Envisioned as a replacement for the Danubeclass runabouts of the 2360s, the Atlantic class was first built after the Dominion War as part of the fleet replacement program that followed.

Designed to be a large and highly modular ship, while the Atlantic had the advantage of flexibility is was a far more temperamental beast. Multiple module connections meant multiple possible points of failure leading to a lot of required maintenance. The size allowing for more long-term use also meant that some smaller starships couldn't fit it in their shuttlebays, making it only practical for large ship or starbase postings.

While it was never considered a great success by Starfleet, it still sees use and as time has gone on the design of new modular pods has opened up new options which should keep the ship in circulation for decades to come.

The Atlantic class has a sleek appearance, designed as it is for orbital landing. A smooth aerodynamic front gives way to a central engine core before closing back into a small rear.

A major advantage of the Atlantic class is that it can be outfitted with modules for differing functions, even more so than the venerable Danubes. The lower section of the ship is a large module and there are further small module slots on the top and side of the ship. The large modules include Scout, Cargo, Passenger and Tactical options as well as additional module packs to add further weapons, sensors and scientific equipment if required.

The Atlantic class runabout was designed by Mark Rademaker and appeared in Star Trek's Ship of the Line Calendar 2008. It was originally called the New Atlantic class, and was a 30 metre long runabout class starship. Since I cannot find any reference to an Old Atlantic or even just an Atlantic class starship of any kind I have chosen to drop the "New".