Star Trek: Every Auxiliary Craft Explained

Runabouts were introduced as the main support craft assigned to Deep Space Nine (though they have also appeared in other Trek shows, like the Next Gen episode Timescape).

Runabouts could be operated by a limited crew and are larger in size than simple shuttles, but smaller than starships. Most were capable of travelling at warp 5, and the large interior space allowed for them to be modified for specific cargo or mission needs. Several people could also live aboard runabouts for days or even weeks at a time reasonably comfortably. There were onboard replicators, an eating area, sleeping accommodations, and a transporter.

The Danube-class is the most well known runabout variant. Several were stationed at Deep Space Nine and were used extensively for some of the earliest missions into the Gamma Quadrant. They were even used in The Dominion War, both as fighters and on stealth missions.

Later, a new runabout model, the Yellowstone-class, was introduced in the Voyager episode Non Sequitur.