Tacfortress

Very large, Esperian-style airships developed during the Great War. The Tacfortress was designed a heavy strategic bomber, capable of delivering a heavy bomb load deep into enemy territory. It had very long range, capable of reaching virtually anywhere in Dark Wrath occupied territory from the large base in Trianable. The Tacfortress was capable of carrying almost a hundred thousand pounds of bombs; a wing of Tacfortresses could level an entire city. To protect itself against enemy fighters, the Tacfortress was designed to fly at very high altitudes, and bristled with defensive machine guns. The Tacfortresses flew in a tight formation, to give each other mutual protection against enemy fire.

However, Great War era technology meant that accurate bombing from a high altitude was virtually impossible. Gage Rizett adopted a doctrine of "city busting" because cities were the smallest targets the Tacfortress could reliably hit. Massive carpet bombing was the order of the day. The Tacfortresses were the backbone of the Luftwaffe's strategic bombing campaign and virtually crippled industry in the Dragon Dimension, but also caused mass civilian casualties. Despite the aircraft's toughness and armament, bomber crews suffered heavy losses. Downed aircrew could count on no sympathy from locals.

Tacfortresses were sometimes used to provide close support of ground forces; however, their inaccuracy meant that they sometimes hit friendly troops as well.

The Tacfortress proved to be a vital weapon in the Hivan War, as the Tacfortress's massive bomb load proved to be the only thing that could reliably bring down the massive Hivan walkers known as "Big Ones".

Modern Tacfortresses tend to be kitted out with vast numbers of long-range cruise missiles or laser guided "smart" bombs. They are still, however, capable of carrying a large "dumb" bomb load should the situation require it. In either case, they are still capable of delivering a huge amount of destruction far behind enemy lines.

Tacfortresses are also used as a deliver vehicle for paratroopers, rather the Celpo operatives or the soldiers of the Airborne Battlegroup.

The Tacfortress is a somewhat controversial aircraft, and the Alliance Congress have moved to try to cut it from the budget. However, it does provide the Grand Army the ability to promptly strike against targets in the Core on an extremely short notice. Celiose Cole retains faith that the Grand Army should have the capability for long-range aerial bombardment.