The Wells-class was a timeship used by Starfleet in the 29th century to protect the timeline against temporal incursions.
Specifications
The Wells-class was equipped with temporal transporters, an advancement on transporter technology allowing transport through space and time. (VOY: "Relativity")
Ships of the class
- USS Relativity (NCV-474439-G)
Appendices
Background information
The Wells-class is possibly named after noted science fiction author H.G. Wells, author of The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds.
Model
The design for this CGI model departed significantly from the standard saucer and nacelle layout of 24th century starships. According to Rick Sternbach:
"The inspiration for the ship was a blended arrowhead sort of shape with a lot of roller coaster curves, upon which were drawn most of the little details that were familiar to older Starfleet ships. Those details were evolved, but one could still see what they were for. The Bussard collector caps were turned and stretched, but they're there. Same with the phaser strips, lifeboats, etc." [1]
The scale included on Sternbach's design schematics indicates an overall length of approximately 640 feet (195 meters). [2] Nine decks are shown in the side view. [3]
Apocrypha
Within the New Frontier novels, it is stated that the ships possessed an anti-proton beam in addition to phaser arrays.
USS Wells (NVC-474438-A) in Star Trek Online
In Star Trek Online, the Wells-class timeship can be obtained by Federation players through the Temporal Lock Box. It is armed with antiproton and chroniton weapons. An NPC version of the ship was accidentally leaked a month earlier, labeled USS Wells (NVC-474438-A). This ship would randomly spawn in place of a normal Federation ship.