge module replaced. Avalon submits plans for new weapons, one to be mounted to the underside of the saucer. A ventral phaser cannon, more then 10x as strong as type-X phasers. The other is a design for new ship mounted phasers, the type-XV multi-fire phaser arrays allows simultaneous firing of up to 10 beams at 10 different targets or the same target. Both are approved after 3 months of discussion. The ship will be the official test bed for the new type-XV phasers.
2370: Upgraded warp coils are approved and a trelinium core arrives. Installation takes 4 months. New computer cores arrive. Type-XV phasers installed. Ventral phaser cannon mounted. Third, centerline, nacelle added.
2371: All new systems brought online and pass Reviews One, Two
and Three. Simulations show ship maybe unstable and hard to maneuver at high warp speeds.
Stabilizers mounted to aft, lower section of the stardrive section, below the outer
nacelles, fixing the problem. Second and third ships of the class near completion. Final
completion scheduled for early 2373. Ship, tentatively named Yorktown, towed to Avalon
Fleet Yards for farther testing.
2372: ASDB blocks attempts to commission the ship sighting
problems in the trelinium core and ventral phaser cannon. They clam the core is, 'Too
powerful for the ship' and that the ventral phaser cannon is "A monstrous weapon, not
to be allowed on a Starfleet ship....a ship meant for exploration." Testing
continues. George Washington and Mauna Kea moved to Avalon for finial
completion. Warp stress coating is finally applied.
2373: Borg attack Sector 001. 'The Dreadnought' is sent to the area, but arrives less then 5 minutes after cube was destroyed. Ship then sent to McKinley Station and inspected by Starfleet's top admirals, engineers, and scientist. The Galaxy Class starship Pegasus destroyed in Sector 349. Command crew and Commanding Officer, Captain Mike K'Wor Bremer, survive and are taken to Earth. The ship, officially named Pegasus NCC-53847-A, receives final exterior markings and paint. On 25, October 2373 the USS Pegasus-A is officially commissioned by Starfleet at McKinley Station during a brief ceremony. Bridge plaque is put in pride of place and Captain Bremer takes command. Ship heads to the Dominion lines.
Technical Specifications for Galaxy Class Refit ships