The Tower class were the other side of the Dauntless gamble. Similar in size to their sister class, the Towers are far less delicate in their design. Quite fitting, given their purpose. Their systems were enhanced by a small number of Restorer Focused per ship, limiting their numbers again, but providing incalculable multipliers to their durability.
Numerous banks of heavy shield generators allow the ship to extend its screens over other ships within a sphere of space around it, and this is backed up by the thickest armour ever conceived of by the FSN. They also incorporated advanced self-repair systems, to supplement the abilities of the Restorer-Focused Potentials that operated the more advanced systems defensive systems. Towers took the brunt of fire from the Tribute Fleet, and several of them deliberately rammed Collectors during the Shiplord’s mad rush for the Calypso.
Although they lacked a significant ranged arm, the class wasn’t defenceless. Short ranged interceptor banks were back up by a truly massive dual-purpose point defence armament. It was an ambitious design, all the more so for it being the product of a Restorer-Focused working group. Unfortunately, it also had its problems.
With the discovery of Inviolate Matter, and the lure of several new defensive systems, the Tower class now faces the same fate as the Dauntless. Both served well, but they’ve also served their time. The complexities of the Tower’s design doomed it even before the Second Battle of Sol. With the discovery of the Fifth Secret, it clearly needs replacing.
Class slated for replacement following the Second Battle of Sol.