| abstract | - The Sokar Pattern Stormbird was developed from the various Warhawk and Nephoros-class Stormbird assault transports utilised by the Yndonesic Bloc during the Unification Wars on Terra, and were later adapted by the Emperor for His early Space Marine Legions. The Sokar Pattern itself was one of the later patterns of Imperial spacecraft developed during the Great Crusade and was used as the design precursor to the smaller, more widely produced Thunderhawk Gunship. It was conceived as a specialised, high-durability orbital assault craft -- almost a mobile bastion and firebase -- which could land a Space Marine strike force and withstand heavy ground fire while its passengers forced a landing zone. To this end, the Sokar's design features all-around gun turrets and particularly dense composite armour plating comparable to a main battle tank. It is further protected by Void Shield generators which it can extend to protect disembarking troops and war machines. Multiple thruster units ensure that even if several engines are damaged, the Sokar is a power if somewhat ungainly flyer. The howl these huge engines make is quite distinctive, even over the din of battle, and along with the bloodshed that followed its appearance it has earned the Sokar the informal name of the "Death Bird" among the Imperialis Auxilia.
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