USS Reliant-A
The USS Reliant-A was the second Sahara class vessel built. The ship was commissioned in 2355 on the 70th anniversary of the destruction of the original Miranda class vessel, bearing the same name and registry. The ship was designed to be fast and maneuverable for quick response/strike scenarios. The Sahara class far exceeded its designers expectations. The armament of the vessel (8 type X phaser arrays, and 8 type III burst fire photon torpedo tubes) left many in Starfleet to consider it to be more warship than a ship of peaceful exploration. In many respects it was the Defiant (NX-74205) of its day. Because of growing pressure from many pacifist Federation members, the project was promptly mothballed as well as the only two vessels built, until the Dominion war necessitated the use of as many able ships and crews as possible. While the USS Sahara was heavily damaged in combat, she was salvaged, repaired, and placed back in service. The USS Reliant is also still in active service. Noting its success in combat, Starfleet is reviewing the project again and considering adding many of the current technologies as upgrades to the vessel line should they go back into production.
With the heavy loss of life the Dominion war produced, Starfleet is reevaluating its role in the Federation. Many feel Starfleet needs to increase its police/protection role and not be solely an exploration entity for the Federation. Future starship designs will surely be impacted by their decision.
Slated but unused Sahara class ship names and registries:
USS Tabernas NCC-10051
USS Sonora NCC-10052
USS Kalahari NCC-10053
USS Mojave NCC-10054
USS Kara Kum NCC10055
USS Atacama NCC-10056
USS Owyhee NCC10057
USS Negev NCC-10058
USS Vizcaino NCC-10059
USS Tanami NCC-10060
USS Alvord NCC-10061
USS Gobi NCC-10062
USS Sahel NCC-10063
USS Yuma NCC-10064
USS Nefud NCC-10065
USS La Guajira NCC-10066
USS Simpson NCC-10067
USS Bledowska NCC-10068
USS Yuha NCC-10069
USS Tule NCC-10070