The Fireball class was created to test the second generation Matter
Antimatter class reactors. The first Generation reactors fitted to the NX
class had proven to be powerful, but were expensive and slow to produce and
were also found to be much more vulnerable to combat damage than the fusion
systems. For these reason Starfleet reverted to Fusion power after the NX
class. The Fireball class proved that the new cheaper mass produced
Antimatter reactors were mature enough for combat use. After completion of
the Test program the two ships were used as couriers.
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