Phalanx Imperial Weapon Platform
| Phalanx Fire Support Platform | |
|---|---|
 Initial Design Proof | |
| Place of origin | Empire of Thrashia |
| Service history | |
| In service | Present |
| Used by | Imperial Army, Clone Legions |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Kyle Katarn |
| Designed | 023.09.003 NIE |
| Manufacturer | Bastion Arms Inc. |
| Unit cost | 10,000 Credits |
| Produced | 167.03.004 NIE |
| Variants | See Text |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 653.5 kg |
| Length | 2.2 m |
| Width | 1.9 m |
| Height | 2.6 m |
| Crew | None, Droid or HUD Controlled |
| Rate of fire | 3,000 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 3,324 ft/s (1,010 m/s) (API) |
| Effective firing range | 4,000 feet (1,220 m) |
| Feed system | Attached Power Generator Cells |
| Armor | 30mm Composite, Personal Shield Generator |
Main armament | Heavy Mk.XI Rotary Laser Cannon |
Secondary armament | Grenade Launcher |
| Transmission | Hydropneumatic |
Operational range | 600km on roads |
| Speed | 75 kph on roads |
Phalanx Imperial Weapon Platform
Thrashian Imperial Army Equipment
Designed as a small, well armed support vehicle for Imperial troopers, the Phalanx is a hallmark in the creation of military droids. Though the Imperial Military has historically been opposed to "over-reliance" on droids or artificial intelligence, its collective mind has begun to change. Imperial Navy vessels now use AI assistants aboard ship. With even the staunch conservatives within the Imperial Navy bending to the necessity and use of AI, how could the Imperial Army possible refuse as well?
Description
The Phalanx is one of the more intimidating droid weapon systems yet designed by Imperial engineers. It's primary armament is capable of laying waste to infantry, vehicles, and even air targets. It's high rate of fire, that can be maintained for long periods of time, is considered to be more effective than the combined firepower of an infantry company.
The Phalanx comes with a deflector shield, allowing it to remain in action and combat effective far longer than other such systems. However, over use of either it's shield system or it's primary weapon system will result in the failure of both. Most Phalanx are kept under tight control by the platoon and company commanders to which they are assigned to support.
Though it is often utilized via HUD, the Phalanx is just as capable of Unmanned Combat with an advanced droid combat protocol system. When under such a setting the Phalanx does not rely upon external commands to identify and deal with threats. An AI-assisted IFF recognition software makes sure that no 'blue-on-blue' incidents happens, nor collateral damage or civilian casualties; though the vagaries of war are immutable.
The Phalanx Droid is also capable of networking and communicating with the Thrashian Imperial Army Combat Interlink Communications Network, allowing it to update various threats and enemy positions in real time to commanders. This enables rear support weapons systems to be used with alacrity and at need. Unit commanders that are controlling the HUD can also tag and identify threats that they deem priorities, which support units are required to deal with according to standard operating procedure.
