The Phantom class superscout project was an attempt during the 2280s to develop a scout that could stealthily monitor ELectronic INTelligence (ELINT) from threat nations whilst still outside of their territory. Previous superscout designs such as Kestrel class utilised active sensor arrays to scan for distant ships and signals. These active sensors are effective but can be detected by the ships being detected. With the Phantom, the main array is a passive sensor designed to listen for ships and signals.

Previous superscout classes Kruger SS 1090 (13 vessels), Reliance SS 915 (18 vessels - derived from 14th Kruger class), Austin SS 1318 (11 vessels), Ianetos SS 710 (13 vessels) and Kestrel SS 3000 (4 vessels) were not up for the new assignment. Starfleet Intelligence wanted to improve their ELINT assets after the Klingon activities in the 70s and 80s. Starfleet Commander-in-Chief Harry Morrow wanted Starfleet to stop reacting to surprise actions by the neighbours of the Federation and instead be knowledgeable of these events before they happened. The Vulcan Science Academy worked discreetly on the new Opera OC9878Z passive array.

Phantom class Flight I also allowed the placement of the Sensor Industrial’s LRSS-3 sensor package into a single, replaceable undercarriage mounted below the main body of the ship. The LRSS-3, which was touted as the newest wave in sensor equipment, extended the range of both the primary and long range sensors, giving the scout tremendous observation ability. Seven vessels were initially ordered but his would soon be expanded in light of the successes of the 2290s. By 2302, with the arrival of the LRSS-6 sensor package, a new version of the Phantom was envisioned. In late 2302 the Phantom Flight II was launched. In 2306, using the powerful FH-11s and the time-tested FIF-2, the Flight III was considered an intelligence success. The Flight IV will see the introduction of the Chokis Long Sight VII sensor package as well as the ‘B’ version of the successful M-4 computer system. Coupled with the ships normal sensors, the Long Sign will give the Phantom class a more passive long range sensor capability.

The Phantom class has two operating modes: the first one is to hold station out of warp and simply listen. The second mode makes use of the unique warp nacelle arrangement to move at low warp of 1-3 with minimal emissions. The Phantom was to eavesdrop on communications, the cryptographic specialists onboard will break the encryptions ready for narrow-band tight-beam transmissions back to Starfleet Intelligence assets. The Phantom class could also monitor fleet movements via their warp signatures, even being able to identify specific ships. She could also analyse threat vessel sensor emissions to determine their capabilities.

The Phantom was constructed at the Mursa B'jea Starship Construction Drydocks and Mursa Twin Orbital Drydock at a combined rate of 2 per year. Currently, there are no plans to continue construction. Of the 49 constructed, 1 Mk I has been listed as missing and 1 Mk III was lost in combat. The remaining 47 have all been upgraded.

Length: 268.5 metres.

Draft: 85.9 metres.

Beam: 141.7 metres.

28 officers.

87 enlisted.

Name	Registry	Notes
Phantom	2951	Prototype	Lead ship of the class. Launched 2291 and trialed from Starbase 23. Commissioned in 2293 as a response to the explosion of Praxis.
Ghost	2952
Wraith	2953
Wight	2954
Spectre	2955
Lich	2956
Poltergeist	2957
Shadow	2958
Skeleton	2959
Vampire	2960
Ghoul	2961
Zombie	2962
Nightshade	2963
Vodyanoy
Faerie
Maeve		Irish Queen of the Fae.
Spirit
Oona
Rhiannon		Celtic
Spook
Poltergeist
Yurei		Japanese
Aojha		Indian spirit guide.
Apparition