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Thunderhawk

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The Thunderhawk gunship is a multi-use aircraft in wide use by Space Marine chapters.

The Thunderhawk was first deployed during the Great Crusade to replace the Warhawk VI1. Armed to the teeth with a Thunderhawk cannon and various other weapons, its use become more and more widespread. Each Chapter of the Space Marines maintains its own fleet of Thunderhawks. Normally reserved for large-scale battles, time and time again its use in the various fields of war has been proven. With such might like this, only a great threat to the Imperium could demand use of these great craft.

Thunderhawk gunship
Thunderhawk transporter

Weapons

The Thunderhawk is armed with a large amount of weapons, though the configuration occasionally varies. Here is a list of all weapons currently in use:

Various uses and strategies used

As the Thunderhawk's engines allow it to drop to lower atmosphere without landing, it proves to be one of the most useful craft employed by the Space Marines. With the ability to carry three full tactical squads, with precision a Drop Pod can't match, the Thunderhawk is used to insert marines into the thick of it, not just destroy the enemy. Whereas some chapters would prefer to simply launch a full-scale assault on the enemy, or use Drop Pods, many, many Chapters use Thunderhawks. Its tactical range and huge amount of firepower prove it to be one of the most useful vehicles ever created. Not only this, but the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Techmarines still hold the secrets to the creation of the Thunderhawk.

Thunderhawks as Attack Craft

A flight of Dark Angels Thunderhawks6-p172

Thunderhawks are not just used for ground attacks. Indeed, they are often launched into a space battle much like "normal" Attack craft where their firepower and Space Marine cargo make them potent additions to a Space Marine fleet.5

While slower than dedicated interceptors like the Fury, Thunderhawks are able to out-fight and out-last such craft, usually going twice as long as "regular" fighters before being forced to return to their mothership for refuelling and re-arming. While very useful in its own right, this strength and endurance also means that unlike most assault boats, Thunderhawks are more than capable of punching their way through enemy fighter screens and delivering their deadly payload to a warship for a devistating hit-and-run boarding action without the need for dedicated fighter escorts to pave the way for them.5


Famous wars and battles

Notable Thunderhawks

A Thunderhawk of the Space Wolves Chapter6-p162

Armament and Upgrades

Technical Specifications
Type Orbital Dropship Operational Ceiling N/A
Vehicle Name Thunderhawk Gunship6 Max Speed 2000 kph approx.
Forge World of Origin Mars Range 28,000 km in atmosphere
Known Patterns I-XXI Main Armament Dorsal mounted Battle Cannon, twin-linked Lascannons
Crew Pilot, Co-Pilot, Gunner, Navigator Secondary Armament 4x twin-linked Heavy Bolters
Powerplant 3x RX-92-00 Combination Rocket/Afterburning Turbofans Main Ammunition 28 rounds
Weight 121 tonnes Secondary Ammunition 2400 rounds
Length 26.6 m Armour
Wingspan 26.65 m Superstructure 55 mm
Height 9.8 m Hull 65 mm



See Also

Sources