[[Image:HammerheadArt.jpg|thumb|right|400px300px|Tau Hammerhead^{{Fn|5}}]]The '''TX7 Hammerhead Gunship''' is the main battle tank of the [[Tau]] army. It is based on the standard [[Devilfish]] chassis but sacrifices transport capacity for high -powered weapon capacitors and extra armorarmour.  

This Tau grav-tank was first encountered by [[Imperial]] forces during the [[Damocles Crusade]], where it was given its codename 'Hammerhead'.'³ {{Fn|3b}} It has since remained a staple of Tau military forces, and has been used on a number of worlds, including [[Gravalax]], [[Taros]] and [[Pavonis]]. Since first being sighted, a number of variants has been introduced, most recently during the [[Taros Campaign]].{{Cite This}}

Though it can be fitted with a variety of weapon, the most common (and most feared) is the [[Railgun]], a linear accelerator capable of firing solid projectiles at hyper-velocity hypersonic speeds{{Fn|3b}}. A second common weapon is the [[Ion Cannon]], {{Fn|1b}} which fires high-energy particles that explosively react at the atomic level.^1,2 {{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|2a}} Targeting and tracking sensors are located in the Hammerhead's chin-turret, including a [[Markerlight]] receiver that allows for superior accuracy against targets painted with a Markerlight beam.³{{Fn|3b}}

During the Taros Campaign, a number of Hammerheads were seen sporting new weaponry as their primary armament, including [[twin-linked]] long-barreled barrelled [[burst cannon]]s, [[Missile Podmissile pod]]s, twin-linked [[Fusion Cannonfusion cannon]]s and twin-linked [[Tau Plasma Cannon|plasma cannons]]s. The latter two are thought to still be in the field-testing stages.³{{Fn|3b}}

Secondary armament is typically two independently-aimed burst cannons, a [[Smart Missile System]] or a pair of [[Gun Drones]].^1,2{{Fn|1b}}{{Fn|2b}}

The Hammerhead is protected by a nano-crystalline alloy, the composition of which is as yet unknown.³ {{Fn|3b}} While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight. The Hammerhead's armour can be penetrated by Imperial anti-tank weaponry, such as [[battle cannon]]s, [[lascannon]]s and [[Missile Launcher#Imperial Munitions Types|krak missilesmissile]]s.^{{Fn|4}}

The Hammerhead's pilot and co-pilot sit in the vehicle's climate-controlled cockpit, the latter charged with controlling the Hammerhead's navigation, communications, and secondary weapon systems. The vehicle commander sits in the top turret and controls the primary weapon, assisted by a [[Targeting Array]] for improved accuracy. Automated overrides allows any crewmember to take another's role should they become incapacitated.³{{Fn|3b}}

The Hammerhead uses a complex duel dual anti-grav/jet propulsion motive system. Utilizing the Tau's command of techno-sorcery, the Hammerhead generates an anti-grav "cushion" on which it floats, allowing it to skim over a planet's surface and avoid hazardous obstacles. Two powerful jet engines, located on either side of the vehicle, are able to pivot to either propel the Hammerhead forward or give it additional lift. These jet engines, while equally noisy, are more reliable and efficient than Imperial models.³{{Fn|3b}} Despite its jet engines' air-breathing nature, the Hammerhead is able to remain completely submerged in salt water for long periods of time, rise on its suspensors to the surface, and engage the engines immediately.{{Fn|6}}

In addition to their standard weapons and systems, the Hammerhead is also equipped with retractable landing skids. Already equipped with a [[Targeting Array]], it can also be further modified with additional [[Tau WeaponsVehicles (List)#Vehicle ArmouryUpgrades|upgrades]].{{Cite this}}

|style=background:#4F4F4F colspan=4 align=center|'''Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record'''³{{Fn|3b}}

|[[Railgun]], [[Ion Cannon]] , or twin [[RailgunTau Plasma Cannon]]s

|'''Secondary Armament''' |Twin [[Burst Cannon]]s or [[Smart Missile System]]

{{Cite}}*¹: [[Codex: Tau (3rd Edition)]]*^{*{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 19**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 31*2}: [[Codex: Tau Empire (4th Edition)]]*^{*{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 30**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 41*3}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign]] , p:**{{Endn|3a}}: pg. 154**{{Endn|3b}}: pg.158*^{{Endn|4}}: [[Courage and Honour (Novel)]] by [[Graham McNeill]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|5}}: [[The Art of Warhammer 40,000(2006)]] , pg.207*{{Endn|6}}: [[Adeptus Mechanicus: Vanguard (Short Story)]]