In starship classification, a heavy cruiser was a large multi-purpose starship.
While the Federation considered their Constitution-class starships to be a Class I heavy cruiser in their heyday, the Klingons referred to the Constitution II-class, in their terms, as a battle cruiser. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
Ambassador-class starships were also classified as heavy cruisers. (TNG: "Conspiracy")
In an alternate timeline, the Ambassador-class was simply referred to as a cruiser. (TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise")
Curiosity-class starships were identified as heavy cruisers. (PIC: "The End is the Beginning")
The Emerald Chain flagship Viridian was identified as a heavy cruiser-class starship in 3189. (DIS: "The Sanctuary")
| Starship types |
|---|
| attack vessel • attack fighter • battle cruiser • battleship • bird-of-prey • carrier vessel • colony ship • combat cruiser • corsair • corvette • cruiser • destroyer • diplomatic vessel • dreadnought • escort vessel • exploration vessel • flagship • freighter • frigate • garbage scow • geo-terraforming vessel • heavy cruiser • holding vessel • interceptor • light cruiser • medical ship • military vessel • mining vessel • patrol ship • pilot vessel • prison ship • raider • reconnaissance ship • robot ship • runabout • science vessel • scout ship • star cruiser • starliner • starship • supply ship • support ship • survey ship • tanker • timeship • trading vessel • training ship • transport ship • troop transport • tug • warbird • warship |
Appendices
Background information
The term "heavy cruiser" was first used in the shooting script for Star Trek: The Motion Picture for describing the Klingon K't'inga-class starships.
It was used later for an on-screen display of the Constitution-class, which was from the Star Fleet Technical Manual, and it was spoken in reference to the Ambassador-class.
According to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, the Akira-class, D'deridex-class, Jem'Hadar battle cruiser, Keldon-class and Vor'cha-classes were all referred to as "heavy cruisers".
In a dossier for the alternate reality USS Enterprise, her class, the Constitution-class, was classified as heavy cruisers. [1]
External links
- Heavy cruiser at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
- Heavy cruiser at Wikipedia