Floater

The Floater is an alien that appears in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. These cybernetic monstrosities act as airborne cavalry for the alien invasion forces.

Description
The Floater appears as though it may have once been humanoid, but the extensive cybernetic augmentation it has undergone have left it more machine than organic. It has hairless pink skin covering its head and much of its torso, but the rest of its form is mechanical. Its arms consist of artificial musculature and metallic plating while half of its face is obscured by a mechanical breathing apparatus. It has two jet engines mounted on its back that allow it to hover and fly. Everything below the torso has been discarded.

In combat, Floaters will use their jets to fly over enemy combatants so that they can strike them from behind. They are armed with light plasma rifles.

After performing an autopsy on a Muton, Dr. Vahlen theorizes that the Floaters and Mutons may have originated from the same species. This theory is later confirmed by the Uber-Ethereal during the final mission, who states that the Floaters were the result of a failed attempt to accelerate Muton evolution.

Heavy Floater
This version of the Floater has undergone an even greater degree of enhancement, sporting additional armour plating. As well as possessing greater health than a standard Floater, it also has increased firepower. It is armed with a plasma rifle and is also capable of throwing grenades over long distances.

Heavy Floaters appear during the sixth month of the invasion during XCOM: Enemy Unknown.