The Valkyrie is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) airborne assault carrier used primarily by the Lenehenese Imperial Guard as both a gunship and a transport for airborne combat regiments, notably the Elysian Drop Troopers. Despite serving the tactical needs of the Imperial Guard, a Valkyrie and its crew are usually composed of pilots and armsmen drawn from the Imperial Navy and are provided to the Guard on an as-needed basis. When a Valkyrie is expected to be assigned to the Guard for a long-duration assignment, usually to provide air support, the Imperial Navy modifies the aircraft by adding more heavily reinforced armour to better protect it in close firefights with enemy forces. The reinforced armour reduces the Valkyrie's maximum altitude and range due to the increased use of fuel, but it makes the Valkyrie a far more robust combat platform when it is carrying out its VTOL transport and gunship roles.
Armament and Capacity[]
A side view of a Valkyrie.
The Valkyrie's primary armaments are a set of twin-linked HellCannons mounted on either side of the cockpit (Sometimes replaced with Lascannons or Heavy Bolters) and two Hellstrike Krak missiles on the underside of it's wings. The Valkyrie is also equipped with three door-mounted Heavy Bolters mounted on either side, which are each manned with 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 hot landing.
The Valkyrie has a crew of four, two pilots and two door-mounted gunners but contains enough space inside to transport a squad of ten Guardsmen into combat. 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.
Variations []
Vendetta Gunship- A variant of the Valkyrie gunship, the Vendetta is equipped with two pairs of twin-linked Lascannons underneath the wings, replacing the Hellstike missiles. Designed for neutralising enemy heavy armour around combat zones, the Vendetta employs fearsome weaponry. Employed extensively during the Macharian Crusade to effectively combat enemy armoured units at the frontlines, this variant saw extensive use towards the end of the war.
Sky Talon- The Sky Talon is a variant of the Valkyrie Gunship used for transporting light armoured vehicles, Sentinels and Sentry Turrets into combat zones. To minimise the weight, they are armed only with a single nose-mounted Heavy Bolter.
