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Leman Russ Battle Tank

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Targetdrone.gif This article is about the armoured fighting vehicle. For other uses of Leman Russ, see Leman Russ (disambiguation).
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]

History

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 honour of their Primarch.[12]

Design

Overview

 
Leman Russ

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] It has been estimated that if all Leman Russ in service would be lined up, the line would stretch from the Mechanicus workshops on Mars to the gates of the Imperial Palace on Terra.[36] Design changes are only introduced to accommodate different materials, power plants and repair facilities,[1] the basic design capable of withstanding a myriad of environments, from blistering acid waste to chilling methane swamps.[1] The tank itself weighs 60[31] or 61 tons.[32]

Construction, naming and modifications

 
Section of a Leman Russ manufactorum

In the manufactorums of an Industrial World, ceaseless production lines produce thousands of Leman Russ tanks as well as Chimeras every day.[2d] For example, the world of Armageddon alone manufactures ten million new Battle Tanks per year.[45] In addition, the Leman Russ can be constructed on automated Forge World assembly lines that are powered by fusion reactors, moving along on conveyor belts while pneumatic hammers shape plates into armour. The whole process is supported by servitors and overseen by tech-priests. After finishing the assembly process, the newly constructed tanks are transported in batches of 10,000 units by servitor-driven trains to star ports, where they are transferred off-world by bulk haulers. If necessary, for example due to enemy invasion forcing the servitors to be conscripted, the assembly process can be manually finished by the tech-priests.[38]

On Forge Worlds, every Leman Russ is named by an automated process, generating a designation not based upon a particular battle or triumph but simply by a scrap of concept-code run by an old cogitator.[38]

Already during the construction process, tiny flaws, errors of manufacture and minuscule modifications will be incorporated into the tank's design over time. Later, in Guard service, a Leman Russ will be modified by its crew in dozens of tiny, different but essential ways, at least until the tank is returned to a Mechanicus facility for refit, where most of the modifications will be reverted unless overlooked.[38]

Armament

 
Leman Russ from the 3rd Company of the 124th Cadian Armoured Regiment[4]

The main gun of the Leman Russ is its turret-mounted Battle Cannon, a 120mm smoothbore gun,[4] with an elevation from -10° to +32°,[32] which can equally decimate enemy infantry and tanks,[2a] its mechanism dominating the cramped turret interior.[28c] The turret itself rotates with the help of gears[29b] on a turret ring, allowing for a 360° field of fire.[32] A water-cooled jacket surrounds the cannon while gyrostabilisers ensure accurate targeting while on the move.[8] It also has a bore evacuator to dispel combustion gasses[34] and a muzzle recoil brake.[39]

The cannon is fed by powered feed-lines[30a] and can, when firing forward, lift the front of the tank with the power of its recoil.[28e] If the turret is rotated to the side and the Battle Cannon fired, the tank skews to the opposite direction without stopping in forward motion.[31] The Leman Russ carries 36[32] or 40 shells,[3a] selectable by fire selectors,[38] in a flash protected magazine, with storage capacities for three shell types, including but not limited to anti-tank and conqueror shells.[32] Other ammunition includes acid shells that burn biological creatures like tyranids from the inside.[38] Shells are automatically transferred from the magazine to the loading rack where they are primed and shunted forward, allowing for a rate of fire of a shell every few seconds.[39] Aiming the weapon is done through a dedicated periscope with a 45° field of vision[4] with assistance from Targeter gear[4] such as commander's cupola lenses[34] and 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] powered by a multiphasic generator,[32] 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] Many Leman Russes also incorporate a co-axial autocannon mounted on the turret to engage infantry and light armour.[28b]

Armour

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] Impacts on the frontal glacial plate, also lurching the tank three metres backwards, don’t penetrate the armour.[28e] In the event the tank is dropped two hundred metres and lands upside-down, most of the tank remains intact, with only external gear like the barrel of the Battle Cannon and the sponson-mounted weapons being damaged.[28d] 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 armour is up to 200mm thick.[32]

Engine

The sturdy, efficient engine,[2a] a HL232 V12 Multi-Fuel[3c] or a Lucius 1500 turbine engine,[32] 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] A Leman Russ is capable of speeds of more than 30kph, both on-road[3b] or off-road on a high-grav world,[28c] or even 70kph on rocky terrain,[29a] shiftable by five gears.[31] Suspensions[30a] and hard-wound steel spring shock-absorbers provide added stability on the move.[4] The tracks are pin-locked, all-terrain units,[32] reinforced by tension-screws.[34]

Equipment

Other standard gear include Smoke Launchers, a Searchlight,[2b] an air filtration fan[30a] and a Comm-link[29b] tied into the wider comm-net, allowing for direct communication with supporting forces like the artillery.[30a] Also equipped are heating systems,[30b] keeping the inside of the tank summerly warm even in icy conditions.[30a] Another notable feature is the usage of padded command helmets for the crew. These helmets are fitted with direct links to the weapon's targeters, allowing the gunners to see through the linked targeters, including in thermal vision. The helmet also includes haptic feedback, making the linked weapon directly controllable, responding like the gunner's own arm, and protects against impacts if the tank is shaken.[30b] 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]

Crew

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] Both the loader and the gunner are found in the turret, next to each other. Behind the gunner, the commander is seated, within easy reach of maps, comms equipment, small arms and other needed equipment.[28d] 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]

Known patterns

 
Leman Russ with Mars Alpha Pattern hull[19]

Mars Pattern

The Mars Pattern is the most common type of Leman Russ.[34] It is divided into numerous sub-patterns.[34][33a]

Mars-Alpha Pattern

The Mars-Pattern is the most common Leman Russ Pattern.[34] 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] The side armour of a Mars Alpha Pattern consists of 150mm of solid plasteel.[28a]

Mars-Solar Pattern

 
Epic-scale Mars-Solar pattern Leman Russ miniature for Legions Imperialis[17]

The Mars-Solar Pattern Leman Russ (often simply referred to as the Solar Pattern Leman Russ) was commonly fielded by the Solar Auxilia during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy. It was fully sealed against the vacuum of space and hostile environments, possessing radiological shielding and life support systems.[42] Furthermore, the Mars-Solar Pattern Leman Russ was both faster and more sophisticated than its more common counterparts.[44a]

Solar Pattern Leman Russ Tanks came in two primary variants:[43]

  • Leman Russ Strike Tanks were primarily aimed towards long-range engagements and continual supporting fire for infantry as they advanced. They were designed to carry less technically complex weaponry that could be more easily maintained and resupplied. While their base weapon was the Battle Cannon, they also typically mounted a Vanquisher Cannon, twin Lascannons, or twin Autocannons.[43]
  • Leman Russ Assault Tanks were those configured for direct assault against fortifications or in close support of infantry, particular those mounted in Dracosan transports. They were typically equipped with either a Demolisher Cannon, Plasma destroyer, or Volkite Macro-Saker.[43]

Other Types of Mars Pattern

  • Mars IX-pattern — Mounts a 120mm smoothbore main gun.[33a]

Ryza-Pattern

 
Ryza Pattern Leman Russ[21]

The Ryza-Pattern is nearly as common as the Mars pattern.[34]

Solar-Ryza-pattern

The Solar-Ryza-pattern was used by the Solar Auxilia. Manufactured on Ryza, it was enhanced to Solar specification by mounting a vast array of equipment to operate in the most hazardous of planetary environments.[44b]

Damacles-pattern

The Damacles-pattern (Type XIV) has been withdrawn from active serve due to dysfunctional filter units.[40]

Goliath-pattern

The Goliath-pattern is an incredibly rare pattern of Leman Russ. Only three were made during the civil war on Krieg. It is larger, heavier, and more armoured than other patterns. Of the three made, one was destroyed, one is in service with the Krieg 76th and the other's fate is unknown. The plans for how to construct the Goliath-pattern were lost.[50]

Notable design features are the exposed hull weapon, where the gunner must be out of his hatch to fire the weapon, and the co-axial Storm Bolter.[50]

Graia-Pattern

The Graia-pattern is used by the Keyzon Host, referred to as Keyzatok ('Little Dragon').[33c]

Lucius-Pattern

The Lucius-Pattern is nearly as common as the Mars pattern.[34]

Phaeton-pattern

The Phaeton-pattern (Type XV), while still using the standard retrofitted sponsons mounts, energy rechargers and ammunition supply feeds found on the Type XII-XIII, differs from previous designs in its usage of only a single crystal battery generation unit, which fulfils all ancillary energy requirements. The power unit is reconstructed in accordance with the more combat-effective designs used during the storming of Vrech, thanks to a newly rediscovered STC on Gravis 5.[40]

Energy storage and expulsion is much more efficient thanks to the improvements in the thaumic-resonance of crystal orientations and a development in the growth pattern of Diaquartzoid matter. Furthermore, the standard photolatic collectors have been replaced by much more sensitive panels that allow for the accumulation and storage of energy down to fifty picocandela per second at standard solar luminosity. Still, the bulk of required power is provided by a fifty square kilo-cubits Adaptable Thermic Combustor engine, requiring a stricter measure concerning the usage of non-dried vegetative-substances and foodstuffs as fuel.[40]

Technical Specifications

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


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


Regiments known to contain Leman Russ Battle Tanks

Named Vehicle Variants

 
Agriculture Leman Russ[16]

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:

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

Rare variants:

Notable Individual Leman Russ Tanks

Images

Miniatures

Usage by Non-Imperial Forces

  • The Lost and the Damned, Traitor Guard, as well as various Chaos Cults and other Traitors are known to also make use of Leman Russ tanks.[7] The best equipped renegade armies will often field squadrons of Leman Russ battle tanks, taken from overrun Imperial armouries or fresh from rebellious manufactorums. Often ill-used by their inexperienced crews, their sheer firepower tends to compensate for these shortcomings.[49]

Usage by Xenos

The Orks are known to convert captured Leman Russ tanks into Looted Wagons[46]

  • An Ork Looted Leman Russ Tank

  • An Ork Looted Leman Russ Tank

  • Ork Looted Leman Russ Tanks


The Tau, through the human Gue'vesa members of the Tau Empire, are known to use Leman Russ tanks among their human auxiliaries. Examples include:

See also

Sources

Imperial Guard Vehicles and Artillery
Armored Vehicles Defender • Chimera (Chimerax • Chimedon • Chimerro) • Centaur RSV • Devil Dog • Hellhound (Bane Wolf • Devil Dog) • Hippogriff • NT-20 • Pegasus (Pegasus AAV • Pegasus Command) • Salamander Scout (Salamander Command • Salamander Scout) • SC-3 • Sentinel • Shedu • Tauros • Taurox (Taurox Prime) • YT-9
Tanks Behemoth Primal • Destroyer • Kurtis Tank • Leman Russ (Annihilator • Assault • Conqueror • Eradicator • Executioner • Exterminator • Incinerator • Punisher • Siege • Vanquisher) • Scylla • Siegfried • SteG-4 • Thunderer
Heavy Vehicles Crassus • Gorgon • King Russ • Macharius (Omega • Vanquisher • Vulcan) • Malcador (Annihilator • Defender • Infernus • Vanquisher) • Ragnarok • Rogal Dorn • Valdor
Super-Heavy Vehicles Banehammer • Baneblade • Banesword • Capitol Imperialis • Command Tractor • Doomhammer • Hellhammer • Icarus • Leviathan • Shadowsword • Stormblade • Stormhammer • Stormlord • Stormsabre • Stormsword
Self-Propelled Artillery Basilisk • Bayonet • Colossus • Dominus • Earthwrecker • Griffon • Hydra • Manticore • Medusa • Minotaur • Praetor • Wyvern
Field Artillery Bombast • Earthshaker • Götterdämmerung • Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun • Heavy Lascannon • Heavy Mortar • Malleus • Medusa • Multiple Rocket Launcher • Siege Cannon • Thudd Gun
Other A-50 Armoured Transport • Aquilus • Armoured Car • Atlas • Cargo-6 • Cargo-8 • Cargo-12 • Cargo-20 • Centaur Carrier • Centurion • Cyclops • Half-Track • Hades • Hellbore • Heracles • Hyena • Jeep • Jungle Class Clearance Bulldozer • Land Crawler • Mole • Remote Mine • Robot Crawler • Samaritan • Soft Skinned Vehicle • Termite • Thirty-Sixer • Tigermoth Skimmer • Trojan • Vulpa
Watercraft Inflatable assault lander • Landing craft • Orca • Poseidon • Sea skimmer • Swift boat • Triton
Rare/Relic Aethon • Aurox • Carnodon • Dracosan • Excertus • Hermes • Testudo
 

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This article or article section is based on entries to the Golden Demon competition such as those featured on White Dwarf, or similar public events showcases (e.g. exhibits at Warhammer World and local GW stores, Armies on Parade, Warhammer Championships, etc.) published by Games Workshop. These showcases regularly feature miniatures and content submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

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