First seen transporting Klingon High Council leader, K'mpec, on Stardate 44246.3, the attack cruiser measures up to about three-quarters the length of a Galaxy-class starship.

The upgraded cruiser echoes traditional Klingon battle cruiser design, with the noted development of a new foredeck protrusion and, reflecting newly shared technology with the Federation, warp nacelles that more closely resemble Starfleet designs.

On Stardate 44885.5, another attack cruiser decloaked to challenge the Enterprise-D, over the planet Krios, when Klingon Governor Vagh detected what he believed to be Starfleet armaments being sent directly to Kriosian rebels.