A misunderstanding by the captain of the EAS Prometheus led to the Earth-Minbari war which lasted for three years. Some Nova vessels and their escort ships encountered a Minbari fleet during one of the test missions. Originally Earth Force wanted a bigger and more powerful ship but these plans were cut when costs went too high. Design and construction began in the late 2230's after the Centauri and the Narn presented their new cruisers.

The Nova Dreadnought is the precursor of the Omega Destroyer which looks very familiar design except the rotating section and the missing dual plasma cannons. The Hyperion Class has also recently been upgraded, so that they can carry beam weapons and otherwise improved weaponry. There is neither artificial gravity nor a rotating section on board, so the crew works in micro-gravity. Most Hyperion Cruiser were destroyed in the war against the Minbari but there are quite a few in active service which have been upgraded with the new heavy laser cannons which had been bought from the Narn. Sheridan, commander of the EAS Lexington, managed to lure some Minbari Warcruiser in a trap. The first and only major victory against the superior Minbari ships happened when Lt. The EAS Prometheus opened fire at the Minbari ships and so a 3-year war began in which many of these ships have been destroyed. Several Hyperion Cruiser were part of the fleet that made the 1st contact with the Minbari. Most Hyperion Cruiser have been refitted with new weapon and defense systems several times during the long time of service.

Production began back in 2237 but even now many Hyperion Cruiser are in active service but their role is now to protect the bigger Omega Destroyer rather than being the main attack force. The Hyperion Cruiser also carries Starfuries on board, and it is the smallest Earth Alliance ship than can open their own jump-point.

This makes these ships only suitable for shorter missions, while the crews on the much larger Omega Destroyers with rotating sections can stay out for longer patrols. Unlike the newer Omega Destroyers these cruisers have no rotating section which requires that the crew has to be trained to work in nearly zero gravity. The Hyperion Cruiser was the mainstay of the Earth Force before the Earth-Minbari-War.

Babylon 5 earth alliance ships