Starfleet began reviewing many of their past projects in the 2350's. In this period it was decided to produce a command version of the Saber Attack Frigate. Named the Saber Frigate Leader, the new design was built to command screening forces made up of other Saber Frigates, Miranda Cruisers, and other light combatants at the front of large fleets.

After the wide deployment of larger cruisers the role of the Saber Frigate Leader and its charges fell out of favor. The plethora of sturdier Excelsior Cruisers could do the same job with a lower mortality rate. Production on new frigate leaders was scrapped, and the last five ships which were under construction went into mothballs.