Destroyer (Tank Hunter)
From Lexicanum
Ambiguous Term? This article is about Destroyer Tank Hunter. For other uses of Destroyer, see Destroyer (disambiguation).
The Destroyer (Tank Hunter) is a relic among Imperial Guard forces. This is due to the highly advanced, and subsequently complicated, weapon it mounts, the Laser Destroyer. It is based on the Leman Russ Battle Tank chassis but has lacks the normal turret and replaces the defensive hull weapon with the main Laser Destroyer.
Contents |
History
The Destroyer was once a common vehicle but now the expertise required to produce the complex Laser Destroyer has been forgotten or lost and only a few Forge Worlds have the expertise to produce them, requiring hand-crafting for each weapon. This is a long, painstaking process and so demand is vastly outstripping supply.
In the 41st Millenium
The Laser Destroyer is most effective against enemy armour and as such is usually held at the rear battle lines and is used as a form of sniper tank, as the Laser Destroyer has a very long range. The Destroyer, due to its old design, uses the Mars Alpha pattern hull and modifies it by removing the turret ring and replacing it with the main crew hatch and both forward and rear maintenance access hatches. Also, the vehicle gun sight is mounted on the front and is accessible by both the commander and gunner. The gun itself is mounted left of centre and has a limited traverse mount, reducing its efficiency but complimenting its stability, taking it further towards the sniper-tank role. It still retains the same engine, transmission and drive train as the standard Mars Alpha pattern.
Only occasionally are enough vehicles gathered to form their own company, but they are often placed with specialised tank hunting formations. Each vehicle is guarded and patched up whenever needed. The loss of a Destroyer means that it is unlikely the force will recieve another one in its lifetime and wrecks are often salvaged and the gun replaced, often with a Demolisher Cannon, Battle Cannon and sometimes a Vanquisher Cannon. Most of the time it is relegated to rearguard duties or kept back in ambush positions rather than taking part in actual assaults.
Regiments known to contain Destroyers
- 8th Pardus Armoured Regiment
- 8th Valhallan Armoured Regiment
- 46th Palladius Armoured Regiment
- 9th Dniepr Tank Corps
- 13th Valstadt Armoured Regiment - Karsundi river crossing on Lammas
- 142nd Cadian Armoured Regiment - defence of Cadia
- 5th Deneb Armoured Regiment
Armament and Upgrades
The Destroyer is armed only with a Laser Destroyer. It may also be upgraded with Camo Netting, Extra Armour, a Hunter-killer Missile, Improved Comms, a Mine Sweeper, a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter, a Rough Terrain Modification, a Searchlight, Track Guards and Smoke Launchers.
| Technical Specifications | |||
| Vehicle Name: | Destroyer Tank Hunter | 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 degrees |
| Crew: | Commander, Gunner, Driver | Elevation: | From -3 to +12 degrees |
| Powerplant: | MR230 V12 multi-fuel | Main Ammunition: | 20 shots from power pack |
| Weight: | 52 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | N/A |
| Length: | 7.08m | Armour | Armour |
| Width: | 4.86m | Turret: | N/A |
| 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 |
| Tranport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | n/a |
| Access Points: | n/a | ||
Sources
| Imperial Guard Vehicles | |
| Leman Russ Chassis | Leman Russ Battle Tank • Leman Russ Demolisher • Leman Russ Conqueror • Leman Russ Exterminator • Leman Russ Executioner • Leman Russ Vanquisher • Destroyer Tank Hunter • Thunderer • Bombard • Atlas |
|---|---|
| Chimera Chassis | Chimera • Hellhound • Basilisk • Griffon • Medusa Siege Tank • Salamander Command • Salamander Scout • Hydra Flak Tank • Manticore • Trojan |
| Other | Sentinel • Cyclops • Siegfried • Centaur |
| Super Heavy Tanks | Baneblade • Stormblade • Shadowsword • Stormsword • Stormhammer • Gorgon Armoured Assault Transport |
