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Runabout

This is a generic term for a small Federation Starship which is used for short range interstellar travel. The vessels resemble enlarged shuttlecraft. It contains seating for four people, two of which are flight crew. It includes a two person transporter unit and a modular mid-section which can be replaced for different mission requirements. In the aft is a two person living area which includes bunks and replicators for extended travelling. Runabouts were first commissioned by Starfleet in 2368. The USS Enterprise-D made delivery of three runabouts to Deep Space 9 in 2369. These runabouts were the USS Ganges, USS Rio Grande and the USS Yangtzee Kiang. The USS Yangtzee Kiang was destroyed when it crashed onto a penal colony moon in the Gamma Quadrant. It was replaced by the USS Orinoco. They are constructed with a duranium composite shell.