The Delta Flyer was designed to be a high-tech, nearly invulnerable, 24th century "hot rod". This shuttle was designed by Tom Paris (with more moderate design aspects by Tuvok, and hull plating design and advanced weapons by Seven of Nine). Some of the features are: retractable warp nacelles, Borg-inspired missiles and 20th-century flight controls.
This shuttle was built to help gain access to planets that may not be able to support a standard shuttle landing, or direct transport.it was build to recover a probe on a gas planet. The Delta Flyer has proven itself worthy numerous times in Voyager's 5th Season.