The Stormraven Gunship is a Space Marine flyer that does three jobs at once: gunship, dropship, and strike aircraft. It’s smaller and far more nimble than the Thunderhawk, which makes it the go-to choice for missions where a Thunderhawk would be too slow or too big to risk.
What the stormraven gunship actually is
It’s a relatively new addition to most Space Marine armouries, though the Grey Knights have flown it for millennia. Many Chapters now field it, including the Blood Angels and Ultramarines, and the Inquisition uses it too.
The craft’s origin is murky. One rumour says its STC file turned up in a forgotten Martian archive early in the 41st Millennium, but that doesn’t square with the Grey Knights having used it long before. The Adeptus Mechanicus judged its performance satisfactory, and that’s why it spread across the Imperium.
Its vectored thrusters give it the agility to operate in tight spaces, like the crowded spires of a hive city, where sending in a Thunderhawk would be impractical or just plain foolish.
Weapons and loadouts
The default fit is a twin-linked heavy bolter, a twin-linked assault cannon, and four Bloodstrike or Stormstrike missiles. Commanders can swap pieces depending on the mission or their own preferences.
The heavy bolter can be replaced with a Typhoon missile launcher or a twin-linked multi-melta. The assault cannon can become a twin-linked plasma cannon or lascannons. You can also bolt a pair of Hurricane bolters onto the side sponsons.
| Slot | Default | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Nose | Twin-linked heavy bolter | Typhoon missile launcher, twin-linked multi-melta |
| Turret | Twin-linked assault cannon | Twin-linked plasma cannon, lascannons |
| Missiles | Four Bloodstrike or Stormstrike missiles | None listed |
| Sponsons | None | Pair of Hurricane bolters |
What it carries
The Stormraven hauls up to twelve power-armoured Space Marines, or six jump-pack Assault Marines, and it can still clamp a Dreadnought to its rear magna-grapple. That combination is the whole point: it delivers a full fighting force, armour included, in one pass.
Notable Stormravens
Several named craft show up in the lore, mostly tied to the Blood Angels, their Death Company, and the Grey Knights.
The Honour of Baal fought over Jaegus City, while the Angelsword and Clarion Dawn flew in the Diamor Campaign on Amethal. The Grey Knights fielded the Infinite Grace, Purgation’s Sword, and Saintly Abjuration. The Ultramarines had the Fury of Macragge, and Inquisitor Ebron Valdermar flew the Sword of the Emperor.
- Honour of Baal – Blood Angels, fought over Jaegus City
- Angelsword and Clarion Dawn – Death Company, Diamor Campaign
- Infinite Grace, Purgation’s Sword, Saintly Abjuration – Grey Knights
- Fury of Macragge – Ultramarines
- Sword of the Emperor – Inquisition, flown by Inquisitor Ebron Valdermar
Key facts
- The Stormraven Gunship fills three roles at once: gunship, dropship, and strike aircraft.
- It’s smaller and more agile than the Thunderhawk Gunship, suited to confined warzones like hive cities.
- Standard armament: twin-linked heavy bolter, twin-linked assault cannon, and four Bloodstrike or Stormstrike missiles.
- It carries up to 12 power-armoured Marines, or 6 Assault Marines, plus a Dreadnought on its magna-grapple.
- The Grey Knights have flown it for millennia, though its STC origin is disputed.
FAQ
How is the Stormraven different from the Thunderhawk?
It’s smaller and much more agile thanks to its vectored thrusters. That makes it better for tight environments like hive cities, where a Thunderhawk would be too clumsy or too risky to deploy.
Can a Stormraven carry a Dreadnought?
Yes. A rear magna-grapple lets it clamp a Dreadnought underneath while still carrying troops, which is unusual for a craft its size.
Which Chapters use the Stormraven?
The Grey Knights have used it for millennia, and many other Chapters now field it too, including the Blood Angels and Ultramarines. The Inquisition also operates it.