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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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{{TauPortal}}
'''Drones''' are AI-controlled light hovering vehicles that perform a variety of civilian and military roles for the [[T'au]]. Unlike the [[Imperium of Man]], the Tau make extensive use of these and other [[Artificial Intelligence|machine intelligences]].{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|2a}}
==Overview==
[[Image:TauDronesDiagram.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Various types of Tau Drones]]
Drones are conventionally disk-shaped, armoured, and equipped with an anti-gravitic generator and jet motors for propulsion. Their advanced processor unit has only a basic intelligence, which requires regular orders from their masters, often through a [[Drone Controller|drone controller]]. It is They are also programmed for self-preservation, and will typically flee in the face of danger (drones without propulsion systems will instead self-destruct upon capture). However, Drones can network together, increasing their intelligence and processing speed. This allows them to operate in a group independently of a controller for long periods of time.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|5a}}
Typical civilian jobs for Drones include message delivery or domestic services, as well as dangerous or tedious duties. This latter ability makes Drones popular for use by the Tau T'au military in support of their organic forces. Despite this, the Tau T'au do not treat their military Drones as expendable forces, instead as a way to augment and support their [[Fire Warrior]]s in the field.{{Fn|5a}} The most common uses of these drones entail carrying and operating equipment presumably too heavy or bulky to simply be carried by a team member.
Whilst more accepting of [[Abominable Intelligence|A.I.]] than other races, the T'au nonetheless have a taboo against creating self-replicating drones.{{Fn|32}}
===Missile Drone===
'''Missile Drones''' (MV8) are the standard type of Tau Missile Drone, equipped with a [[Missile Pod#T'au|missile pod]].{{Fn|1a}}
[[fileFile:MissileDrone2.jpg|thumb|center|120px|Missile Drone{{Fn|30}}]]
====Shielded Missile Drones====
'''Shielded Missile Drones''' (MV84) excel at both offense and defence. They use a cohesive energy field generator to absorb incoming shots, and are also well-armed with [[Missile Pod#T'au|missile pod]]s for retaliatory fire. They often deploy alongside the [[XV104 Riptide]] [[Battlesuit]],.{{Fn|14a}} although it is unclear why the unshielded variant is ever deployed instead.[[fileFile:MissileDrone.jpg|thumb|center|120px|Shielded Missile Drone]]
===Marker Drone===
MV75 Marker Drones a newer variant of Marker Drone which are assigned to [[XV26 Stealth Battlesuit]] squads.{{Fn|30}} They are equipped with an integrate stealth field generator.{{Fn|31}}
<gallery heights="160px" widths="220px" mode="packed" caption="">
MarkerDrone2.jpg|An MV7 Marker Drone{{Fn|30}}
MV75.jpg|An MV75 Marker Drone{{Fn|20}}
*{{Endn|17}}: [[White Dwarf 89 (2015)]] - ''XV95 Ghostkeel''
*{{Endn|18}}: [http://www.games-workshop.com/en-NZ/Tau-Fire-Warriors-Breacher-Team Games Workshop]
*{{Endn|19}}: [[White Dwarf 91 (2015)]], - ''Tau Empire - XV8 Crisis Battlesuits''
*{{Endn|20}}: [http://web.archive.org/web/20031203220242/http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/acatalog/QUATERMASTERS_STORE_PRE_ORDERS_11.html Forge World Saved Archive Page] ''(dated December 2003, last accessed 11 February 2016)''
*{{Endn|21}}: [http://web.archive.org/web/20040627075143/http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/PDF/tauturrets.pdf Forge World Saved Archive Page] ''(dated December 2003, last accessed 11 February 2016)''
*{{Endn|22}}: [[Codex: Tau Empire (8th Edition)]] - , pg. 57*{{Endn|23}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/02/02/new-tau-new-titans-and-more/ Warhammer Community: New Tau, Titans, and More (posted February 2 02/02/2020)] ''(last accessed 2/3/2020)''
*24: [[Tactica Aeronautica]]:
**{{Endn|24a}}: pg. 20
**{{Endn|24b}}: pg. 58
*{{Endn|25}}: [[Voice of Experience (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|26}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2023/06/20/free-combat-patrol-rule-downloads-let-you-fight-fast-balanced-skirmishes-in-the-new40k/ Warhammer Community: Free Combat Patrol Rule Downloads Let You Fight Fast, Balanced Skirmishes in the #New40k] [https://www.warhammer-community.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/dYR4DVFWmFdm9ICI.pdf Protectors of Aun'Shar PDF, pg. 3 (Posted on posted 20/06/2023)] ''(Last last accessed on 22/08/August 2023)''*{{Endn|27}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240820210137/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/08/20/kill-team-lore-whats-the-buzz-around-the-upgraded-vespid-stingwings/ Warhammer Community: Kill Team Lore – What’s the Buzz Around the Upgraded Vespid Stingwings? (posted 20/8/2024)] saved page, original link: ''(archived from [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/08/20/kill-team-lore-whats-the-buzz-around-the-upgraded-vespid-stingwings/ (the original], last accessed 20/8/August 2024)''
*{{Endn|28}}: [[Farsight Enclaves - A Codex: Tau Empire Supplement]], pg. 44 - ''O'vesa''
*{{Endn|29}}: [[Fire Warrior (Novel)]], Chapter VI
