Editing Defiant Class (section)

==IMPULSE PROPULSION SYSTEM==

The primary impulse system consists of three pairs of redundant fusion reactors, space-time driver coils, and vectored exhaust directors. The exhaust products may be held temporarily in the impulse nozzle cowling, to minimize the ship's ion or EM signature, or they can be vented through electroporous plates along the trailing surface of the cowling. All three main impulse engines are located on both Decks two and three. An experimental in-line impulse system further augments the standard engines, allowing for fuel conservation.

Standard operational procedures limit impulse speeds to .25c (Full Impulse) due to time dilation problems that occur once an object travels close to the speed of light. Each individual engine is capable of propelling the ship to a speed of .75c.  Together, a speed of .994c (Maximum Impulse) can be reached but is only used during extreme circumstances due to relativistic time displacement accompanying objects traveling close to the speed of light.

A pair of smaller impulse engines are located on Deck three and provide propulsion and power to the Warhead section during separated flight mode.