the Killer W.H.A.L.E.

Built with the lessons learned from Vietnam in mind, not to mention radical ideas 'borrowed' from Soviet experiments, the Killer W.H.A.L.E. (Warrior: Hovering Assault Launching Envoy) is designed as a patrol, assault and envoy vehicle, serving a role similar to seaborne light helicopters. The Killer W.H.A.L.E. has the following, impressive vehicular capabilities:

Armored Construction (s): constructed from a titanium alloy and nylon micromesh frame, the Killer W.H.A.L.E. is considerably resistant to enemy fire. It has an effective material strength of 13, and provides its operators a +2 protection from attack, since no matter where they are, they will typically be covered by at least half of the W.H.A.L.E.'s bulk at any given moment.

Armored Cabin (s): while the pilot, gunner/navigator and weapons operators are somewhat exposed while operating the Killer W.H.A.L.E., the vehicle does have a large cabin that can hold passengers. This box, at the center of the vehicle, is heavily armored. It can hold a small, four-man assault team and provide them +2 armor while riding (as compared to the rest of the vehicle).

Communications System (i): the Killer W.H.A.L.E. functions with significant range on land or air, and as such it needs a good communications system to keep in touch with a main base. Functioning at intensity 6, the W.H.A.L.E.'s radio allows it a 250 mile radio range, which is usually enough to either connect with a command ship or get a proper radio 'bounce' from friendly communicators in the field.

Depth Charges (i): the Killer W.H.A.L.E. is equipped with two depth charge racks. These can be loaded up with standard, 100 pound drums that are armed with pressure sensitive detonators (good for dropping them to specific depths to waylay submarines and such). These drums will explode to inflict intensity 15 damage to everything within near missile distance of their detonation point.

HL-66 Light Surveillance Cycle (i): somewhat slow on land, the Killer W.H.A.L.E. is equipped with a small, lightweight motorcycle to rapidly engage in reconnaissance and patrols. Stored just in front of the W.H.A.L.E.'s fans when not in use, this vehicle can be broken out in seconds to assist in ground operations. The HL-66 Light Surveillance Cycle has effective Lightning Speed of intensity 6.

High Speed Reconnaissance Sled (i): similarly, the Killer W.H.A.L.E. is equipped with a small powered sled it can launch over the water, in order to assist in reconnaissance and surveillance on the water. While the W.H.A.L.E. itself is faster, a second pair of eyes never hurts, and this sled can also be used to get someone from one ship to another in a hurry. It has effective Swimming of intensity 2.

* Radio Transceiver (i): the Killer W.H.A.L.E.'s recon sled is equipped with a mini-watt, highly directional radio transceiver that it can use to keep in contact with the main craft. This gear works with intensity 4 range, an approximate distance of 25 miles; this is almost the limit of its vehicular range as well, so this works out perfectly; after all, it can receive stronger signals more easily.

Lightning Speed / Swimming (a): The Killer W.H.A.L.E. can move at approximately 35 knots (40 m.p.h.) on the open water, though it is limited somewhat on land. If attempting a land crossing, the W.H.A.L.E. is limited to only intensity 1 speeds - 25 miles per hour - at maximum... which is why it is also equipped with a spare motorcycle in the event that the vehicle's driver needs to scout out an area in a hurry.

Pounder Cannons (a): mounted on each side of the Killer W.H.A.L.E., these twin 105mm cannons can only fire at what is directly in front of the vehicle, but can strike to devastating effect. Fired in tandem, they will inflict +8 Shooting damage to whatever they hit, which is often enough to sink whatever it is that Cutter (or whoever else is manning them) is blasting at.

Quad Tube Missile Launchers (i): mounted on each side of the Killer W.H.A.L.E., behind the Thrasher guns, these box launchers are loaded up with four anti-aircraft missiles each (and can be reloaded several times per mission). These powerful missiles inflict intensity 11 damage to their target when launched singly, with a +1 added for each missile fired (up to a maximum of 18).

Thrasher Anti-Aircraft Guns (a): the Killer W.H.A.L.E. has two of these twinned, 50mm guns, each mounted in a 'Crow's Nest' ring turret for maximum range of fire. These can be fired to inflict their operator's Agility +7 damage at hostile aircraft, though they can also be wielded against other ships, vehicles or even personnel. They have hundreds of rounds ready and loaded at the start of each mission.

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of the Killer W.H.A.L.E.: