The Federation knew that even the excellent Burke-class frigate was increasingly vulnerable in fleet battles and as a lone patrol or picket ship. They held a competition for an improved "small ship for small jobs" and selected the USS Ortega for that role. The ship used three frigate engines mounted to a larger saucer.
There were a dozen variants of this class including leaders, carriers, scouts, commando transports, and others.
The ships of the Starline 2500 series are cast in pewter, have supremely high detail, and are in a larger (1/3200) scale than the earlier, metal 2400 series of miniatures. The ships of either series will work with Star Fleet Battles, Federation Commander, A Call to Arms, or Starmada.
This product is being done as a joint venture with Mongoose Publishing Ltd., under the strict terms of ADB, Inc.'s contract with Paramount Pictures Corporation.