Thunderbolts are most commonly used in an air superiority role, where they intercept enemy aircraft and engage in dogfights with them. Thunderbolts are especially effective against enemy bombers as the Thunderbolt's large weapons array can punch through bombers' usually heavy armour, and Thunderbolt armour can withstand -- to a degree -- the withering fire of bombers' multiple turret guns. Because of its versatility, the Thunderbolt is also deployed as close air support for ground units. The Thunderbolt can attack enemy armour or infantry on the ground using Hellstrike Missiles, its Lascannons for penetrating the armour of enemy vehicles and its Autocannons for strafing enemy infantry positions.
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The Marauder Bomber is the primary atmospheric bomber aircraft used by the Imperial Navy. The aircraft is usually based on an orbiting starship, and can operate in the vacuum of space as well as in a planet's atmosphere. During a prolonged Imperial campaign, Imperial Navy airbases can be established on the ground, but due to the Marauder's extreme range they are located safely behind the front, sometimes even on another continent from the frontlines. During ground assault missions, the Imperial Guard forces on the ground will mark the enemy's positions with coloured flares. Sometimes experienced Imperial Navy pilots will accompany the ground forces to better coordinate air strikes.
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The Shark Assault Boat is the Imperial Navy's standard Assault Boat. Typically 55 metres in length the Shark consists primarily of a large engine and an armoured troop compartment that is studded with magnetic clamps and Melta Charges. When the Shark reaches an enemy ship, the clamps latch on to the enemy hull as the charges, in concert with las-breachers, blast a hole through which assault troops can storm the vessel. Consequently, nearly all patterns of the Shark carry only defensive weapons with most of the space within the hull dedicated to armour, engines, or carrying capacity.
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The Starhawk is a non-atmospheric Imperial Navy Bomber. A Starhawk is designed to carry a heavy payload of Plasma Bombs and armour-piercing missiles for use solely against enemy capital ships rather than planetary targets. Crewed by a pilot, co-pilot, Tech-priest (plus Acolytes), various turret gunners and a logistics officer, a standard Starhawk features limited sleeping quarters, chemical toilets and even an automated medical unit inside its hull. It is armed with a multitude of short-range turret-mounted defence weapons like Lascannons that are used to fend off enemy starfighters. On rare occasions, Starhawks can be modified to carry and launch a very small number of anti-voidship torpedoes.
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The Valkyrie is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) airborne assault carrier used as both a gunship and a transport for airborne combat regiments. The Valkyrie is capable of carrying 12 troops. Valkyries also posses the cargo capacity to carry modified Drop Sentinels, Cyclops Demolition Vehicles orSentry Guns instead of a complement of Guardsmen, but the added weight requires that they also carry two additional external fuel tanks. Armed with a Multi-Laser that is mounted just to the side of the cockpit and two Hellstrike Missiles carried under its wings and also equipped with two door-mounted Heavy Bolters that are each manned by one gunner. This weapons load allows the Valkyrie, when using its VTOL capabilities, to stay on station once its troops have been dropped and provide air support or covering support fire during a difficult insertion. The Valkyrie can replace its Multi-Laser with a Lascannon, and can also replace its Hellstrike Missiles with 2 extra external fuel tanks for extended range operations. The aircraft can also be equipped with ejector seats, extra armour for the cockpit, flare or chaff launchers, infra-red targeting systems, and illumination flares
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The Basilisk is the standard most common artillery piece used by the Imperial armed forces across the galaxy. The Basilisk uses the same versatile and rugged chassis used by the Chimera armoured personnel carrier, and retains all of its features with the exception of its troop compartment, which is replaced with the Basilisk's main gun and gunnery platform.The Basilisk is used to provide direct artillery support for other Imperial units that are fighting on the frontlines.The Basilisk is capable of leveling its weapon at the ground and can directly engage enemy units. The most common role for the Basilisk is the indirect bombardment of enemy units and fortifications, and it is usually held near the rear of the frontline alongside the Medusa and Manticore mobile artillery pieces.
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The Centaur is a small armoured utility vehicle that is used in a wide variety of battlefield roles. The Centaur can serve as a Command Squad transport, a communications vehicle, and a supply vehicle.Most commonly used during sieges the Centaur can tow the lighter pieces of artillery and the crew can ride in the back until they reach their destination. Up to five passengers can ride in a Centaur's crew compartment.
The vehicle has a very powerful engine capable of pulling artillery pieces such as the Heavy Mortar Cannon and the Quad Cannon across the battlefield. It can also tow the much heavier Earthshaker Cannon and Medusa Siege Gun, but only on flat terrain. Passengers in a Centaur can mount any heavy or special weapons they may possess to a mount on the vehicle near the front, adding their firepower to that of the vehicle. The vehicle can also be modified with extra armour plating to protect its crew and passengers from enemy fire. When not being used to tow heavy weapons, the vehicle is capable of speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour off-road. |
The Sentinel walker is a one-man, all-terrain, lightweight, bipedal combat walker. The articulated legs of the Sentinel allow the walker to stalk quietly through urban ruins or dense undergrowth while still allowing it to achieve an impressive speed over open ground. Scout Sentinels have noise-reduction modifications applied to their power-plants to reduce the possibility of their movements being heard by the enemy. Sentinels are often fielded in squadrons as scouts or infantry fire support vehicles. They can carry a variety of heavy weapons and bring high levels of power and maneuverability together in one highly mobile unit. Sentinels are lightly armoured, however, and are susceptible to heavy barrages of small arms fire. Some Sentinels may be better armoured than the norm and are fitted with stabilisers to let them carry heavier weaponry. This transforms the Sentinel's role in an Imperial Guard regiment from one of armed reconnaissance and light infantry support to one of full-on artillery support.
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The Taurox is an armoured personnel carrier (APC) that is used by the Astra Militarum. The Taurox was designed to hit hard and fast by exploiting gaps in enemy lines or plugging gaps in the Imperium's own. The vehicle is only lightly-armored compared to many other Imperial vehicles, yet its rugged Castellan Pattern quad-track unit allows it to negotiate even the most uneven terrain with ease. The vehicle's capacity to traverse almost any terrain makes it ideal for counterattacks. The Taurox is regularly deployed as a reconnaissance vehicle due to its ability to traverse difficult terrain and yet still travel quickly. Tauroxes are also used to protect artillery columns. The Taurox is a robust infantry assault vehicle and is heavily armoured with thick plates and equipped with heavy weapons to both support Imperial infantry and bring heavy firepower to bear on enemy footsoldiers. The Taurox is armed with a set of twin-linked Autocannons, one located on each side of the vehicle's hull. The Taurox can have an armoured turret added to the top of the vehicle, and its twin-linked Autocannons located on the turret. This allows a 360-degree field of fire and an elevated firing location. The Taurox can also be equipped with either a pintle-mounted Storm Bolter or Heavy Stubber, either on the top of the vehicle or equipped as part of its turret.
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