In 2377, the United Federation of Planets was involved in a second war with the Romulan Star Empire. Their aging Peregrine class fighter/raider was suffering losses heavier and in greater numbers since the Dominion War. The Romulans posessed no fighters, but had large quantities of a ship they classified as an interceptor. Heavily armed, this ship was smaller than a cruiser, yet bigger thanCode Named Valkyrie, the craft were classified as Heavy Strike Fighters.
The craft possessed a comprehensive armament package second to that of Devastator class Runabouts. 4 Type X heavy phaser cannons were installed, 2 fore, 2 aft to provide a greater degree of protection. In addition, 3 Micro Torpedo Launchers were installed, 2 fore and 1 aft giving the Valkyrie a greater armament disribution scheme than other craft of this size. In addition, during extended duration Tactical Assignments, extended warfare and other such missions, a modular weapons pod can be installed. This pod is the exact same model as the one featured on the nebula class explorers, yet scaled down to size for the Valkyrie. When installed, it can carry 6 full size Photon or Quantum torpedos or 2 TriCobalt Devices (special ops). Without the pod, 4 Full Size Torpedos or 3 TriCobalt Devices can be carried.
The Fighter is devided up into 2 decks. Deck 1 contains the Cockpit, a small situation tabe (4 people) and 6 small bunks. Deck 2 is dedicated to handling the new Mk X Micro Fusion Reactor Core and it's accompanying plasma relays and EPS taps. Normal Crew Compliment is One Pilot/Gunner with non-essential systems under automated computer control. An extra gunner and/or ordinance specialist (to handle the full size torps and triCobalts) can be added. At the aft end of the Cockpit is a small 2 man transporter unit. Transporter Armbands and Type II Phaser Pistols are stored in 2 small storage cabinets next to the transporter platforms. Spacesuits, emergency survival gear and Type IV Phaser Rifles are stored in a storage locker at the aft end of deck 2. There's enough survival gear on the Valkyrie to keep 3 people alive for 2 weeks. When large numbers of Valkyrie class Fighters are used, Devastator Class Heavy Assault Runabouts are usually deployed for command and control. At present, the Exedus is equipped with 10 Valkyrie class Heavy Strike Fighters and 0 Devastator Class Heavy Assault Runabouts.