The design that eventually become Eclipse-class was code named as Excalibur class (misdirection)-class. On 9 June 2374, Rear Admiral Beth Torbert, forwarded the requirements of a new ship to Advanced Starship Design Bureau. The Design Goal was To quickly design and field a new class of super battlecruiser to battle the Dominion, the Borg, and to counter the Romulan supercruiser. The design was given funding priority. See Starfleet Intelligence, File 351 800 040 155 310, Admiral Rain Williams. Construction on the first ship was started on 10 October 2374.