Ornithopter

Ornithopter

Vehicle Basics
Added	Update XX - Pre-Alpha
Type	Ornithopter
Size	From Medium to Big
Satistics
Fuel	Unknown

Ornithopters (also known as "ornis" or "'thopters") are an iconic flying vehicle of the Dune universe, and will make an appearance in Dune:Awakening. They feature a slim fuselage with large, folding wings that deploy to each side and "flap" up and down (instead of a rotary motion like a helicopter) to generate lift in the same manner as a bird or dragonfly. They also feature rocket boosters to generate bursts of forward thrust, for instance to escape a storm or gain altitude quickly.

Ornithopters in game

Ornithopters are versatile and can be used for transport, exploring, fighting and larger ones are even classified as carryalls, and are capable of carrying heavy loads of cargo and smaller harvesters. Controlling an Ornithopter is said to be arcade-like and not extremely complicated.

The current available armoury of weapons is unknown, but (potentially guided or heat-seeking) missiles have been confirmed.

Thopters are key to exploration as the player can use them to traverse a lot safer, using your altitude to avoid worms, and enabling you to explore the larger world through the Overland.

Thopters will also be able to dive, not as an ability but likely through the "Vulture" button seen on the righthand of the players screen.

Construction

Like the sandbike, players will likely research the components in the tech tree and individually craft them before being able to make their own ornithopters. So far we have seen the following components, potentially with more than one variation for each type of competent: Chassis, Generator, Engine, Wings and Cockpit.

Gallery

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  Ornithopters flying

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  Big ornithopter at night

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  Big ornithopter at day

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  Crashed Ornithopter

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  Ornithopter firing missile

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  Ornithopter parked at a cliff

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  A group of ornithopters

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  Combat ornithopter