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Description

The Imperium was a long-time user of helicopters, but the dedicated gunship is a newer development. Formerly, the imperial army was equipped with anti-tank helicopters, swift and agile platforms to strike against khanate tank armies. Supporting them were small recon helicopters to spot these tank formations and designate targets for the AT-choppers.

The first experiments with gunships were the huge Anakonda-type transport helicopters. In addition to transporting light vehicles or infantry formations, the Anakonda was able to carry cannons, unguided rockets, anti-tank missiles and air-to-air systems. Slow and unwieldy, the tough Anakonda still forms a mainstay of imperial aerial assault formations.

The Weihe (formerly designated Mamba), is the newest attack helicopter of the imperial forces and a radical development. Taking recent tactics and wars into account, the Weihe is a heavy gunship, agile and fast, but emphasis was on stand-off firepower.
Like many of it's contemporaries, the Weihe is armored enough to withstand small arms and light AAA and of course, countermeasures like infrared jammers, chaff and flare launchers are provided. However, the Weihe is the first combat helicopter to use dedicated active-defense systems, based on the metal-storm multi-round weapons to detect and shoot-down enemy surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.

Two wings on the helicopter's sides can mount four short-range air-to air missiles and four stations for other weapons. Each one can mount either four anti-tank missiles, four longer-ranged air-to-air missiles, nineteen semi-guided rockets or four long-range drones.
The semi-guided rockets are almost never mounted for their limited range and the drones are becoming much more common.

A lightweight 50mm autocannon for precise long-range fire support takes the place of a normal 20-30mm weapon. 136 rounds of ammo seems a bit low, but the weapon is more of a sniper rifle and designed to be precise.
New and still somewhat experimental is the HEL (High Energy Laser) in the bow for use against drones, missiles and infantry, designed to give the helicopter more staying power on the battlefield.

Powered by two 1750 hp gas turbines, the Weihe is dreadfully expensive, given the armament and the massive sensor loadout, so the older Eule anti-tank helicopter was chosen to be upgraded to more modern standards.

Units equipped with the Weihe, however, report a smooth cooperation with ground units with their networking capabilties and versatile firepower.

Indeed, the new brutal air-defense tank based on the Ogedai-class main battle tank of the Red Khanate is thought to be a direct response to the Weihe-class attack gunship.

Description

The Imperium was a long-time user of helicopters, but the dedicated gunship is a newer development. Formerly, the imperial army was equipped with anti-tank helicopters, swift and agile platforms to strike against khanate tank armies. Supporting them were small recon helicopters to spot these tank formations and designate targets for the AT-choppers.

The first experiments with gunships were the huge Anakonda-type transport helicopters. In addition to transporting light vehicles or infantry formations, the Anakonda was able to carry cannons, unguided rockets, anti-tank missiles and air-to-air systems. Slow and unwieldy, the tough Anakonda still forms a mainstay of imperial aerial assault formations.

The Weihe (formerly designated Mamba), is the newest attack helicopter of the imperial forces and a radical development. Taking recent tactics and wars into account, the Weihe is a heavy gunship, agile and fast, but emphasis was on stand-off firepower.
Like many of it's contemporaries, the Weihe is armored enough to withstand small arms and light AAA and of course, countermeasures like infrared jammers, chaff and flare launchers are provided. However, the Weihe is the first combat helicopter to use dedicated active-defense systems, based on the metal-storm multi-round weapons to detect and shoot-down enemy surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.

Two wings on the helicopter's sides can mount four short-range air-to air missiles and four stations for other weapons. Each one can mount either four anti-tank missiles, four longer-ranged air-to-air missiles, nineteen semi-guided rockets or four long-range drones.
The semi-guided rockets are almost never mounted for their limited range and the drones are becoming much more common.

A lightweight 50mm autocannon for precise long-range fire support takes the place of a normal 20-30mm weapon. 136 rounds of ammo seems a bit low, but the weapon is more of a sniper rifle and designed to be precise.
New and still somewhat experimental is the HEL (High Energy Laser) in the bow for use against drones, missiles and infantry, designed to give the helicopter more staying power on the battlefield.

Powered by two 1750 hp gas turbines, the Weihe is dreadfully expensive, given the armament and the massive sensor loadout, so the older Eule anti-tank helicopter was chosen to be upgraded to more modern standards.

Units equipped with the Weihe, however, report a smooth cooperation with ground units with their networking capabilties and versatile firepower.

Indeed, the new brutal air-defense tank based on the Ogedai-class main battle tank of the Red Khanate is thought to be a direct response to the Weihe-class attack gunship.