Hell Blade

Hell Blades are a recent addition to the arsenal of the forces of the Ruinous Powers. Designed to replace the outdated Swiftdeath interceptor, the Hell Blade has been quickly adopted by all Chaos forces, from Chaos Space Marines to the pirate Reaver Fleets to the "independent" Chaos militias such as the Blood Pact.

The Hell Blade is one of the most resounding successes of the Dark Mechanicum : a sleek, slim and deadly dagger-form, held aloft by vector-thrusting jet engines who makes it increadibly fast and impressively nimble; it is swift ant ruthless killer, both in atmosphere and in the void of space. It's only "drawback" is the relatively light armament of 2 autocannons, which makes it unsuited for any other role than interception.

Unlike many of its opponents, The Hell Blade requires only a single pilot as crew. A live, well-trained human being is the best choice, however the Hell Blade is so simple of use that a mere servitor can be hard-wired into the cockpit and achieve impressive results with only their pre-programmed routines. And of course, fearful of the Hell Blade's origins, rumours and whispers abound that the most dangerous aces of the Chaos Armada are of a more malign nature than mere mortal flesh...

History
The Hell Blade interceptor, and its heavier "brother" the Hell Talon fighter-bomber are recent additions to the chaotic arsenal. They originate from one of the daemonic Forge Worlds within the Eye of Terror as a replacement for the outdated Swiftdeath fighters and Doomfire bombers respectively. A superb design combining ease-of-manufacture with impressive flight characteristics, the Hell Blade hes quickly grown a fearsome reputation amongst its Imperial Navy opponents.

The Hell Blade's has seen his first massive usage on all fronts in Abaddon the Despoiler's Thirteenth Black Crusade. It has become a common sight around Chaos capital vessels, and in the skies of beleagered Imperial worlds.