The V-9 Class, created from plans for the older V-8 (Bird Of Prey) Class, was constructed in response to the need for increased firepower and speed.  Its similarity to the V-8 on casual inspection is responsible for the prolonged myth that the V-8 was the mainstay of the Romulan Navy. 

The Type 1 was introduced about Stardate 2/0805.  It was the first vessel in the Romulan fleet to carry two plasma weapons, and it had an impressive array of disruptors and a cloaking device.  This vessel reportedly became extremely popular with front line commanders, because of its ability to deliver multiple plasma weapon strikes.  It did not, however, address the speed problem still seen in the concurrent Type 4 V-8, and several power plant changes resulted in the successful Type 6.

Of the approximately 180 V-9s constructed, about 160 remain in active service; of these, some are known to be assigned to Romulan Intelligence as training vessels.  There are reports of these vessels operating within the Triangle.

The class is named from the RomuIan temar vastaram (night flyer), in reference to a small, nocturnal, flying predator native to Remus.  The Eridam Papers state that they were the source of many ancient legends and myths about invisible predators from another dimension.

Like their counterparts in the V-6 Class, the V-7s were designed for multiple roles, with spacious in- teriors and complete onboard research facilities.

The Type 1 entered service about Stardate 2/12 and is still being produced as a support ship, even though it is not as efficient in combat as later models.  Mounting the RPL-2 plasma weapon and a cloaking device, the Type 1 is capable of operating alone.

The Type 3, introduced about Stardate 2/17, is the preferred model of the class.  It mounts two additional disruptors and three photon torpedoes, and it has more efficient shields.

Of the approximately 80 V-7s built, nearly all remain in active service.  Current production of the Whitewind is estimated at six per year.

The aft weaponry of the V-7s has set the standard for the Romulan Navy, as exemplified by this Project Grey Ghost report of an incident between two V-7s and two Klingon L-9 class frigates. The V-7s, investigating asteroid clusters, detected the Klingons as they approached.  Both V-7s cloaked and deployed.  As the unsuspecting Klingons began surveying the asteroids, the V-7s de-cloaked and opened fire, only to have the Klingons disappear from view and sensor, obviously taking advantage of cloaking capabilities acquired in the technological exchange.  In the waiting game that followed, all four ships remained cloaked and invisible to sensors for several hours.  Finally, one of the Klingon commanders became impatient and attempted to warp away from the area.  Unfortunately, his path of departure resulted in a collision and catastrophic explosion.  The remaining ships immediately de-cloaked, only to find themselves lying aft to aft, which put the Klingon at a disadvantage because of its lack of torpedoes to the rear.  It suffered serious damage and surrendered to the Romulan commander, who allowed the Klingon to leave after surrendering the cloaking device.

The class is named for a meteorological disturbance peculiar to Remus.  As described in The Eridam Papers, twice per Remus year, a hot wind blows across the northern hemisphere for as long as five days.  Mineral particles from the western cliffs are borne aloft by the winds, and, at night, their phosphorescense causes the hemisphere-wide nightglow that gives the weather phenomenon its name aye mosaram (white wind).

Again, to make this class fit in the right position I’ve bought it forwards, this can be attributed to an error in Project Grey Ghost’s data.

The V-5 Class, apparently brought into service to supplement the V-2 Class, combines the need for a military vessel with that of a research vessel.  Though it reportedly is quite capable for combat roles in which the V-2 is a failure, it fills its research roles less well.  The Type 1 mounted an impressive array of disruptors with very good fields of fire.  The Type 2, introduced about Stardate 2/00, saw the removal of the forward firing disruptors in favor of a bow-mounted plasma weapon, but this version did not prove to be as combat efficient as the earlier model and has not been reported in any great numbers.

Of the approximately 80 built, about 50 are assigned to reserve fleets.  Several are used as training vessels, and eight are reported to be in use as private research vessels or cruisers.

The class is named from the RomuIan ralaaram ocala (fire from the sky), in reference to its military capabilities.

The V-2 Class, first encountered by Project Grey Ghost, is believed to have been built for research missions, much like the Federation research cruisers are.  Reportedly, spacious laboratory facilities and shuttlebays for cargo storage make this ship an oddity in the Romulan navy.  Several recent combat encounters with the Klingons and forces to the coreward have proved the vessel to be undergunned and unsuitable for combat.

Several attempts were made to up-gun the ship, with the last being the introduction of the Type 5, approximately Stardate 2/00.  This version is reported to carry a small plasma weapon and improved impulse drive system.  Even so, the V-2 did not prove popular, and has been replaced by the V-5 and V-6 cruisers.

Of the approximately 70 Hunters built, about half are reported to be in reserve fleets and about 20 are reportedly working as research vessels for private firms.  This vessel has not yet been scanned at close range, and plans given are highly speculative.  The ship is named from the RomuIan hathos (hunter), likely in reference to its mission in the Exploration Division.

Soon after its introduction into exploratory service, the V-1 vessels were found to be unsuitable for their mission.  The cramped quarters and work areas would not permit extensive onboard research and testing, which meant that the ships were compelled to land on most worlds to carry out their studies.  Not only were such atmospheric operations difficu It, but the exposure of the entire ship to unknown environments put them in constant danger.  These risks were unacceptable to the Romulan High Command, so the class was reassigned as cruisers to supplement the fleets.  It evidently saw no greater success in this role, for it was removed from active service about Stardate 2/0806.  The Type 2 mounted better, bank-mounted weaponry and a more powerful impulse drive.

Of the approximately 100 built, half are assigned to reserve fleets.  Eighteen have been sold to the civil sector, where they are used as private research vessels; two operate exclusively within the Triangle.

The class is named for Vadaso Stelri (glider in the stars), an asteroid in the Romulan home system.  Ancient legend is reported to state that this glider was a returning message from the gods, directing the Romulans to follow it on its road through the stars.