Barracuda

Page Under Construction

The Barracuda air superiority fighter is the Tau's most common atmospheric aircraft. Faster than the lmperial Navy's Marauder bomber, but lacking the flat out top speed of the Thunderbolt or Lightning fighter, it makes up for this due to its sophisticated electronic systems and pilots natural talents. In a dogfight, Thunderbolts and Barracuda are very closely matched, with the Thunderbolt having the edge in speed, and the Barracuda having the manoeuvrability. The Imperium's pilots often have a hard edge of combat experience that the Tau Air Caste find hard to match, although the superior handling and armament of the Barracuda often proves decisive in such encounters. Utilising the natural advantages of the Air Caste pilots, Barracudas excel in air-to-air combat which is their main role. In this way, they are commonly used to intercept enemy fighter squadrons that are assaulting Tau forces on the defensive and offensive, attack enemy air transports and their escorts on their way to the front and escort Tau transports such as Orcas and Mantas as they redeploy Hunter Cadres. Barracudas also have the secondary role of ground attacks where they will fly in direct support of Hunter Cadres and support Tau offensives by targeting enemies on the ground. Barracudas also also often used to strafe and harass enemy troop movements and also disrupt supply lines and bases, as shown during the Taros Campaign.