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Description
Much, much happier this time around. This is the second time I've redesigned this thing, and I think I've hit it where I want it to be now.

The VTOL-6 Claymore is a big, heavy helicopter, somewhat similar to the Hind but not explicitly a military chopper. It began its life as a multi-role utility chopper. It served the ITG most prominently in search and rescue, long range maintenance, and general transport roles. Regular Civilian versions lacked the ventral machine gun position, which was installed specifically for the ITG so that they could operate more safely in conflict-heavy environments around the world.

After the forming of the Coalition, most of the ITG Claymores were pressed into service as military transports. Not long after that, the "Bastard" variant was developed, which was designed to mount a rapid 80mm cannon along with hardpoints for some secondary missile armament, generally consisting of two 24-round rocket pods. The Bastard utilized secondary and tertiary cargo holds for storing munitions, so personnel transport capability remained.

Though lacking the tactical flexibility of an attack helicopter's wide-tracking turret gun, the Bastard proved to be useful as a long range "sniper" unit, able to accurately engage targets several kilometers away, due to the cannon's gyro-stabilized mounting. All Claymores also enjoyed a sturdy airframe with decent armor, though they were a bit maintenance-heavy for their class. They are also reportedly awkward to fly, requiring special training to effectively pilot - especially in combat. Their worst drawback, though, was the cost of construction - the Claymore was an expensive helicopter to build. Fortunately for the ITG, their immediate access to deep fossil fuel deposits gave them the buying power to field an exceptional number of Claymores, such that they became an iconic part of the ITG's public face.

For the curious, previous iterations (first, then second):
[link]
[link]

Description
Much, much happier this time around. This is the second time I've redesigned this thing, and I think I've hit it where I want it to be now.

The VTOL-6 Claymore is a big, heavy helicopter, somewhat similar to the Hind but not explicitly a military chopper. It began its life as a multi-role utility chopper. It served the ITG most prominently in search and rescue, long range maintenance, and general transport roles. Regular Civilian versions lacked the ventral machine gun position, which was installed specifically for the ITG so that they could operate more safely in conflict-heavy environments around the world.

After the forming of the Coalition, most of the ITG Claymores were pressed into service as military transports. Not long after that, the "Bastard" variant was developed, which was designed to mount a rapid 80mm cannon along with hardpoints for some secondary missile armament, generally consisting of two 24-round rocket pods. The Bastard utilized secondary and tertiary cargo holds for storing munitions, so personnel transport capability remained.

Though lacking the tactical flexibility of an attack helicopter's wide-tracking turret gun, the Bastard proved to be useful as a long range "sniper" unit, able to accurately engage targets several kilometers away, due to the cannon's gyro-stabilized mounting. All Claymores also enjoyed a sturdy airframe with decent armor, though they were a bit maintenance-heavy for their class. They are also reportedly awkward to fly, requiring special training to effectively pilot - especially in combat. Their worst drawback, though, was the cost of construction - the Claymore was an expensive helicopter to build. Fortunately for the ITG, their immediate access to deep fossil fuel deposits gave them the buying power to field an exceptional number of Claymores, such that they became an iconic part of the ITG's public face.

For the curious, previous iterations (first, then second):
[link]
[link]