A Heavy Gun Drone squadron speeding into battle.
A Heavy Gun Drone is a type of Tau Drone (small, disc-shaped, semi-sentient machines) employed extensively alongside Tau units in battle. Heavy Gun Drones consist of an advanced processor unit, which individually has only a basic intelligence (approximately that of a small animal such as a pterasquirrel), and moves about by way of a small anti-gravitic generator and a smaller and much modified version of a Tau Jetpack. This allows the Drone to hover over the ground and skim over most obstacles.
Heavy Gun Drones are a further development of the basic Gun Drone. They are visibly larger with heavier construction then standard Drones and carry heavier weapons in the shape of twin-linked Burst Cannons. On some Heavy Gun Drones, one Burst Cannon has been replaced with a Marker Light so the Drones can range ahead of the main army and pick out targets for destruction via long-range Seeker Missiles. In this role, they act as effective robotic artillery spotters. Heavy Gun Drones are relatively new addition to the forces of the Tau and most versions are still undergoing field trials.
Tactical Role
A Heavy Gun Drones and Gun Drones supporting a Pathfinder and a Fire Warrior during the Taros Campaign
Heavy Gun Drones are always deployed as networked deadly squadrons that can operate independently for long periods of time without the need for close supervision. Operating in such a capacity significantly increases the intelligence and processing speed of all the Drones in the squadron through the networking of processing, targeting, and sensor systems, making the whole far more deadly than the sum of its parts. Indeed, they were designed to play and extremely active role in combat in support of other Tau forces; and as such cannot be attached to a Tau squad via a Drone controller. This also means they lack the usual Drone programming for the protection of Tau life. Notably, Heavy Gun Drones are always programmed for self-preservation, and will flee rather than face certain destruction.
Despite their basic intelligence, the Tau do not treat their Drones as expendable forces, but as another useful weapon in their armoury. Heavy Gun Drone squadrons are often used for acting in support of other Tau units by supplying additional heavy weapons fire that Fire Warriors lack. Their fast speed and mobility also allows them to rapidly move into unexpected positions, making them ideal for flanking manoeuvres. Heavy Gun Drone squadrons consisting of four to six Drones will often be deployed from the transport aircraft that carried the main Hunter Cadre, such as Orcas and Mantas. Heavy Gun Drones can be deployed from the transports in mid-flight, as their anti-gravitic motors allow them to descend from high altitudes safely. Heavy Gun Drones are also commonly used in a defensive role in, such as in Drone perimeter defence teams. In these formations, the Drones will be programmed to hold the line no matter the cost.
Gallery
Sources
- Imperial Armour Update, pg. 31
- Imperial Armour Apocalypse, pg. 86
- Imperial Armour Apocalypse (2nd Edition), pg. 83
- Imperial Armour Volume Three – The Taros Campaign, pp. 184-186, 284