GMC Gryphon
GMC Gryphon
To make them more viable in the cutthroat markets, engineers
often try to design aircraft, especially LAVs/tbirds,
with at least some versatility in mind. But the designers
of the Gryphon went in the opposite direction,
which resulted in one of the most lethal purpose-built
combat aircraft in recent years.
Simply put, the Gryphon is a pure gunship.
The Gryphon’s design lineage is one of GMC’s most closely guarded secrets, but a few details have leaked out over the years. At first glance, many think of it as nothing more than an amped-up Harpy Scout, but the opposite is true. During initial testing, the Gryphon’s airframe seemed to be too unstable and the flight control systems inadequate. Out of ten testbeds, seven crashed or suffered massive system failures on the ground. With the project going way over budget, GMC scrapped it. However, the frame was re-tooled and the internal systems re-designed, resulting in the Harpy Scout.
Approximately five years later, the Gryphon’s chief project manager was uncovered as an Aztechnology mole and saboteur. With the mole gone, engineers revisited the project and discovered that all the initial difficulties were the result of sabotage and false data, not design flaws. So the project was reinstated.
Not much more needs to be said about the Gryphon. It’s fast, maneuverable, rugged, armored, packs the latest in sensor/ECM suites, and it has more weapon hard points that any other combat aircraft in its class. Other than a pilot and gunner, it doesn’t carry any passengers or drones. Because of its massive engines, any room left in the fuselage is usually taken up by fuel tanks and ammunition bins. In combat, Gryphons usually just overwhelm their targets with sheer firepower.
This is one t-bird you do not want to have coming after you.
Standard Equipment: Heavy Weapon Mount (nose, left wing, right wing), Rigger Interface
Simply put, the Gryphon is a pure gunship.
The Gryphon’s design lineage is one of GMC’s most closely guarded secrets, but a few details have leaked out over the years. At first glance, many think of it as nothing more than an amped-up Harpy Scout, but the opposite is true. During initial testing, the Gryphon’s airframe seemed to be too unstable and the flight control systems inadequate. Out of ten testbeds, seven crashed or suffered massive system failures on the ground. With the project going way over budget, GMC scrapped it. However, the frame was re-tooled and the internal systems re-designed, resulting in the Harpy Scout.
Approximately five years later, the Gryphon’s chief project manager was uncovered as an Aztechnology mole and saboteur. With the mole gone, engineers revisited the project and discovered that all the initial difficulties were the result of sabotage and false data, not design flaws. So the project was reinstated.
Not much more needs to be said about the Gryphon. It’s fast, maneuverable, rugged, armored, packs the latest in sensor/ECM suites, and it has more weapon hard points that any other combat aircraft in its class. Other than a pilot and gunner, it doesn’t carry any passengers or drones. Because of its massive engines, any room left in the fuselage is usually taken up by fuel tanks and ammunition bins. In combat, Gryphons usually just overwhelm their targets with sheer firepower.
This is one t-bird you do not want to have coming after you.
| AIRCRAFT | HANDLING | SPEED | ACCEL | BOD | ARMOR | PILOT | SENSOR | SEATS | AVAIL | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Gryphon | 5 | 8 | 7 | 24 | 24 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 28F | 3.200.000Y |
(Rigger 103-105)