Barring a few exceptions the Valkyrie, like most of the Imperium's aircraft, is piloted and operated by the [[Imperial Navy]], with a pilot, co-pilot and two door gunners.{{Fn|2a}} Valkyries are provided in joint operations for use to the [[Imperial Guard]] on an as needed basis, with pilots reporting directly to the [[regiment]]'s senior officer.{{Fn|3}} However, in cases where a Valkyrie squadron can expect to be attached to Imperial Guard units for a long duration, modifications are made to the Valkyrie to enhance its role of close air support. The most common modifications are [[Extra armour]] and a [[Searchlight]]. This extra weight reduces the Valkyrie's maximum flight altitude and speed, but allows the crew to use its VTOL capabilities to the maximum potential with improved survivability.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|3}}

With advanced flight control and sensor gear, the Valkyrie contains technology comparable to those found in [[Space Marine Vehicles]], limiting their construction to sufficiently-advanced planets such as [[Forge Worlds]]. In flight, the aircraft utilizes twin vectored engines in order to not only vertically take off and land, but also hover in mid-air, allowing for greater accuracy in deploying its twelve passengers. These engines can be sealed, and an onboard oxygen supply employed, for when operating in hostile environments. Common methods for deploying from a Valkyrie range from simply jumping off (if the height from the ground is low enough) to fast-roping and rappelling.{{Fn|2a}} When unable to operate that low to the ground, deploying via high-altitude jumps using [[grav-chutes]] are possible, though highly dangerous.{{Fn|3}} In addition, when mounting extra fuel tanks the Valkyrie is capable of carrying a modified [[Drop Sentinel]], [[Cyclops Demolition Vehicle]] or [[Sentry Gun]].{{Fn|2a}}

Its primary armament is a [[Multi-laser]], which can be replaced with a [[Lascannon]], and two door-mounted [[Heavy Bolter]]s. This combination of weapons allows Valkyrie pilots to stay on station once their cargo has been dropped and provide limited air-support to the troops on the ground. In place of the craft's two external fuel tanks the Valkyrie can instead take either two [[Hellstrike missile]]s or two [[Rocket pods]], and can receive [[Imperial Aircraft Upgrades|additional upgrades]].{{Fn|2c}}

The '''Vendetta Heavy Gunship''' is a Valkyrie attached to Imperial Guard units which, in addition to the increased armour, are equipped with three [[Twin-linked]] [[Lascannon]]s, and used as a tank hunter after dropping off any unit being transported by it. Furthermore, it still retains the ability to mount two [[Heavy Bolter]] door guns. It may also replace the two hardpoint-mounted [[Twin-linked]] [[lascannon]]s on its wings for two [[Hellfury Missile]]s.{{Fn|3}} Despite their impressive firepower, Vendetta Gunships lack the flexibility of [[Vulture Gunship]]s, which are chosen more often for deep-range attack, strafing and urban assault missions.{{Fn|5}}

*''Steel Eagle'' - — [[22nd Catachan Jungle Fighters]].{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|8}}*42nd Squadron, ''Emperor's Devil's'' - — Assigned to the [[Armageddon Hive Militia]] in the [[Third War for Armageddon]]. Led by the Captain Red 'Devil' [[Kowloski]].{{Fn|7}}

==See alsoRelated Articles==

**{{Endn|2e}}: pgs. 246-247246–247

*{{Endn|7}}: [[Apocalypse (2013)]] (E-Book) pg.316, ''Ghazghkull's Second Invasion of Armageddon''*{{Endn|8}}: [http://web.archive.org/web/20120514070430/http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m530559a_LA_Valkyrie.pdf Liber Apocalyptica: Valkyrie] ''(saved archive page, dated May 2012, last accessed 17 Ocotber 201527 February 2019)''*{{Endn|9}}: [[Redemption_Corps_Redemption Corps (Novel)]], Chapter 3 Part I