Star Trek: Every Starfleet Starship Class Ranked Worst To Best
33. Centaur
The Centaur class makes its first and only appearance in the first episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's sixth series, A Time to Stand. The USS Centaur, captained by Charlie Reynolds, tracks down and takes on what they think is an enemy Jem'hadar vessel. While they are correct on the outside, it is in fact operated by Starfleet personnel.
The first attack by the Centaur knocks out communications, so it is impossible to let them know that they are firing on their colleagues. The Centaur class seems to be well able to take on a single fighter at least. It resembles something of an Excelsior class saucer section with a Miranda class roll bar underneath. It was a 'kitbash' model, like the USS Curry, designed for this one episode alone.
The Centaur turned tail and got out of dodge when three additional Jem'hadar ships approached, but they made it safely back to Federation space.