Air Combat Vehicles

X-17 Crusader Attack Helicopter
The attack helicopter of choice of the Militaristic Federation of the Sheika is the Diamond Corporation X-17 Crusader. The Crusader weighs in at six tons, with a full combat load of eight tons. The Crusader has a cruising speed of one-hundred-sixty-eight miles per hour (145 knots), a maximum speed of one-hundred-ninety-nine miles per hour (172 knots) with a range of two-hundred-seventy miles on a single fill of fuel. The Crusader is armed with a 30 millimeter machine gun affixed to the nose of the aircraft with the ability to rotate and fire in a 360 degree radius traversing azimuth, and a 270 degree range on either side or the front vertical azimuth. In all, the X-17 Crusader requires a crew of 2, but in can be operated with a crew of 1 in emergency situations.

In addition to the 30 millimeter machine gun, the Crusader is armed with a modular weapons system that can allow various types of munitions to be used depending on the type of military operation. The weapon systems included air-to-ground missiles, air-to-air missiles, anti-armor rockets, fifty caliber machine guns, 40 millimeter automatic grenade launchers, and a variety of non-lethal munitions.

Using the various weapon systems requires some understanding of computers and technology as well as a degree of multitasking to operate, but the sophisticated equipment gives an edge to the operators of the attack helicopter. With the capability to fight during any type of weather conditions, day or night, there is no target with in the maximum range of the weapons systems that can evade the Crusader for long. The gunner's sight operates with a normal daylight sight that operates from three power to ten power magnification to a thermal sight for at night with the same magnification, all of which is fed through the computer to a lens on the operator's helmet. As the operator turns his/her head, the machine gun will also rotate in the same direction. Operation of the various weapons systems coincides with the lens on the operator's helmet and the advanced targeting computer; the operator can designate the target by looking at it, lock the target into the targeting computer and the weapon system will calibrate to the proper direction.

The Crusader comes with an Identification System that prohibits operation of the any weapon system on friendly units.

Communication between other aircraft and vehicles as well as command and rear echelon elements is possible through an encrypted two-way radio system and a digital map system that allows battle commands to be issued while on the move. The digital map system allows for a battlefield overlay to be uploaded to map and disseminated to other friendly units within the operating area; on top of that, an instant messaging system can be used to communicate between vehicles when radio silence is of utmost importance.

X-54 Predator
The all-weather, fixed-wing, tactical aerial fighter of the Militaristic Federation of the Sheika is the X-54 Predator. The Predator weighs in at 19 tons with a full combat load of 22.5 tons. The Predator has a maximum speed of Mach 1.2 at low altitudes, and 2.5 at high altitudes with reports from a handful of pilots of the capability of Mach 3. The basic weapon systems of the Predator are one 20 mm Gatling cannon, and two 12.7 mm machine guns, with additional munitions available depending on the mission type. Secondary armaments include air to air missiles, air to surface missiles, anti-armor rockets, surface bombs, sub-surface bombs, additional fuel tanks for long range missions, as well as an array of counter measures.

The Predator is manned by a single pilot who is trained to operate the various flight and weapon systems through rigorous training with simulators and hands-on experience. The Predator can be operated during both day and night with multiple sensors at the pilots disposal, including low-light night vision, thermal, and land elevation contour display. All of these are available to the pilot via the heads up display or through a direct lens over the eye, depending on which eye the pilot prefers. Also available are two radar systems for close range and long range detection, and IFF detection.

In some situations the Predator can be fitted with a ground radar disk to provide aerial intelligence to ground forces.

Communication between other aircraft and vehicles as well as command and rear echelon elements is possible through an encrypted two-way radio system and a digital map system that allows battle commands to be issued while on the move. The digital map system allows for a battlefield overlay to be uploaded to map and disseminated to other friendly units within the operating area; on top of that, an instant messaging system can be used to communicate between vehicles when radio silence is of utmost importance.

X-32 Eagle Troop Carrier
In an age when it is necessary to deploy and extract soldiers quickly in a battlefield environment the Militaristic Federation of the Sheika created the X-32 Eagle airborne troop carrier. The Eagle weighs in at forty tons, with a full combat load of forty-two tons. The Eagle has a cruising speed of one-hundred-fifteen miles per hour (100 knots), a maximum speed of one-hundred-fifty-five miles per hour (135 knots) with a range of 300 miles on a single fill of fuel. The Eagle is armed with a 40 millimeter machine gun affixed to the nose of the aircraft with the ability to rotate and fire in a 360 degree radius traversing azimuth, and a 270 degree range on either side or the front vertical azimuth. In all, the X-32 Eagle requires a crew of 2, but in can be operated with a crew of 1 in emergency situations.

The Eagle is capable of carrying passengers and cargo using a combination of internal and external methods. The main compartment of the Eagle has capacity for 15 people (10 sitting, 5 standing) with a rear ramp dropping down to allow troops to exit and enter the compartment. On the aft section just outside of the ramp, there is an attachment overhang for additional cargo and ordnance. The Eagle has a maximum lift capacity of seventy-two tons, allowing for the quickly delivery of an X-7 Interceptor MBT to the battlefield.
The X-32 is powered by four pairs of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) thrusters; one pair in each wing for lift off and thrust and two pairs aft to assist with lift off, directional control, and thrust. The X-32 has the ability to move to conduct multiple hops on a battlefield very quickly, offloading troops and equipment and taking on troops and equipment in an organized fashion.

The Eagle comes with an Identification System that prohibits operation of the any weapon system on friendly units.