a definite no: the two classes have very different mission profiles with very little overlap.The introduction to a new class of ship. Does this spell the end for the California class?
Interesting theory.I have a feeling that Starfleet Intelligence knew the Breen were active in the Delos system. If they were there, and if they did attack a lesser Federation starship, then Starfleet brass would have a chance to test their new toy. It didn't hurt to have a reporter on site recording the events.
The Californias are not supposed to get into serious combat, they usually stay behind and deal with relatively safe situations.Seriously, was the California-class or USS Cerritos the only ship in the fleet that didn't get the counter measures developed against the Breen Energy dampening weapons?
Every other StarFleet ship, by the end of the Dominion war had the counter measure installed.