the Locust
The Locust is an incredibly small, yet heavily armed helicopter that was rolled out by the Gi Joe team in 1990 primarily as a support mechanism for its immense General vehicle, though it is quite useful even without one of those rolling death platforms around. Though limited in range, the Locust definitely has power to spare, and possesses these vehicular capabilities and statistics:
| C Rm 30 |
S Ex 20 |
B Gd 10 |
P Gd 10 |
Communications Link: the Locust is not a stand-alone weapon; no, it is intended as 'built-in' air support for the General. As such, it is equipped with a communications rig that allows for the transfer of orders and enemy data back and forth. This electronics package functions at Typical (6) range, allowing the Locust to talk to any other like equipment within a 250 mile range of itself.
Dual Armor-shattering Machine Guns: mounted on each side of the Locust is a twinned machine gun, each of which is tied together to inflict surprising damage upon other aircraft - or just about anything that gets in front of the thing really. These guns can be fired to inflict Remarkable (30) Shooting damage singly, or Incredible (40) damage when both are fired in tandem.
Heat Seeking Missiles: mounted just under the rotor assembly of the Locust, on each side of the vehicle, are two air-to-air missiles. These are heat seeking missiles (they have a +2 CS to hit any sort of heat source of Good (10) rank or above) that are built to emit low noise upon launch (though not upon detonation). These heat seekers possess the following vehicular statistics:
| C Ex 20 |
S Am 50 |
B Gd 10 |
Damage Remarkable (30) Edged Attack (fragmentary) |
Personnel Transportation Security Platforms: these titanium supported, damage resistant landing skids are primarily designed to allow the Locust to land with ease. However, they have a dual use in that they can be used in a pinch to transport two additional operatives in addition to the pilot; sure they have to hang on and hope they don't fall, but it works when you need to go.
Windscreen Canopy: this transparent, flexi-form blue window helps to cover the pilot of the Locust from incoming damage, in addition to incidental trouble that could be caused by bugs or other things floating in the air. Possessing Good (10) m.s., this screen is 'blast-proof' and helps to provide the net protection the Locust offers its pilot (all around protection, see).
Extra Goodies:
Gi Joe directories featuring a version of the Locust:
| 1990 | 2003 |