Sky Ray Gunship

Tau Portal

Sky Ray Missile Defense Gunship

The TX78 Sky Ray Missile Defense Gunship serves the Tau Empire as a perimeter and air-defense vehicle.^[1] Based on the Devilfish chassis, it is armed with deadly Seeker Missiles for the application of accurate firepower. They are rarely encountered in large numbers, with usually a single Sky Ray per Hunter Cadre, though more may be stationed to defend important targets.^[2]

History

During the Damocles Crusade, Imperial Aircraft had proven deadly to Tau ground forces and airfields. In response to the Tau military's lack of a dedicated anti-air unit, the Earth Caste developed the Sky Ray. These early vehicles were required to find and lock-on their own targets, but eventually they were integrated into the wider Markerlight network, increasing their deadly potential. During the Taros Campaign, Imperial Navy pilots came to despise the Sky Ray, giving it the nickname "Stinger." Confirmed kills of Sky Rays became a much-celebrated achievement among these pilots.^[2]

Since then the Sky Ray has been used by the Tau in other military operations, including the invasion of Pavonis.^[3]

Technical Information

Sky Ray Missile Tank

Armament

The Sky Ray carries six Seeker Missiles mounted in a 360° traversable turret. It also mounts a pair of networked Markerlights and a Target Lock support system, allowing the Sky Ray to aim and fire its own Seeker Missiles against two separate targets at once. Secondary armament is either a pair of independently-aimed burst cannons, a pair of Gun Drones or a Smart Missile System.^[1] This weaponry is aimed and fired by the Sky Ray's dedicated weapons operator.^[2]

Armour

The Sky Ray is protected by the same nano-crystalline alloy used in the armour of other Tau vehicles, the composition of which is as yet unknown. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight, improving the vehicle's speed and flight characteristics.^[3] However, the Sky Ray does not mount as much armour as seen on the Hammerhead Gunship which, combined with its limited ammunition, resulted in most Tau Commanders avoiding their use in protracted ground engagements.^[2]

Equipment

In addition to its standard weapons, control and communications systems, the Sky Ray is equipped with retractable landing skids and can be further modified with additional upgrades, though it lacks room for mounting additional Seeker Missiles.^[4]

Battle Role

Each of the Sky Ray's Seeker Missiles guided by the vehicle's marker light target designators. The marker lights usually scour the sky to find and lock on the enemy aircrafts. Then the automated systems of the Sky Ray quickly calculate how many missile needed to launch (from 1 to 6), which depends upon target type, speed and range. The Seeker Missiles are so fast and accurate that enemy pilots often don't have time to react and take an evasive maneuverer.^[4]

The Sky Rays also used in a ground assault role, but they can't operate for too long because of lack of ammunition. So most of the Tau commanders avoid to use them in ground operations.^[4]

The single Sky Ray often attached to a Hunter Cadre, so they are rarely encountered in great numbers. Also Sky Ray may be included as a part of defensing force for Tau airfields, headquarters or other important or vulnerable locations.^[4]

Images

Sky Ray Missile Tank

Ordo Xenos Classification

Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record[3]
Serial Number	85673-908457	Main Armament	6 x Seeker Missiles
Designation	Missile Defense Gunship
Vehicle Codename	Sky Ray	Secondary Armament	Smart Missile System
Vehicle Type	Grav-Tank
Crew	2 (Pilot, Gunner)	Traverse	360°
Weight	24 tonnes	Elevation	From -0° to +70°
Length	8.25m	Ammunition	6 missiles
Width	6.8m	Armour Type	Nano-Crystalline Alloy Composition Unknown
Height	5m
Max Recorded Speed	70kph

Related Articles

• Tau Vehicles (List)

Sources

• 1: Codex: Tau Empire (4th Edition), ^{[Needs Citation]}
• 2: Imperial Armour Volume Three - The Taros Campaign, pg. 163
• 3: Courage and Honour (Novel) by Graham McNeill, ^{[Needs Citation]}
• 4: Imperial Armour Update, pg. 32