| The Dauntless | |
| Type: | Slipstream Cruiser |
| Length: | 161 meters |
| Beam: | 63 meters |
| Draft: | 27 meters |
| Speed: | Slipstream (22 ly/h, estimated) |
| |
The Dauntless-class was a type of starship used by Species 116 in the mid-24th century. It employed quantum slipstream technology, which allowed it to go higher then the standard Starfleet warp scale. Although created by alien technology, the ship was modified to resemble Federation starships on the interior and exterior by the means of particle synthesis.
The Dauntless was equipped with an experimental quantum slipstream drive capable of propelling the ship over fifteen light years in only five minutes; it was capable of traveling from the Alpha Quadrant to the Delta Quadrant in four months.
- This translates to an average cruising speed of 22 light years per hour, or a burst speed of up to 300 light years per hour.
In mid-2374, the crew of the USS Voyager was introduced to the Dauntless-class prototype, USS Dauntless (NX-01-A), a vessel created by Arturis, a member of Species 116.
Arturis lured the crew of Voyager and almost managed to trick them into believing that the ship was an advanced prototype sent by Starfleet to retrieve them from the Delta Quadrant. The ship was actually a part of Arturis' plan to take revenge on Voyager and its crew, whom he blamed for the assimilation of his species. He hoped to lure the crew of Voyager onto the ship and then send it into Borg space where they would also be assimilated. His plan failed and the ship was assimilated or destroyed with only Arturis on it upon entering Borg space. (VOY: "Hope and Fear")
In an alternate timeline, the Federation appeared to adapt to this design by the 26th century, utilizing the class in the pivotal Battle of Procyon V. (ENT: "Azati Prime")
- It is unclear if this is supposed to be a different ship, or if Starfleet one day adapted the Dauntless design for itself.