Length: 256.5 metres

Draft: 58.7 metres

Beam: 144.0 metres

The Scimitar class fast destroyer DF 2901 and Kestrel class super scout SS 3000 projects all evolved together. Scimitar evolved from the need to find a successor design to the Saladin, Jenghiz and Siva family of destroyers. Scimitar was devised as an alternative to Akula class with enough speed to keep up with the faster capital ships. As a dedicated escort the Scimitar required ease of reloading the photon torpedo stores. This evolved into a design that could both be used as a destroyer and later evolved into the Kestrel class of super scout. As with the Saladin and Hermes beforehand this immediately reduced the cost of the project as two separate projects were available for one design.

NX 2901 was launched in 2285 and was placed into an extensive series of trials which were to last into the early 2290s as the numerous tactical issues were addressed. During trials opponents of the destroyer pointed out the vulnerability of the torpedo launcher in its new location. The design team worked hard to ensure the shielding around the launcher were more than sufficient for anticipated threats. Development of the new Perseus defence grid along with the BackUp phaser and torpedo systems further delayed the Scimitar programme. Scimitar and her sisters were able to be deployed for the Tabula Rasa campaign at the end of the 2280s. Broadsword, Battleaxe, Katana and Rapier were amongst the names chosen for the new class of destroyer.

The requirement for a new super scout vessel to replace the earlier Austin, Kruger and Reliance classes that had not measured up to the latest cloaked vessels identified in the Klingon and Romulan fleets. The new Project Kestrel was to utilise the Big Ear sensor array as designed by Captain Robert Earl Day. The sensor array had been tested on Monoceros class NCC 612 U.S.S. Pegasus but was found that Starfleet required a more rapid response design than the Monoceros class allowed. The Project Scimitar fast destroyer design immediately lent itself to the idea of a fast scout that could be deployed to areas of interest to gather information realtime and feed it back to the fleet. The location of the photon launcher ventral of the warp nacelles would allow for the large Big Ear array. Testing started in 2285 with NX 3000 under the command of David John Schmidt for the first two years of her operation whilst undergoing trials.

It was found that the Big Ear sensor array out-performed all expectations and even allowed for the jamming of threat sensor arrays. This later proved to be a useful escape and evade tactic for the U.S.S. Condor when she strayed too close to a Romulan cruiser. Captain Schmidt was assigned to an Athabaska class assault ship in 2288 and Robert Earl Day was promoted to Commodore in light of his work on the Big Ear array. Commodore Day later co-chaired the Transwarp drive team along with Commander Richard Hawkins before moving on and designing the Opera sensor array for the Phantom NX 2951 project including a promotion to Rear Admiral.

Kestrel	3000	Prototype	Superscout with passive OC9777W 'Big Ear' sensor array.
Merlin	3001
Hawk	3002
Osprey	3003
Raptor	3004
Falcon	3005
Kite	3006
Harrier	3007
Owl	3008
Condor	3009
Buzzard	3010
Sparrowhawk	3011
Goshawk	3012
Vulture	3013
Hobby	3014
Harpy	3015

Scimitar class images by Pheylan.