Aerial Turret

[Golan2781]

Perfect! How about a helicopter that can set itself down as a base defense, and fly away whenever summoned? That could work for the people on both sides of this debate.

The OP is very specifically about a defense which is airborne in its defense mode. The Siege Helicopter is very specifically no airborne in its siege mode.

[=LEVIATHEN=]

The OP is very specifically about a defense which is airborne in its defense mode. The Siege Helicopter is very specifically no airborne in its siege mode.

Well, that's what I mean. It sets itself down as a defensive structure, and when it takes off, it has a weak-ish anti-air turret to defend itself.

[Commander32]

IMO its rather impractical to have a flying turret, unless its just an turret that hovers just above the ground via antigrav tech. like the ones from the Halo series.

[Golan2781]

Well, that's what I mean. It sets itself down as a defensive structure, and when it takes off, it has a weak-ish anti-air turret to defend itself.

Well, that's what I mean. The initial suggestion is for a good air-based defense, which yours is not.

[=LEVIATHEN=]

Well, that's what I mean. The initial suggestion is for a good air-based defense, which yours is not.

Hm. Good point there.
Well, I think the idea is pretty good, and should be implemented somehow.
But anyway, back to subject, since this is apparently off topic.
Like Commander32 says, it would be sensibly impractical to have a floating turret, unless it was just for looks. Of course, if the thing was to have a special use, then it could use that technique explained earlier that causes the turret to rise up, and then only anti-air units can attack it. But then the defense might have to have a base to anchor it to the spot, so couldn't a unit just destroy the base?
How about there is a base to the defense, and when it rises off of it, enemy units can attack the base instead of the turret. Once the base is destroyed, the turret can move around for a short period of time.

[Kane_J]

That could be useful but things like fire hawks can just shoot missiles at it and then bomb your base. It's just a waste of credits.

[Quadhelix]

One easy justification is that it is help up by a balloon. For example, Balloon Mines from MidEast Crisis 2.

That could be useful but things like fire hawks can just shoot missiles at it and then bomb your base. It's just a waste of credits.

Your argument proves too much, as it could apply to any permanently airborne unit, like Venoms, Commanches, Hammerheads, Kirovs, etc. Of course a unit is going to die rather quickly to its counter.