Fortress-class vessel

Fortress-class vessels, more commonly known as fortresses or fortress ships, were massive warships used by the Forerunner military.

Design details
Fortress-class warships were some of the largest and most powerful vessels in the Forerunner navy. From bow to stern the ships were approximately 50 kilometers long and 10 kilometers across at the widest point. A single fortress ship can carry thousands of support craft.

The hull is divided into three sections: the foremost section of the ship is a massive hemispherical structure 10 kilometers in diameter. The dome's hollow core serves as living space for hundreds of thousands of Forerunner Warrior-Servants. Below the dome is a mid-section composed of layered platforms supporting landing bays and weapon mounts. The aft section of the ship is a long "tail" covered in gun emplacements and other forms of energy weaponry. The power of these weapons was legendary, even among the forerunners. When fully charged, a blast from the main weapon on the stern of this vessel was capable of punching a hole through the center of a planet 100 times the size of earth. The weapon could also "spread" the beams tip, from an impact point of 400 yards, to over 30 miles wide. This was used to make sweeping motions on the surface of planets to wipe out all life up to 200 feet deep from the surface, effectively Glassing the surface similar to the covenant glassing, just faster and more powerful.

Capabilities
Fortresses were capable of deploying hundreds, if not thousands, of orbital picket cruisers, weapon-ships, and fast attack runners.

Known vessels

 * Deep Reverence

Trivia

 * The design of the fortress bears many similarities to the design of High Charity.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Cryptum