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Travelling at supersonic speeds on its attack runs, the Aurora Bomber is invulnerable to enemy AA fire. After ordnance is released, the jet slows and regresses to base at subsonic speeds. On its return flight or in large groups, the Aurora can be hit by ground fire.
- Generals manual(src)

The Aurora was an American supersonic bomber used during the GLA Conflict.

Background[]

Carrying a single high explosive bomb, the Aurora is most commonly used to destroy enemy structures. On its attack run, the Aurora's supersonic speeds prevents any enemy anti-aircraft weapons from successfully attacking it. However, on its return flight it can no longer sustain such a speed, and is very vulnerable.

The Auroras of General Malcolm Granger are equipped with point defense laser modules, allowing them to destroy incoming missiles with lasers, vastly improving the survivability of the unit alongside countermeasure flares, although there is still no defense against bullets, flak cannons, EMP bursts, and lasers.

General Alexis Alexander, the 'Super-weapon General', developed her own, far more dangerous version of the Aurora, known as the Aurora Alpha, which carries a fuel-air bomb. General Leang, a high-ranking Chinese general, also had access to Aurora, although she did not generally use them against any opponents attempting to attack her base.

Upgrades[]

CNCG Countermeasures Cameo
Countermeasures Grants the Aurora a 50% chance of negating missile-based attacks. Purchasable at any American air field in Zero Hour for $1000
Gen1 Advanced Training Icons
Advanced Training Doubles the chance of an Aurora gaining veterancy after a successful kill. Purchasable at any Strategy Center for $1500

Game unit[]

Tactics[]

The primary purpose of the Aurora is demolition. Two Aurora bombs can destroy most buildings. However, it is extremely vulnerable on its return run and has to be used carefully (as it is also very expensive). In addition to buildings, Auroras are effective at destroying slow-moving vehicles, such as artillery vehicles and heavy tanks.

Counters[]

Absolutely nothing can damage an Aurora on its bombing run, except EMP missiles or flak shells which explode near it, as their area of effect will damage them. However, once the Aurora finishes its bombing run, it becomes vulnerable to all forms of anti-air weapons. In this state, it is extremely vulnerable due to its thin armor.

Their reliance on air fields allows opposing generals to strike them directly, therefore rendering them useless, since they are just as vulnerable as any other aircraft while on the ground.

It is also the most expensive unit in the game; at the cost of $2500, it is even more expensive than a basic Overlord tank.

Changelog[]

  • Generals patch 1.03:
    • speed increased from 90 to 120 after it drops its bomb
    • damaged speed increased from 60 to 120.
  • Zero Hour patch 1.03:
    • bomb damage increased from 900 to 1000
    • bomb damage radius increased from 70 to 100

Quotes[]

Hi-speed bomber ready for takeoff!
- When emerging from the air field
Aurora in flight.
- When selected
Avionics online.
- When selected
Supersonic aircraft.
- When selected
Radar won't pick us up!
- When selected
Breaking the sound barrier.
- When selected
Fasten your safe-belts!
- When taking off
Ignition!
- When taking off
Lining up for the approach!
- When taking off
Hittin' the blowers!
- When taking off
Booster engaged!
- When taking off
Entering coordinates.
- When moving
Roger that.
- When moving
Designation set.
- When moving
Flight path confirmed.
- When moving
Stabilizers engaged.
- When moving
Navigation systems check.
- When moving
Target confirmed!
- When ordered to attack
Discharging munitions!
- When ordered to attack
Bombing bays cleared!
- When ordered to attack
Delivering payload!
- When ordered to attack
Passing overhead!
- When ordered to attack
Eject to safety!
- When being shot down
Huaaaaaaaaaa!
- When being shot down
Aaaaaaaaaaah!
- When being shot down
Fuel levels are critical!
- When run out of fuel
Making a landing request!
- When run out of fuel
Fuel gauges are in the red!
- When run out of fuel
Going supersonic!
- When using Supersonic Boost
Supersonic thruster powered up!
- When using Supersonic Boost
Prepare for sonic boom!
- When using Supersonic Boost
Bunker Buster bombs are ready, sir!
- When the Bunker Buster upgrade is completed
The Bunker Buster bombs are now installed!
- When the Bunker Buster upgrade is completed
Upgrading all bombs to Bunker Busters!
- When the Bunker Buster upgrade is completed

Cut Hypersonic Aurora Quotes[]

Hypersonic Aurora.
- When selected
Hypersonic aircraft.
- When selected
Hypersonic ready for take-off!
- When selected
Let's make this quick!
- When ordered to attack
We won't slow down!
- When ordered to attack
It'll be a clean delivery!
- When ordered to attack

Trivia[]

  • General Granger was originally meant to have his own variant of the Aurora that did not only include a point defense laser module. Dubbed the "Hypersonic Aurora", it would have been armed with a fuel air bomb that had an extreme amount of damage (1000). This would make it unbalanced, and is likely a reason for its removal. It has a model, voice sets and a selection picture, but for one reason or another it was not implemented in the game. One likely reason General Granger did not receive it was because it was given to General Alexander (without the Point Defense Laser) and renamed the Aurora Alpha, as evidenced by the extreme similarities between the Hypersonic Aurora and the Aurora Alpha. Only the cameo, soundset and model remain within the game files.
  • The standard Aurora was supposed to have a Supersonic Boost mode allowing the Aurora to fly at the double the speed, but it was removed possibly for balancing reasons.
  • The Aurora was possibly based on a top-secret supersonic aircraft of the same name, build in the late 1980's as a possible replacement to the SR-71. The U.S. government has consistently denied such an aircraft ever being built.
  • The in-game model appears to be based on the F-16XL, a proposed bomber variant of the F-16 fighter. While sporting the same cranked arrow delta wing, it differs in that it includes two vertical stabilizers, horizontal stabilizers/elevators, and a smaller cockpit.

Gallery[]

See also[]

Gen USA Logo United States of America War against the GLA Arsenal Gen USA Logo
China General Leang Arsenal China
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