Design/concept by Paramount

Notes - circa 2288:

     The Constitution Class cruisers are the most renowned vessels of their time. Serving as both a research vessel and a cruiser, these ships have performed their duties to perfection for the last 35 years. The Constitution Class ships were an integral part of the buildup during "The Great Awakening," from the outset the most versatile of all ships built for the expansion efforts.
     The original construction contract called for 13 vessels to be built that would serve as cruisers, have complete research facilities, and be capable of operating on 5-year research and exploration missions. On Stardate 1/8801, the first of these vessels, the USS Constitution, was commissioned, followed by one more each month for five months. As soon as these vessels were completed and commissioned, they were sent on 2-year shakedown cruises. Over the next five years, the remaining 7 cruisers were built. The construction program came to a halt with the commissioning of the USS Defiant.
     When the Four Years War broke out, Star Fleet decided to produce warships instead of the dual-purpose cruisers that devoted large areas of their space to research and laboratories. Even though the Constitution Class was not put into production for the war effort, four of the ships saw action. Each distinguished itself in battle time and again, soon gaining the nickname "The Queens Of Star Fleet". After-action reports continued to show the combat ability of this ship to be superior to any other ship in the fleets, and so the decision to produce more of them was finally issued on Stardate 1/9611.
     The ship that would be produced was the Mk II version, mounting the new phaser weaponry and newer, more powerful shields. Because of these modifications to the original design, construction did not begin until Stardate 1/9709, and the first ship did not come off the line until 1/9901, 7 months after the end of the war. Star Fleet decided to continue the production of the Constitution Class cruisers and expanded the total number to 42 vessels.
     On Stardate 2/0104, the FWF-1 warp drive engine was brought into the inventory, and all Constitution Class ships were recalled to be refit as Mk Ills. By Stardate 2/0510, the refitting was complete and the Constitution Class remained the most advanced starship of its time. One Mk Ill, the USS Ark Royal, still serves in Star Fleet, exploring the rimward areas and acting as ongoing proof of this class' successful record.
     After the first successful test firing of the FP-5 photon torpedo, Star Fleet ordered that 12 Constitution Class ships be modified to fire it. On Stardate 2/1202, the USS Discovery, USS Saratoga, USS El Dorado, and USS Kitty Hawk were sent into service as Mk IIIs, mounting not only the new torpedo system, but also more powerful impulse engine and shield generators.
     The Mk III was the last version of the Constitution Class to be built, but not the last to use that particular hull style. The Enterprise Class cruiser was originally built from older Constitution hulls and retains its general appearance. Constitution Class ships were constructed at the Sol IV shipyards.