Long-range attack ships make sense against a defended planet whose location is known. Their dependence on escorts becomes a greater liability in a freely moving battle. Clarke favors additional Glorious Heritage-class cruisers because they can defend themselves and operate more flexibly. Glenn initially defends the specialist design in the small numbers actually built, then accepts the objection to the larger planned ratio. A force with four specialists for each cruiser, plus sixteen protective frigates, commits much of its strength to keeping those specialists alive.
Notable Point · 5:48:08-5:50:32
Andromeda's missile specialists and the cost of their escorts
A few specialized bombardment ships can serve a fleet, but a planned abundance of them ties flexible cruisers and frigates to their protection.