Mo_Steel
2005.06.01, 0133
Zatozia Writes:
The engineering process to supercede Empire rivals is a ceaseless one. One such refinement that is coming in the near future is the availability of a Liberator Bomber variant - the Vulture.
Vulture: Close Support Bomber
This aircraft variant is a specialization of the Liberator designed to work in support of ground troops in clearing out enemy armor units. The Liberator has been lightened, with a smaller payload of bombs and ammunition. The engine systems and air control surfaces have been modified to include a small afterburn thrust with the loss of the pilot down view camera, slightly better top speed and slightly better handling. The bomber only has access to tank busting AV bombs and no AI bomblets. The rear facing 25mm remains unchanged. The forward mounted 35mm receives a complete overhaul, including an impressive rate of fire increase and more focused AV damage (and less AI / AA per round). However, the clip empties in a short amount of time and has a long reload process.
The intent of all these changes toward close air support operations. Target areas can be defined by forward troop recon or high flight pass over. Once targets have been identified, the Vulture comes in fast and low, saturating enemy armor with the heavy burst from the nose cannon, then popping up to give the bomber a clean salvo drop of AV rounds. If the target is still moving, the rear mounted 25mm can work to finish the job as the Vulture clears the area of hostility with heavy use of its available afterburner.
Certainly, this activity can be pulled off with the current Liberator. However, success in such operations heavily depends on available terrain to quickly move behind and block AA fire, which is not always there. The Vulture can make up for this through better handling, afterburn and weapon systems better designed toward these activities.
Only experienced Liberator pilots will be cleared for use of the Vulture. Obtaining one from a flight vehicle terminal will require not only the Air Support certification, but also a Bomber Ace III or higher Merit Commendation.
Source (http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=inconcept&message.id=954#M954)
I think it's a great way to give Lib bombers something new and specialized, as I've always felt Lib bombing against tanks was near impossible unless your target was AFK.
Basicly, it'll have similar requirements to the Flight Variant: You'll need the certification, and Bomber Ace III or higher.
Man your guns, cause I bet we'll see an increase in bombers in the next few months. I know I'm going to cert it.
The engineering process to supercede Empire rivals is a ceaseless one. One such refinement that is coming in the near future is the availability of a Liberator Bomber variant - the Vulture.
Vulture: Close Support Bomber
This aircraft variant is a specialization of the Liberator designed to work in support of ground troops in clearing out enemy armor units. The Liberator has been lightened, with a smaller payload of bombs and ammunition. The engine systems and air control surfaces have been modified to include a small afterburn thrust with the loss of the pilot down view camera, slightly better top speed and slightly better handling. The bomber only has access to tank busting AV bombs and no AI bomblets. The rear facing 25mm remains unchanged. The forward mounted 35mm receives a complete overhaul, including an impressive rate of fire increase and more focused AV damage (and less AI / AA per round). However, the clip empties in a short amount of time and has a long reload process.
The intent of all these changes toward close air support operations. Target areas can be defined by forward troop recon or high flight pass over. Once targets have been identified, the Vulture comes in fast and low, saturating enemy armor with the heavy burst from the nose cannon, then popping up to give the bomber a clean salvo drop of AV rounds. If the target is still moving, the rear mounted 25mm can work to finish the job as the Vulture clears the area of hostility with heavy use of its available afterburner.
Certainly, this activity can be pulled off with the current Liberator. However, success in such operations heavily depends on available terrain to quickly move behind and block AA fire, which is not always there. The Vulture can make up for this through better handling, afterburn and weapon systems better designed toward these activities.
Only experienced Liberator pilots will be cleared for use of the Vulture. Obtaining one from a flight vehicle terminal will require not only the Air Support certification, but also a Bomber Ace III or higher Merit Commendation.
Source (http://psforums.station.sony.com/ps/board/message?board.id=inconcept&message.id=954#M954)
I think it's a great way to give Lib bombers something new and specialized, as I've always felt Lib bombing against tanks was near impossible unless your target was AFK.
Basicly, it'll have similar requirements to the Flight Variant: You'll need the certification, and Bomber Ace III or higher.
Man your guns, cause I bet we'll see an increase in bombers in the next few months. I know I'm going to cert it.