Airmobile Infantry

Description

Western Airborne Infantry

Eastern Airborne Infantry

European Airborne Infantry

Airborne Infantry are a light unit, supported by transport helicopters, intended for rapid intervention. They are especially effective in being able to flank deep behind enemy lines by using the air assault ability. On foot, they are extremely slow, however their air assault capabilities allow them to cover great distances and difficult terrain in record times. And as frequent fliers, they can strategically relocate anywhere around the globe via airlift. These infantry do not pack the biggest punch but do decently well across all terrains, except for rougher areas.

As mentioned, Airborne Infantry do not march fast at all. They are very dependent on their helicopters so it is essential you utilise their air assault ability whenever possible.

Features

This unit has the following features on its final tier:

• Unlocked with Day 3 Research: Conquer Territory - Unit can conquer provinces/cities once it reaches their center-point. Airborne infantry first needs to disembark when attack via Air Assault. Western doctrine gains access to this earlier, whereas the Eastern doctrine gains access to this later.
• Unlocked with Day 3 Research: Air Assault - Unit can move/attack by using helicopters. When you give the Air Assault command, the unit will board a helicopter and move to the target location by air. If you are attacking a hostile unit, your unit’s first combat tick is executed from the air, i.e. as a helicopter attack. Western doctrine gains access to this earlier, whereas the Eastern doctrine gains access to this later.
• Unlocked with Day 3 Research: Airlift - This unit can be transported between airports/landing strips via airlift. Note that it is completely defenseless while in the air. Western doctrine gains access to this earlier, whereas the Eastern doctrine gains access to this later.

History

Air assault is the movement of ground-based military forces by vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft—such as the helicopter—to seize and hold key terrain which has not been fully secured, and to directly engage enemy forces behind enemy lines. In addition to regular infantry training, air-assault units usually receive training in rappelling and air transportation, and their equipment is sometimes designed or field-modified to allow better transportation within aircraft.

Due to the transport load restrictions of helicopters, air assault forces are usually light infantry. However, some armored fighting vehicles, like the Russian BMD-1, are designed to fit most heavy lift helicopters. This enables assaulting forces to combine air mobility with a degree of ground mechanization. Invariably, the assaulting troops depend heavily on aerial fire support by armed helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft escorts.