Fabricator-General Scott has also managed to make several changes within the indoctrination of the Tech-Priests that favour the progressive agenda, though this has led to some more issues with the conservatives. It was a bit earlier then she planned to push these though but there was an opportunity that was too good to pass up.
Opportunity knocks and I feel inspired to answer.
Old technology made new
With the recent changes to doctrine a number of progressive Artisans have begun examining existing technology to find new ways in which it can be utilized. This allows them to create innovative designs without technically violating the Warnings of the Cult Mechancius. While some conservatives still view this as verging on heresy the fact that Archmagos Tranth 'The Reclaimer' is known to have done similar work has prevented a unified opposition to the practice.
Gathered here are several of the more notable proposed designs:
Fortress pattern Storm shield
The variant of the Storm Shield swaps the usual power field for an ion shield, usually employed to protect firing slits in fortifications. This allows it to create a barrier several meters across, providing mobile cover for both the wielder and their squad mates. Due to power requirements it can only be carried by power armour and the barrier cannot be maintained under prolonged fire.
Gatling plasma blaster
This design calls for mounting three low-powered plasma rifles to an assault cannon rotation mechanism. The rifles are spun, each firing when in the top position. This results in a slight loss of damage and penetration compared to a conventional plasma rifle but a substantial increase in rate of fire and eliminates overheating under most conditions. As the weapon is still powerful enough to overcome Imperial power armour while being far more effective against hordes of lesser foes such as Orks there is significant interest in this design.
Extended range Flamer module
By adding the projectile containment generator from plasma weapons to flamers it is possible to facilitate a secondary fire mode, whereby a condensed 'packet' of burning promethium can be launched over long distances. This would allow flamer armed troops to engage enemies at ranges similar to that of impalers, rather than being limited to point blank targets.
Advanced Sentinel
One of the most controversial designs proposed thus far is the Advanced Sentinel. By copying, some conservatives claim merely being inspired by, knight-titan structure the AS gains a greater range of motion allowing the weapon arms wider targeting arcs and to be used for melee. A second weapon, a forward ion barrier and large jump jets are also added. However current generator limitations mean that not all systems can be operated at once.
None of these designs are remotely ready for implementation. Indeed many have not even been accepted for evaluation as yet. However the very fact that such proposals are being made and not instantly dismissed is a sign of how fundamentally Adeptus Mechanicus attitudes have shifted.
