The Type 16 Tactical Combat Drone is used by the Dìguó Jūnshì of the Empire of Daqin, coming into service in 2316 CE. As a piece vital to front-line combat, it's a relatively new model meant to maintain the edge in warfare. Despite that though, it is reliant on very tried and true technology.
Built around the core components of the Type 3 Assault Rifle, the Tactical Combat Drone is effectively a quadruped with a gun turret on its back. Roughly the size of a pitbull, it rapidly scurries on four spider-like limbs, posessing a spare set folded away when not in use as well as a pair of thin, almost whip-like mechanical tentacles ending in a small manipulator. Meanwhile, the weapon mount on its back enables hull-down firing due to its ability to elevate and depress. Hardened against EMP and programmed with complex combat routines, the Tactical Combat Drone is used for a variety of roles. This ranges from providing suppressing fire, direct fire, and so forth, however, its primary mode of fire with the turret mounted rifle is semi-automatic to conserve ammunition. For close quarters combat, the drone's pair of folded away limbs posses plasma cutters, making it surprisingly capable of melee combat considering the relatively long reach for its size. Well protected for a disposable unit, the ballistic polymer plating requires a good burst of fire to destroy from the standard assault rifle of most nations. For a drone, its AI is complex, enabling it to provide fire support and flanking maneuvers as needed, but can also be directed or manually controlled wirelessly as an extension of the average Daqinren soldier's body. Typically, a single soldier commands several in combat, serving as a good portion of their overall firepower. In combat, the drone carries only one magazine and a single 40mm grenade chambered in its launcher, necessitating either very precise and controlled fire, or short combat runs before retreating to a supply drone to reload. This limited ammunition capacity is enhanced by its ability to scale most surfaces using its synthetic setae and claws.
Built around the core components of the Type 3 Assault Rifle, the Tactical Combat Drone is effectively a quadruped with a gun turret on its back. Roughly the size of a pitbull, it rapidly scurries on four spider-like limbs, posessing a spare set folded away when not in use as well as a pair of thin, almost whip-like mechanical tentacles ending in a small manipulator. Meanwhile, the weapon mount on its back enables hull-down firing due to its ability to elevate and depress. Hardened against EMP and programmed with complex combat routines, the Tactical Combat Drone is used for a variety of roles. This ranges from providing suppressing fire, direct fire, and so forth, however, its primary mode of fire with the turret mounted rifle is semi-automatic to conserve ammunition. For close quarters combat, the drone's pair of folded away limbs posses plasma cutters, making it surprisingly capable of melee combat considering the relatively long reach for its size. Well protected for a disposable unit, the ballistic polymer plating requires a good burst of fire to destroy from the standard assault rifle of most nations. For a drone, its AI is complex, enabling it to provide fire support and flanking maneuvers as needed, but can also be directed or manually controlled wirelessly as an extension of the average Daqinren soldier's body. Typically, a single soldier commands several in combat, serving as a good portion of their overall firepower. In combat, the drone carries only one magazine and a single 40mm grenade chambered in its launcher, necessitating either very precise and controlled fire, or short combat runs before retreating to a supply drone to reload. This limited ammunition capacity is enhanced by its ability to scale most surfaces using its synthetic setae and claws.