Arkhaia-pattern Gun Cutter

[wren]

Arkhaia-pattern Gun Cutter IMPERIUM - VEHICLE » Common Name: Ark Cutter » Pattern: Arkhaia » Mark: I-X » Type: Attack Gunship » Place of Manufacture: Arkhaia » Commonly Used By: Aeronautica Imperialis (Navis Imperialis) » Use Restrictions: Not available for private ownership » Purpose: Void-capable atmospheric VTOL attack gunship capable of transporting equipment and personnel from voidships to planetside while providing heavy supporting fire Noteworthy Features The Ark Cutter is a large atmospheric craft used by the Aeronautica Imperialis division of the Imperial Navy in small numbers outside of the Corinthe sector. The Ark Cutter shares many features with other craft used by the navy, such as the vulture or valkyrie, but is significantly larger. It is a VTOL craft, capable of landing in just about any terrain, and serves as an attack gunship capable of delivering squads of elite troopers to the battlefield.  It's primary weapon system is a turreted system mounted underneath the nose capable of 360-degree rotation. The turret mounts an over-under twin-linked lascannon and multi-laser weapon system, though it's power plant is capable of handling only one set or the other.  It can be outfitted with a vast array of secondary armaments due to the six weapon hardpoints. The default armament utilizes two multiple rocket pods and four racks of two Hellstrike missiles. It can alternatively be equipped with Hunter-killer missiles, Hellfury missiles, smart bomb racks, or heavy projectile weapons such as the Punisher Gatling cannon. This versatility gives the Ark Cutter significant firepower and large fuel tanks allow for extended flight times making it a very useful craft for those who can acquire one. The Ark Cutter utilizes a pilot and weapon's operator or co-pilot, and is capable of carrying a full squad of infantry such as Tempestus Scions plus cargo and equipment for use in the field. A rear boarding ramp is used to deploy the infantry, but the Ark Cutter also supports low-altitude drops and rappelling operations.  For defense, it relies primarily on maneuverability and heavy armor, but has extensive flare and chaff batteries as well as ECM and ECCM suites. The Ark Cutter is design in a manner that allows it to remain operational despite fairly extensive damage, but due to it's numerous advanced systems and cramped interior, it can be a pain to repair in a timely fashion. Aside from it's size, the Ark Cutter, and other gun cutters, differentiates itself from vessels like the Valkyrie by performing significantly better in the void. This dual purpose nature increases the cost, but makes it more useful overall.  Appearance The Ark Cutter follows a common Imperial design scheme of open spaces in the extended fuselage intended to minimize weight while giving it a suitable frame for flight and armament.  This results in a craft with a significantly larger footprint than what its core components need. It is a VTOL craft, capable of landing and taking of vertically rather than with the use of a runway, but suffers in the speed and maneuverability departments due to that and it's size, especially when compared to dedicated fighter craft.  It is a bit over-engineered, with increased production and maintenance costs, thus keeping the number produced with the STC to a lower quantity than alternative patterns of gun cutters, but it's nose-mounted turret and versatile hardpoint offerings make it worth the expense for combat operations. Likewise, it's use as a void-capable gunship with excellent armor and armament make it popular for voidship strike parties delivering elite soldiers from ship-to-ship.  The interior is a bit cramped, but otherwise fairly comfortable, at least for the crew. The dropship bay in the rear is well-insulated and protected, ensuring that even when taking fire most of the occupants should survive to the objective. Like other craft of the Aeronautica Imperialis, it is typically loaned to the Astra Militarum in planetside endeavors, and is repainted appropriate colors for whatever armies it is attached to. Occasionally, the Ark Cutter ends up in the hands of the inquisition, and may be recolored to suit their needs or whims. Historical Profile Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur gravida aliquet leo non pellentesque. Duis suscipit libero sed arcu vulputate gravida. Nunc hendrerit libero sit amet leo tincidunt ullamcorper. Nunc dapibus leo quis pharetra scelerisque. Sed eget est vitae justo porta malesuada et quis lorem. Vestibulum molestie magna id velit tincidunt, id ullamcorper libero semper. Mauris blandit justo vel rutrum elementum.