The Vindicator


Designation: Close Air Support
Manufacturer: Asturias Sistemas
Country of origin: Spain
Serially manufactured at: Allied Airfield

Key features:

• BD-8 “Banderilla” twin laser-guided bombs
• IndroSys multispectral laser seeker
• ADAV design enabling rapid deployment
• Upgrade kit featuring improved armour, increased Radar Upgrade range and enhanced munitions capacity



Ask any infantryman what he thinks of pilots and he’ll probably launch into a passionate tirade about the flyboy’s cushy life: good food, regular entertainment, air conditioning and perhaps even dry, warm beds. To the infantryman, who is used to doing without, living in such luxury is, at best, suspicious; at worst, degenerate. However, mention the Vindicator pilots to them, and you’ll see their tone take on a note of respect. Most Allied soldiers have a story about a Vindicator coming to their aid in a difficult situation, and many owe their lives to these deadly ground-attack aircraft.


Soviet and Imperial tank crews dread the sight of the Vindicator’s distinctive silhouette.

It is no surprise that the Vindicator commands respect amongst ground forces – it was designed from scratch, with the sole aim of supporting ground forces by destroying their opposition. The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system allows them to deploy to airbases close to the front lines. (In fact, Vindicator crews spend most of their time deploying ahead of the front line, and few are fond of the ‘amenities’ so often bestowed upon them by the infantry.) Furthermore, the pace of ground warfare dictates that crews fly their missions almost non-stop, pausing only when days of continuous operations finally force them to take a brief rest for fear that they might collapse from exhaustion.

Once over their target, the Vindicators employ one of the most powerful and feared weapon systems in military aviation: the BD-8 ‘Banderilla’ laser-guided bomb. The multi-spectral laser designator, housed in a bay on the underside of the aircraft, guides the bomb accurately towards its target, resisting almost all known countermeasures. Any target that is ‘designated’ can expect a very brief existence before it is obliterated by the massive BD-8 warhead.


By locating their airfields so close to the front lines, Vindicator crews minimise the travel time to their targets.

Whilst all Vindicator pilots are held in high esteem by ground forces, a few enjoy an almost legendary status. Take the case of Marcos “Toreador” de la Concepcion. Born into a wealthy family in Madrid, he was an unlikely hero to the less privileged Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 42nd Infantry Division. And yet, during the Battle of Hill 227, he flew continuously for over 29 hours, helping to repel a Soviet armoured regiment, until he was finally shot down by a MiG patrol. Armed with nothing but a pistol, he fought his way through enemy territory to reach the 3rd Battalion’s perimeter. He refused evacuation and remained with the troops, coordinating air strikes by his Vindicator pilots for the next three days until a wave of Sickles finally overran his position. The 3rd Battalion survived the assault, largely thanks to the efforts of Marcos de la Concepcion. In his honour, the Commander of the 3rd Battalion is now known by the posthumous title of “El Toreador”. The Vindicator close-support bomber remains heavily used to this day.


Reconnaissance on the battlefield has at least revealed the following facts about the Vindicators:

• Death on the Wings– Feared by all ground units opposing the Allies, the Vindicator is one of the most powerful ground-attack aircraft in any military arsenal. Its precise and deadly Laser Turret ensures that its weapons hit their target, and the massive BD-8 bombs make short work of everything except the most heavily armoured vehicles.

-Hit and Run– The Vindicator’s advanced laser targeting system guarantees a successful strike even if the Vindicator escapes immediately after dropping its payload. This, coupled with its relatively heavy armour, gives it an extremely high chance of survival.

-The Best Part of Courage- Although the Vindicator is heavily armoured, the nature of its mission exposes it to a large number of enemy threats. When the situation becomes too dangerous, the Vindicator is equipped with an autopilot mechanism that will immediately return the aircraft to base using an emergency afterburner. This allows the Vindicator to attack targets in heavily defended areas and then quickly leave the sector before being shot down by enemy fire.

-Upgrade Kit Available - Upgraded versions of the Vindicator are currently in use by a number of Allied commanders. These have been fitted with Advanced Aeronautics that provide additional armour for the aircraft, and feature improved sensors. They also have an extended bomb bay with an additional compartment for BD-8s.