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These options were numbered Types, Upgrade and Veteran. In the 25th century, the design of the Pathfinder-class long-range science vessel allowed its commanding officer to choose from different designs of livery, which could be modified further at starbases. In addition it could deploy an Aeroshuttle from a berth at the bow to assist it during combat. The Pathfinder-class featured a secondary deflector dish and could be equipped with the ablative generator pioneered on later Intrepid-class vessels, as well as the nadeon detonators used on Bellerophon-class starships. With the approval of Rear Admiral Tuvok, the class entered full production. Most of the technologies used in the Pathfinder-class were tested aboard USS Voyager before it departed for the Delta Quadrant in 2410. When planning for Operation Delta Rising began, the Starfleet Corps of Engineers decided that an updated version of the Intrepid-class was necessary.
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