EZ-068 Storch
Type: Archaeopteryx
Length: 13.2m
Height: 6.1m
Weight: 19.2t
Speed:
[air]
mach 2.1
714.609 m/s

[land]
200kph
55.4 m/s

Crew: 1

Equipment:
3D Sensor
SAM Bird Missile
Airbrake
Magnesser Tail Stabilizer
Magnesser Wings
AZ 88mm Beam Cannon x2

Armor Description:
The Storch isn't a particularly durable Zoid, as with most aerials. While it has a very well-made structure to absorb the stresses of complex maneuvers, its armor plating is very light and it can't handle much punishment at all. The trouble, however, lies in actually hitting the thing. With superior acceleration and extreme agility, a skilled pilot can avoid most of the fire coming their way, which is good because even a Raynos has more armor plating than this little birdie.

Mobility and Power Source:
The Storch is the truest definition of a Zoids barnstormer, able to execute knife-edge maneuvers and use its superior maneuverability to make up for its lack of pure speed and weaponry. It's the smallest aerial Zoid available, and is capable of impressive feats of agility with its magnesser wings. It's a slight step above even the Raynos in responsiveness and turn circle performance. However, this comes with a price, and that is top speed. The Storch isn't going to be outrunning anything in a straight line, except maybe Salamanders. Due to the birdlike design of the Storch, however, it's quicker than most other aerials when running on the ground, achieving 200kph with Gun Sniper-like agility. Why you'd want to fight on the ground, however, is a mystery, considering the Storch's thin armor.

Weaponry and Equipment:

3D Sensor
The Storch's sensory unit has been improved a bit beyond the standard aircraft radar. Supplementing the standard HUD is a holographic projection around the pilot's arc of vision that simulates the actual locations of enemy and friendly Zoids. It's also better at coping with foul weather, though it can't see through solid ground or obstructions. It also can't transmit data to teammates.

SAM Bird Missile
This unique missile, dubbed the "baby bird" in testing, is more of a robotic UAV than a missile. It's a large, avian-shaped missile on the Storch's back, that only arms itself and disengages once a lock has been achieved. It's smart enough to navigate around obstacles and follow the flight path of its target, and is notoriously difficult to shake once locked. Despite the "SAM" designation, it can be targeted against air or ground Zoids from either the air or the ground, and packs a focused punch similar to the Zabat's smart bomb.

Airbrake
The Storch's fanlike tail can fold outwards, as well as pivot upwards and downwards, to exert a powerful braking force on the aircraft. Similar systems are installed on the hips and the trailing edges of the wings. These allow the Storch to execute its trademark knife-edge turns and short stops, and a good pilot will know when a quick airbrake is in order.

Magnesser Wings, Magnesser Tail Stabilizer
The main lift force of the Storch is generated via magnessers buried within the wings and tail. Unlike Zoids with strut-based wings such as the Pteras and Zabat, the Storch employs a revolutionary (for its time) system of magnesser panels and strips which allows for slightly increased lift while still maintaining the airflow over the control surfaces necessary for responsive maneuvering.

AZ 88mm Beam Cannon x2
The only continuous-fire weaponry on the Storch, these little numbers can do quite a number on the thin armor of other aerial Zoids. The 88mm caliber is rather misleading, as the true power of these cannons is more like AZ30mm each. However, they make up for it by firing at a fully-automatic rate of fifteen shots per second, essential in an aerial dogfight. Should the pilot wish to trade speed for power, they can drop down to semi-auto to charge enough power to fire AZ88mm blasts instead. There's no incremental setting on these things, so it's either AZ30mm or AZ88mm fire. Being beams, they're respectably powerful.