Locker Room, Beacon Academy, Initiation Day
March 22nd, 2039, 80 AGW
In many military sci-fi movies on Earth and Remnant, the deployment of troops always seemed rushed. Soldiers or marines rushing to slap on armour, helmets, mags into rifles, etc. All before rushing to the dropships, helicopters, etc. All while being bellowed at by raging NCOs.
In real life, there was really such a rush. No one wanted to throw troops into a fight unprepared.
That was something Amas learned during his marine boot training, as he strapped on his gear in preparation for the initiation.
Amas's current combat gear was not dissimilar to those of marines serving across Earth and Remnant. A forest-heavy multi-cam digital camouflage scheme adorned most of his MCCUU. Both his pants and thermal t-shirt were made out of an extremely flexible bullet and semi-stab-proof cloth that looked no different from cotton or wool clothing, meaning that Amas had a relatively comfortable backup in case someone got through his aura and armour.
Next came some armour plates. A Kevlar ballistic vest as primary protection, a trauma plate shoved in between covering his chest to defend against bullets and stabbings, Knee pads to protect his knees, brown combat boots that were comfortable for long-distance marches, and an IHPS helmet with both a visor piece, a brand new AN-PSQ 34 Night Vision/infra-red/Aura detecting googles, exterior multicam forest camo, and internalized radio and satellite communications. A belt slipped around his hip, carrying additional supplies while a tactical backpack was mounted onto his back.
The supplies and ammo came next. Ammo pouches were filled with magazines full of 7.62 NATO rounds. A few MK21 hand modular grenades filled smaller pouches. 3 mags for the M45 slipped a rifle mag. Flares are shoved into his tac vest. A hydration bladder filled with fresh water slipped into his backpack, allowing for quick drinking. First aid supplies, sunglasses, and water purification supplies were mounted his belt. An MRE pack and some energy bars are stored in both the belt and backpack, along with an emergency compass, notebook, 50 cords of emergency rope, pens, signal lights, and an actual flashlight.
Finally, the weapons. Racking the bolt of his M7A1, his trusty rifle and Grimm Killer. Equipped with a silencer, desert colour hand grip underslung handgrip, a scope with an integrated magnification optic, laser rangefinder, ballistic calculators, digital displays and more, and a bayonet lug mounted at the end of the rifle. (It was tempting but Amas decided against the M320 underslung grenade launcher). Into his side holster, an forest-coloured M45 pistol chambered in 45 ACP with a laser sight, red dot sight, and extended magazines. In his backpack was an entrenching tool just in case. And finally, an M72 LAW slung around his back just in case that pesky Nevermore or Deathstalker appeared.
A.N (the rifle Amas carries is an XM7 chambered in 7.62 and without the suppressor. Used to be called the XM5 but it was changed to not be mixed up with Colt's M5 carbine. I'll need to fix that later).
In total, he was carrying over 40 kilos of kit and ammo. Far more than any sane hunter but a normal kit for any Terran soldier.
Just to finish up the finishing touch, Amas mounted OKC-5S Bayonet to the end of his M5.
And Amber?
Well, she understood now where all of Amas's muscles came from as she stared at Amas putting on the sheer quantity of gear.
Also, she was drooling.
"Amas, you sure you need more guns? You already have so much." Amber whispered,
"I have enough, especially these ones!" Amas let his M7 dangle from a sling belt as he flexed his arms, his short-sleeved t-shirt showing off the muscles he built up.
He didn't notice a couple of other initiates having nose bleeds (both males and females) as they stared at his arms.
Even he didn't notice Amber's minor nose bleed as he went back to checking his rifle and shoved a magazine into the rifle and pressed down on the bolt assist, causing the bolt to slam forward and chamber a round.
Amber took this time to wipe her nose clean of blood. "So, we go?"
"At your command, my lady." Amas bowed.
"Oh, hush." Amber chided as the pair left their positions.
Ignoring some of the stares they got, the pair walked around the locker room and ran into Jaune as he was panicking. "There's no way I put my gear in locker 636 Yesterday! Oh why did this hap-"
"Hey Jaune. Need some help?" Amas offered, being the ever-polite marine.
"Ah! Amas, uh I appear to have misplaced my gear…." Jaune trailed off.
"Yeah, I think I saw you leave your gear in locker 473 I believe." Amas giving off a two-finger point.
"Oh, thanks." Jaune began walking in the direction of a Wiess trying to persuade a hesitant Pyrrha.
"So I was thinking that between my resources and your skills, we can become the most effective team in Beacon!"
"Thank you for the offer, but I'll let the chips fall." Pyrrha tried to politely push her away but the SDC heiress continued on.
"In that case, might I suggest that I join your team?"
"That sounds grand, Weiss." Pyrrha smiled.
And then Jaune bumped into Wiess and accidentally knock the two talking girls over.
"Ah! My bad."
"E-excuse me!? Do you have anything better to do?" Wiess glared at Jaune.
Yikes, even boot instructors weren't that bad. Amas thought to himself.
She's a bit***. Amber thought.
"Sorry." Jaune sheepishly replied. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
"It's ok." Pyrrha brushed herself off. "I guess we shouldn't be talking in a crowded hallway."
"Hey, I saw you being ganged up by two dozen people. You alright?" Pyrrha flinched slightly.
"Uh-wha do you not know who she is?!" Wiess exclaimed. This caused Amber and Jaune to shake their heads, Pyrrha to descend into panic, and Amas tilted his neck to the side.
"This is Pyrrha." Wiess gestured to the redhead.
"Nice name. Amas." the marine shook her hand. "Have I heard that name before?"
"Nope, never have," Amber added.
It was at this moment that Amas, and having 'information' of the future, decided screw with the Heiress because fuck the SDC.
"Oohh wait! I think I know!" Pyrrha descended into panic. "She's that famous ballet dancer right?!"
Wiess just gawked at the dog Faunus.
"No wait, too low ket. Uh, movie star? Oh wait! You were in the tv series Mass Detect right?"
"No wait, not that series. Yellow vs Green right? Can I have your autograph?" Jaune shot finger guns at Pyrrha, who went from panic to giggling. All the while Weiss just looked at the boys with horror.
"Weren't you the lady from VNN? The crazy one who portrays news in an ecstatic fashion?" Amber decided to join the 'screw with Wiess' brain.
"She's Pyrrha Nikos, the four-time in-a-row champion of the Mistral Region Tournaments!" Wiess finally screeched.
"Tournament? So, you're a star on hell's kitchen?" Amas 'innocently' asked.
Wiess promptly broke down and, seething in rage, decided to nope out of the conversation. Shoving into Amas's aside for added effect.
Starting to see why some people wanted to kidnap Weiss and adopt her. Amas thought, turning his attention back to the hopefully soon-to-blossom Arkos pair.
"Ok she's gone. So Pyrrha, want to join team Jaune? It's the winning team." Jaune trying and failing to sound cool.
"Can you cook?" Amas asked.
"Uhh-" Jaune was taken by surprise.
"Excellent! I'm in. Amber?"
Amber shrugged. "Sounds fine to me."
"(P.A) Would all first-year students please report to the Beacon Cliff for Initiation, please? Again, all students please report to the Beacon Cliffs for initiation."
"Ahh, that's the call. So what do you think the initiation is going to be?" Amber asked as Jaune rushed off to collect his weapons.
"Due to my lack of surprise, I'm guessing a jump off the cliff," Amas responded.
30 minutes later and one speech you're probably familiar with later.
"Wonder how many OSHA regulations Ozpin is breaking," Amas muttered as he dusted himself off. "Also, why does a landing strategy matter?"
Granted, the Terran method of landing was parachuting from 20,000 feet or wing suits. Amas had none of that. So the standard method of surviving a fall from a few hundred feet in the air was to tuck, roll, and aim for anything soft. Which he found in the form of a bunch of tree branches and leaves.
Did it hurt? Yes. Did the impact cost less aura or munitions? Also yes.
"OK then. It's safe." the marine activated his helmet comms. "Alpha Mike India, this is Shanker 1-1. How copy over?"
A brief few seconds passed.
"(Comms) Shanker 1-1, this is AMI. Go ahead over."
"The great wizard of Oz just catapulted us off the cliff edge. I am currently in the Emerald Forest. Requesting an update on the Grimm strength. How do you copy over?"
"(Comms) Shanker 1-1, AMI. Hearing you loud and clear. Satellite sweeps from 30 minutes ago show no abnormal Grimm sightings in your area. We also have a Global Hawk in the area running scans."
"A Global Hawk? Nice for some heavy recon. Any word on off-site fire support for this job?"
"(Comms) Negative on that Shanker 1-1. Offsite fire support has been restricted unless authorized by higher up the chain. However, if it does feel better, a flight of Reaper and Sentinel UCAVs is on standby. Several flights of F-35As are also on standby in case of emergencies. Still, you are going to have to win with death from above Gumball."
"Understood. Just checking in. I'll contact you when we're done. Shanker 1-1 out."
Grrrraahhhh. A single Beowolf poked its head through the bushes.
Bang! Only to slump down dead as a single round shattered its head.
"Nice to know the Grimm die easily," Ams muttered as he checked his surroundings.
A trio of Beowolves appeared.
"Time to get to work." Amas shouldered his M7 and got to work.
With Amber
Smashing her staff in a Beringal, the Aura-enhanced weapon shattered the bone plate of the deadly monster.
Swish. Swinging her staff around, she sent a trio of beowolves flying.
To be honest, it felt like her life took a tipsy turn. Years ago she became a Maiden and was inducted into Ozpin's circle, trying to master her powers, nearly getting assassinated.
And then there was the nature of her saviour.
Amas was not someone she expected to best four of Salem's agents with good timing, surprise, and a really, really big machine gun. A young man her age, yet odd. One minute he could be extremely serious and focused, the next a joking doof.
And granted, she didn't know much about NOD. Oh sure, almost everyone on the frontier has heard of the mysterious organization that rapidly jumped in and out of conflicts away from prying eyes.
The disappearance of several White Fang bases in Vacuo certainly helped their reputation.
But in the cities, capitals, and well of towns, their exploits were mostly unknown. Everyone extolled the virtues and successes of the huntsmen, the huntresses, and the Atlas military.
But NOD?
With a spin, Amber the Fall Maiden set everything on fire around her, incinerating dozens of Grimm approaching.
BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG The distant yet audible staccato of Gunfire echoed across the Emerald Fortress. Louder than any firearm exact for sniper rifles.
"Amas." Amber whispered as she propelled herself into the sky using some wind magic.
And she spotted her marine engaging several beowolves. Tracer fire travelling at impossible speeds crashed into Grimm left and right. Dropping them equally as fast.
Amber descend upon the Grimm, but not before a Beringal charged the marine.
Said marine promptly shouldered his rifle and counter-charged the Grimm, bayonet fixed.
Aura flared as Amas speared the Grimm beast through the neck before ripping three bullets into the beast.
Extracting the bayonet rifle from the beast, Amas watched the Beringal dissolve into dust.
Amber crashed done to the ground, landing on both feet.
"Enjoy the show?" Amas turned to Amber.
"Sure did. Ballsy. Partners?"
"Partners for life I guess."
"Great!" and then looked around. "Uh, where's the temple?"
Amas was about to speak when his helmet comms beeped. "(Comm) Shanker 1-1, I know what you're going to say but no, I cannot provide sat maps or active recon. Figure it out yourself."
"I got it." Amas fished out a little bit from one of their pockets and held it in his left hand.
"Eh?"
"Black Hornet Nano Recon drones. Unarmed silent recon buggers" the little drone's propellers buzzed as it shot into the sky. With his scroll (he bought one in Vale), he began tapping the scroll and the little drone fluttered off into the distance.
Amber gawked. On one hand, that little thing was so cute!
On the other hand, she never seen a robot that small. How advanced was NOD?
"Ok. I see some ruins about four klicks northwest of our location. We should be able to buff it there in 15 mikes." Amas reported.
"Alright then. Lead the way." Amber smiled.
Rifle and staff drawn, the pair began advancing on their target.
Meanwhile, several hundred kilometres away.
The storm began brewing. A storm of Nevermores and Lancers.
They had sensed the magic residue from the maiden residing in Beacon.
Their queen beckoned it, bringing the maidens for their ultimate mission.
Hundreds of Grimm beasts took to the skies, ready to pounce on the training hunters.
But there was another predator of the skies.
"(Comms) Fox 2!"
From high altitude, the Grimm airborne was jumped by a foe that had yet to stop in force: 3 dozen F35A Lightning 2s of Belgium, Japanese, Korean, and American Air Forces. But instead of sidewinders or AMRAAMs, their internal weapons bay were loaded with a different kind of missile.
The AIM-320 High Accuracy Numerical Cluster Air to Air Missile (HANCAAM) was the product of the Pacific Asian Nations program to combat mass Grimm formations from the air. Superior Terran weapons and aircraft meant they could take on Grimm. But the numbers were an issue. Humanity could only pump out so many AMRAAMs or Meteor missions before someone noticed where all the money was going.
So the HANCAAM was developed to allow aircraft to fight longer fights. HANCAAMs were essentially boxes of short-range radar-guided missiles not much larger than AT4 Rockets. One could kill a lancer, two a Nevermore, four an elder griffin. And Terran fighters could carry dozens of them.
So when the Terran stealth fighters descended upon the Grimm, they opened up with dozens of missiles that struck down lancers and nevermores left and right.
Apex 1, a member of the JADF, loose a salvo of HANCAAMs at a pack of lancers as he pulled out of his dive. Each missile slamming a Grimm.
Pulling the trigger, dozens of cannon rounds from the F35A's rotary cannon sliced right into a Lancer.
"Good on guns." Apex 1 reported as he banked to the side and down to allow other allied planes to claim their kills. "AWACs Giddy, this is Apex 1. Grimm are going down. Tell the COILS to bring the heat."
"(COMMs) Acknowledged. Our Lighters are moving in position. All planes, out of the combat space now." the Australian AWACs plane ordered
"Wilco Giddy. All planes, loose your first salvo and head to heading 235." the engine of the F-35 of the JADF roared as it carried the craft away from the Grimm.
For a second, the Grimm believed it had a break until the lasers began hitting them.
From dozens of kilometres away, multiple re-engineered AN-225 Mriyas fitted with brand-new Pulse Laser systems began beaming at the Grimm. A redevelopment and hybridization of the old YAL-1 coil program, U.S Navy laser systems, Israeli Iron Beam defensive networks, information that disgruntled Atlas researchers provided, and other national programs resulted in a breakthrough by Korean and Japanese scientists. So naturally, the Terrans stuck these lasers onto the biggest cargo planes: a dozen AN-225s built from schematics provided by Ukraine.
Designated as the CAL-225 Haryachyy (Hot in Ukrainian) or lighters by western operators, these primarily Ukrainian-crewed beasts provided their aircraft each having two Twin barreled pulse laser turrets powered by a micro thorium reactor. They didn't have the same punch as an Atlas energy cannon but they sure as hell could fell dozens of Grimm in an instant.
"(Comms) this is Osvitlenyy 2. Lasers are hot. Beams beams beams." A Ukrainian pilot reported.
And soon, Grimm lancers and nevermores screamed as they had holes burned through them. One by one, they fell to the ground, dissolving as they returned to whatever inferno hell the originated.
Apex 1 surveyed the now quiet battlefield, only the roar of F-35s could be heard. "AWACS Giddy, this is APEX 1. All airborne Grimm are down for the count. Inform any assets on the ground that the skies are clear."
"(Comms) Copy that." AWACs Giddy responded. "Egress to heading 175 and rendezvous with rearmament drones. You've done enough there. Let the next flight handle aircover."
"Acknowledged. All APEX elements. Egress to bearing 175. We're bugging out." the Japanese flight leader reported.
The F-35s all broke off and went South. Their mission was complete, and they remained undetected by the kingdoms.
Just another air battle between Terrans and the Grimm.
Back in the Emerald Forests
"(Comms) Shanker 1-1. Be advised. Air elements have eliminated a Grimm airborne horde heading your location. Be on the lookout for any swarms that our drones missed." AMI responded.
Amas didn't respond as he fired off a trio of rounds into an approaching Beowolf. Each bullet drilled into the Grimm beast as it crashed to the ground.
Amber slammed her own staff into a Beringal, then raised said staff with said Beringal still stuck to the end into the air, and smacked it back into the ground. Grimm was disintegrating left and right.
"Copy that AMI. Continuing artifact retrieval." Amas quietly spoke into his comms unit. "Continuing on with the mission. Shanker 1-1 out."
So let's recap. Knight and Spartan are going to probably encounter a Deathstalker. Rosey and Elsa gone to wherever they are with a Nevermore, and Dragon and Bows are off fighting Grimm. Pancake and Tea is still on Earth. Amas thought as the pair of them pushed on into a clearing.
And in said clearing, there were the ruins of a once-standing rock brick temple. As expected, there were a series of pedestals that had chess pieces on top.
"Chess pieces. An apt metaphor for your pawns Ozzy." Amas muttered under his breath.
"Anyone that sticks out?"
Amas walked over to one of the pedestals, picking up the black queen piece.
"Hail Hail Infantry. Queens of battle Follow me." Amas softly recited a running chant from boot camp.
"HHMMM? Amber mused.
"An old running cadence from back home."
"Catchy, I like it." a voice calls out from behind the pair. The marine/maiden pair turned to see the bumblebee pair.
"Yang. Good to see you're still alive." Amas said.
"Yeah doggy. Glad to see you're 'living' it up, ehh?"
Cue the three other people in the clearing turning green or pale. "Dragon. No, just no."
And then cue a very girly scream across the forest, breaking everyone from the sickening pun. "A girl is in trouble!" Yang yelled.
"Nope. That's Jaune. He should be-Nevermore!" Amas raised his rifle into the air to see a familiar Grimm beast that was also carrying two very familiar people on it.
"Are they…..riding a nevermore?" Amber looked with disbelief before Ruby Rose leapt off the beast screaming "HEADS UUUUPPPP!"
Five four three two one. Amas counted mentally as Ruby fell to the ground.
And then another familiar blond went flying through the clear, smacking into the Cookie Monster of a kid, and crashed both of them into a three.
"That's got to hurt." Amas winced.
"Did your sister just fall from the sky." Blake asked, stunned.
"I…..I.."
Amas almost instinctively expected an Ursa to burst into the clearing, only to remember that yes: Nora and Lie were on Earth at the moment.
It was also at that moment that a screech ripped through the clearing and Amas spotted a death stalker chasing a familiar Amazon.
"Jaune!"
"Pyrrha!"
"Pyrrha move!" Amas yelled as and yanked out an MK21 grenade, yanked the pin out, and primed his throwing arm.
Pyrrha instinctively leapt out of the way and the marine threw the MK21 at the scorpion Grimm. The MK21 scalable offensive hand grenade, packing the power of 30 grams of high explosive. The grenade exploded with a resounding bam! The explosion momentarily stunned the Grimm beast and fragmentation lodged itself into the Deathstalker.
As it screamed in pain, Amas leapt into action. Jumping onto the head of the deathstalker, the marine proceed to stick his bayoneted rifle into the head, and ripped his entire mag into the beast.
BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGClickclickclick.
Whipping his M45 out of its holster with his left hand, the marine proceed to put three 45 ACP rounds into the deathstalker's head.
BANG BANG BANG
The deathstalker stops squirming and began to process of decaying.
Amas took a step back, holstered his M45, ejected his M7 magazines, and slams a new one into his rifle. And then he turned to see the rest of the teens and young adults staring at him.
"What?"
"Oh, my, god." Ruby gasped. "That was so….BADASS!" Suddenly the red reaper we blended her existence next to Amas. "Can I see your weapons?!"
"Uhhhhh"
Luckily, Amas was saved from the red reaper when the same Nevermore flew overhead. "Hey Ruby? I think you forgot about Princess White Snow." The marine started as he used his rifle scope's 6 times magnification to track the nevermore. He also gained the brief attention of everyone when referencing Elsa.
"How could you leave me?!" Everyone heard Weiss yell.
"I said jump!" Ruby yelled back.
"She's gonna fall." Blake stated.
"Good. No friendly fire." Amas had already pulled out the M72, extended the rocket launcher, and had it pointed at the beast.
"Hey did that come fr-" Yang was interrupted when Weiss leapt off the Nevermore and Amas fired.
The M72 Laws may not have had the same penetration as the AT4 or the Carl Gustov but the result was the same: the HEAT warhead slammed into the Nevermore and detonated. The Grimm bird screamed in pain as one of its wings was ripped off from the explosion.
If it did have a mind, the Nevermore didn't get to dwell much as a lightning bolt crackled and zapped the bird, causing it to disintegrate into dust as it fell to the ground.
"….Kill stealer." Amas playfully glared at Amber, who just shrugged with a mischievous smile.
"Right, everyone grab a relic. Let's bounce before any more Grimm chases after us." Amas directed.
Beacon Academy Amphitheater
"Charlie Sall, Bei Poppy, Angel Russet, Teal Honeydew. You four retrieved the relic piece of rooks. From this day forward. You will henceforth be known as team Cobalt, led by Charlie Sall!"
The young man from Vale nodded and bowed with gratitude as the rest of the amphitheatre cheered them on.
Amas had learned that the chess pieces were not the only relics available. Ozpin had also left a temple full of playing cards for other teams. Some of those teams would become five to six-person teams training together.
"… henceforce be named as Team BRASS." Ozpin continued on. "Led by Bonnie Iris!"
Everyone cheered on the five-person team.
"Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long. You four retrieved the…" Amas dozed off for a second. "Named as team RWBY! Led by Ruby Rose!"
"What ?!" Ruby squeaked before being bear-hugged by Yang.
"And last but not least. Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos, Amber Autumn, Amas Ermey. You four have retrieved the Relic chess piece queen. Henceforth, your team will be known as Amaranth! (AAAN) Led by….Amas Ermey."
Wait what?!
"Headmaster?" Amas gawked at the old wizard, who simply sipped his mug of hot chocolate. The peanut gallery also began whispering, stunned that's Faunus had been picked over the invincible girl.
"I hope for your pleasant experience at Beacon Academy Mister Ermey." Ozpin smiled, and it finally clicked what Ozpin had done.
By making him team leader, he had just tied (unknowingly) a U.S marine to a Beacon team. A team that would struggle without leadership and making it emotionally and legally harder for him to leave for Earth-bound operations.
And by bounding him to a team, and by extension to Beacon Academy, the headmaster has just tightly tied the US marine corps and NATO to the wider chess board.
And that meant more eyes on him.
And the chance of the true nature of NOD being exposed too early.
As such, Amas had only one response.
"Well…..shit."
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Database…..combat aircraft.
It's been once said that those who rule the skies rule the battlefield. This has been proven true in multiple Terran Wars. From the Second World War to the international intervention in the Gulf War to the more recent Korean Continuation War. This has proven equally true during combat operations on Remnant.
Due to both the need to combat the Grimm threat and the international nature of the Coalition arrayed against Salem, Terran forces operate a wide variety of dedicated combat aircraft. However, due to their massive edge in the aviation industry, many of these aircraft are sourced from the United States of America. This includes the following:
F-35 Lightning 2: a 5th Generation stealth aircraft in use primarily by NATO nations and close U.S Allies, the F-35 won its fame during the Korean Continuation War with the downing of over 189 North Korean jets and helicopters and only being surpassed by the F-15 Eagle. Due to its stealth coating and ease of adopting new weapon systems, it is considered the best fighter craft to be used near Kingdom borders and has one of the highest numbers of units in operation on Remnant. It is also widely used by Terran aircraft carriers.
F-16 Fighting Falcon Viper: a Single Seat 4th generation fighter craft used by the United States and other allies like Japan, the F-16 provides the bulk of Terran rapid response combat sorties in areas where Terran forces can freely operate without attracting attention from the Kingdoms. Though an aging platform, the F-16 is both relatively easy to operate, maintain, and deploy. As such, it makes up the majority of Terran reserve and rapid response fighter craft.
KAI KF-21 Boramae: a 4.5 generation stealth fighter craft, this is one of the most prolific non-U.S fighter jets in service by Terran forces, deployed by the Republic of Korea, ASEAN, Poland, and smaller nations that cannot or are unwilling to operate the expensive F-35s. It is planned to supplement and then replace older fighter jets such as F-16Cs, F-4s, and MiG-29s are the primary reserved aircraft. It has been upgraded to fit more efficient engines, updated electronics and sensors, options for pulse laser mounts, and ai data links.
F-15 Eagle: Heavily operated by the United States, Japan, and Israel, the F-15 is a suitable long-range air superiority fighter craft that serves as one of two main fighter jets in gunship support and Grimm suppression operations. Operating alongside AC-17 Specter Gunships and Eurofighter Typhoons, the Eagle will keep airspace open for allied forces against Grimm or other hostiles thanks to its heavy weapons loadout, ability to carry pulse laser weapons and clusters of HANCAAMs.
EF2000 Eurofighter Typhoon: A European design employed by several EU nations, the Typhoon is the strike aircraft in use in Grimm suppression operations alongside the AC-17 and F-15. Used primarily for ground suppression operations, the Typhoon has acquitted itself in the pull of Grimm suppression. It lacks the necessary hardpoints and systems to operate pulse lasers safely but makes up for its use to carry large amounts of air to ground munitions.
MiG-29: A Soviet-designed aircraft from the Soviet-American Cold War, this legacy design was one of the first craft put against the Grimm and has remained in reserve squadrons to bolster numbers. It is hoped by the nations that operate it (Like India, Ukraine, and Algerie) to phase it out with either Western or indigenous designs.
A10 Warthog: An ancient design from the Cold War but seeing action during the Gulf Wars, the Invasion of Afghanistan, and the Korean Continuation War, the A10 has been put back into service and now operates with several nations like Taiwan, Ukraine, Poland, and the United States. They have proven to be the best aircraft for Grimm suppression through their lengthy refitting times and the need to discreetly transfer equipment has made their numbers less than desired. As such, the F-15 and Typhoon are used heavily in Grimm Suppression.
Hal Tejas: A light Indian fighter jet, this fighter craft is primarily used as a trainer jet but has occasionally run Grimm suppression operations.
F-22 Raptor: Classified
AV-14 Hammerhead Gunship/Transport VTOL: considered the first successful jet propelled VTOL that fills the role of a helicopter gunship, the Hammerhead is expected to fill a role similar to that of the Valean Bullhead or Atlassian Manta, though more heavily armed, armoured, and equipped with Terran hybrid engines. Armed with 30mm autocannons, rocket pods, ATGMS, side-mounted machine guns, and more.
AH-64 Apache Custodian: The most widely used attack helicopter by Terran Forces, the AH-64 Apache F variant (named the Custodian) is a modification designed to counter the Grimm. Upgrades include an upgraded cockpit, updated computers, the option to add pulse laser weaponry, modular side pylons for new weapons, a hydrogen-fueled engine, and increased carrying capacity.
Eurocopter Tiger: an Attack helicopter in use by some European countries, most Tigers were transferred over to NATO Remcom due to them being replaced by either upgraded Apaches, UAVs, or VTOLs. Despite their age, the Eurocopter Tiger is still an excellent anti-Grimm platform equally as good as the Apache.
V-280 Valor - A tilt-rotor aircraft in used by primarily the United States and national special forces units, the Valor fills a similar role to unarmed Bullheads and older Atlassian dropships. Though only lightly armed with twin GAU-19 Rotary Machine Guns, their quick speeds and decent carrying capacity allows Terran forces to move tactically and quickly with speed and silence.
UH-60 Blackhawk: The most common rotor transport, utility, and light attack aircraft in use on Remnant, the UH-60 and its many variants (Seahawk and Pavehawks) are used primarily closers to permanent Terran installations or Naval fleets. Yet they fill roles that would be inefficient for Valors or Hammerheads to fill in.
AC-17 Specter: an armed C-17, this cargo plane turned gunship is one of the best aircraft to be used against the Grimm. Its prototypes having seen action against North Korean Forces during the Korean Continuation War, its rotary cannons, hellfire missiles, and 155mm howitzers can stop a Grimm horde in its tracks and convince NATO and allied nations to purchase more.
CAL-225 Haryachyy: In a surprising move, the EU and Ukraine restarted production of the AN-225 Mriyas to fill in gaps in NATO logistics lines on both Earth and Remnant. At least 28 Mriyas were produced on Remnant, and half have been converted into pulse laser barges powered by micro thorium reactors to fend off airborne Grimm. The ultimate air dominance aircraft and one of the largest aircraft on Remnant.
A-29 Super Tucano: the primary defensive fighter craft of Terran forces, the Super Tucano is a propeller-driven fixed-wing aircraft that carries a pair of machine guns (usually 50 Caliber), rocket pods, and ATGMs for defences. The most widely used fixed wing propeller driven aircraft in service by Terran forces.
AAC Dauntless class: Classified.
(Note: This does not include any UAVs. That will be for a separate list).
