Hammer-Head Mk. IV

"Sure, we're slow. Sure, we make big targets. Somehow though, 6,000lbs of high-ex payload encourages the enemy not to laugh too hard about it."

-VoxComm Operator/Bombadier Flynn Blazkowitz 501st Bomber Wing

The Hammer-Head is a type of large six-engine aircraft used by the CORE during the End War and the Extinction War as flying fortresses, troop transporters, cargo planes and, heavy bombers. The aircraft's themselves are slow and cumbersome and require Swordfish and War Moths to escort them on their mission. The aircraft's defense system is comprised of four manned turrets, each armed with four .50 Triple-Linked auto-cannons. Despite its sturdy looks, the aircraft can be brought down with a well-placed flak cannon hit, their engines are also very large and sparsely on each wing, making them easier to get hit by enemy fire. When in use the troop carrying aircraft are designated "Condor X" while the cargo variants are designated "Vulture X"

History
The Hammer-Head was designed and introduced into the CORE Air Corps some time during the End War between 42 B.E. and 17 B.E. It saw action during the final encounters of the Seige of GasGar and the onset of the Extinction War. At least three were lost when Director Fredrick Ferguson sent CORE Troops on a scouting mission, blaming Outlanders for the kidnapping of his people. which in truth were Scaler abductions; two fell to AA over Novas, and a third to fire from a Triton turret in a Outlander camp.

As the Extinction War began in earnest, Hammer-Heads continued to provide reinforcements and fire support to squads, but the utility of Hammer-Heads became severely hampered by the discovery of Prawn, which were able to destroy Hammer-heads. Multiple Hammer-Heads were also downed across North Fenixium and Medikemente by Scaler attacks.

Tactical Roles
The Hammer-Head Bomber is the workhorse of the CORE Air Corps, mostly due to its extreme range, high speed and large payload for an aircraft of its modest size. The Hammer-Head is used in several common tactical roles such as:
 * Strategic Bombings - The Hammer-Head will fly long-range missions to attack enemy cities, spaceports, industrial centers, and supply routes. The Hammer-Head can operate at extremely high altitudes that are usually out of the range of enemy anti-air defence weapons. During these missions the bomber is usually accompanied by Thunderbolt Fighters to provide anti-fighter support.
 * Free Range Interdiction - Hammer-Head Bomber squadrons will fly deep into enemy territory without ground support and seek targets of opportunity. The bombers will attack targets that may have already been identified by aerial or orbital reconnaissance. These targets can include enemy supply convoys, fuel dumps, troops and vehicles in the open, airfields, and others as they present themselves. The Hammer-Head is most effective in this role.
 * Heavy Air Support for Ground Forces - Hammer-Head Bomber squadrons will fly in direct support of ground forces, striking targets along the front line and engaging enemy armour. These are generally the most dangerous, as the bombers have to fly at lower altitudes, allowing enemy anti-air weapons to target them and can sometimes cause friendly causalities.

Variants
There are several known variants of the standard Hammer-Head Bomber in use by the Air Corps. These variants allow the Hammer-Head to engage in different roles, or to be more effective in a single role. Known variants of the Hammer-Head Bomber include the following:
 * Hammer-Head Destroyer - By far the most widespread variant, the Destroyer variant replaces a portion of the standard Hammer-Head's bomb capacity with missiles to engage enemy armoured units. It also replaces the nose-mounted turret .50 Machineguns with 3 Twin-linked 30mm Autoguns to better engage enemy infantry.
 * Hammer-Head Colossus - The Colossus variant of the Hammer-Head bomber replaces both the internal bomb storage and top-mounted turret of the original with room for a single warhead. The warhead carried by the Colossus is a single 10,000 kg Guided Bomb. This weapon allows the Hammer-Head to destroy heavily fortified structures and positions. This variant also replaces the nose weapons with a double set of Twin-linked Heavy 105mm Reciprocating Cannons.
 * Hammer-Head Vigilant - The Vigilant variant of the Hammer-Head replaces the internal bomb storage and top-mounted turret of the original with sophisticated surveillance equipment. This variant is used to gather intelligence on enemy positions and bases, flying at a high altitude allows the craft to remain relatively safe. This variant also replaces the nose weapons with a double set of Twin-linked Heavy 105mm Reciprocating Cannons.

Armament
The Hammer-Head is armed with a large amount of weapon systems, including nose-mounted, movable turret with Three-linked .50 machineguns, rear turret-mounted Twin-linked Heavy 105MM reciprocating Cannons, dorsal-mounted Three-linked .50 Machineguns, 12 200 Pound High Explosive Bombs in an internal bomb bay, and up to 6 400 pound Heavy Bombs on an external bomb rack. The Destroyer variant replaces the .50 Machineguns with 3 Twin-linked 30MM Autoguns and the rear-mounted Three-linked .50 Machineguns with Twin-linked Assault Cannons. The Colossus and Vigilant replace the bomb storage with a single heavy bomb and surveillance equipment, respectively. They also replace the nose weapons with double set of Twin-linked Heavy 105mm Reciprocating Cannons. All variants of the Hammer-Head can be outfitted with ejector seats, flare or chaff launchers, extra armour for the cockpit, infra-red targeting equipment, illumination flares, and distinctive paint schemes and decals.