"Chooser of the Slain." -official motto of the Valkyrie.

Lore

Overview:

The DRA-70B Valkyrie is a Lykanian supersonic strategic bomber designed for use in the Lykanian Air Force (LKAF). It was designed as a replacement for the canceled XB-70 Valkyrie, which the LKAF planned to buy from the USL in the 1970s. Capable of prolonged supersonic flight and a payload nearly identical to that of the XB-70, it has been deemed superior to the XB-70. It officially entered service with the LKAF in 1986.

Background & Development:

Initially planned to be the backbone of Lykania’s bomber force, the LKAF faced a setback when the XB-70 project was canceled in 1969. With no suitable alternatives, the LKAF turned to domestic aerospace companies for a solution. Drakon Dynamics, an emerging company, was selected to develop Lykania’s first supersonic bomber. Testing began in 1975, and after overcoming minor issues, primarily with paint and landing gear, the bomber was cleared for active use. In 1978, with permission from North Laurentian, it was officially named the DRA-70B Valkyrie in tribute to the XB-70. The DRA-70B entered LKAF service in 1986, just in time to counter the introduction of the Ruskovian Tu-160.

Operational History:

Despite entering service in 1986, the DRA-70B did not see combat until 2004, when 15 Valkyries stationed in Torfajokull, Lykania, flew a 36-hour mission to Mawali and back during the Kalmuz War. In 2015, Valkyries participated in the Cascadian Uprising, striking rebel targets deep within Liberty Bay in support of the Republic of Cascadia. During this conflict, one DRA-70B was lost to a missile while exiting Liberty Bay, crashing into a mountainside.
In 2022, Valkyries deployed in Serenia were used extensively against targets in Varkovakia and occupied Andressia, paving the way for the newer, stealthier, and deadlier DRA-75 Deimos bombers to face the Red Onslaught head on. Out of the 50 Valkyries initially fielded by the LKAF, only 23 survived the war. In 2023, with no immediate replacements available, 15 Valkyries were selected for modernization, extending their operational lifespan into the 2030s.

Gameplay

I built the Valkyrie for GuardianAerospace's Bomber Challenge (See here ). It is the second design I've made in a new "revamp and optimize era," where I'm planning to revamp and optimize all of my previous builds, with some exceptions. I noticed that my Deimos and Thanatos builds were unnecessarily hefty, so I started to experiment with designs under 600 parts. First was my Nyx II, now the Valkyrie. I had to sacrifice a lot of the aspects I love the most, like a detailed cockpit and nice, detailed, animated landing gear, but I was also able to invest those parts elsewhere, to areas that will be visible 95% of the time, like these sick-ass engine nozzles that contract at 85% throttle.

But yeah, despite the compromises I had to make, I think I enjoy this method a lot more. I can fly my own planes without my laptop turning into an atom bomb.

The bomber, just like my Nyx II, is super simple to use. AG1 will activate the lights and AG7 will activate the bomb bay. I was planning to arm the Valkyrie with my own bombs, but that would've made the part count skyrocket. I did include the base of my bombs, which are the LUGB-5 and LUGB-3X, but they don't have the really cool custom body that I built for them. But hey, at least it still has bombs and they still pack a punch.