Kirk's Enterprise, the Constitution-class Light Cruiser was the heavy starship of the Federation fleet during the mid-23rd Century. With few of them built and most of those dispatched to solitary missions of exploration and defense of the Federation frontier, the Constitution class exemplifies the ideals and dreams of the United of Federation of Planets during that era.

Compared to modern warships the Constitution cruiser is an underarmed, under armored cruiser whose day is solidly in the past. During its day, however, it was the pinnacle of technology and design, able to take on its Klingon and Romulan adversaries on equal footing.