Kirov airship (Red Alert 3)

"Kirov reporting!"

- Kirov Airship pilot

The Kirov airship was the Soviet Union's heavy bomber aircraft during the Third World War and The Uprising.

Background
Named for its maiden launch over Kirov oblast, the Kirov Airship was a massive dirigible, protected by a durable frame with heavy-duty envelope and armed with thousands of armor-piercing bombs. No expense was spared in the design or the manufacture of these airships, which were designed to fill Soviet citizens with awe and enemies with fear.

Despite its destructive power against ground targets, the Kirov was completely defenseless against aircraft, and require fighter escorts to deal with such threats. It was also ponderously slow, though this was mitigated somewhat by the addition of special fuel injectors, which could provide a significant burst of speed. Unfortunately, the chemical compound injected was toxic, and would slowly corrode the Kirov from the inside, so it had to be used sparingly.

Kirov Airships were flown only by the most decorated Soviet officers with years of good political standing, who enjoy lavish accommodations and fine dining inside the Kirov's 200-square-meter living quarters. It was rumored that these captains were extremely impatient for combat, yet feel so removed from it that they tend to use their bombs with liberal, merciless abandon.

In-game
The Kirov airship is extremely deadly against structures and slow moving surface units, due to its unlimited bomb capacity. However, it is also extremely slow, and completely defenseless against aircraft. It is also vulnerable to nimble anti-air units, such as anti-air infantry and Multigunner IFV. Being a T3 unit, it is very expensive, so it must never be used without appropriate escort units.

The gastroburners ability can make it reach an enemy base faster, allow it to escape from anti-air fire, or even chase down certain ground units, though it can also drain the Kirov's health very quickly. Note that the Kirov will continue to take damage as long as the ability is active, even when not moving, so it must turned off when no longer needed.

Created

 * Kirov reporting!
 * Kirov rising!

Select

 * Let's pay a visit!
 * I have something for them!
 * I'm a giver!
 * Have I miss anyone?
 * Who's left?
 * Where the next stop?

Moving

 * Very well!
 * Mm Hmm!
 * Any friends along the way?
 * We wait there!
 * Soon!
 * In time!
 * A new course!
 * See you there!

Attacking

 * Another one?
 * Leave... nothing!
 * Destroy the place!
 * It's still standing?
 * Another for good measure!
 * Huhh! Can't be too generous!

Move to Attack

 * I don't think we've met...
 * That one looks good...
 * Never thought you ask!
 * How pretty!
 * Well, look at that!
 * Let's go say hello!
 * Don't mind if I do!
 * Leave our mark!
 * Excellent!
 * Look what we have here!

In Combat

 * Ahh! The sounds of destruction!
 * Drop another load!
 * Ohh yeah!
 * Uhh! Thats nice!
 * *sniffs* Do you smell that?...
 * Hehehe, that's right!
 * Aw... look, is that your house?

Retreating

 * All the way back!?
 * I'll ignore their insults!
 * Fine, we going home!
 * Take her back!

Under Fire

 * The pests are rack'ting up!
 * They annoying me!
 * Where are my escorts?!
 * Stop this nuisance!
 * Why are they so unfriendly?!
 * Get away from me!

Trivia

 * Due to the use of mirrored texture, the hammer and sickle symbol on the left side of the airship is reversed.
 * A Kirov airship can be seen replacing a bomb if it activates Gastroburners. No bomb will fall upon activation.
 * A Kirov can activate Gastroburners. But an opening is nowhere to be seen on the Kirov's rear.
 * In the opening of Red Alert 3, Kirov Airships are seen with searchlights. However, they are absent from the in-game model.