Barracuda
From Lexicanum
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The Barracuda air superiority fighter is the Tau's most common atmospheric aircraft. Faster than the Imperial Navy's Marauder bomber, but lacking the top speed of the Thunderbolt or Lightning fighter, it makes up to this due to its sophisticated electronics and pilots natural talents.1
In a dogfight, Thunderbolts and Barracudas are very closely matched, with the Thunderbolt having the edge in speed but the Barracuda having the manoeuvrability. The Imperium's pilots often have the hard edge of combat experience that the Tau Air Caste find hard to match.1
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Armament and Equipment
A Barracuda is armed with a nose-mounted, pilot aimed Ion Cannon. This is the aircraft's primary weapon of use in dogfights, backed up by two drone controlled Burst Cannons in the wings. For ground attacks, it is primarily armed with wing mounted missile pods. When used in an ground attack role a Barracuda can carry additional armament of up to four Seeker missiles. These are not controlled by the pilot but by a Markerlight operator on the ground.
All Barracudas are equipped with escape pods. In the event that the aircraft sustains serious damage the pilot can eject. Some versions of Barracuda might include night-fighting filters, disruption pods and Decoy Launchers for additional protection.1
Taros Campaign
On Taros, the Tau Coalition included a large Air Caste contingent, which formed an integral part of their strategy. Barracudas and Imperial Thunderbolts fought daily for the planets air superiority. Flying from well-concealed desert airbases the Barracudas eventually won the battle.
Not only engaging in dogfights, the Barracudas also targeted the Imperial Guard's supply columns, operating in unison with Pathfinder teams in order to destroy Trojans and vital equipment. The Barracudas played a vital role in the Tau's strategy, eventually winning the Imperial Guard and forcing it to retreat.1
Aircraft specifications
Vehicle Name: Barracuda
Type: Aircraft
Crew: 1. Pilot
Weight: 7 tonnes
Length: 11.4 M
Wingspan: 12.5 M
Height: 3.25 M
Max Recorded Speed : 2,100 KPH
Main Armament: Nose mounted Ion Cannon, wing mounted missile pods
Secondary Armament: 2x Drone controlled Burst Cannons
Main Ammunition: 8 Missiles. 8000 rounds
Armour Type: Nano-Crystalline alloy (composition unknown)
