Bandaal

Unit type: mobile fortress
Manufacturer: Atlantic Federation
Dimensions: length 326 meters, height 215 meters, width 258 meters
Armament: 20 x 2-barrel beam cannon; 6 x 2-barrel heavy beam cannon; 12 x 2-barrel antiaircraft beam cannon; mega beam cannon; 2 x photon particle gun
Powerplant: 6 x pressurized water reactor, output rated at 82000 kW each
Performance: maximum speed 100 km/h
Propulsion: air cushion

Land battleships formed the core of the Atlantic Federation's ground forces, essentially acting as mobile bases (and seats of authority) in the Federation's extremely far-flung territories. This arrangement was just as much a political as tactical arrangement, as the presence of a Federation officer trusted to uphold the orders of the Supreme Command on each vessel would ensure the crew's continued loyalty.

In addition to a number of "standard"-size land battleships, the Federation also constructed a small number of enormous Bandaal mobile fortresses. The classification was anything but propaganda - with an overall dimension greater than many space warships and a virtual porcupine of beam weapons, a single Bandaal could decimate almost any fortified area or enemy land force under its incredible weapons batteries. The fortress' leviathan air cushions also enabled it to move with surprising mobility for a vessel weighing many thousands of tons, although the rather topheavy design precludes attempts at crossing deep water for safety reasons. The Bandaal's extensive command center and communications antennas allows it to serve as a field headquarters for Federation army groups, aside from its obvious role as a gigantic gun platform. Numerous beam cannons of a variety of shapes and sizes dot the Bandaal's hull, allowing it to direct fire in essentially any direction, including straight up. For obliterating the most well-defended of targets, two photon particle guns similar to the weapons deployed on the Space Revolutionary Army's mobile armors are installed on either of the fortress' "shoulders". These unique artillery can fire an extraordinarily powerful beam over an incredible distance, with fully traversable mounts allowing a shot at virtually any angle as well. Because of the cannons' slow charge time and delicate focusing equipment, they are usually stored in internal bunkers until their use is necessary. The Bandaal has no provision for embarking or storing mobile suits - there is simply no room between the fortress' incredibly thick armor protection and behemoth power systems.

Federation Bandaals were among the few weapons easily capable of repulsing the more technologically advanced units fielded by ZAFT during their invasion of Africa, and the mere sight of one on the horizon has forced at least one early retreat. Unlike the smaller and much more numerous Tenzan, the Bandaal has not fared well since the collapse of the Federation. The fortress' large crew requirements and maintenance-intensive hover units require a very extensive amount of capital and infrastructure to keep running, and for obvious reasons a Bandaal is a less-than-ideal choice for any kind of ambush operation. It is presently unknown if any remain in operation.