The Spacepiress of Chaos
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..:: Out of Character Information ::..
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Intent: A standard light repeating blaster for use by those forces loyal to House Syrush as well as the forces of the Free Worlds Coalition.
Image Source: [Here]
Canon Link:N/a
Restricted Missions: N/a
Primary Source:
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..:: Production Information ::..
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Manufacturer:
Model:
- SSI-TSW MK I
Affiliation:
- Closed-Market
Modularity:
- No
Production:
- Mass-Produced
Material:
- Durasteel
- Blaster Components
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..:: Technical Specifications ::..
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Classification: Blaster
Size: Handheld
Length: 1,346 mm (53 in)
Weight: 14 kg (31 lbs)
Ammunition Type:
- Power cell
- Gas canister
Ammunition Capacity:
- Power cell (100 shots)
- Gas canister (400 shots)
Effective Range:
- Battlefield
Effective Firing Range: 1,400 m - Maximum Firing Range: 1,600m
Rate of Fire:
- 400 - 600 bolts/min
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..:: Special Features ::..
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- Accompanying Tripod
- Side Mounted Gas Canister
- Power Generator Coupling
- Built in hard sights
- Energy Cell ejection mechanism
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..:: Detailed Special Features ::..
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- Accompanying Tripod - Each Tau Squad Weapon is produced with an accompanying tripod that is matched with the weapon at its creation. This is to provide the fire crew with the needed stability to be able to fire the weapon continuously in a combat situation.
- Side Mounted Gas Canister - Oddly enough, the weapon's primary gas canister is mounted on the exterior of the weapon, on its right side. While this does present a dangerous situation during battle, it has proven to be the most effective way of ensuring a rapid fire and reload system.
- Power Generator Coupling - While the weapon is capable of running off of portable energy clips, it does have a port just forward of the trigger in which a small portable power generator could be attached.
- Built in hard sights - Your normal iron sights that come standard on many weapons.
- Energy Cell ejection mechanism - To facilitate a rapid reload speed, the weapon was designed with an energy cell ejection mechanism. This means that once the energy cell has been depleted, the weapon automatically ejects the spent cell.
Strengths:
- Squad Coverage - The Tau Squad Weapon was designed for one thing in mind, squad coverage. The weapon, when operated by two well trained individuals, can lay down enough firepower to match that of a standard nine man squad on the field of battle. This makes the weapon useful when a fighting force has limited numbers or needs to secure a location with few numbers.
- Tripod Mounting - Each weapon comes with an accompanying tripod. This item ensures that each Tau Squad Weapon remains on an established firing lane and zeroed in on a target. This also aids in reducing drifting caused by sustained fire.
Weaknesses :
- Energy Cell ejection mechanism - Oddly enough, if the weapon is attached to a portable generator, the ejection mechanism has been known to air eject. This means that after 100 rounds have been fired, the system forces open the energy cell chamber even though no cell is present, requiring the operator to close this chamber before resuming firing.
- Exposed Gas Canister - Due to the canister being mounted on the exterior, a well placed or even lucky shot to this casing has the potential to cause the weapon to either explode, or begin venting its tibanna gas. Damage to the canister would thus render the weapon useless on the field of battle.
- Two man crew - While the weapon can be fired by one individual it still requires a two man crew to transport and setup the weapon. One individual fires, while the other ensures that the weapon is not over heating or calls out targets to the gunner.
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..:: Description ::..
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The Sorenn-Syrush Industries Tau Squad Weapon Mark I is an up-scaled version of the SSI-Tau Rifle Mark I. The primary difference between the two weapons are their capabilities. The Tau Squad Weapon was designed to provide the effectiveness of a standard squad in the hands of two well trained individuals. These weapons are designed to ensure that the smallest number of individuals can hold a location against a numerically superior foe (provided that foe isn't attacking with vehicles). This makes the Tau Squad Weapon a devastating weapon, especially when properly emplaced to secure a location.
However, much like its progenitor weapon, the Tau Squad Weapon requires special training to ensure that it is properly utilized. This training is also to ensure that the two man crew operating the weapon trust one another and can work together.
An oddity of the weapon is the placement of its gas canister. While other weapons place the canister further back or within the weapon itself, this is not the case for the Tau Squad Weapon. Rather the gas canister is placed on the right side of the weapon, with the intention to provide for a more rapid reloading process. This increase in reloading speed however also means that the weapon can just as easily be destroyed or removed from action with the proper shot to the gas canister (causing the weapon to vent its case or outright explode in the operator's hands).
