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Leman Russ Battle Tank

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A Leman Russ engaged in battle.[2a]

The Leman Russ is the main Battle Tank of the Imperial Guard. This rugged and dependable tank has been used to equip the Guard for many centuries, and while fundamental changes in construction and appearance have occurred, its capabilities have changed very little. Able to operate in a variety of environments and withstand enemy fire while delivering powerful tank-killing blows.[1] It was named after Leman Russ, the Primarch of the Space Wolves.[10]

Overview

During the Great Crusade the STC of the Leman Russ Battle Tank was discovered on Nova Borilia. The world had been part of the Noman civilization, which had enslaved a portion of humanity for millennia. The Noman were crushed by the Space Wolves, who recovered the STC and named its fruit in the honor of their Primarch.[12]

Ever since, it has been the main battle tank of the Imperial Army (and later the Imperial Guard) and the mainstay of armoured regiments across the Imperium, the Leman Russ is produced in the millions on Forge Worlds and in Hive factories across the Imperium. While slow in comparison to other Guard vehicles and lacking in advanced technology, its ruggedness and reliability are the tank's defining attribute.[3a] Emphasizing heavy firepower and armour over mobility, it is rare for any Imperial Guard force to engage an enemy army without the support of Leman Russ tanks. The Leman Russ has been in service for millennia, a testament to its simple but efficient and easily producible design, making it arguably the most successful tank in the galaxy.[2a]

The main gun of the Leman Russ is its turret-mounted Battle Cannon, a 120mm smoothbore gun[4] which can equally decimate enemy infantry and tanks.[2a] A water-cooled jacket surrounds the cannon while gyrostabilisers ensure accurate targeting while on the move.[8] Aiming the weapon is done through a dedicated periscope with a 45° field of vision[4] with assistance from Targeter gear[4] such as laser-rangefinders.[5c] Auspex guidance such as landscape readers[5b] and crosswind indicators[5c] provide additional information to assist in locating and targeting the enemy. Secondary armament will generally consist of a Lascannon in the forward hull mount[1] with a 90° field of fire[4] though other options include a Heavy Bolter or Heavy Flamer.[2b] The side sponson mounts are an optional part of the tank's design, but when mounted they can be fitted with a variety of heavy weapons for close-in defense[1] including Heavy Bolters, Heavy Flamers, Multi-meltas or Plasma Cannons.[2b] These are manned by dedicated gunners and capable of a 90° field of fire to the front and sides of the vehicle.[4]

The Leman Russ' armour is not the most sophisticated but is practical and rugged, allowing it to weather the harshest environments or enemy fire.[1] Due to the tanks simple and functional design it requires minimal training for new crews to become familiar with the tank's operations.[3a] A reinforced cast plasteel hull and turret[3a] with ferro-steel armour plating combine to make it proof against all but the most deadly attacks.[2a] Even impacts powerful enough to lurch the tank several meters sideways will fail to penetrate through its tough hide, though such attacks can damage secondary systems such as the forward scopes and leave the crew stunned.[5a] This armour is thickest on the tank's front, with decreasing thickness along the sides and rear, to prevent the engine from overheating or over-straining of the transmission.[3a]

The sturdy, efficient engine which powers the Leman Russ can run on practically any type of fuel and keep the vehicle moving even in the most hellish conditions;[2a] secondary systems such as life support and electrics are powered by internal generators.[3a] While a slow vehicle the tank's track arrangement means it exerts a low amount of ground pressure which, combined with fine regenerative steering, allows it to perform almost balletic maneuvers.[5d] Hard-wound steel spring shock-absorbers provide added stability on the move.[4]

Other standard gear include Smoke Launchers and a Searchlight. Some Leman Russ tanks are further upgraded with Camo Netting, a Dozer Blade, Extra Armour, a Hunter-Killer Missile and/or a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter.[2b]

A minimum of four crew are required to operate the Leman Russ, with two more needed to man the sponson weapons if mounted, though they must do so without comfort in a cramped, hot and noisy environment.[2a] The sponson gunners are the most junior members of the crew, responsible for manning the cramped sponson weapons and otherwise aiding the other members in any tasks. Above them is the loader, responsible for loading the main gun and, as needed, manning the hull-mounted weapon. Outside of combat his job will be to keep track of the tank's logistical needs and ensure it has been re-armed and refueled prior to battle. The driver is next in seniority, a highly technical job responsible for not only driving the tank but also overseeing basic maintenance of the tank's running gear. When stationary the driver can man the hull-mounted weapon, though this practice is discouraged by most since it leaves the tank immobile. The gunner is tasked with firing the tank's primary weapon, along with any co-axial weapons, and also functions as the tank's second-in-command. Between battles his responsibility is to clean and maintain the tank's weapons. The tank commander directs the other crewmembers and is responsible for maintaining an overall picture of the battle, keeping in contact with other tanks through external communication equipment, and manning any pintle-mounted weapons.[3b]

Mars Alpha Pattern Hull

Leman Russ with Mars Alpha Pattern hull

The Mars-Alpha Pattern hull, whilst originating from Mars is produced on many Forge Worlds across the Imperium. There are many alterations to the standard pattern hull, the main being that the hull is elongated giving the tank crew more room to operate in. These tanks are often used as a squadron command vehicle for armoured companies, with extra space given to sensor equipment and communication systems.[11]

The engine compartment is of an older pattern, seen more commonly on Destroyers and Thunderers, easily recognizable by its two horizontal exhausts. Position of the hull’s weapon is reconfigured to take a ball mounted lascannon or heavy bolter, with the additional small vision periscope above for the gunner.[11]

The hulls of the Mars Alpha Pattern are constructed differently from the standard. Most Leman Russes are cast with plasteel, whilst this pattern is constructed from individual riveted plates. How this does not seem to have any detrimental effect on the tanks to resist enemy fire is unknown, and any additional data on how this is archived is jealously guarded by the Adeptus Mechanicus.[11]

Technical Specifications

Vehicle Name: Leman Russ Battle Tank[3a] Main Armament: Battle Cannon
Forge World of Origin: Mars Secondary Armament: Lascannon or Heavy Bolter
Known Patterns: I-XXXIII Traverse: 360°
Crew: Commander, Gunner, Driver, Loader, 2 Sponson Gunners Elevation: From -8° to +22°
Powerplant: HL230 V12 Multi-Fuel Main Ammunition: 40 Rounds
Weight: 60 tonnes Secondary Ammunition: Unlimited or 600 Rounds
Length: 7.08m
Width: 4.86m Armour
Height: 4.42m
Ground Clearance: 0.45m Superstructure: 180mm
Fording Depth: {{{Fording Depth}}} Hull: 150mm
Max Speed - on road 35kph Gun Mantlet 100mm
Max Speed - off road: 21kph Vehicle Designation: 0427-941-1876-LR657/514
Transport Capacity: None Firing Ports: N/A
Access Points: N/A Turret: 200mm


Vehicle Name: Leman Russ Battle Tank[3с] Main Armament: Battle Cannon
Forge World of Origin: Ryza Secondary Armament: Lascannon or Heavy Bolter
Known Patterns: II-XI Traverse: 360°
Crew: Commander, Gunner, Driver, Loader, 2 Sponson Gunners Elevation: From -8° to +22°
Powerplant: HL232 V12 Multi-Fuel Main Ammunition: 40 Rounds
Weight: 60 tonnes Secondary Ammunition: Unlimited or 600 Rounds
Length: 7.08m
Width: 4.86m Armour
Height: 4.38m
Ground Clearance: 0.45m Superstructure: 180mm
Fording Depth: {{{Fording Depth}}} Hull: 150mm
Max Speed - on road 35kph Gun Mantlet 100mm
Max Speed - off road: 21kph Vehicle Designation: 0427-941-1876-LR0058
Transport Capacity: None Firing Ports: n/a
Access Points: top hatch Turret: 200mm


Regiments known to contain Leman Russ Battle Tanks

Picture of a Leman Russ


Named Vehicle Variants

There are many variants of the traditional Mars Pattern Leman Russ, and this list is rather general. Most of the other designs replace the main turret with a different weapon, but sometimes the hull and sponson weapons are altered as well:

Rare variants:

In addition, the following tanks use a standard Leman Russ chassis:

Notable Individual Leman Russ Tanks

Images

See also

Sources


Imperial Guard Vehicles
Armored Vehicles Chimera (ChimeraxChimedonChimerro) • HellhoundBane WolfDevil DogTauroxTaurox PrimeTaurosSentinelSalamander ScoutPegasus AAVSalamander CommandPegasus Command
Tanks Leman Russ (AnnihilatorConquerorEradicatorExecutionerExterminatorPunisherVanquisher) • SiegfriedScyllaDestroyerThunderer
Heavy Vehicles Rogal DornCrassusGorgonMacharius (VanquisherVulcanOmega) • Malcador (AnnihilatorDefenderInfernus) • RagnarokValdor
Super-Heavy Vehicles BanebladeBanehammerBaneswordDoomhammerHellhammerShadowswordStormbladeStormhammerStormlordStormsabreStormswordCapitol ImperialisLeviathan
Artillery BasiliskMedusaColossusDominusWyvernManticorePraetorHydraMinotaurGriffon
Other CyclopsRobot CrawlerCentaurAtlasTrojanLand CrawlerHadesTermiteMoleHellboreSamaritan
Rare/Relic DracosanAuroxCarnodonLeman Russ IncineratorTestudoExcertusAethonHermes