The Akira-class heavy cruiser was one of the first new Federation starships to be developed after the massacre at Wolf 359 revealed how unprepared Starfleet was to encounter new threats. First launched at the end of the 2360s, the Akira was one of the first ships to follow Starfleet's new starship design philosophy. A heavy, powerful starship, the Akira places as much emphasis on combat capability as possible short of becoming a dedicated warship, and has quickly established a reputation as one of Starfleet's most successful designs of the late 24th Century. Equally functional in peace and in war, the Akira can now be carrying out a wide variety of roles throughout the Federation, and fought with distinction in the Federation's defence at the Battle of Sector 001 and in every major engagement of the Dominion War. Featuring an unusual catamaran design not seen on Starfleet vessels since the 22nd Century, the Akira features an overall integrated profile, keeping structural vulnerabilities to a minimum. The Akira's most noteworthy feature, however, lies in its armament. Though a starship of exploration, the Akira carries a truly intimidating payload of weaponry, eclipsing even some of the dedicated warships of the other major powers. The Akira is equipped with powerful phasers granting it a 360 degree field of fire, and no fewer than 19 photon torpedo launchers - positioned on the underside of the saucer, along the Akira's sides (a novelty for a Federation starship), and in the tactical pod located above and behind the ship's main structure, rendering the line between Federation starship and dedicated warship very blurry indeed. In battle the Akira's resilience and formidable firepower make it an absolutely invaluable asset to the Federation fleet. Indeed, this solid and formidable cruiser is set to become one of the most dependable starships at Starfleet's disposal, and is sure to serve the Federation for a very long time to come.