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Ambiguous Term? This article is about Destroyer Tank Hunter. For other uses of Destroyer, see Destroyer (disambiguation).

The Destroyer Tank Hunter is a specailised Tank Hunter used by the Imperial Guard. Based on the same chassis as the Leman Russ Battle Tank the Destroyer, once common among the armoured regiments of the Guard, is fast becoming a relic due to the complex nature of its primary weapon.^[1]

A Destroyer Tank Hunter

History

While once a common tank hunter, by the 41st Millenium the knowledge and understanding required to produce the complex Destroyer Tank Hunter's primary weapon has been forgotten or lost and only a few Forge Worlds have the expertise to produce them. However as each weapon must be hand crafted, and since demand vastly outstrips supply, most regiments are lucky to have a full squadron of Destroyers, with a few able to muster an entire Tank Destroyer Company. These tanks are guarded jealously by their owners, knowing the chances of receiving any replacements is very slim, and the chance to recover a re-constructable wreck is a high priority. Even if the main weapon is lost the hull can still be refurbished and refitted with another weapon, a Demolisher Cannon, Battle Cannon or sometimes a Vanquisher Cannon.^[1]

Battlefield Role

The Destroyer's primary mission is to first and foremost seek out and destroy enemy armoured vehicles. While somewhat useful in an assault the lack of a turret or secondary weaponry makes these vehicles more vulnerable to enemy infantry or flank attacks than normal, relegating them to a supporting role behind the main vanguard. Where they best shine is on the defensive, ambushing enemy armoured columns from prepared hiding positions and firing a couple quick shots before re-deploying to avoid return fire. Their ability to effectively destroy targets from long range makes them prime targets, with enemy tank crews valuing confirmed Destroyer kills more than other vehicles.^[1]

Technical Information

While the Destroyer retains most of the features of the old Mars Alpha pattern hull it has been modified by removing the turret ring, replacing it with the main crew hatch and both forward and rear maintenance access hatches, and instead carries a Laser Destroyer in a limited traverse mount off-set to the left side of the hull. The primary gunsight used to aim this weapon is set front and center in the hull and can be used by both the vehicle's gunner and commander. While it comes equipped with no standard secondary weapons some vehicles incorporate a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber or Storm Bolter. Other common upgrades include Camo Netting, Extra Armour, a Hunter-Killer Missile, Improved Comms, a Mine Sweeper, Rough Terrain Modification, a Searchlight, Track Guards and Smoke Launchers.^[1]

Technical Specifications

Vehicle Name:	Destroyer Tank Hunter[1]	Main Armament:	Laser Destroyer
Forge World of Origin:	Mars, Stygies VIII, Triplex Phall, Tolkhan, Estaban VIII, Lucius, M'Khand, Voss	Secondary Armament:	None
Known Patterns:	I-IX	Traverse:	5°
Crew:	Commander, Gunner, Driver	Elevation:	From -3° to +12°
Powerplant:	MR230 V12 Multi-Fuel	Main Ammunition:	20 shots from power pack
Weight:	52 tonnes	Secondary Ammunition:	N/A
Length:	7.08m	Armour
Width:	4.86m
Height:	3.4m	Superstructure:	200mm
Ground Clearance:	0.45m	Hull:	150mm
Max Speed - on road	50kph	Gun Mantlet	150mm
Max Speed - off road:	36kph	Vehicle Designation:	0427-941-1877-LR0297
Transport Capacity:	None	Firing Ports:	None
Access Points:	None	Turret:	N/A

Regiments known to contain Destroyers

• 8th Pardus Armoured Regiment
• Valhallan 8th Armoured Regiment
• Palladius 46th Armoured Regiment
• Dniepr 9th Armoured Regiment
• Valstadt 13th Armoured Regiment - Karsundi river crossing on Lammas
• Cadian 142nd Armoured Regiment - defence of Cadia
• Deneb 5th Armoured Regiment
• 8th Pardus Armoured Regiment^[2]

Sources

• 1: Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy, Pg. 67
• 2: Honour Guard (Novel) - Gaunt's Ghosts: The Saint (Omnibus) by Dan Abnett, ^{[Needs Citation]}, pg. 129