Northern Gun had no vehicle that was the equivalent of the Iron Eagle manufactured by Iron Heart Industries and began work on developing a competitor in this role with the expanded ability to carry troops. In role, the Iron Eagle filled a similar role to the American Apache attack helicopter where the Black Wolf fills a role more similar to the Russian Hind Helicopter. Northern Gun decided to develop their aircraft along completely different engineering lines and developed a thrust based VTOL aircraft instead of a helicopter because the rotor was considered a large liability. Some have claimed that the Black Wolf was developed from the Triax Mosquito but in reality was developed from the Sky King, a Northern Gun Sky Cycle design. While the VTOL was under development, Iron Heart Industries was taken over by the Coalition. At the same time, some executives at Northern Gun decided that there was no real market for the Black Wolf and the program was dropped. Like with Iron Heart tanks, Northern Gun started getting requests for repair parts for the Iron Eagle helicopter. This persuaded the executives into restarting the program although the main weapon system was changed. It was decided to replace the planned on main guns, twin NG-202 rail guns, with the Vulcan Laser carried on the Iron Hammer battle tank. Several other designs have been developed by Northern Gun and other companies that use this weapon and it is considered very effective. The Black Wolf prototype worked even better than expected and clearly showed itself to be superior to any helicopter design. In addition, the firepower of the Hovercraft was clearly superior to any sky cycle design. The design raised a lot of interest by mercenary companies and as soon as production began, multiple orders were received by Northern Gun. So far, Northern Gun has been able to keep up with production although they are strongly considering increasing production.

The basic design of the Black Wolf VTOL could be considered that of a huge sky cycle and many of the components were developed from the Northern Gun Sky Hawk. The aircraft uses two powerful hover jets which allow the aircraft to travel up to 570 mph. The Black Wolf is not available with a conventional engine and is powered by a powerful fusion reactor adapted from jet fighter designs. While considered an aircraft, the Black Wolf does not have a lifting body and flies by brute force. The Black Wolf carries far more armor than the Iron Eagle helicopter and can be considered as much an armored troop carrier as an attack aircraft. In addition to a crew of four, the Black Wolf can carry up to eight troops or a small amount of cargo. The pilot and co-pilot sit in separate cockpits and have duplicate controls. The Vulcan Laser which is main weapon of the Black is controlled by the primary gunner and is mounted forward in a mount that can rotate up to 60 degrees to either side and 30 degrees up and down. The gunner also controls two high capacity mini-missile launchers and two medium range missile launchers. The mini-missile launchers are mounted on the sides just behind the nose with the medium range missile launchers mounted further back. The mini-missile launchers are considered very effective against ground targets and the medium range missiles give the Black Wolf a longer range punch. The Black Wolf also has two side weapon mounts above the medium range missile launchers. Several optional weapon mounts are available including pulse lasers, rails guns, or flame throwers. The flame throwers are very popular against the Xiticix and several mercenary companies have purchased a full squadron of Black Wolves for bug hunting. The sensors on the Black Wolf are equal to those on most robot vehicles and are not the equal of those carried on many advanced aircraft designs including the Mosquito.

Model Type: NG-VT-01-B
Class: Military VTOL ground attack fighter & Transport
Crew: Four (4): One pilot, one co-pilot / gunner, and two gunners.
Troop Payload: Eight (8)

M.D.C. by Location:

	Forward Vulcan Laser Mount (1)	75
	[1] Side Ball Turrets (2, Sides of main Body):	75 each
	Side Mini Missile Launchers (2):	60 each
	Side Medium Range Missile Launchers (2):	100 each
	[2] Engines (2):	200 each
	Reinforced Pilot's Compartment / Cockpits (2):	100 each
	Rear Cargo Bay Doors:	100
	[3] Main Body:	550
	Landing Gear (3):	40 each

Notes:
[1] All indicated hit locations are small and/or difficult targets to hit. An attacker must make a called shot and has a -3 penalty as well.
[2] The destruction of one of the engine will cause the aircraft to crash.
[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the Aircraft down completely, rendering it useless and causing it to crash if in flight.

Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when traveling and not on take off or landing.
Flying: The maximum speed of the aircraft is 570 mph (912 kph) and has a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). The aircraft is Vertical Take Off and Landing which allows it to take off virtually anywhere and can hover. While hovering, the Black Wolf has a maximum altitude of 1000 feet (305 meters). Normal cruising speed is considered to be 200 mph (320 kph)
Range: Effectively Unlimited. Thrusters overheat after 20 hours of use above 200 mph (321.9 kph) and 48 hours at speeds of cruising or below.

Statistical Data:
Height: 18 feet (5.5 meters)
Width: 21.3 feet (6.5 meters)
Length: 47.6 feet (14.5 meters)
Weight: 16.5 tons (15 metric tons) fully loaded.
Cargo: In place of troops, the Black Wolf can carry 4 tons in cargo hold. The Black Wolf also has compartment in cockpit for small equipment, weapons, and survival gear for crew.
Power Source: Nuclear, Should have an average life span of 10 years.
Black Market Cost: 32 million credits.

Weapon Systems:

1. NG-44L Vulcan Laser (1): This is a direct copy of the Iron Heart cannon and is quite powerful. The weapon is mounted in the nose of the Black Wolf and can move 60 degrees to either side and 30 degrees up and down. The weapon is controlled by the co-pilot/gunner and is useful against both aircraft and ground targets.. The weapon consists of six rotating laser cannons, cycling through bursts of six blasts per second.
   Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters)
   Mega-Damage: 3D4 x 10 M.D. per instantaneous burst (counts as one blast/attack).
   Rate of Fire: Can shoot up to six times per melee!
   Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
2. Support Weaponry Mounts (2): Originally planned to only carry the NG-202 light rail gun and the pulse laser cannon, the mount was modified so that it could carry a plasma flamethrower to deal with Xiticix and other monsters than need to be dealt with in large numbers. The weapons are located on either side of the aircraft and the laser cannon and rail gun can engage aerial targets (The Plasma Flamethrower does not have the range).
   1. Pulse Laser Mount: This weapon is mounted on the front of the tank and can be fired by the driver. The weapons primary purpose is use against infantry but is effective against missiles and to a lesser extent both aircraft and other armored vehicles.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters)
      Mega-Damage: 3D6 for single shot and 1D6x10 for three round burst.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to gunners hand to hand
      Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
   2. NG-202 Rail Gun (1): Like the cannon on the Samson Power Armor, this cannon has been modified for a higher rate of fire. The tank commander the gunner, or the driver can access and use the rail gun. The main advantage of the Rail gun is against targets which are impervious to energy weapons.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet ( 1,200 m)
      Mega-Damage: A burst is 60 rounds and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. One round does 1D4 M.D.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks (usually 4-6) of the gunner.
      Payload: 12,000 round drum, that's 200 bursts! Up to five drums can be carried by the tank. Reloading the drum takes 15 minutes if done by hand, 5 minutes if done with robots and special equipment.
   3. WI-NFT-1 Napalm P Plasma Flamethrower: While Northern Gun and Wellington Industries are not on the best terms, the need for this weapon system has forced Northern Gun to purchase them to place on the tank. While not effective against aircraft, the wide area the weapon covers is very effective. This weapon fires a stream of liquid which when activated "burns" for a short period of time (1D4 minutes) and inflicts damage during that duration. This is not a conventional plasma weapon that heats materials to the point beyond gas and has some interesting properties. Because the canisters for the plasma cannon are well inside of the tank, the damage from explosion are minimal unless the tank is destroyed.
      Maximum Effective Range: 500 feet (152.4 meters)
      Mega-Damage: A short plasma burst inflicts 3D6 M.D. A concentrated plasma burst (counts as two attacks; 7 seconds) inflicts 1D4x10 M.D. As an additional option, the plasma weapon can be used to cover a wide area. Up to an area of 10 ft radius can be effected per melee attack. All targets within the area of effect will take 2D6 M.D. and will continue to receive 2D6 M.D. of damage per melee for a period of 1D4 minutes. The plasma fire cannot be extinguished with water, instead sand or special chemicals designed to fight metal fires must be used.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks (usually 4-6) of the gunner.
      Payload: The armored vehicle has 4 Napalm-P tanks which gives the weapon 400 "shots".
3. Medium Missile Launchers (2): Mounted on either side of aircraft behind the mini-missile launchers. Medium range missiles give the Black Wolf a long range punch and are useful against other aircraft. Medium range missiles are normally controlled by the co-pilot/gunner.
   Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2 or 4.
   Payload: each launcher carries 4 medium range missiles for a total of 8 medium range missiles.
4. Mini-Missile Launchers (2): Large capacity mini-missile pods are permanently mounted on either side of the aircraft just behind the nose of the Black Wolf. The launchers are normally used for ground strafing, anti-troop, and anti-emplacement attacks. Normal missiles used are armor piercing, plasma, or fragmentation mini-missiles.
   Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: Varies with mini missile types (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of fire: Each launcher can fire one at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 8, 16, or 24 and both launchers can be linked with the other mini missile launcher for up to 48 missiles as one volley (Counts as one attack no matter how many missiles in volley).
   Payload: Each launcher carries 24 mini-missile for a total of 48 mini-missiles.

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By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).

Copyright © 2001, Kitsune. All rights reserved.