The Aegean-class was a type of frigate that saw service with the Federation Starfleet during the 24th century. The Aegean Development Project was formed to refit and upgrade the older Mediterranean-class frigates into core defence starships. The improvements and changes slated for the refit of the Mediterraneans into Aegians as of 2375 were, giving it atmospheric capabilities, increasing its medical facilities including the inclusion of the Emergency Medical Holographic program, ablative armor, larger phaser arrays, newer torpedo launchers and the replacement of the dorsal saucer torpedo launchers with the Aegean weapons module, which includes pulse phaser cannons. (Ship Recognition Manual, Volume 1: The Ships of Starfleet)