Launched in 2747, the Riga takes its name from a Hegemony (old) frigate design launched more than 300 years earlier. An astounding 26 (22 mobile) Riga-class vessels survived the Amaris War, a testament to the capabilities of the new design. The mobile vessels left with the Clans and served for more than 100 years in their navy. When new, post-Exodus designs began to gain the upper hand, the Rigas underwent extensive refits, in effect becoming a new class of WarShip. The first York, began to operate in 2947.
         The Ghost Bear's Ursa Minor served with distinction until a Nova Cat raid on Alshain went bad. The Ursa Minor did not survive the battle. The Ghost Bears swept up the wreckage of the battle and collected it for later breakdown into reusable parts.
         They never had the chance to break all the ships down before the Jihad began though and then they had other worries. After their war with the other Clans ended though, the Ghost Bears found their fleet to be badly mangled and in need of rebuilding. They first looked at the various scavenged wrecks in their territory and the scientist class said they could rebuild the Ursa Minor faster than they could build a whole new ship. The Khan ordered it done.
         The Ursa Minor slipped out of her moorings under internal power in late 3078, and the Khan declared her to be the first of a new class of cruiser. Named Storbjorn, it means "Great Bear" in the Swedish language, a nod to the Rasalhague citizens under their control.
         The Storbjorn sports thicker armor and heavier weapons grids than the York-class WarShips. An extra bank of naval autocannons and much heavier anti-fighter systems, including point-defense lasers, discourages both capital and fighter attacks. The five complete hangar decks, each of which can hold a full Star of OmniFighters, were maintained in this design, making a Storbjorn a self-contained carrier. When performing ground support operations, a Storbjorn will often carry a number of Munin IIC LAMs, but otherwise tends to carry standard fighters. Dedicated quarters for the pilots, technicians, and other visitors were also added, making long deployments far more comfortable than on either the Riga or the York.
         They have become the new standard heavy capital WarShip of the Rasalhague Dominion since the Ursa Minor's relaunch, and can be found commanding most large fleet formations.