Helldivers 2: How to destroy an Automaton Gunship Fabricator

It’s the latest threat to Managed Democracy in the galaxy: The Automaton Gunship Fabricator. What was once the source of rumors is now fact and must be eliminated. Here’s how to destroy an Automaton Gunship Fabricator in Helldivers 2.

The Automaton Gunship Fabricator appears as a Secondary Objective in Helldivers 2. It falls under the umbrella of “destroy the thing” objectives, much like the Fuel Silos and Rogue Research Stations. But unlike said objectives, the Automaton Gunship Fabricator is a bit of a tougher nut to crack. It also periodically spits two hostile gunships into the air, which then turn their sights on you and your fellow divers.

How to destroy an Automaton Gunship Fabricator in Helldivers 2

So far, it seems the only way to destroy an Automaton Gunship Fabricator in Helldivers 2 is to slap it with a Hellbomb. Unlike the aforementioned objectives, using an Eagle 500kg Bomb or the Orbital 380mm Barrage doesn’t seem to do the trick. The most powerful Stratagems in your arsenal won’t scratch the fabricator’s sleek, gunmetal-gray exterior. Instead, you’ll need to call in the biggest of big guns to do the job.

I recently spent time myself trying to blast it with my beloved 500kg, but to no avail. Over on Reddit, one tenacious diver claims to have dropped 16 Eagle 500kg Bombs in a row on one, but not even those chipped the paint.

To destroy the Automaton Gunship Fabricator in Helldivers 2, approach it until you see the option to call in a Hellbomb Stratagem. Drop the Hellbomb nearby, punch in the code, and then run like wind. The fabricator will be dust soon enough. Granted, it’s easier said than done.

Automaton Gunship Fabricator – Tips and tricks

The fabricator produces two flying gunships every so often, with their arrival announced by an audible warning. Gunships use a scanner to search for enemies. When it finds its prey, the gunship rains lasers onto its target. You can destroy them with two EAT rockets, or with a single blast of the Quasar Cannon — fulfilling its intended purpose.

Clearing the skies ahead of dropping the Hellbomb is wise, as the explosion may be big, but the bomb’s health bar is certainly not. If you’re having issues setting the bomb without it getting destroyed, consider bringing a Shield Generator Relay. With the facility gone, you shouldn’t see anymore flying gunships in the proximity. If you do, that means you have another date with a Hellbomb and it’s coming up fast.