Approved Tech M58 Tau Squad Weapon Mk II

[Amelia von Sorenn]

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Intent: Updating the previous Tau Squad Weapon Mk I for CIS use
Image Source: [HERE]

Canon Link: N/a
Permissions: N/a

Primary Source:

• Sorenn-Syrush Industries Tau Squad Weapon Mk I

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Manufacturer:

• Confederacy of Independent Systems

Affiliation:

• Closed-Market

Model:

• M58-Ts2

Modularity:

• No

Production:

• Limited

Material:

• Alusteel
• Reinforced Durasteel
• Transparisteel
• Blaster Components

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Classification: Blaster
Size: Very Large
Weight: Heavy

Ammunition Type:

• Power Cell
• Gas Canister

Ammunition Capacity:

• Large
  • Power Cell (200 shots)
  • Gas Canister (800 shots)

Effective Range: Average
Rate of Fire: High

Stopping Power: Average
Recoil: Average

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Accompanying Tripod
Side Mounted Gas Canister
Power Generator Coupling
Iron Sights
Power Cell ejection mechanism
Operator Blast Shield
Munitions Counter​

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• Squad Weapon - Each weapon is designed to supplement a squad; however, when utilized in the hands of capable operators, the crew of this weapon is capable of laying down a rate of fire that is equitable to that of a standard nine-man squad. This capability has proven useful for when a force has limited numbers or needs to keep a position secure with suboptimal numbers of personnel.

• Operator Blast Shield - An upgrade compared to the predecessor; the Mark II has a blast shield at the rear of the weapon consisting of reinforced Durasteel and Transparisteel, which protects the operator and provides a clear line of sight. This blast shield also provides limited protection to the secondary operator overseeing the weapon's munitions and power supply.

• Power Generator Coupling - Each Mark II comes with a power coupling situated near the power cell port which allows for the weapon to be plugged into a power supply; such as a Gonk Droid or Portable Fusion Generator, to provide for a continuous supply of power. This is often utilized more often when the weapons are established in stationary positions or used to defend hard targets located inside cities or military installations.

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• Side Mounted Gas Canister - The major downside of the weapon is the location of the gas canister. The canister - due partly to its size - is mounted on the side of the weapon. This exposed location means that a well placed or lucky blind fire shot can disable the weapon - causing it to begin venting its supply of Tibanna gas. In a worst-case scenario, this has the potential to cause the canister to explode, damaging or destroying the weapon and its operators.

• Power Cell Ejection Mechanism - An oddity that remains with the weapon; in the case that the Mark II is plugged into a power source, it has been noted that at times the weapon will air eject. Meaning that after the weapon has cycled through two-hundred shots, the system activates and pushing the ejection port open as if it had ejected a depleted power cell. In these instances, the operator must manually close the ejection port before resuming fire.

• Crewed Weapon - The Mark II requires at least two individuals to transport, setup and properly operate the weapon. With one individual acting as the primary gunner, the other individual maintains the power output - if coupled with a power generator - tracks weapon fatigue and heat build-up in the barrel.

• Iron Sights - The Mark II relies on iron sights - which at times can be obscured due to the tint of the Transparisteel on the operator's blast shield. This makes the weapon difficult to aim at times and more often than not, the operator is merely laying down as much fire in a general location as possible rather than a targeted burst of fire.

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An updated variant of the Mark I; the Tau Squad Weapon Mark II still remains an upscaled version of the Tau Rifle that its design is initially based off - with the primary difference between them is their capabilities and the situations in which one would be deployed. Whereas the Tau Rifle Mark II is designed to provide long-distance capabilities to reconnaissance and sniper teams, the Tau Squad Weapon Mark II is designed with the capability of securing an area with the least amount of personnel possible. Provided that the enemy is not assailing a position with heavily armored vehicles, the Mark II provides a sustainable field of fire equivalent to a standard nine-man squad - and is often utilized primarily as an emplacement weapon. Each Mark II requires a dedicated crew of individuals to properly transport, set up and operate the weapon in the field; often composed of a primary gunner and secondary support personnel.

These two-man crews are often trained together to ensure that they are capable of properly working together and assisting one another to ensure the proper setup and operation of the weapon. While it is capable of operating with power cells alone, the Mark II is more oft than not set up as an emplacement weapon to secure forward positions, military installations and civilian hard targets. This is due to the weapons capability of being coupled with a power generator - usually, a portable fusion generator or a gonk droid when one is available. Though for all of its capabilities and its usefulness, it does have its problems as well.

The primary ailment of the weapon is the position in which the gas canister is mounted on the side - though this is due in part to the size of the canister. This exposed position has the possibility of causing the weapon to be disabled - if a glancing shot were to damage the canister and cause it to leak its Tibanna gas; or potentially damage or destroy the weapon and its operators if the canister were to explode. Another problem arises due in part to the included blast shield which is meant to protect the operator of the weapon; the problem is that the tinted coloring of the Transparisteel often obscures the iron sights of the weapon, making exact aiming difficult. In many situations, the gunner is not aiming the weapon at a specific target so much as laying down a general field of fire in a specific direction.

An oddity of the weapon is that it is prone to air ejecting a power cell. This usually happens with the weapon is coupled with a power source rather than utilizing power cells; and once the weapon has fired a set number of rounds, the power cell ejection mechanism will often air eject and force the power cell chamber door open. In this situation, the operator or secondary operator of the weapon must manually close the port before the weapon can begin firing again - which can often cause problems such as allowing the internal components of the weapon to be exposed to dust and debris on the field of battle.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Amelia von Sorenn

Approved