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Hammerhead Gunship

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Tau Hammerhead[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 armour.

History

This Tau grav-tank was first encountered by Imperial forces during the Damocles Crusade, where it was given its codename 'Hammerhead.'[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.[Needs Citation]

Technical Information

Armament

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 hypersonic speeds [3b]. A second common weapon is the Ion Cannon, which fires high-energy particles that explosively react at the atomic level.[1][2] 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.[3b]

During the Taros Campaign, a number of Hammerheads were seen sporting new weaponry as their primary armament, including twin-linked long-barreled burst cannons, Missile Pods, twin-linked Fusion Cannons and twin-linked Tau Plasma Cannons. The latter two are thought to still be in the field-testing stages.[3b]

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

Armour

The Hammerhead is protected by a nano-crystalline alloy, the composition of which is as yet unknown.[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 cannons, lascannons and krak missiles.[4]

Crew

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.[3b]

Engine

The Hammerhead uses a complex 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.[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.[6]

Equipment

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 upgrades.[Needs Citation]

Ordo Xenos Classification

Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record[3b]
Serial Number 85673-9083119 Main Armament Railgun, Ion Cannon, or twin Tau Plasma Cannons
Designation Gunship
Vehicle Codename Hammerhead Secondary Armament Twin Burst Cannons or Smart Missile System
Vehicle Type Grav-Tank
Crew 3 (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Commander) Traverse 360°
Weight 24 tonnes Elevation From -10° to +28°
Length 8.25m Ammunition Unknown
Width 6.8m Armour Type Nano-Crystalline Alloy

Composition Unknown

Height 4.1m
Max Recorded Speed 70kph

Images

Sources


Tau Empire Forces
Leadership EtherealTau CommanderFireblade
Troops Fire Warrior Team (Strike TeamBreacher Team) • Pathfinder TeamStealthsuit TeamDrone Squadron
Battlesuits XV8 Crisis (XV8XV8-02XV81XV84XV85XV86XV89)XV15 StealthXV22 StealthXV25 StealthXV95 GhostkeelXV88 BroadsideXV9 Hazard
XV46 VanguardXV104 RiptideXV107 R'varnaXV109 Y'vahraKV128 StormsurgeKX139 Ta'unar
Vehicles DevilfishDrone HarbingerHammerheadPiranhaSky RayTetraSwordfish
Aircraft BarracudaMantaOrcaSun SharkRazorsharkTiger SharkRemora
Auxiliaries Kroot ShaperKroot Carnivore SquadKroot HoundKrootoxKnarlocGreat KnarlocVespid StingwingGue'vesa
Special Characters Aun'vaAun'shiShadowsunFarsightDarkstriderLongstrike