[Growltigga]

Derb, yes you do need to include another weapon on an escort vessel hull so it says up with the fleet

Personally, I tend not to use "short range" as a strategy for most of my fleet vessel so I set escort ships to this strategy, give them a CSM apiece (which keeps the range out enough so they dont get creamed) and then set first choice of target, fighters.

Works a treat for me.