The Prometheus Attack Frigate is the ultimate iteration of ship separation technologies. In the past many Starfleet vessels had been constructed that could detach their saucer sections from the stardrive sections in time of dire need (such as a warp containment breach), but never was this planned to be a standard combat tactic -- especially as saucer sections were incapable of going to warp! The Prometheus, however, was built from the ground up so that each section could operate independently of the others.

The design's power was demonstrated when the U.S.S. Prometheus was captured by operatives of the Romulan Tal Shiar during its shakedown cruise. The ship was able to take on the best firepower offered up by newer Federation starships while being able to easily dispatch a Romulan D'deridex Warbird.