Mars Class Battlecruiser

The Mars Class Battle Cruiser was designed to replace the Exorcist Class Grand Cruiser as a small fleet carrier and long range patrol ship. It serves in both roles adequately well, but excels at neither. The Mars class features the classic armoured prow, allowing it to close with the enemy in relative safety. Its main armament consists of medium sized, long ranged weapons batteries, two lances on the dorsal section, and has the fearsome Nova Cannon. It can also support a good number of attack craft. These allow the Mars Class to engage the enemy whilst out of range of their main weapon systems, or go closer to the enemy and use its attack craft to protect itself or make lightning raids against enemy ships.¹

The Mars Class is thought to be undergunned by many Imperial Captains, and the shipyards of Mars stopped laying down Mars Class keels some 1,900 years ago. Those that remain, however, are on active front line duty, for as many captains who do not like them, there are those who adore their ability to operate at stand-off range.¹

Notable Mars Class ships include:

Fist of Russ

Formerly the "resolute," captured by Berek Thunderfist's predecessor and turned into Space Wolf service.^{[Needs Citation]}

Pax Imperium

Flag ship of Lord Commander Solar Macharius during the Macharian Crusade until the Battle of Charaxdis where it was heavily damaged.²

Imperious

Seen during the Gothic War and retrofitted with an enhanced targeting array salvaged after the Battle of Orar, giving its weapons batteries improved accuracy.¹

Sources

• ¹:BFG Ships of the Gothic Sector p108
• ²:Codex: Imperial Guard (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex)