The Stormtalon Gunship is a small, single-pilot aircraft flown by Space Marine Techmarines. It’s built to do two jobs well: shoot down enemy aircraft and hit ground targets, and it does both with a heavy weapons load and a clever engine design.
What the Stormtalon is
It’s a one-man flyer used by the Adeptus Astartes as an interceptor and ground-attack craft. Techmarines pilot it, which fits their technical skill and the machine’s complex systems.
The Stormtalon is fast enough to tangle with most enemy aircraft and carries enough firepower to threaten tanks and infantry. It’s a versatile machine, and that’s why it shows up in a lot of Space Marine battle plans.
How it fights
Rotating engine pods let the Stormtalon keep flying while facing backwards, so it can fire at pursuers without turning. That trick makes it dangerous in a dogfight.
Most of the time it flies escort or close air support. It protects other Space Marine assets and hits targets on the ground when the battle line needs help.
- Air-to-air interceptor: hunts enemy flyers.
- Ground attack: close air support for infantry and armour.
- Escort: guards Stormravens, Land Speeders, and other assets.
- Vanguard strike: some Chapters use it as the main attack craft, with fast units as escorts.
Weapons and gear
The standard fit is a set of nose-mounted twin-linked assault cannons, which chew through infantry and light vehicles. The hull mount can be swapped for different jobs.
It also carries a long-range auspex that links with other systems to build a picture of the battlespace. The cockpit canopy is armourglass.
| Weapon | Role |
|---|---|
| Twin-linked assault cannons | Nose-mounted, anti-infantry and light vehicle |
| Twin-linked heavy bolter | Hull mount, flexible anti-infantry |
| Twin-linked lascannon | Hull mount, anti-tank |
| Typhoon missile launcher | Hull mount, anti-tank and anti-infantry |
| Skyhammer missile launcher | Hull mount, anti-air and anti-vehicle |
Chapters that love it
A few Chapters push the Stormtalon beyond support duty. The White Scars, Raven Guard, and Hawk Lords use it as a vanguard strike aircraft, keeping pace with Assault Marines and Land Speeders.
In those formations the roles flip. The Stormtalon becomes the main attacker, and the fast ground units clear anti-aircraft fire ahead of it.
Formations and named craft
Two Stormtalons and a Storm Speeder make a Raptor Wing, a small mobile formation for hitting targets of opportunity. Two Stormtalons and a Stormraven Gunship form a Storm Wing.
Several famous Stormtalons have names, like Bladefeather of the Hawk Lords, Gloriam Eagle of the Ultramarines, and Volcanic of the Salamanders. Notable pilots include Techmarine Galion of the Ultramarines and Techmarine Gorlaen of the Black Templars.
Key facts
- The Stormtalon Gunship is a one-man Space Marine flyer piloted by a Techmarine.
- It serves as an air-to-air interceptor and ground-attack craft.
- Rotating engine pods let it fly backwards and engage pursuers.
- Standard armament: nose-mounted twin-linked assault cannons plus a swappable hull weapon.
- White Scars, Raven Guard, and Hawk Lords use it as a vanguard strike aircraft.
- Two Stormtalons plus a Storm Speeder form a Raptor Wing; plus a Stormraven they form a Storm Wing.
FAQ
Who pilots the Stormtalon Gunship?
It’s flown by a Techmarine. Their technical training suits the aircraft’s complex systems and its role as a fast, armed flyer.
What weapons does it carry?
It has nose-mounted twin-linked assault cannons and a hull mount that can be a twin-linked heavy bolter, twin-linked lascannon, Typhoon missile launcher, or Skyhammer missile launcher.
What’s the difference between a Raptor Wing and a Storm Wing?
A Raptor Wing is two Stormtalons plus a Storm Speeder. A Storm Wing is two Stormtalons plus a Stormraven Gunship. Both are small, fast formations.