RK-14 Flying Lynx

The **RK-14 Letayushchaya Rys** (**РК-14 Летающая рысь**), also known as the **Flying Lynx**, is a helicopter Gunship used by the AUL and EBSIS.

## Background

The RK-14 Letayushchaya Rys, commonly known as the Flying Lynx was developed in what was then the Soviet Union during the early stages of the Global Civil War. A largely conventional design, it simply built on what had come before to create a heavily armed helicopter gunship that was also surprisingly fast. The design proved to be both capable and popular, and was widely exported to Soviet allies and client states. During the Global Civil War it proliferated even further, and fell into the hands of a number of different factions. Despite the popularity of the design, it was not adopted by the UEDF, who preferred the AH-72 Comanchero.

A number of states and groups that used the Flying Lynx (such as the NEACAP) became backers or members of the emergent Anti-Unification League. As such, the helicopter saw use with their forces in the years following the formation of the United Earth Government. The Flying Lynx was used in a number of different conflicts during the period, finding itself deployed against both conventional opponents and emergent technologies.

While most existing Flying Lynxes were destroyed in the Zentraedi Rain of Death, that was not the design by any means. Surviving examples were taken up by many groups, including emergent nation-states and the reborn AUL. The EBSIS restored the design to production, both for their own forces and for export, which saw it further proliferate. The helicopter became a common sight in the armories of many independent states, and it saw considerable use during the brush wars of the 2020s. While those in EBSIS service underwent some upgrades, it remained a pre-Robotechnology design that was now decades out of date.

All existing Flying Lynxes were reportedly destroyed in the Invid Invasion or the purges that followed it. However, it is possible that some survived and were used by resistance groups during the occupation.

As a historical note, the Flying Lynx has been often mistaken for the Comanchero by many, including a number of supposedly authoritative sources. While the two may appear broadly similar, they are in fact quite different. The Flying Lynx only has one engine per side (as opposed to the Comanchero's two), a T-Tail with fenestron, a single two-stepped cockpit (as opposed to the Comanchero's two) and a single, centrally-mounted cannon. Furthermore, the Flying Lynx only has four hardpoints (two per wing) compared to the Comanchero's six, with additional downward-sloping winglets.

## Capabilities

There was very little that was new or revolutionary in the Flying Lynx's design; rather, it was built on a refinement of existing technologies and design trends. Its twin engine design was largely conventional, but newer technologies gave it a higher speed and more agility than previous helicopters. However, it needs to be said that the Flying Lynx was designed with human opponents wielding conventional technologies in mind, and as such, it was outclassed by many Zentraedi weapons and Mecha.

The Flying Lynx had a crew of two, a pilot and a gunner, who were seated in a stepped cockpit. Compared to the often simple systems on previous helicopters, the designers of the Flying Lynx gave it a modern electronics fit. Key to this was a millimeter-wave radar in a mast mount along with other systems such as low-light optics, infrared tracking and a laser designator. Communications were provided by a contemporary radio fit. These systems received sporadic updates over the decades, but they were still designed around Global Civil War era tactics and opponents.

The skin of the Flying Lynx is composed of treated steel plate. The armored skin stops all small arms fire, provides good protection against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round, and fair resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **Triple-Barreled 23mm Chaingun:** Mounted on the front of the Flying Lynx on a traversable mount. Rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute; ammo capacity of 500 rounds. Designed for use against armoured ground targets.

* 4 Hardpoints under the wings for gunpods, missiles, rockets and fuel tanks. The most common loadout was four pods, each containing seven **толстый** ("**Tolstyy**") anti-tank missiles.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** RK-12

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 4
	+ **Structure – Light:** 15
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Flight:** 400 kph / 600 m / 60 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **Chaingun:** The Flying Lynx is armed with a 23mm Chaingun under the nose. This weapon fires heavy shells and is designed for use against ground targets. It inflicts x5 Light damage to targets and has a range of Long. [L1][H]

* **Wing-Mounted Weapon Hardpoints:** The Flying Lynx can carry a compliment of weapons under its wings. Pick one from the following options. [H]
	+ **Mini-Missiles:** The Flying Lynx can carry Mini-Missiles in pods under the wings for use against enemy ground targets. This weapon can only be used as a part of an Equipment Suite. [H]
	+ **Rocket Pod:** Launches a spray of unguided rockets for close air support. Creates a Cone area of attack at Medium Range. Less effective against fast-moving targets. The Rocket Pods can be used up to twice. These weapons inflict Mecha-class damage. [C]

* **No Melee:** The Flying Lynx cannot engage in melee except to make Ramming attacks.

### Features

* **Hover:** As a helicopter, the Flying Lynx is able to hover or travel at speeds that would stall fixed-wing aerial craft.

* **Crew:** The Flying Lynx has a crew of 2: 1 pilot and 1 gunner. If one crew is missing or injured, then it may still operate but will take penalties to maneuvering and sensor skill rolls.

* **Atmosphere Only:** The Flying Lynx can only be used in an Earth-like atmosphere.

* **Generic:** The stats for the Flying Lynx can be used to represent other helicopter gunships.

### Equipment Suites

* **Mini-Missiles:** The Flying Lynx mounts a quartet of missile pods under the wings that can unleash a torrent of missiles on their victims. They can be used up to Medium range. This Equipment Suite can only be used if the Mini-Missiles option is chosen above. These weapons inflict Mecha-class damage. [B3]
	+ **Equipment Required:** Mini-Missiles
	+ **Uses:** 3
	+ **Skill:** 3