Beneath the raptor's wings image - Star Trek: Armada 3 mod for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion

With the iconic Romulan Bird of Prey lagging badly behind the capabilities of their rivals, the Romulans knew a replacement was needed. The stench-ridden D-7 cruisers purchased from the Klingons were far from an ideal solution. By the time Starfleet's famous Constitution-class cruisers were extensively refitted in the 2270s, the Romulans were ready with their response - the Winged Defender.

Launched in the mid-2270s as a direct challenge to the Federation's upgraded cruisers, the Winged Defender was initially a swift, nimble and heavily armed warship. While it never had the chance to prove its abilities in combat against its intended adversary, the Winged Defender was nevertheless a potent and capable warship that finally closed the gap in performance between Federation and Romulan ships.

The Winged Defender has remained in almost constant service since it was launched. While it, along with its sister, the Whitewind, was supplanted by the Heavy Defender that emerged towards the turn of the century, the Winged Defender continued to receive upgrades and took on a myriad of roles in service to the Imperial Navy - from patrol and reconnaissance, to launching fast, devastating assaults on dissidents or rebels.

Nevertheless, as the decades crept by the Winged Defender found herself taking an increasingly limited position in the fleet. Today the Winged Defender is little more than a relic commanded by unambitious Imperial officers, though it can still be effective in carrying out simple duties, such as targeting planetary installations and population centres.