Construction on the Sovereign-class Starship U.S.S. Sovereign NX-73811 began in 2366. It was designed and constructed at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards orbiting Mars. The ship was designed and launched simultaneously with several new starship classes, including the Akira, Norway, Sabre and Steamrunner classes. They share similar design specifications, intending to defend the Federation from a Borg or Dominion invasion. It is the Federation's next generation explorer vessel. In 2371, the U.S.S. Sovereign shakedown cruise was a success and work began to finalize the project.

The Enterprise-E utilizes a new, more efficient warp design that allows it to safely travel at warp speeds without damaging subspace.

The Enterprise-E is the most advanced starship in the Federation fleet. The Sovereign-class starship is classified as an Explorer II starship. It is designed to execute deep-space exploration missions including charting and mapping, first cultural contact scenarios, and full biologic and ecologic studies. Its advanced armament also make it a formidable warship. It includes the new Type-XII phasers and Mark-X quantum torpedoes in addition to photon torpedoes and Tricobalt explosives.

At the end of 2371, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D was destroyed at Veridian III. In 2372 the Sovereign-class U.S.S. Enterprise-E was launched and Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew took command.

After Picard was promoted to Admiral in 2381, Commander Worf was promoted to captain and replaced him as the ship's commanding officer.