Design/concept by Guidomic

Notes - circa 2288:

     Like so many other vessels designed during The Great Awakening, the Cean was designed to fulfill specific missions and yet still be a multi use platform. And as with some many ships from that era, she would soon be called upon in a military role to help defend the Federation; a role for which she had not been designed.
     The Cean was designed, like so many other light cruisers, to provide the full capabilities of a full cruiser in a more efficient and smaller hull design. The Cean’s basic design was built around its labs located in the primary hull, with support systems in the secondary hull. To provide large crew quarters and more lab space, the secondary hull was enlarged to house several secondary sensor systems. This placed the primary hull under the main warp engines and reduced the overall warp envelope while at high warp speed. This gave the Cean class the surprising added bonus of being less detectable at warp on long range sensors.
     The Mk I incorporated the PB-31 Mod 2 warp nacelle which created less stress at cruising speed. This allowed the Cean to cruise at higher speed between assignments. But the FWE-1 drive systems was not as powerful as other warp drives at the time. While this reduced the cost of the vessel, it was feared that the Cean would be underpowered for some of its missions. Never the less, the Mk I was commissioned in 2246 and contracts were immediately confirmed for nine more. The Cean performed its missions well, serving with distinction until the outbreak of the Four-Years War. The class was in fact credited with nearly as many discoveries as its larger Constitution cousin.
     The outbreak of the war was not kind to the Cean class. By 2255, two Cean’s had been lost in combat, and a third had been heavily damaged and scrapped. By war’s end, a fourth had been lost and construction was halted on the remaining three hulls. After the war, designers touted the Cean’s successful exploration record, and won approval for upgrades to the remaining hulls. Approval for a further 10 hulls was also granted. In 2258, design work began on a Mk II version that would incorporate the latest in technology and capabilities.
     The Mk II was officially commissioned in 2262 and was soon touted as a capable light craft. The sensors located in the secondary hull had been much improved over the years, and proved very successful in both asteroid surveys and pirate chasing. But again, it would be the Klingons who would prove the bane of the Cean class. During the early days of the Orgainian conflict, one was lost after engaging hostile Klingon forces, and a second was lost and believed destroyed, also by hostile forces. By 2270, the Cean had been outclassed, and the decision was made to retire the class. They would remain in service until almost 2275, when the last ships was placed in reserve status.
     Of the 15 ships built, five were destroyed, including 3 Mk I’s and 2 Mk II’s. One Mk I was scrapped and one each Mk I and Mk II are listed as missing. One Mk I and one Mk II were each disarmed and sold to civilian concerns. One Mk II was sold to New New Aberdeen and has since been upgraded. One Mk I and 3 Mk II’s are in reserve fleets. The Cean was produced at the Salazaar ship yards.