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M943-2s

The STAFF Shell in real life

The Smart Target Activated Fire and Forget (STAFF) Shell is a tank round designed to increase hit probability and damage by firing an explosively formed penetrator onto the top of an armored vehicle. The round acts like a regular shell for most of its flight. When it detects an incoming target, it orients itself and fires the penetrator.

Battlefield 4[]

"A 120mm shell with a smart warhead that will identify enemy targets and explode above them for a critical hit."

— Battlelog

The STAFF Shell is a secondary armament for main battle tanks in Battlefield 4.

The weapon is a special dumb-fired fire-and-forget-type shell that automatically identifies, targets and guides itself towards the closest enemy or unoccupied ground vehicle. For greater accuracy, the operator of the shell must also compensate for distance and range by leading the target when required. The STAFF shell will fail to achieve lock and guidance if the target is either out of range, too close to the launch source or if the target is out of optimal lock-on proximity of the shell.

Unlike the Guided Shell and similar weapons, the fire-and-forget nature of the STAFF Shell allows the operator and the launch vehicle some time to tend to their surrounding environment to identify and counter any ground or aerial threats, or to enter tactical advance or retreat across the battlefield. Like similar weapons such as the MBT LAW and Active Radar missiles and in stark contrast to the Guided Shell, the operator is not required to obtain nor maintain weapon lock on the target prior or after shell launch. It does not require the division of attention from the operator which may leave them vulnerable to enemy action. It also has no initial “target locking…” requirement like the Guided Shell or FGM-148 Javelin to warn or inform the target of the incoming shell and its launcher vehicle's presence. The missile will skip straight to 'target tracking' mode once within optimal proximity between the target and the launch vehicle, which is usually when very close to the target, performing a direct top-down attack once within optimum attack proximity. When target is tracked, this leaves very little time for targeted ground vehicles to react, as many drivers are accustomed to deploying counter measures or evasive maneuvers after missile or shell are locked and fired rather than before, dealing a critical mobility hit against most targets without the presence of Reactive Armor.

The STAFF Shell, due to its nature, also has some shortcomings. Due to the fact it takes up the secondary weapon slot of the vehicle, the vehicle operator will be unable to equip more anti-infantry oriented weapons such as Coaxial machine guns or Canister Shells. However, it makes up for this role by increasing the anti-vehicle capability of the operating vehicle. To compensate for the lack of anti-infantry capability, the vehicle operator can choose to equip 120mm HE Shells with their increased power against infantry, hiring a secondary gunner or switching to the secondary gunner seat themselves for a limited time to dispatch infantry before switching back to the driver seat. When combating low flying aircraft, the STAFF Shell can be utilised in a similar fashion to that of regular armor-piercing shells and fired straight towards, and incapacitating the target upon contact.

The STAFF Shell can be countered by Active Protection and IR Smoke screen systems when activated prior to launch or prior to missile tracking. The shell can also be intercepted or obstructed by walls, buildings or other level decals. The STAFF shell whilst in-flight can leave a particularly blatant exhaust plume and missile streak which can be easily identifiable, especially vehicles equipped with secondary weapons or specializations which contain a magnification/zoom-in ability (such as Zoom Optics), where it makes visually spotting the incoming shell from a further distance easier and thus, targeted vehicle drivers and pilots can act accordingly.

Due to the operational nature of the missile and lack of prior warning of the missile's presence, many players are left disgruntled and feelings of resentment and contempt upon defeat at the hands of the STAFF shell, with users of the shell and weapons of similar operational nature regularly shunned by the community.

Before it was patched, the STAFF Shell has an independent reload timer, much like the Canister Shell had early in the run of Battlefield 3. It could be fired shortly after switching from the primary shell type without needing to wait for the rounds to be swapped. Its reload time is now correctly linked to the other shell. Also the damage of the STAFF Shell has its damage reduced after patch, doing about the same damage as Sabot Shell; however, unlike the other tank shells, the STAFF shell will always do the same damage as it always targets the top of the vehicle.

Damage Statistics and Effects[]

The following is a list of effects and damage to specific vehicle types from impacts by the STAFF Shell. Vehicles not listed are vehicles which are instantly destroyed upon shell impact at any angle. Such includes Jets of all Types, Quad Bikes, and PWCs

All damage results are gathered from direct-top shell impacts on all vehicles, as how the shell operates under normal conditions. If not, damage is consistent at all angles of direct impacts.

Damage results are gathered post-2015 Battlefield 4: Legacy Operations update and are subject to change without notice by game developers from time to time.[1]

Vehicle Type Damage (Top-Attack)
Main Battle Tank 30, Critical Hit
Infantry Fighting Vehicle 30, Critical Hit
Light Jeeps 79, Critical Hit
MRAP Jeeps 56, Critical Hit
Mobile Anti-Air 30, Critical Hit
M142 HIMARS 56, Critical Hit
Transport Helicopter 40, Critical Hit
Attack Boat 30, Critical Hit
RHIB Boat 52
Attack Helicopter 60, Critical Hit
Scout Helicopter 60, Critical Hit
Attack Jet 90, Critical Disable
Stealth Jet 90, Critical Disable

Patch Notes[]

  • The STAFF Shell has an independent reload timer, much like the Canister Shell had early in the run of Battlefield 3. It could be fired shortly after switching from the primary shell type without needing to wait for the rounds to be swapped.
  • Its reload time is now correctly linked to the other shell. Also the damage of the STAFF Shell has its damage reduced after patch, doing about the same amount damage as Guided Shell; however, unlike the other tank shells, the STAFF shell will always do the same damage as it always targets the top of the vehicle.

Gallery[]

Video[]

Battlefield 2042[]

"Smart Targeted-Activated Fire and Forget STAFF shell. Capable of dynamic in-flight ballistic adjustments if the target makes small movements."

— In-game description

The STAFF Shell returns as an ammunition option for the M1A5 and T28 main battle tanks. The weapon operates almost identically to its iteration in Battlefield 4, allowing the driver to fire near their target and the shell will make adjustments upon nearing the target in order to make contact and score a hit. Thus, the shell has a flat trajectory as it is rocket-assisted in flight, and players do not need to compensate for gravity for long-ranged shots that it is best suited for.

The STAFF shell does less damage against vehicles than the MPAT, but more than HEAT shells. This comes at the cost of the weapon having a velocity than the other two shells, and the fact that if enemy vehicle drivers use the Thermal Smoke Package or the Active Protection System, they will be able to break the shell's lock or outright destroy it before it impacts their vehicle. The EMKV90-TOR has the advantage of being able to hit through APS or Thermal Smoke with its main weapon versus using the STAFF shell on a tank, but if players are in good communication with their whole squad, they may prefer to use a vehicle that all four can sit in at once—especially if the driver gets closer to objectives than what may be the ideal range for using this weapon.

In order to compliment the weapon's use, the Tow Missile weapon station would be a good option for dealing with far-off vehicles and allowing for more burst damage to enemy armor. However, most of the weapon pods operate at a closer range, with the 60mm Mortar Weapon Pod being the pod weapon that can reach out the furthest—albeit at the cost of having to arc one's shot heavily which can result in numerous misses without experience. It may be more advisable to use a weapon pod better suited for an anti-infantry role when using the STAFF Shell, such as the 40mm Volley Pod or the Canister Weapon Pod if drivers intend to operate at medium or even close ranges.

Trivia[]

  • The STAFF Shell is based on the XM943 STAFF developed by Alliant Techsystems.

References[]

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