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Vertibird Comparison.png
The two generations of Vertibirds compared
LocationNew California
Capital Wasteland
Mojave Wasteland

Vertibird is a designation for a series of VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) craft. These multipurpose tiltwing aircraft were developed by the United States military[2] and rapidly became a primary gunship and transport aircraft.


Developed by the Department of Defense, the original Vertibird was created as a multipurpose tiltrotor vertical take-off aircraft. While utilized early on in the days before the Great War, certain companies got word of its development, and began planning the use of it for their own methods.[3] Following the success of what became known as the VB01 Vertibird, the military commenced work on a superior model, hoping to improve on virtually every aspect of the original: Better armor, better weapons, better speed and cargo capacity, everything. When the Great War struck in 2077, the XVB02 Vertibird was still in the prototype phase, scheduled to enter full military service in 2085.[2] Limited trial runs were developed and pressed into service, including winterized models during the last stages of the Anchorage Reclamation[4] The Enclave would finish prototyping the VB 02 at the Control Station Enclave, along with the X-01 power armor, sometime after the Great War and begin producing the VB02 en masse.[5]

The second generation Vertibird was produced into two distinct versions: a transport design, with a large glass canopy, six non-retractable landing struts, a spacious cargo bay and seven-bladed rotors for extra lift, and a gunship, with a heavily armored hull, four rotor blades, four retractable landing struts, and better armament.[6] These were used extensively in field operations on the West Coast, which include trading with the Salvatore family of New Reno,[7] capturing of test subjects for the FEV Curling-13 research programme from Arroyo and Vault 13[8] and more. Around 2242, the Chosen One stole the Vertibird Plans from the Navarro base, making it possible that the Vertibird plans ended up in the hands of various factions of the wasteland. The destruction of the oil rig later that year has likely destroyed a large number of aircraft in the Enclave's service. When the Navarro military base was later conquered by the NCR, a Vertibirds stationed at the base were put into military service, used for transportation duties. One aircraft was assigned for transporting the NCR President, receiving a special white and green paint scheme and the designation Bear Force One.[9]

In 2277, Enclave forces that relocated to the Capital Wasteland deployed a large fleet of Vertibirds to support their ground operations in the region. These gunships were used in a decidedly military capacity. A large number of VB01 craft were once again pressed into service by the eastern division of the Brotherhood of Steel, having not been used since the days of the Appalachian Brotherhood of Steel,[10] becoming widely used by 2287.[11]


VB01 Vertibird

VB-01 Side Shot.png

The VB 01 Vertibird was primarily used by United States Armed Forces prior to the Great War. Since then its only known operator has been the Brotherhood of Steel as its main transportation vehicle and gunship.

VB02 Vertibird

VB-02 Side Shot.png

The VB02 Vertibird was primarily used by the Enclave in post-War America. Since its defeat, Vertibirds have seen limited use by the New California Republic for transport of VIPs or special missions.

Behind the scenes

Cut content

Enclave Air Force insignia, from the destroyed Vertibird texture map

When destroyed, the wreckage uses a slightly different texture set, including rotor markings and the emblem of what is likely to be the Enclave Air Force.

Design background

  • Many design aspects of this aircraft appear to be inspired by the hovering insect, the dragonfly. For example, the six legged landing gear and twin bulges in the forward fuselage.
  • The technical concept of wingtip-mounted, tilting engine-pods with rotors featuring a diameter between a classic aircraft propeller and a helicopter's main rotor has been used in several real-world-designs like the experimental aircrafts Bell XV-3, Curtiss-Wright X-19, Bell X-22, Bell XV-15.
  • A prominent tilt-rotor aircraft in current military service is the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey which is operated by both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force.

Vertibird Designation

The designation "VB02" would, in real-world US military usage, indicate that it is a bomber aircraft. As the Vertibird's primary roles appear to be transport and ground attack, the "VB" prefix seems to be simply intended as an abbreviation of Vertibird. In post-1962 US Department of Defense nomenclature, the transport variation's designation would probably be CV-2, meaning "cargo/transport VTOL, design number 2", with the gunship variant being "AV-2", meaning "Attack Purposed VTOL, design number 2".


Fallout 2

Fallout 3

Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout 4

Appearances in games

Vertibirds appear in Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4 and Fallout 76.


  1. The Art of Fallout 4: Front: Twin .30cal Ball Turret
  2. 2.0 2.1 Museum of Technology Vertibird placard: "This is a scaled model of a prototype military transport vehicle being developed by the U.S. Military. The XVB02 "Vertibird" is a VTOL ("Vertical Take Off and Landing") craft with an extremely durable armored fuselage and can be armored with a variety of offensive weapons and defensive countermeasures. This is the most advanced aircraft of its kind ever developed, and the military hopes to press them into service by 2085."
  3. Hornwright Industrial Headquarters terminals; CEO's Terminal, Personal Entry 02
  4. A winterized Vertibird can be seen during the Anchorage Reclamation simulation, dropping off troops.
  5. The Whitespring Bunker terminals; Schematic Archives, Prototype Power Armor Schematics
  6. Appearance of the craft in Fallout 2, Fallout 3, and Fallout: New Vegas.
  7. Help guard a secret transaction taking place in the desert.
  8. Events of Fallout 2.
  9. Vertibirds appear at Long 15, while another is used as Bear Force One by the NCR President.
  10. Fallout 76
  11. Fallout 4
Enclave Symbol (Fallout 3).png
Enclave Symbol (Fallout 3).png