The Freedom Class Survey Ship was designed in 2149 as a result of the NE Project, a parallel research effort to the NX Project, aimed at designing a starship capable of exceeding Warp 4. The Freedom Class was also the first starship to incorporate the shuttlepod landing craft and was outfitted with a basic cargo transporter. The keel for the lead ship, the USS FREEDOM (NE-10) was laid in September 2149.