Thunderhawk

The Thunderhawk is one of the Space Marine's primary weapons in the war against the enemies of the Imperium. The Thunderhawk was deployed during the Great Crusade to replace the Warhawk VI ¹. Armed to the teeth with a Thunderhawk cannon and various other weapons, its use become more and more widespread. Each Chapter of the space marines maintains its own Thunderhawks. Normally reserved for large-scale battles, time and time again its use in the various fields of war has been proven. With such might like this, only a great threat to the Imperium could demand use of these great craft.

Thunderhawk gunship

Thunderhawk transporter

Weapons

The Thunderhawk is armed with a large amount of weapons, though the configuration occasionally varies. Here is a list of all weapons currently in use:

• Thunderhawk cannon ³
• Turbo-Laser Destructor ³
• Bomb ³
• Heavy bolter ³
• Lascannon ³
• Hellstrike Missile ³

Various uses and strategies used

As the Thunderhawk's engines allow it to drop to lower atmosphere without landing, it proves to be one of the most useful craft employed by the Space Marines. With the ability to carry three full tactical squads, with precision a Drop Pod can't match, the Thunderhawk is used to insert marines into the thick of it, not just destroy the enemy. Whereas some chapters would prefer to simply launch a full-scale assault on the enemy, or use Drop Pods, many, many Chapters use Thunderhawks. Its tactical range and huge amount of firepower prove it to be one of the most useful vehicles ever created. Not only this, but the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Techmarines still hold the secrets to the creation of the Thunderhawk.

Thunderhawks as Attack Craft

Thunderhawks are not just used for ground attacks. Indeed, they are often launched into a space battle much like "normal" Attack craft where their firepower and Space Marine cargo make them potent additions to a Space Marine fleet.⁵

While slower than dedicated interceptors like the Fury, Thunderhawks are able to out-fight and out-last such craft, usually going twice as long as "regular" fighters before being forced to return to their mothership for refuelling and re-arming. While very useful in its own right, this strength and endurance also means that unlike most assault boats, Thunderhawks are more than capable of punching their way through enemy fighter screens and delivering their deadly payload to a warship for a devistating hit-and-run boarding action without the need for dedicated fighter escorts to pave the way for them.⁵

Famous wars and battles

• Assault on Black Reach ²
• The Damnos Incident ²
• The hunt for Kernax Voldorius ²
• Vorlinghat's Bane ⁴

Notable Thunderhawks

• Gladius - Captain Sicarius's personal Thunderhawk ²

Armament and Upgrades

Technical Specifications

Type	Orbital Dropship	Operational Ceiling	N/A
Vehicle Name	Thunderhawk Gunship	Max Speed	2000 kph approx.
Forge World of Origin	Mars	Range	28,000 km in atmosphere
Known Patterns	I-XXI	Main Armament	Dorsal mounted Battle Cannon, twin-linked Lascannons
Crew	Pilot, Co-Pilot, Gunner, Navigator	Secondary Armament	4x twin-linked Heavy Bolters
Powerplant	3x RX-92-00 Combination Rocket/Afterburning Turbofans	Main Ammunition	28 rounds
Weight	121 tonnes	Secondary Ammunition	2400 rounds
Length	26.6 m	Armour
Wingspan	26.65 m	Superstructure	55 mm
Height	9.8 m	Hull	65 mm

Sources

• ¹ Horus Rising (Novel) page 145
• ² Codex: Space Marines (5th edition)
• ³ Apocalypse
• ⁴ Planetstrike
• ⁵:Battlefleet Gothic Resources: Imperial Fleets (accessed 2010.11.18)
• ⁶ Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition