Phased Ion Gun

A Phased Ion Gun is a Tau Ion Weapon developed as a primary weapon system for an XV9 Hazard Battlesuit. Developed during the Tau Empire's Third Sphere Expansion and based on Ion Weapons technology acquired as part of a fruitful alliance between the Syrr'Tok Brotherhood of the Demiurg and the Water Caste of the Dal'yth Sept, a Phased Ion Gun is capable of engaging enemies at range with high energy ion streams, vaporising flesh and metal with equal ease. These high-energy particles are accelerated by an electromagnetic field and react explosively with the target as a result of the direct transfer of energy at an atomic level.

A Phased Ion Gun is a prototype weapon system designed specifically for use by XV9 Hazard Battlesuits, as their advanced power cores allow them to effectively use the weapons. The weapons seek to develop and meld the rapid-firing technology of the Cyclic Ion Blaster with the power of the vehicle mounted Ion Cannon into a stable Battlesuit weapon system. The long accelerators of the Phased Ion Gun allow the pilot to engage the enemy at range with a storm of projectiles that react explosively on an atomic level, decimating heavily armoured infantry and vehicles. While the rate of fire is stable and very high, the ionisation effect remains unpredictable and varies due to the developing nature of the experimental technology. At its peak, a Phased Ion Guns energy streams are able to bypass virtually all forms of armour. Whilst a Phased Ion Gun in role to a Cyclic Ion Blaster, it sacrifices some of the latter’s firing rate for extra hitting power per shot.