Firebird pilots are the some of the most fringe warriors of Shaltari society. They often graduate from Thunderbird craft to the Firebird in a need to fulfil their combative spirit and desire to see the destruction they cause first hand.
The Firebird gives them amply opportunity to see devastation as close as possible. The gunship takes the term ‘close air support’ to a whole new level – in this case close to both friendly and enemy forces to see squad markings or nicknames on their tanks. Firebirds swoop down on hostile formations, jinking and dancing through streams of AA fire to bring swift death to the foe.
This is supplied by way of twinned Disintegrator Cannons mounted below the hull. These combine technologies similar to those of the Ocelot’s fearsome particle cannon with the thinking behind the small arms weaponry used by Shaltari Braves. Firstly the weapon creates a small vacuum tunnel towards the target, penetrating armour and flesh with ease. Then the explosive bomblet is propelled into and through the opening, emerging at the centre of the enemy and detonating with what can only be described as ‘colourful’ results.
The small size and power output of the Firebird compared to much larger units means that the range of its weapons is very short. This suits the pilots completely; they are up-close fighters, using weapons that can best be described as explosive anti-tank shotguns.
Rules for this unit can be found in Reconquest: Phase 2
