The Vas Hatham-class (translated from Romulan languages as Bird-of-Prey-class, and also referred to as the V8-class or T'liss-class[1]) was a type of Romulan bird-of-prey starship in the 23rd century. (FASA RPG module: Romulan Ship Recognition Manual)
Service history
A "T'liss"-class light warbird in 2409.
The Bird-of-Prey was brought into service in the 2260s decade as the Romulan Star Empire began its plans to re-establish itself as a major power after more than a century hiding behind its borders. After the first tests of two of these ships were successful, a single Bird-of-Prey was sent across the Neutral Zone to test the Federation's strengths. (ST reference: Ships of the Line)
The lone Bird-of-Prey successfully struck a number of Federation outposts before it was pursued by the Starfleet starship USS Enterprise, and eventually destroyed. (TOS episode: "Balance of Terror")
Plans from this class were used to create the more advanced Temar Vastaram class. (FASA RPG module: Romulan Ship Recognition Manual)
The Bird-of-Prey served throughout the rest of the 23rd century and final ships of the class were finally removed from service in the early 24th century. (ST reference: Starship Spotter)
The Romulans of the mirror universe also utilized vessels of this class, as Spock used the Tantalus Field to wipe out its crew and take the vessel to Starbase 10. (TOS novel: The Sorrows of Empire)
By the year 2409, the Vas Hatham-class had been redesignated as T'Liss-class light warbird. By that year, this type of bird-of-prey was considered an old design. Nevertheless it was still in use by the fledgling Romulan Republic as a light warship. (STO mission: "Flight from Virinat")
Technical specifications
The Bird-of-Prey was warp-capable and fitted with two innovative systems: a plasma torpedo weapon capable of massive destruction, and a revolutionary new cloaking device. However, the power demands of all these systems were limiting factors on the ship's abilities as the ship's power core could only produce enough power to use one of the three at a time. (TOS episode: "Balance of Terror")
This class of ship was later modified to carry conventional weapons such as disruptors and phasers. (TOS novel: My Enemy, My Ally)
Known vessels
| Vas Hatham-class starships | ||
|---|---|---|
| Amie • (Bird of Prey) • (Bloodwing) • Brak'en • Destrix • D'soria • D'tervik • Elizsen • Gal Gath'thong ~ Tellus ~ Nhorazz • Hmenna • Joran • Keterix • Korvix • Llemnin • Lubato • Maruccius • Mentenius • Meron • Munia • Narrocian • Neirrh • Nexem • Opalius • Orudain • Peligius • Pesanius • Pola • (Raptor) • Sapotius • Sculex • Setro • Solus • Strato • Suran • Toravek • Tovarek • Truntis • T'velen • Velibor • Velosh • Venkar • Vrenek | 
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Appendices
Background
These birds-of-prey were the only class of Romulan bird-of-prey that had the specific class name that translates as "bird-of-prey", even though these were not the first birds-of-prey of previous centuries.
If the Romulans name starship classes after the prototype ship, it is possible that the ChR Bird-of-Prey of Commander Julina in TOS novel: Black Fire is a candidate to have been the first ship of this line.
Connections
| Bird-of-prey classes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Romulan birds-of-prey | 2150s • late-2150s bird-of-prey • 22nd century • 23rd century (Kelvin timeline) • 24th century • T'varo • T'Liss • Vas Hatham • Temar Vastaram | 
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| Reman birds-of-prey | T'varo |
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| Klingon birds-of-prey | 22nd century • 2260s • 23rd century (Kelvin timeline) • M'Chla • B'rel • Chuq'Beh • D12 • D'Gavama • E4 • E6 • G2 • Khitomer • K'vort • QuD • Z'gavasta • Z'gavva • QulDun • Norgh • Ki'tang • Hegh'ta | 
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External link
- Vas Hatham class article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.|}|}
