Sky Ray
The TX78 Sky Ray Missile Defense Gunship serves the Tau Empire as a perimeter and air-defense vehicle. Based on the Devilfish chassis, it is armed with deadly Seeker Missiles for the application of accurate firepower. They are rarely encountered in large numbers, with usually a single Sky Ray per Hunter Cadre, though more may be stationed to defend important targets. The Sky Ray is a known supporter with the policy on the "Macross Missile Massacre" which is the over reliance on killing the enemy with countless amount of missiles till it resembles explosive rain. The Imperium Deathstrike Missile Launcher and Manticore Launcher Tank are also firm supporters of the policy.
Overview
Each of the Sky Ray's Seeker Missiles guided by the vehicle's marker light target designators. The marker lights usually scour the sky to find and lock on the enemy aircrafts. Then the automated systems of the Sky Ray quickly calculate how many missile needed to launch (from 1 to 6), which depends upon target type, speed and range. The Seeker Missiles are so fast and accurate that enemy pilots often don't have time to react and take an evasive maneuverer (unless if it is an Eldar of course, these fuckers can evade anything).
The Sky Rays also used in a ground assault role, but they can't operate for too long because of lack of ammunition. So most of the Tau commanders avoid to use them in ground operations.
The single Sky Ray often attached to a Hunter Cadre, so they are rarely encountered in great numbers. Also Sky Ray may be included as a part of defensing force for Tau airfields, headquarters or other important or vulnerable locations.
Weaponry & Armour
The Sky Ray carries six Seeker Missiles mounted in a 360° traversable turret. It also mounts a pair of networked Markerlights and a Target Lock support system, allowing the Sky Ray to aim and fire its own Seeker Missiles against two separate targets at once. Secondary armament is either a pair of independently-aimed burst cannons, a pair of Gun Drones or a Smart Missile System. This weaponry is aimed and fired by the Sky Ray's dedicated weapons operator.
In addition to its standard weapons, control and communications systems, the Sky Ray is equipped with retractable landing skids and can be further modified with additional upgrades, though it lacks room for mounting additional Seeker Missiles.
The Sky Ray is protected by the same nano-crystalline alloy used in the armour of other Tau vehicles, the composition of which is as yet unknown. While lightweight and malleable, the metal is strong and corrosive-resistant, providing good protection while cutting down on weight, improving the vehicle's speed and flight characteristics. However, the Sky Ray does not mount as much armour as seen on the Hammerhead Gunship which, combined with its limited ammunition, resulted in most Tau Commanders avoiding their use in protracted ground engagements.