The Essential Guide to Force Exile/S-4 ordnance launcher

Description
The S-4 ordnance launcher was a multi-purpose magnetically-powered ordnance launcher designed to provide Yanibar Guard infantrymen with a rudimentary defense against light vehicles or low-flying aircraft. While simple and un-sophisticated, it was designed to be resilient and require minimal maintenance despite exposure to Yanibar's harsh weather.

The weapon could be fired from the shoulder or from the hip, using an interface to a Yanibar Guard infantryman's battlesuit to align the aim point. While heavier than blaster arms and with a lengthy reloading process, it was lighter than the PLX-2M fielded by Imperial forces. This was due to a simpler targeting system and single-shot capacity as opposed to six in the PLX-2M. The missiles carried by the S-4 were either high-explosive rounds designed for use against soft targets or armor-piercing rounds for penetrating vehicle armor. The armor-piercing rounds contained a shaped charge that blew through armor, then detonated a concussion charge inside the target after initial penetration. Due to concerns about shields, later generations of S-4 munitions contained a dual-phase warhead that exploded an ion charge right before detonation of the primary warhead.

Targeting for the S-4 was provided by means of a laser designator. The target was painted by a microwave-frequency laser, using either the one built into the S-4 or a separate laser spotter carried by another infantryman or on a vehicle or droid. The system constructed a holo of the target, then when the missile was fired, sought to guide the ordnance to either arrive at the desired coordinates or pursue the object whose holo was entered. Holos of known targets, such as Imperial AT-STs could be pre-programmed into the S-4 for easier acquisition. This system was unfortunately relatively easy to disrupt and took a minimum of 5 seconds to lock on for known targets or 10 seconds for new targets not already entered into the system.

The missile could also be dumb-fired, which allowed faster shots at the cost of inaccuracy. Once fired, the S-4 could be broken open via the manual release valves and reloaded inside of ten seconds, ready to fire again. The missile itself was magnetically accelerated for the first ten meters before its engine activated, leading to a faster projectile launch and minimizing backblast.

History
The S-4 entered service in 11 BBY and soon saw widespread use in Yanibar Guard infantry squads. While it was rudimentary compared to more advanced ordnance launchers, the weapon required relatively little training. After the great expense poured into the blaster rifles and battlesuits for the Yanibar Guard Army, it was considerable fiscal relief to spend less credits on the autorifles and ordnance launchers.

The S-4 first saw combat use in the Yanibar Guard Army's first combat engagement, which was on Yanibar. Sergeant Pec Deplisk used one to eliminate several pirates with a high-explosive warhead. From then on, it remained a staple of infantry squads even as heavier anti-vehicle weapons systems were used. In urban operations, it was useful for clearing bunkers or breaching doors from a distance. S-4s saw continued use in subsequent Yanibar Guard Army actions, both offworld and onworld in the Battle of Yanibar. The elite commando unit Cresh Squad used one in 5 ABY in their raid on a Zann Consortium stronghold on Nar Shaddaa, while numerous infantry units fielded them against a subsequent Zannist invasion of Yanibar. While very useful against light speeders and low-flying airspeeders, the S-4 lacked the firepower to deal significant damage to starfighters or battle tanks. While lighter vehicles such as AT-STs or AATs were vulnerable to well-aimed shots or multiple impacts, larger vehicles like Canderous assault tanks or AT-ATs shrugged off the missiles.

The S-4 remained in service for years after its introduction, although the S-4A and S-4B replaced it. The former used a more stable material in the grip, making it easier to fire. The latter model added an improved targeting sensor that reduced lock-on time for pre-defined targets to 3 seconds and new target types to 8 seconds.

Appearances

 * Thunderchief
 * Force Exile IV: Guardian
 * Nine Riders
 * Yanibar Guard Sourcebook