from Star Trek: The Next Generation - Officer's Manual, FASA
Graphics by Calvinboygenius

Notes:
        As the Excelsior Class heavy Cruiser began to replace the older Enterprise heavy Cruiser as the workhorses of Star Fleet, the need for a smaller, lighter multi-role vessel arose. The Decker Class, name in honor of Commodore Matthew Decker and his son, Commander William Decker, was designed to fill the need for an armed combat vessel to carry out various escort, patrol, and deep space tasks. Problems in redesigning the standard SW104/2-10RT nacelle for a smaller hull delayed introduction of the Decker Class however. Further control problems were solved after the ships were equipped with the Daystrom institutes newest Isolinear computer control system, the first successful isolinear computer with self-regulating artificial intelligence.
        The Mk I’s long range and high speed often allowed it to arrive at a volatile area at critical moments, with their presence calming a dangerous situation without firing a shot. The Mk I’s combat potential was also markedly improved over other combat vessels with the use of coliminator ring, rather than standard phaser emplacements. Although not the first vessel to use the system, the “Damn Fine Decker” was one of the most successful, with it’s four primary weapon emplacements giving the destroyer excellent sky coverage during combat. This would prove essential as many Mk I Deckers would see service again the Cardassians.