Romulan starships

The Star Trek fictional universe has presented a number of designs for Romulan starships. Since Star Trek: The Next Generation, Romulan starships have been referred to as Warbirds.

Contents

1 D7 class 2 Bird of Prey class 3 D'deridex class 4 Valdore class

D7 class

In the original series of Star Trek at least three starships of the Klingon D-7 class were given to the Romulans as part of a brief alliance with the Klingon Empire against the Federation. The Romulans refited the D-7s in their service with cloaking devices.

It is speculated that the Klingons acquired their cloaking technology which appeared with the Bird of Prey in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock from the Romulans and that it was in exchange for the starships given to the Romulans as well as warp drives superior to those used by the Romulans previously.

Bird of Prey class

The Bird of Prey class was a variety of Romulan starship in use during the 2260s (not to be confused with the Klingon platform also known as the Bird of Prey). Ships of this class were built as a saucer-shaped primary hull with two nacelles attached by forward-angled pylons; the most distinctive feature, however, was a red and white bird in flight painted onto the bottom of the hull. According to background lore, the original script for the episode "Balance of Terror" called for the Romulans to have a ship that was a copy of the USS Enterprise, which the Romulans had built using Federation technology that they obtained through espionage. However, the producers decided in the end to make the Romulan ship similar to, and not exactly alike, the Enterprise, which explains the saucer hull and cylindrical pylons.

In the episode "Balance of Terror", one such vessel crossed the Romulan neutral zone, destroyed three outpost satellites, and retreated as a test of Federation strength; however, the Bird of Prey was destroyed by the USS Enterprise before it reached Romulan space, possibly causing the century-long wait before another Romulan vessel was seen.

Birds of Prey had advanced weapons compared to Starfleet ships of the period, featuring a cloaking device and powerful plasma-based weapon; however, the ships were slower than Federation craft, possibly even lacking warp drive. This ship also seemed to suffer from an acute fuel shortage in the episode, which implies limited range, and also more of a Federation-style fusion or antimatter-based drive system as opposed to the "quantum singularity" power sources of the later Romulan ships in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

D'deridex class

The D'deridex class Warbird, also known to Starfleet as a B-type Warbird, is a heavily-armed class of starship used by the Romulans in the mid- to late 24th century. The D'deridex class, which has been seen to be powered by an artificial quantum singularity, is almost twice the length of a Starfleet Galaxy class starship and believed to have greater firepower but to be slower in speed. The D'deridex class served during the Dominion War with significant losses. On board, decks are lettered and sections numbered; some quarters are on C deck and launch bay 3 is on deck E, section 25. A warp signature may be detected through the cloak, particularly at higher speeds. The D'deridex class was first encountered by Starfleet circa stardate 41986.0 in 2364 when the USS Enterprise-D encountered a warbird commanded by Commander Tebok.

In real life, the D'deridex class was designed by Andrew Probert for Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Known D'deridex class Warbirds:

• Belak
  • The Belak was part of the fleet assembled by the Romulan Tal Shiar and the Cardassian Obsidian Order in late 2371 for an assault on the Founders homeworld but was ambushed by 150 Jem'Hadar attack ships near the Omarion Nebula.
• Devoras
  • Commanded by Admiral Mendak circa stardate 44390.1 in 2367, the Devoras met the USS Enterprise-D inside the Romulan Neutral Zone to transfer Federation ambassador T'Pel aboard the Devoras for treaty negotiations. Ambassador T'Pel was Romulan agent Subcommander Selok, and the transfer was her means of escape into Romulan hands.
• Dividices
  • The warbird Dividices served during the Dominion War and was docked at Deep Space Nine for three weeks awaiting for repair in 2375.
• Generex
  • The warbird Generex served during the Dominion War and was docked at Deep Space Nine for three weeks awaiting for repair in 2375.
• Haakona
  • Commanded by Subcommander Taris circa stardate 42609.1 in 2365, the Haakona entered the Romulan Neutral Zone at the same time as the Federation starships USS Yamato and USS Enterprise-D, searching for the planet Iconia. The Haakona was nearly destroyed by an Iconian software weapon which destroyed the Yamato.
• Khazara
  • Commanded by Commander Toreth circa stardate 46519.0 in 2369, the Khazara was seized by Subcommander N'Vek and Deanna Troi as part of a plot to enable Romulan vice-proconsul M'ret to defect to the Federation.
• Makar
  • The warbird Makar was part of the fleet assembled by the Romulan Tal Shiar and the Cardassian Obsidian Order in late 2371 for an assault on the Founders homeworld but was ambushed by 150 Jem'Hadar attack ships near the Omarion Nebula.
• Temet
  • Commanded by Subcommander Alnak, the warbird Temet was one of three warbirds sent to recovert the USS Prometheus (NX-74913) from the Federation in 2374. Shortly afterward, one warbird was destroyed by Starfleet ships in the battle that followed.
• Terix
  • Commanded by Commander Sirol circa stardate 47457.1 in 2370, the Terix attemped to locate the starship Pegasus (NCC-53847). In an alternate universe, the Terix was commanded by Commander Tomalak on the Romulan Neutral Zone circa stardate 47988.1.

Valdore class

The Valdore type is a make of starship produced and used by the Romulans. This smaller Romulan starship type was first seen in Star Trek: Nemesis. Nothing is known about these ships, aside from their brief appearance on screen; the vessels are quite maneuverable and well-armed, but were no match for the Reman warship Scimitar. The sleek and modern design is similar to the Klingon Bird of Prey and probably was designed to serve during the Dominion War. At least two starships exist in 2379. This class is the same size as the Galaxy class starship and was probably developed in response to the new Sovereign class starship or the Negh'Var class battleship or replace or supplement the firepower of the D'deridex class warbird.

The ship's official class designation is uncertain, as it is listed in the CCG as a Norexan-class (Valdore being the name of an individual ship).

Known Valdore type starships:

• The Valdore
  • Named after Admiral Valdore, a noted Romulan war hero who lived during the 22nd century, the warbird Valdore was commanded by Commander Donatra and fought at the Battle of the Bassen Rift circa stardate 56844.9 in 2379. The Valdore was heavily damaged after being attacked by the Scimitar and was later repaired. Fate unknown.
• (Name unknown)
  • This starship served alongside the Valdore at the Battle of the Bassen Rift in sector 1045 where she was destroyed. Its' name is unknown at this time.