Production of the Sheffield-class started in the late 2660s, when ConFed BuShips wanted a new class of destroyer to complement its current fleet of Gilgamesh-class and Paradigm-class destroyers. Instead of the Paradigm, which was geared towards defensive picket and patrol, and the Gilgamesh, which was geared towards offensive firepower, they wanted a destroyer that had balanced offensive and defensive capabilities.
The Sheffield-class soon became the mainstay Confederation capital ship after the Battle of Earth, with a reputation as a jack-of-all-trades vessel that can do anything the Confed Navy assigns it. With an inexpensive and efficient design, Confed shipyards were able to churn out dozens of these warships in just a matter of weeks. A match for even the heaviest Kilrathi destroyer, the Sheffield-class is a nasty little vessel that bristles with gun turrets and other offensive weaponry.
Compared to its Gilgamesh-class predecessor, the Sheffield-class has less offensive Anti-Matter Gun firepower but greater defensive laser firepower. These destroyers also pack an array of torpedo tubes for anti-capship purposes and a CapShip missile launcher for planetary bombardment. The Sheffield-class is also very fast and can outrun even the fastest Kilrathi warships.
*bump*
