The Valkyrie is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) airborne assault carrier used primarily by the Alliance of Nations (Mostly the Imperium of Man) as both a gunship and a transport for airborne combat regiments like the Elysian Drop Troopers. A Valkyrie and its crew are usually composed of pilots and armsmen drawn from the air forces and are provided to the Alliance on an as-needed basis. When a Valkyrie is expected to be assigned to the Allies for a long-duration assignment, usually to provide air support, the Imperial Navy modifies the aircraft by adding more heavily reinforced armour to better protect it in close firefights with enemy forces. The reinforced armour reduces the Valkyrie's maximum altitude and range due to the increased use of Promethium fuel, but it makes the Valkyrie a far more robust combat platform when it is carrying out its VTOL transport and gunship roles. The Valkyrie is capable of carrying 12 troops, but cannot carry some races such as the Krogans, Granoks and Ogryns. Valkyries also posses the cargo capacity to carry modified Drop Sentinels, Cyclops Demolition Vehicles or Sentry Guns instead of a complement of soldiers, but the added weight requires that they also carry two additional external fuel tanks.