Difference between revisions of "Leman Russ Battle Tank"

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==Design==
 
==Design==
 
===Overview===
 
===Overview===
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[[File:Leman Russ Imperial Armour.jpg|right|thumb|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 [[regiment]]s across the [[Imperium]], the Leman Russ is produced in the millions on [[Forge World]]s and in [[Hive World|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.{{Fn|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.{{Fn|2a}} It has been estimated that if all Leman Russ in service would be lined up, the line would stretch from the [[Adeptus Mechanicus|Mechanicus]] workshops on [[Mars]] to the gates of the [[Imperial Palace]] on [[Terra]].{{Fn|36}} Design changes are only introduced to accommodate different materials, power plants and repair facilities,{{Fn|1}} the basic design capable of withstanding a myriad of environments, from blistering acid waste to chilling methane swamps.{{Fn|1}} The tank itself weighs 60{{Fn|31}} or 61 tons.{{Fn|32}}
 
Ever since, it has been the main battle tank of the [[Imperial Army]] (and later the [[Imperial Guard]]) and the mainstay of armoured [[regiment]]s across the [[Imperium]], the Leman Russ is produced in the millions on [[Forge World]]s and in [[Hive World|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.{{Fn|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.{{Fn|2a}} It has been estimated that if all Leman Russ in service would be lined up, the line would stretch from the [[Adeptus Mechanicus|Mechanicus]] workshops on [[Mars]] to the gates of the [[Imperial Palace]] on [[Terra]].{{Fn|36}} Design changes are only introduced to accommodate different materials, power plants and repair facilities,{{Fn|1}} the basic design capable of withstanding a myriad of environments, from blistering acid waste to chilling methane swamps.{{Fn|1}} The tank itself weighs 60{{Fn|31}} or 61 tons.{{Fn|32}}
  

Revision as of 22:21, 17 October 2024

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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]

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 honor 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

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] 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] 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

Ryza Pattern Leman Russ[21]

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]

Mars Pattern

The Mars-Pattern is the most common Leman Russ Pattern.[34]

  • Mars IX-pattern — Mounts a 120mm smoothbore main gun.[33a]
  • Mars-Alpha-pattern — Elongated main hull for additional communications equipment.[33b]

Ryza-Pattern

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

Mars Alpha Pattern Hull

Leman Russ with Mars Alpha Pattern hull[19]

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]

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

Picture of a Leman Russ[18]

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

See also

Sources

Imperial Guard Vehicles and Artillery
Armored Vehicles Defender • Chimera (Chimerax • Chimedon • Chimerro) • Centaur AFV (Minotaur AFV) • Centaur RSV • Devil Dog • Hellhound (Bane Wolf • Devil Dog) • Hippogriff • NT-20 • 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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