Federation Excelsior class explorer, Starfleet registry NCC-42296.  Second Federation starship to bear the name.  Lieutenant Lyon served aboard the Hood from 2340-2345.  In 2373, Fleet Admiral Lyon displays a model of the Hood in his Flag Officer stateroom aboard the Sovereign class starship Maximillian.  Also serving aboard the Hood during this time was Petty Officer Ben Ayers, who served as Lyon's sensors officer aboard his starfighter.  In 2343, Lyon recieved news that his old friend, Commodore Steven Parker was about to become a father on planet Tulgaris.  Since the Hood was in the Tulgari sector, Lyon requested leave time to visit his old friend.  During the 2360's, the Hood was commanded by Captain Robert DeSoto.  Commander William T. Riker served aboard this ship prior to his assignment to the Enterprise.  The Hood intercepted Enterprise in the Hayashi system to deliver Tam Elbrum and new orders for the Enterprise to proceed to Beta Stromgren for the encounter with Tin Man in 2366.  The Hood was one of the starships sent to the Romulan Neutral Zone border in preparation for a possible battle after Starfleet received warnings of a Romulan buildup at planet Nelvana III.  The warnings, from Romulan defector Alidar Jarok, were later found to be baseless.  ("The Defector" TNG).  The Hood was scheduled to join Enterprise on a terraforming mission to planet Browder IV in 2366.  ("Allegiance"  TNG)