the Orion-class. it entered service about 15 years before the Constitution-class, and was the workhorse of the fleet alongside the aging Daedalus-class for that time. armed with more photon torpedos than the Connie, but with the same phasers, its sheilds were revolutionary in the efficiency of their design. this was done with a new advancement in warp core technology.
a larger secondary hull allowed for more cargo to be heald and extra passengers, making this a great evacuation ship as discovered on manny ocations. the ship had a smaller main deflector than the Constitution-class, which inhibited its sensor range. it was a fine class of ships, but when the Constitution came, they were reduced to heavely armed transports, and were viewed as second rate to the connies.
'If you cant gety a connie, get an Orion' was the saying.

one ship of the line, the USS Benevolent, NCC-199-A was one of the first ships in the federation to continue its name. launched in 2208, this ship served in negotiations and border hostilities , also aiding in search and rescue missions.
it was decomissioned in 2250 due to aging after 42 years of service

this drawing would not have been possible if not for :iconcaptianshade: