A prototype is a name that is applied to the first model of anything that is built. This prototype is built as a test-bed for the design, so that any problems can be worked out, so that other models can be produced.

In Starfleet, prototype starships are designated with an NX prefix. Should the prototype prove a success, the class of ships is usually named after the prototype. In some cases the prototype vessel's prefix was changed from NX to NCC after the vessel was placed in regular service. (TOS movies: The Search for Spock, The Undiscovered Country)

Prototype starships

United Earth

The United Earth Starfleet fielded the following prototype vessel;

• Enterprise (NX class)

Federation Starfleet prototypes

The Federation Starfleet fielded the following prototype vessels;

• USS Ambassador (Ambassador-class)
• USS Archer (Archer-class)
• USS Constitution and USS Enterprise (Constitution-class)
• USS Daedalus (Daedalus-class)
• USS Danube (Danube-class)
• USS Defiant (Defiant-class)
• USS Excelsior (Excelsior-class)
• USS Galaxy (Galaxy-class)
• USS Intrepid (Intrepid-class)
• USS Luna (Luna-class)
• USS Nebula (Nebula-class)
• USS Norway (Norway-class)
• USS Nova (Nova-class)
• USS Prometheus (Prometheus-class)
• USS Sovereign (Sovereign-class)
• USS Vesta (Vesta-class)

Romulan Star Empire

The Romulan Star Empire produced the following prototype vessels:

• USS Juggernaut (Captured 22nd century class XIV Romulan battlecruiser)
• IRW Syrinx (D'Kazanak-class)

Klingon Empire

The Klingon Empire's Defense Force produced the following prototype vessel:

• IKS Negh'Var (Negh'Var class)

External links

• Prototype article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
• Prototype article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.