I finished reading most of the Destiny series and am anxious to see the Vesta in the game so I played with dream stats a bit, enjoy your stay

Vesta Class Proposal (Tactical/Science Hybrid)

Suggested background blurb for STO: The Vesta is officially a extreme range explorer, but unofficially its a quick response vessel performing holding actions along with the excelsior class until the fleet arrives.

Pros
-Only non tactical ship to mount cannons.
-Only federation ship that has high tier powers that can mount dual cannons.
-Has target subsystems like science ships, and buff feature when implemented)

Cons
-Looses a forward weapon slot (like a science vessel)
-Looses a BO power in favor of higher ranked powers
-Looses a console.
-slower then most 'real' tactical ships, but still maneuverable enough to use dual cannons effectively.

Impulse modifier: .20
Inertia: 35
Turn Rate: 13
Crew 550
Hull points: 27000

Weaponry:
Fore weapon slots: 3 (Any including dual or heavy dual cannons)
Aft weapon slots: 3
Has Science target subsystem ability.

Bridge Officer Stations:
Tactical: Commander (1)
Engineering: Lieutenant Commander (1)
Science: Lieutenant Commander (1), Lieutenant (1)
Total: 11

Console Slots:
Tactical: 3
Engineering: 2
Science: 3

Special- As slipstream is common on tier 5 ships, simply give her a reduced recharge or a increased run time, or if nothing else, transwarp (ala Excelsior). If a lower tier version is implemented, give it the equivalent of quantum slipstream drive like an admiral.

That looks cool, and I probably would try it out too.

My only disagreement is with the "Special Transwarp (like Excelsior)"

The Transwarp system is what makes that ship more unique, I would like to see something unique for the Vesta...

.... and make it a Star Cruiser. My Nomad is looking tired already.

No thanks, we have a Science Cruiser (Nebula) and a Tactical Cruiser (Excelsior) now we need a Tactical Science option...

Escort/Science option?...hm.....

Why not we have the other two.

Personally I would of chose the Yaeger class to fulfil the role, but from the description given above the Vesta would fit too.

In before the Klingons complain that Feds get all the pretty toys.

No thanks, I want a classic style cruiser instead of the fused no neck saucer and engineering hull. Vesta is just more of the same with what star cruisers have already.

Another MarySue-class proposal. But this setup I actually rather like. I'd probably actually fly this thing.

From January's Engineering report: