Editing Oberth Class (section)

==History==

In service as early as the 2280s, the Oberth-class was designed and used almost exclusively for the study of astronomical phenomena, including data gathering missions on stars and planets, well into the 2360s. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; TNG: "The Naked Now", "Hero Worship", "Realm of Fear") By the latter half of the 2360s, these vessels would serve in a number of limited capacities, such as transports and supply ships. (TNG: "The Drumhead", "The Game", "A Fistful of Datas")
[[Image:oberth1.jpg|right]]
In 2358, the Oberth-class USS Pegasus served as a prototype for testing advanced starship technologies. The Pegasus was outfitted with an experimental engine and new weapon systems, some of which were used in the designs for Galaxy-class starships. In addition to this, the Pegasus was the prototype for an illegal Federation cloaking device. (TNG: "The Pegasus")

The Federation continued to construct Oberth-class starships as late as 2363, at such locations as the USSR's Baikonur Cosmodrome. (TNG: "The Naked Now" dedication plaque)

The Oberth was present in several major Federation engagements including the Borg invasion of 2366-2367, where it participated at the Battle of Wolf 359, as well as the Battle of Sector 001 in 2373. (DS9: "Emissary"; Star Trek: First Contact)

The class would slowly be phased out of service during the 2370s, shortly after the introduction of the more advanced Nova-class science vessel. (VOY: "Equinox")