UEF Experimental Aircraft Carrier

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Tech 3 Aircraft Carrier
Experimental Aircraft Carrier

UEF Experimental Aircraft Carrier:  Atlantis
Submersible aircraft carrier. Can store, transport and repair aircraft. Armed with torpedo launchers and AA weapons.[ e ]
Build costs	-150000  -12000 9000
Build rate	240/s
Max health	40000
Speed	2.5 (SurfacingSub)
Veterancy	30  (+10/s)
Intel (radius)	Vision: 100 Water vision: 100 Radar: 250 Sonar: 252
Weapon: Angler Torpedo Anti Navy - Torpedo
Damage per second	400
Torpedo damage	200
Salvo size	4 Torpedos
Reload time	2 seconds
Range	80
Weapon: Flayer SAM Launcher x 4 Anti Air - Projectile
Damage per second	140
Projectile damage	280
Reload time	2 seconds
Range	60

The UEF Experimental Aircraft Carrier, or the Atlantis, is an UEF experimental unit which is a underwater carrier, with torpedoes, air staging functions and build capability. It is the cheapest experimental unit in the game.

The Atlantis is both a Submarine and an Aircraft Carrier. It has a very large carrying capacity of 150 planes or gunships, a strong Flayer SAM Launcher array, and a powerful set of Angler Torpedo launchers. These factors combined make the Atlantis an extremely powerful and versatile naval unit, capable of single-handedly taking out entire fleets of enemy ships and submarines, as well as being able to surface temporarily to destroy any aircraft which may be a threat, before re-submerging into safety. It can also construct any UEF aircraft other than transports when stationary.

The incredible power of the Atlantis is not the effect of any of it's statistics, but the fact that while submerged it remains invulnerable to everything but the occasional strategic missile, depth charges, and the platform on which it happens to outclass every other unit in the game (Torpedoes). This ability is the reason why 2 Atlantis can easily sink 3 Tempests, unable to train their trademark Oblivion Cannons on a submerged and untouchable foe.Also the fact that you can construct an air fleet underwater makes it great for a hidden attack when you unsubmerge.

There are only two effective ways to counter the submerged Atlantis effectively. The first, cheaper strategy is to build up a large defensive net made up of T2 torpedo launchers.The second alternative but less reliable method is to force the carrier to surface by assaulting the submerged Atlantis with Torpedo Bombers. At this point the carrier can either continue to soak up the damage and eventually hit the bottom of the ocean, run away or it can surface to fire SAMs (which will likely obliterate the Torpedo Bombers) so any smart commander with an Atlantis will pick surfacing and launching SAMs unless you support your torpedo bombers with surface units- when surfaced any number of possible units can bring the brunt of their direct fire attack power to bear including but not limited to the T2 Destroyer,T2 Submarine,T3 Battleship, or the Experimental Czar- so it is better to stay underwater as long as possible. As a last resort, the versatile nuclear strategic missile can be used where all else failed to sink the Atlantis.

Until the release of Forged Alliance, the Atlantis was quite possibly the most powerful naval unit in the game, mass for mass. This is no longer the case, since four Seraphim T3 Submarine Hunters Yathsou can destroy an Atlantis at a smaller cost. For this reason, it is extremely important that the Atlantis not be overestimated--it is powerful in its own right, but it is not invincible.

A good strategy is to surface the Atlantis and have it launch all its aircraft, using its powerful weaponry to protect itself on the surface. Then, have it submerge, and let its aircraft do the work. Finally, surface and finish off the fleet. Land all aircraft.

Also, a useful tip for Atlantis is to have it construct a number of Storks, in case of any superior naval attack force. Also, if in competition with a Tempest, Storks remain one of the most viable counter options, as the Tempest is not capable of handling a large number of Storks, especially if submerged.

Trivia

This unit appears to be based on an experimental Japanese design from WW2, the I-400. However before the Japenese could test out this super weapon in a real conflict America dropped the bomb on Japan ending the war. When the americans captured this weapon they quickly investigated all its bits and parts then sunk it. This was so no force such as the USSR could use this design for their own purposes.

Concept art for the Atlantis