Source: Technical Readout 3057
Mass: 6,000 tons
Armament:
2 AC/20s
5 AC/5s
4 LRM-20s
4 LRM-10s
6 SRM-6s
8 Large Lasers
16 Medium Lasers
1 Long Tom III Cannon
5 tons AC/5 ammunition
5 tons AC/20 ammunition
16 tons LRM ammunition
4 tons SRM ammunition
25 tons Long Tom ammunition
Overview:
The Fortress Class DropShip has a well-deserved reputation as a deadly craft. In addition to its superior weapons and armor, the Fortress carries a combined-arms battalion, consisting of a company each of �Mechs, armor and infantry, making it one of the most powerful assault craft.
The Fortress mounts a diverse selection of weapons that enables it to support troops when grounded and protect itself when in space. At close range the Fortress can destroy most opposition within a few minutes, making the vessel ideal for anchoring a defensive line. The ship�s massive amounts of armor and weaponry also make the Fortress ideal for establishing and clearing landing zones. This capability was perhaps best exemplified during the Fourth Succession War, when House Steiner�s six Elvidner Fortresses sealed the passes through the Greerson Mountains, and with them the fate of the Second Sword of Light.
Such uses have been severely curtailed as these craft become increasingly rare, however. Now, Fortresses generally operate only in secured landing zones. These craft then act as operational bases for forces in the area, providing logistical support and C3 capabilities. In addition to the vessel�s conventional weaponry, the Long Tom cannon mounted in the Fortress� nose enables the vessel to provide fire support for units several kilometers away, a capability that has proved quite useful in battle.
Most operational Fortresses are at least a century old and suffer from a high rate of systems failures. The vessel�s computer and fire-control systems, which were considered unstable when most of the craft were constructed, are most prone to failure. The years between 2974 and 3027 saw the construction of less than two dozen Fortress Class vessels. In the early part of this century it appeared the Fortress would become extinct, as the last construction facility closed due to a lack of parts. However, the alliance between the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth allowed Semier Data Tron to resume production of the vessel. The firm secretly constructed twenty Fortresses for Archon Katrina Steiner in the six years before the outbreak of the Fourth Succession War.