Harridans (Gothic: Avis terriblis) are a breed of Tyranid bio-construct which feature in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Description[]
Enormous, armoured flying monstrosities capable of reaching lengths of thirty metres and wingspans of forty, Harridans possess the six-limbed body configuration found throughout most of the Tyranid sub-species. However, in the case of Harridans, their front two pairs of limbs have been fused to a set of expansive leathery piinions equipped with two powerful bio-cannon, whilst the latter pair feature long scything talons. They are also capable of transporting a score of the smaller organisms known as Gargoyles for a great distance; these little monsters cling to the Harridan's underbelly until such time as their services are required.
Harridans, due to their lack of proper legs, have been theorised by Imperial biologists to be an exclusively aerial genotype; once airborne, these theories say, a Harridan will spend its entire existence patrolling the skies. However, others believe that they are capable of landing, and once on the ground slithering along in the manner of a great serpent, although how they get themselves aloft again once grounded has not been addressed by this school of thought. Which of these positions is correct is yet to be confirmed.
Purpose[]
Harridans appear to be primarily designed for the battlefield role of air supremacy; indeed, several engagements between Imperial forces and Harridans have highlighted the extreme danger these creatures can pose to both aerial and airborne forces. Despite the fact that as living beings they cannot hope to match the speed of a jet fighter, their extreme manoeuvrability allows them to dodge many incoming attacks with ease, and even dedicated anti-aircraft weapons seem to have difficulty engaging them. In return, they are capable of turning on a dime, tearing apart any pilot foolish enough to stray too close. On top off all of this, their armoured hide makes them nearly impervious to small-arms fire.
Another function the Harridans are employed in is that of long-range transports. Possessing far greater range than the Gargoyles which they frequently carry, Harridans often haul these creatures to their deployment zones, before dropping them off and providing heavy covering fire for their smaller cousins, or simply descending to ravage enemy ground troops with their fang-filled maws and powerful talons.