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#grasshopper #helicopter #military #extremidad #blakfire
Published: 2015-10-17 07:48:07 +0000 UTC; Views: 1219; Favourites: 19; Downloads: 5
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Description
"And though I walk through the valley in the shadow of death, I fear no evil, because I've got enough explosives to blow anything coming after me straight to Hell." -Grasshopper Pilot's "Prayer"Since the Last War, many countries have stumbled across tech from a lost age, but unfortunately lack the resources or knowledge to unlock its secrets and reverse-engineer it for their own use. On some rare occasions, countries simply use what they have and hope it lasts (such as the case of Damontia and the Reavers, though that is a special circumstance in itself considering the nature of the Reavers), or use what technology they currently have to make a simpler version of the tech. As such was the case of the Grasshopper.
The Grasshopper came to be after a Pre-World weapons cache was discovered by a village of Wood Elves while traveling along the Extremi coast, who reported the find to the government. While the cache was contanimated by seawater, which deteriorated the weapons inside to a non-usable condition, a Pre-world helicopter managed to survive the worst, and, despite itself being inoperable, the rotor system was intact enough to allow for an in-depth study. After determining that the technology could be replicated and feasibly used if developed on a less advanced level, the work was utilized to make the Grasshopper.
The Grasshopper is utilized as a light utility/ground support helicopter, as well as for search-and-rescue, aerial reconnaissance, and MEDEVAC duties. Powered by a single radial engine which drives both the main and tail rotors, its most notable features are its exposed framwork tail boom and large, rounded nose. Fast, agile, and light, it provides support to places where conventional aircraft cannot go, though as a helicopter its range is limited, requiring it to usually be carried by ground and assembled. Thankfully, its modular design makes this somewhat easier, and it being a helicopter means any place it can fit safely it can take off from. In addition, it can carry a good amount of firepower with it, making it a terror to an enemy that is not prepared. Still, it is not without its pros and cons:
-light weight makes it easy to transport and agile, but with little armor and the tail boom crankshaft and gearbox fully exposed, even small arms fire can bring it down in large enough concentrations.
-tricycle undercarriage means it can be towed around on the ground, and locking brakes allow it to hold fast to almost any surface.
-detachable winglets allow for weapons to be added, making it a useful for supporting infantry in a pinch. However, the recoil of the machine guns has shown to cause stress to the single radial engine when fired in long bursts. In addition, when fully armed, the range of the helicopter is almost cut in half due to the extra strain on the engine.
-single powerful radial engine can carry the heliopter well, but not effeciently. Compared to fixed-wing aircraft, the Grasshopper's range is very short.
-in lieu of winglet arms, a door-mounted .50 caliber machine gun can be mounted to either side. However, as with the winglets, prolonged fire has shown to cause stress on the engines.
-requires extensive training to fly; with such a vulnerable vehicle, only the best are chosen to ensure high survival rates.
In addition to military usage, the Grasshopper finds use in the civillian market as well for duties such as "air taxis," police surveiilence, private transport, etc.
Height: 10.4'
Width: 16.3'(Unarmed) 11.5' (Armed)
Rotor Diameter: 34.4'
Length: 33.8'
Powerplant: 1 x Ransel "Double Phantom" Engine
Armanent: 2 x .50 Caliber Machine Guns and 2 x 60mm Rocket Pods, OR 2 x .50 caliber machine guns on flexible door mounts.
Crew: 4 (pilot, copilot, door gunner, crew chief)
Capacity: 4 Persons, OR 800 lbs of cargo.