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[[File:Tau_Empire_Symbol.png|frame|The icon of the [[T'au Empire]].]]
The '''Swordfish''' gunship is a [[Tau]] vehicle that is a relatively new addition to the [[Fire Caste]]’s armed forces, it’s design is based on the familiar chassis of the [[Hammerhead]] and [[Devilfish]]. Its defining feature is, without a doubt, the huge [[twin-linked]] [[Railgun]] primary weapon system mounted on its turret, which makes it extremely effective at taking out enemy armour at great range. Indeed, it was for this explicit role that the vehicle was originally built to fulfil, after the sometimes painful experiences with [[Imperial]] armour and heavy armour during the [[Damocles Gulf Crusade]]. The Swordfish was not designed as a for the Hammerhead gunship, but instead as an addition to the Tau vehicle arsenal that could take on exceptionally well armoured super-heavy targets. However, the Swordfish vehicle design isn’t fully developed yet and the vehicle does suffer from some minor problems as a consequence, especially during long-term campaigns, as it requires an extensive amount of maintenance and repair/refit with spare parts after each engagement. However, its impressive fighting capabilities make up for this drawback.
 
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The '''Swordfish''' gunship is a [[T'au]] vehicle that is a relatively new addition to the [[Fire Caste]]'s armed forces. Its design is based on the familiar chassis of the [[Hammerhead]] and [[Devilfish]].
  +
  +
The Swordfish's defining feature is the huge, [[twin-linked]] [[Railgun]] mounted on its turret, which makes it extremely effective at eliminating enemy armour at great range.
  +
  +
It was for this explicit role that the vehicle was originally developed by the T'au, after the sometimes painful encounters by the Fire Caste with [[Imperial]] armour and heavy armour during the [[Damocles Gulf Crusade]].
  +
  +
The Swordfish was not designed as a replacement for the Hammerhead gunship, but instead as an addition to the T'au vehicle arsenal that could take on exceptionally well-armoured, super-heavy targets.
  +
  +
However, the Swordfish design is not yet fully developed and the vehicle does suffer from several minor deficiencies, especially during extended campaigns.
  +
  +
This is because the Swordfish requires an extensive amount of maintenance and repair or refit after each engagement. However, its impressive fighting capabilities make up for this drawback.
   
 
==Armament==
 
==Armament==
 
As standard, a Swordfish is armed with:
 
As standard, a Swordfish is armed with:
*'''Turret-mounted [[Twin-linked]] [[Railgun]]s''' - Railguns are linear accelerators that use superconductive electrodes to fire projectiles at hyper-velocity speeds. The vast kinetic energy generated by the round on impact often has devastating effects, and is effective against heavily armoured vehicles even at long range. A Swordfish’s Railguns can also fire submunition rounds that consist of a sophisticated bundle of smaller projectiles which can provide suppressive area fire against soft targets such as enemy infantry.
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*'''Turret-mounted [[Twin-linked]] [[Railgun]]s''' - Railguns are linear accelerators that use superconductive electrodes to fire projectiles at hyper-velocity speeds. The vast kinetic energy generated by the weapon's round on impact often has devastating effects, and is effective against heavily armoured vehicles even at long range. A Swordfish’s Railguns can also fire submunition rounds that consist of a sophisticated bundle of smaller projectiles that provide suppressive fire against soft targets such as enemy infantry.
 
*'''[[Twin-linked]] [[Missile Pod]]s''' – A Missile Pod is a simple and effective delivery system for multiple high strength [[missile]]s at long range.
 
*'''[[Twin-linked]] [[Missile Pod]]s''' – A Missile Pod is a simple and effective delivery system for multiple high strength [[missile]]s at long range.
*'''Nose-mounted [[Burst Cannon]]''' - Burst Cannons provide rapid-firing suppressive anti-infantry fire, acting as a self-defence weapon that can also be used to complement the fire of supporting squads.
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*'''Chin-mounted [[Burst Cannon]]''' - Burst Cannons provide rapid-firing suppressive anti-infantry fire, acting as a self-defence weapon that can also be used to complement the fire of supporting infantry squads.
   
 
===Optional Weapons===
 
===Optional Weapons===
*'''[[Seeker Missile]]''' – Swordfish gunships can also optionally have up to two Seeker Missiles in addition to their primary and secondary armaments. Each Seeker Missile is most effective when fired and guided by [[Marker Light]]s.
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*'''[[Seeker Missile]]''' – Swordfish gunships can optionally add up to two Seeker Missiles to their primary and secondary armaments. Each Seeker Missile is most effective when fired and guided by [[Marker Light]]s.
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==Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Technical Specifications==
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Technical specifications for this T'au vehicle are not yet available from the [[Ordo Xenos]].
   
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==

Revision as of 23:55, 20 February 2020

Tau Empire Symbol

The icon of the T'au Empire.

The Swordfish gunship is a T'au vehicle that is a relatively new addition to the Fire Caste's armed forces. Its design is based on the familiar chassis of the Hammerhead and Devilfish.

The Swordfish's defining feature is the huge, twin-linked Railgun mounted on its turret, which makes it extremely effective at eliminating enemy armour at great range.

It was for this explicit role that the vehicle was originally developed by the T'au, after the sometimes painful encounters by the Fire Caste with Imperial armour and heavy armour during the Damocles Gulf Crusade.

The Swordfish was not designed as a replacement for the Hammerhead gunship, but instead as an addition to the T'au vehicle arsenal that could take on exceptionally well-armoured, super-heavy targets.

However, the Swordfish design is not yet fully developed and the vehicle does suffer from several minor deficiencies, especially during extended campaigns.

This is because the Swordfish requires an extensive amount of maintenance and repair or refit after each engagement. However, its impressive fighting capabilities make up for this drawback.

Armament

As standard, a Swordfish is armed with:

  • Turret-mounted Twin-linked Railguns - Railguns are linear accelerators that use superconductive electrodes to fire projectiles at hyper-velocity speeds. The vast kinetic energy generated by the weapon's round on impact often has devastating effects, and is effective against heavily armoured vehicles even at long range. A Swordfish’s Railguns can also fire submunition rounds that consist of a sophisticated bundle of smaller projectiles that provide suppressive fire against soft targets such as enemy infantry.
  • Twin-linked Missile Pods – A Missile Pod is a simple and effective delivery system for multiple high strength missiles at long range.
  • Chin-mounted Burst Cannon - Burst Cannons provide rapid-firing suppressive anti-infantry fire, acting as a self-defence weapon that can also be used to complement the fire of supporting infantry squads.

Optional Weapons

  • Seeker Missile – Swordfish gunships can optionally add up to two Seeker Missiles to their primary and secondary armaments. Each Seeker Missile is most effective when fired and guided by Marker Lights.

Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Technical Specifications

Technical specifications for this T'au vehicle are not yet available from the Ordo Xenos.

Sources

  • Chapter Approved 2004, pp. 76-77
  • Epic Armageddon – Tau Army List Version 4.4, pg. 11