The Ares-class was a type of starship fielded by the Federation Starfleet during the Four Years War. (Star Trek: Axanar) The Ares was designed to combat the Klingon D6-class. It was the first pure warship developed by Starfleet and was bigger, faster, and better armed than any other vessel before it. The class helped turn the tide of the war, though would be later outclassed by the Klingon D7-class. ("Prelude to Axanar")