The Hepta is one of the preferred variants based on the Gur'net hull. The Hepta Escort Warship exchanges the Gur'net's spinal phaser mounts for an advanced light phaser battery. Installed in a turreted fashion, the positioning of the Hepta's light phaser emitters allow them wide arcs of fire. However, the equipment is very delicate and the weapons are usually disabled by the slightest amount of damage. This problem has kept the Hepta from becoming more common in the fleet.

It is not uncommon to see Hepta Escort Warships even in the modern era, as their ample firing arcs give them the ability to defend against opportunity attacks by smaller enemy warships, such as fighters and light combat vessels.