Thunderhawk Transporter

The Thunderhawk Transporter is a logistics variant of the standard Thunderhawk gunship used by the Adeptus Astartes. The Thunderhawk Transporter, while lacking the firepower of the standard Thunderhawk is no less important to an Astartes Chapter, for the Thunderhawk Transporter is used to deliver the Chapter's vehicles into combat. The Thunderhawk Transporter can quickly load up to two Rhino-chassis based vehicles, or a single Land Raider, of any type, from an orbiting Strike Cruiser or Battle Barge to a planet's surface. The craft can also transport infantry, as long as they are inside of the vehicles before they are picked up. The Thunderhawk Transporter's armament and battlefield role are not the only differences from the standard Thunderhawk gunship, the Transporter variant is equipped with four powerful RX-92-00 rocket/turbofan engines, mounted on its four wings, whereas the standard Thunderhawk only has three, with one mounted of the craft's rear fuselage. The biggest difference is the complete removal of the standard craft's cargo bay, with the bay removed the vehicles can be safely pulled up under the craft. The vehicles are held in place by four robotic arms with large magnetic clamps on their ends, these arms magnetically grip onto the vehicles and pull them up under the craft's main fuselage, where they are protected from the worst of both enemy fire and the heat generated from entering or exiting a planet's atmosphere. The four sets of arms are mounted on a rail system that allows them to be placed on the best possible place to safely and securely pick up a vehicle, when not in use the ares with fold up and retract as to not be damaged. The Thunderhawk Transporter's powerful engines, along with its magnetic arms allow the craft to swoop in and drop off its cargo and quickly take off again. Other than vehicles, the Thunderhawk Transporter is also capable of ferrying large supply pods, these pods can be filled with ammunition, fuel, or other important supplies. During many planetary assaults these crafts fly non-stop missions from orbit to the surface, ferrying vehicle's and supplies to the forces on the ground.

Armament
The Thunderhawk Transporter is a logistics vehicle, and is armed only with weapons for self-defense purposes. The Thunderhawk Transporter forgoes many of the standard Thunderhawk's weapons, instead enjoying their lack of weight and power draw, the craft is only armed with four sets of twin-linked Heavy Bolters, two sets on the end of each of its rear-most wings and two sets on the craft's forwards wings. These weapons help keep the craft safe as it laods or unloads its cargo. The vehicle can also be equipped with up to six Hellstrike Missiles, giving it the ability to clear its landing zone of enemy armour. The Transporter can also be outfitted with an armoured cockpit, to protect its crew, illumination flares, allowing it to light up its landing area, and a chaff or flare launcher that can be used as a countermeasure against enemy aircraft.

Known Users of the Thunderhawk Transporter

 * All Loyalist Space MarineChapters
 * Many Renegade Space Marine Chapters and warbands
 * It is unknown, although highly probable that these crafts are also used by the Chaos Space Marine Legions and warbands.

Notable Users

 * Avenging Sons - The Avenging Sons Space Marine Chapter deployed 3 Thunderhawk Transporters during the Taros Campaign against the Tau.
 * Raptors – The Raptors Space Marine Chapter deployed 12 Thunderhawk Transporters during the Taros Campaign against the Tau, and several during the Badab War against Secessionist forces.
 * Red Scorpions – The Red Scorpions Space Marine Chapter deployed 3 Thunderhawk Transporters to the planet Beta Anphelion IV to combat escaped Tyranids, and they also deployed several during the Siege of Vraks and during the Badab War.
 * Dark Angels – The Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter deployed 22 Thunderhawk Transporters during the Siege of Vraks against the Traitor Forces of Apostate Cardinal-Astra Xaphan.
 * Angels of Absolution – The Angels of Absolution Space Marine Chapter deployed several Thunderhawk Transporters to Vraks Prime during the Siege of Vraks.
 * Raven Guard – The Raven Guard Space Marine Chapter deployed several Thunderhawks during the Imperial raid on the Ork-held world of Kastorel-Novem.
 * Salamanders – The Salamanders Space Marine Chapter deployed 4 Thunderhawk Transporters during the Badab War.
 * Minotaurs – The Minotaurs Space Marine Chapter deployed 4 Thunderhawk Transporters during the Badab War.
 * Mantis Warriors – The Mantis Warriors Space Marine Chapter deployed several Thunderhawk Transporters during the Badab War.

Notable Known Thunderhawk Transporters

 * Maledictor Audax - The Maledictor Audax is a Thunderhawk Transporter of the Mantis Warriors Space Marine Chapter, it partook in many conflicts during the Badab War.

Also See

 * Imperial Vehicles

Gallery
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