The Intrepid class were Human-built warp capable vessels which operated during the 2150s. Until the NX class was launched all Human vessels of this time were limited to low warp factors, usually achieving speeds little above Warp 1. The Intrepid was fitted with the same Warp 5 engine design as the NX, though like the NX the Intrepid was more usually limited to Warp 4.5 – 4.9. Unlike the NX, the Intrepids were pure combat vessels, designed to protect Earth's rapidly expanding interstellar trade routes and protect the new colonies being planned at the time.
The Intrepids were armed with standard weapons of the time - spatial torpedo tubes and phase cannon, with polarised hull armour for defence.