Named after the imposing predator of Siria, the GU-85 Garrac is the primary dropship of the Sirian military.
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Overview
Role & Design
If the L416 Viknnir is the standard IFV of the Sirian Army, then the GU-85 was designed as the space capable "flying IFV" that would quickly deploy and support friendly infantry once they disembarked. To this end, it was designed to be heavily armed and armoured.
Armament
The GU-85 can carry various different weapons, depending on the situation. The weapons it always has access to are a L67 30mm twin barrel autorailcannon that is attached to the side of the gunship, two passenger cabin mounted L78 LMGs, and a L197 20mm triple barrel Gatling railcannon. The L67 can move in a limited fashion, rotating up, down, or right. The L197 is mounted in a chin turret, and can rotate 360 degrees horizontally and 180 degrees vertically. The twin L78s are designed to provide suppressive fire for infantry as they disembark the dropship.
The wings can carry a variety of different weaponry, though the most common are ATGMs, gun pods, and rocket pods. The GU-85 can also be pressed into service as a minelayer, seeding areas with a mix of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. The onboard computers automatically mark minefields.
Defences
In contrast to the GU-1 Aral, the Garrac does not rely on mobility so much as sheer durability for survivability. Its armour plating is designed to withstand small arms fire, and redundancy is prolific. However, since it isn't very agile, all GU-85s are fitted with an Active Protection System and a jammer in order to make defeating enemy missiles and air defences easier.
Mobility
The GU-85 is not a particularly nimble dropship, but it makes up for this by being able to fly at an appreciable speed. The thinking goes that the quicker it can get in and out of a LZ, the better - and its defences will protect it when it has to slow down. Furthermore, it also ensures the speedy deployment of troops.
Variants
- GU-85N1: Original version. Armour was lighter, and engines were noted to be somewhat underpowered, particularly when heavily laden. Many pilots and passengers have hair-raising stories of events where N1s barely managed to clear obstacles or take off.
- GU-85N2: Current version.
- GU-85O2: A standard GU-85N2, but with CBRN reconnaissance equipment attached such as devices to obtain soil and air samples and place markers electronically or physically. Any GU-85 can be converted to O2 standard by attaching the relevant equipment. NBC Squadrons are usually responsible for supplying such kits.
- GU-85R2: Export variant.