Well, that's more of a problem with the escorts than with Barge itself, isn't it? I could see maybe......MAYBE a slot or two for GB weapons. But 12 Cruiser turrets?? No way. The vessel, both by name and design, is a large transport vessel. It's purpose IS to move large amounts of cargo. It is not meant to be a mobile superfortress (we already have the Nephilim for that) nor a space station (we have PoBs for that).
What it definitely needs to be able to do to fulfill its primary role with even moderate success is one of my two proposals, neither of which would make it overpowered or a superb power-trading machine, but just make the ship a bit.more practical without a major overhaul or balance problem. Otherwise, it is both more practical and cost-effective to just use a group of transports.
