The Leman Russ Demolisher is a specialist Astra Militarum Siege Tank designed for short-range bombardment based on the Leman Russ Battle Tank chassis. It is the most common variant of the main battle tank, used typically for urban and siege warfare.[1][3a]
Technical Information
The main difference between the original Leman Russ and the Demolisher variant is its armament. The primary weapon of the tank is its turret-mounted Demolisher Cannon, a powerful short-ranged cannon equally effective in destroying buildings and bunkers as it is enemy tanks and infantry.[1] The cannon has an effective range of one kilometer and in some patterns includes a carousel automatic loader and automatic shell ejector system.[4] The Demolisher tank's sponson weapons are normally geared towards the task of clearing enemy trenches, fitted with either Heavy Flamers or Plasma Cannons to fulfill this role,[5b] although they can also take Heavy Bolters or Multi-Meltas.[2b] While most patterns will use Heavy Flamers for this role, those Demolisher tanks built on Ryza favor the use of plasma weapons due to that Forge World's proficiency with such technology.[5a] These plasma cannons have a range of one and a half kilometers, and are powered by a 4.2 kilotherm plasma generator capable of charging at 200 therms/second at full revolution.[4] Finally as in the original variant the Demolisher is fitted with a hull-mounted weapon, either a Heavy Bolter or Lascannon.[2b] Unlike the Demolisher Cannon the Lascannon is stabilised with an effective range of two kilometers; it is powered by a 3.9 megawatt generator good for one full hour of combat and can go from dead to full charge in two.[4]
Due to its mission role as a siege tank the Demolisher tank is fitted with additional armour plating compared to standard tanks.[2a] Besides the reinforced cast plasteel hull and turret standard to a Leman Russ,[3a] its armour scheme includes combination K, a composite made from conventional steel and ceramic inserts. The armour is 200mm thick on the turret, while being sloped to 350mm effective on the glacis.[4] A Demolisher can withstand the blast of a man-portable multi-melta, capable of melting bunkers, for some seconds, only exploding after the heat has warped the main main gun's barrel and causing a misfire.[9] Its suite of auspex sensors includes passive night vision, laser range-finder and a laser warning system. The V12 air-cooled multi-fuel engine used in some patterns produces 840 horsepower and gives the tank an operational range of 250 kilometers on-road (100 kilometers off-road); this can be extended an additional hundred kilometers through the use of optional 100 litre auxiliary tanks.[4] Other standard features include a Searchlight and Smoke Launchers, while some tank crews upgrade it with Camo Netting, Dozer Blades, Extra Armour, a Hunter-Killer Missile and/or a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter.[5b] The Demolisher has a weight of 68 tonnes unladen and 72 tonnes when fully loaded for combat. Taking gasoline, benzene, kerosene and other fuel sources, the tank has a speed of 25 kph on-road and 17 kph off-road.[4]
When including sponsons, the Demolisher is operated by a crew of five, a commander, a lascannon operator, a driver/comms officer and two sponson gunners.[4]
| Vehicle Name: | Leman Russ Demolisher Siege Tank[3b] | Main Armament: | Demolisher Cannon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Phaeton | Secondary Armament: | Lascannon or Heavy Bolter |
| Known Patterns: | I-XII | Traverse: | 360° |
| Crew: | Commander, Gunner, Driver, Loader, 2 x Sponson Gunners | Elevation: | From -8° to +22° |
| Powerplant: | HL230 V12 Multi-Fuel | Main Ammunition: | 25 Rounds |
| Weight: | 62 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | Unlimited or 600 Rounds |
| Length: | 7.08m | ||
| Width: | 4.86m | Armour | |
| Height: | 4.42m | ||
| Ground Clearance: | 0.45m | Superstructure: | 200mm |
| Fording Depth: | {{{Fording Depth}}} | Hull: | 180mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 28kph | Gun Mantlet | 120mm |
| Max Speed - off road: | 17kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-941-1877-LR0297 |
| Transport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | None |
| Access Points: | None | Turret: | 200mm |
| Vehicle Name: | Leman Russ Demolisher Siege Tank[4] | Main Armament: | Demolisher Cannon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | N/A | Secondary Armament: | Lascannon |
| Known Patterns: | N/a | Traverse: | N/A |
| Crew: | Commander, Driver/Comms Operator, Lascannon Gunner, 2 Sponson Gunners | Elevation: | N/A |
| Powerplant: | V12 piston multi-fuel air-cooled | Main Ammunition: | 12 Rounds |
| Weight: | 68 tonnes unladen; 72 full combat load | Secondary Ammunition: | Unlimited |
| Length: | N/A | ||
| Width: | N/A | Armour | |
| Height: | N/A | ||
| Ground Clearance: | N/A | Superstructure: | N/A |
| Fording Depth: | {{{Fording Depth}}} | Hull: | Sloping Glacis 350mm effective |
| Max Speed - on road | 25kph | Gun Mantlet | N/A |
| Max Speed - off road: | 17kph | Vehicle Designation: | N/A |
| Transport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | None |
| Access Points: | None | Turret: | 200mm |
Known patterns
Regiments known to contain Demolishers
Images
Leman Russ Demolisher (1995)
Leman Russ Demolisher (2003)
Leman Russ Demolisher (2009)
A "Mars Alpha" pattern Demolisher
Leman Russ Demolisher for The Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness[6]]]
Epic-scale Leman Russ Demolisher for Legions Imperialis[7]
Epic Scale Leman Russ Demolisher
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Codex: Imperial Guard (2nd Edition), pg. 29
- 2: Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition)
- 3: Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy
- 4: Inferno! 3, pgs. 36-37 — Leman Russ 'Demolisher' Siege Tank
- 5: Epic Armageddon
- 6: Warhammer Community : LVO Preview 2024 – The Solar Auxilia Return to the Age of Darkness in Plastic (19/01/24)
- 7: Warhammer Community: Sunday Preview – Devastation Comes to Tallarn (posted 28/7/2024) (last accessed 28/7/2024) https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/07/28/sunday-preview-devastation-comes-to-tallarn/
- 8: The Sabbat Worlds Crusade (Background Book), 2nd Edition, pg. 128
- 9: Storm of Iron (Novel) — Iron Warriors: The Omnibus (Omnibus), Bridgehead, Chapter Three
