To supplement the ever growing numbers of K'Tinga class BattleCruisers in their fleet, the Klingon High Command wanted a light combat cruiser capable of scouting and defense operations. What they didn't realise was that the resulting design would become one of the most recognizable and most copied in known space.

Requirements for the new B'Rel class were drawn up in early 2277 in response to Starfleet's Soyuz class Attack Frigate.
The most common mission of the B'Rel was raiding. Sneaking into federation space, she could pick off lone starships or lightly defended outposts. The B'Rel was also an ideal scout. She could locate and track enemy fleet positions in advance of a large fleet attack.

In design the B'Rel conforms to Klingon norms, with a single torpedo tube at the extreme forward point of the hull. The command centre is above this, with crew quarters - such as they are - located in the 'neck' section directly aft. The rear of the ship comprises the engineering compartments and a small cargo bay. A pair of wings carry small disrupter cannon at their tips, while a single fire emergency torpedo tube provides a backup to the main armament. The wings allow the B'Rel to operate in an atmosphere and landing gear is fitted, the first Warp capable craft known to have this ability.