Whirlwind
The Whirlwind Artillery Tank is a Rhino-based artillery support vehicle. One of the few indirect-fire vehicles fielded by the Space Marines besides the Land Raider Helios, the Whirlwind provides accurate fire support for the suppression of numerous or highly-mobile enemies.[2] Because it was derived from STC technology discovered after the Horus Heresy, the Whirlwind is one of several designs unavailable to Chaos Space Marines.[1]
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Whirlwind Helios
Based upon the Rhino chassis, the Whirlwind is both fast and mobile, able to keep up with a Space Marine battlegroup. Because the number of Whirlwinds available to a Chapter is limited (typically between twenty and thirty for most), the ability to engage the enemy and rapidly change positions to avoid counter-battery is prized more than masses of long-ranged, slower artillery commonly used by the Imperial Guard.[3] Its target acquisition and telemetry gear also allows the Whirlwind to engage the enemy from behind cover with far better accuracy than conventional artillery.[2] The Whirlwind can also be converted into an anti-aircraft vehicle when issued with short-ranged AA missiles, although this task is better suited to specialised variants such as the Hyperios.[3]
The most common type of Whirlwind is the 'Helios' pattern, though differences between most Whirlwinds is simply a matter of how many missiles can be fired. When fully loaded, the Helios' missile launcher carries six missiles. However, because these missiles can only be manually reloaded, the Whirlwind must withdraw after firing in order to rearm. In spite of this, the transport capacity inherited from the Rhino allows for a large ammunition stockpile, and some Chapters equip each vehicle with a Servitor dedicated to speeding up the reload time.[3]
When required to provide indirect fire support against massed targets over long ranges, Whirlwinds will also form into Suppression Forces, with a Land Speeder modified to function as an artillery spotter.
Equipment
In addition to its primary weapon, the Whirlwind also comes with a Searchlight and Smoke Launchers as standard. It can be upgraded with Dozer Blades, Extra Armour, a Hunter-killer Missile, and a Storm Bolter.[2]
Technical Information
| Vehicle Name: | Whirlwind Helios3 | Main Armament: | Whirlwind multiple missile launcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Helios | Secondary Armament: | N/A |
| Known Patterns: | I-V | Traverse: | 360° |
| Crew: | Driver, Gunner | Elevation: | From -0° to +55° |
| Powerplant: | Quad MkII Adaptable Thermic Combustor Reactor | Main Ammunition: | 60 missiles |
| Weight: | 33.0 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | N/A |
| Length: | 6.6m | Armour | |
| Width: | 4.5m | ||
| Height: | 5.0m | Superstructure: | 60mm |
| Ground Clearance: | 0.44m | Hull: | 60mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 68kph | Gun Mantlet | N/A |
| Max Speed - off road: | 50kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0120-766-0810-WW033 |
| Transport Capacity: | N/A | Firing Ports: | N/A |
| Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | 30mm |
Whirlwind Hyperios
The Whirlwind Hyperios is a specialized version of the standard Whirlwind used by many Chapters as an anti-aircraft vehicle. Instead of the typical armament of other Whirlwinds, the Hyperios mounts a specialized missile launcher, along with automated tracking and targeting equipment, dedicated to shooting down enemy aircraft. While it does not have the same reach as a Manticore AA missile it is highly efficient against low-flying craft making strafing runs. In a pinch the Hyperios can be used to target ground units, in which case its missiles act similar to Hunter-killer missiles, though this is a method of last resort.[3]
Technical Specifications
| Vehicle Name: | Whirlwind Hyperios[3] | Main Armament: | Hyperios missile launcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Phaeton | Secondary Armament: | N/A |
| Known Patterns: | I-IV | Traverse: | 360° |
| Crew: | Driver, Gunner | Elevation: | From -0° to +65° |
| Powerplant: | Quad MkII Adaptable Thermic Combustor Reactor | Main Ammunition: | 40 missiles |
| Weight: | 33.0 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | N/A |
| Length: | 6.6m | Armour | |
| Width: | 4.5m | ||
| Height: | 5.2m | Superstructure: | 60mm |
| Ground Clearance: | 0.44m | Hull: | 60mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 68kph | Gun Mantlet | N/A |
| Max Speed - off road: | 50kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0120-766-0810-WW161 |
| Transport Capacity: | N/A | Firing Ports: | N/A |
| Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | 30mm |
Images
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition), [Needs Citation]
- 2: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pg. 79, 143
- 3: Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition, pgs. 57-58
- 4: Games Workshop
