Predator
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This article is about the Space Marine Tank, for the Space Marine Chapter see Predator Legion |
The Predator is a battle tank employed by the Space Marines. It is a more heavily armed and armoured version of the Rhino personnel carrier. There are two major patterns of Predator, the Destructor and the Annihilator, primarily distinguished by their specific weaponry. The Blood Angels and their Successor Chapters employ the assault-oriented Baal Predator.
Construction of Predators remains restricted to a Chapter's Armoury or allied Forge World, with most Chapters fielding between twenty to thirty of all types.[1] However, some Chapters are known to contain several hundred battle tanks, though that number includes Land Raiders as well.[4]
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Predator Destructor
The Predator Destructor is the original model of Predator battle tanks, with its origins dating back to the Dark Age of Technology.[1a] The Predator was built in direct response to the threat of Orks, which were proving difficult for humanity to handle. Its combination of heavier armour and weaponry allowed the Predator to withstand Orkish attacks and easily destroy their vehicles. Soon the Predator became the standard fighting vehicle for all of humanity's armies, and would remain in that position throughout the Great Crusade, where its small troop carrying capacity would be replaced with space for more ammunition.[1a] Eventually, similar to the Rhino it was based off of, the Predator Destructor would be restricted to use by the Space Marines only.
Armament
The main turret armament on the common Mars-pattern MarkVI-b Predator Destructor is the Syrtis pattern Autocannon, which is constructed with an automatic ammunition feed, muzzle flash suppressor and discharge extractor.[1a] The weapon is aimed by the vehicle commander/gunner through a multi-spectral remote targeting surveyor and accuracy talisman.[1a] It fires explosive ammunition, each round larger than a Space Marine's fist, which easily chew through heavily-armoured infantry and light vehicles.[2a]
The side sponsons can mount either Heavy Bolters for close defense or Lascannons for additional anti-tank firepower. The sponson weapons are remotely controlled from the turret and aimed through similar surveyors.[1a]
Armour
Protection for the Predator Destructor comes from three layers of armouring. The first, a bonded ceramite/adamantine alloy, gives the Predator protection equivalent to five times its width in conventional steel whilst being lighter.[1a] This is followed by a reinforcing thermoplas with a mesh of sub-dermal energy dissipation fibre for protection against radiation. The outer layer is a non-metallic acrylic identification sheath.[1a]
Equipment
Smoke Launchers and a Searchlight are standard options on a Predator Destructor. It may be further upgraded with Dozer Blades, Extra Armour, a Hunter-killer Missile, and a Pintle-mounted Stormbolter.[Needs Citation]
Technical Information
| Vehicle Name: | Predator Destructor[1a] | Main Armament: | Autocannon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Mars | Secondary Armament: | Sponson-mounted Heavy Bolters |
| Known Patterns: | I-XII | Traverse: | 360° |
| Crew: | Driver, Gunner | Elevation: | From -15° to 28° |
| Powerplant: | Quad MkII Adaptable Thermic Combustor Reactor | Main Ammunition: | 120 rounds |
| Weight: | 66 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | 1100 rounds |
| Length: | 6.6m | Armour | |
| Width: | 6.0m (with sponsons) | ||
| Height: | 6.6m | Superstructure: | 65mm |
| Ground Clearance: | 0.44m | Hull: | 55mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 68kph | Gun Mantlet | 65mm |
| Max Speed - off road: | 50kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0120-766-0723-RH812/819 |
| Transport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | n/a |
| Access Points: | n/a | Turret: | 65mm |
Patterns
- Phaeton Pattern Mk.IIIb/c: Older variant based on Mk.I Rhino chassis. Distinctive square turret mounted on the forward hull as opposed to center.[1a]
- Mars Pattern Mk.IVb: Most common pattern of Predator Destructor.[1a]
Predator Annihilator
The Predator Annihilator is the second and latter of the two major patterns, though its introduction was not without controversy. The model did not appear until M36 in the Skarath Crusade.[1a]
The Adeptus Mechanicus was suitably infuriated at the Space Wolves' blasphemous alteration to a holy STC design, however their success could not be denied. While the Space Wolves continued to field Predator Annihilators, the Tech-priests examined the design, debated its sanctity in councils and ran extensive trials. Two hundred years later, it was found that the modified tank was not only acceptable to the Machine God, but that the Predator was intentionally designed to accept such a retrofit.[1b] The Predator Annihilator has since found its way into the Armouries of many other Space Marine Chapters.
Armament
In place of the Syrtis pattern Autocannon, the Predator Annihilator mounts twin-linked 'Stormbringer' Lascannons equipped with flash dampeners and focusing rings. Powered by diaquartzoid crystal batteries, each lascannon has a barrel life of 1000 shots before it warps and must be replaced.[1b]
Equipment
Smoke Launchers and a Searchlight are standard options on a Predator Destructor. It may be further upgraded with Dozer Blades, Extra Armour, a Hunter-killer Missile, and a Pintle-mounted Stormbolter.
Technical Information
| Vehicle Name: | Predator Annihilator[1b] | Main Armament: | Twin-linked Lascannons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Mars | Secondary Armament: | Sponson-mounted Heavy Bolters |
| Known Patterns: | II-XIV | Traverse: | 360° |
| Crew: | Driver, Gunner | Elevation: | From -15° to 28° |
| Powerplant: | Quad MkII Adaptable Thermic Combustor Reactor | Main Ammunition: | Unlimited from battery |
| Weight: | 66 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | 1100 rounds |
| Length: | 6.6m | Armour | |
| Width: | 6.6m (with sponsons) | ||
| Height: | 6.6m | Superstructure: | 65mm |
| Ground Clearance: | 0.44m | Hull: | 55mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 68kph | Gun Mantlet | 65mm |
| Max Speed - off road: | 50kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0120-766-0724-PR116 |
| Transport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | n/a |
| Access Points: | n/a | Turret: | 65mm |
Chaos Space Marine Predators
When they first rebelled against the Emperor, the Traitor Legions took with them their Predator Destructors, many of which still remain operational over 10,000 years later.[3] Though they share some similarities to their Loyalist cousins, many of these once-noble machines have been twisted and warped by the power of Chaos, including outright possession by Daemons.[3]
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition:
- 2: Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition)
- 3: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition), p. 34
- 4: Insignium Astartes, p.48
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