[[Imagefile:LandSpeederArt.jpg|thumb|right|330px|Space Marine Land Speeders]]'''Land Speeders''' are light anti-gravity vehicles, serving as the primary reconnaissance, scouting, resupply , and fast attack vehicles of the Imperial [[Space Marine]] [[Chapter]]s.

Land Speeders are based on [[STC]] data recovered in [[M31]] by the famous [[Tech-priest#Magos|Techno-archaeologist]] [[Arkhan Land]], and afterwards became widely produced and used throughout the [[Imperium]]. Land Speeders were also originally used by the [[Imperial Guard]], but since then the plasma and anti-gravity technologies required to produce them have become increasingly rare and hard to maintain.{{Fn|1a}} Only extremely resource rich planets like [[Ryza]]{{cite this}} or organisations such as the Space Marines can afford to create them. There are 50 plus Land Speeders in a typical Chapter.{{Fn|1a}}

The anti-gravitic plates which give the Land Speeder its ability to fly remains a mystery restricted mostly to the Tech-Magos of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]]. Placed around the nose and cockpit of the vehicle they create an inverse gravity field which, in combination with afterburning ramjets, allows it to climb to a height of one hundred meters but the official doctrine dictated that Land Speeders should use the ground as cover and don't climb up to high height.{{Fn|1a}} Though its anti-gravitic plates won't function at higher altitudes, they can be used to perform a control descent at these heights, allowing their deployment from an overflying [[Thunderhawk]] for rapid assaults.{{Fn|2}} The Land Speeder is even capable of barrel-rolling until the vehicle is upside down, whilst maintaining speed and firing its weapons.{{Fn|9a}}

The advantages of the Land Speeder is that it can be tasked to fulfill fulfil a variety of missions. These can range from light reconnaissance to tank-hunting and search-and-destroy operations. Land Speeders are typically fielded in squadrons of one to three vehicles, and normally piloted by [[Assault Marines]], with each [[Battle Company]] maintaining its own stockpile. However, the majority are held by the Chapter's [[Reserve Companies|Reserve Companies]], with the 7th Company trained and equipped to deploy en masse on Land Speeders, acting as a fast-response strike group which can be used to respond to enemy penetrations or exploit a hole in their battle lines.{{Fn|2}} On average the typical Chapter will have between fifty to seventy Land Speeders of various types, though this varies depending upon the Chapter's wealth or tactical doctrine. For example, the [[Dark Angels]] and [[White Scars]], along with their successor Chapters, each field several hundred Land Speeders.{{Fn|3}}

[[Image:LSTornadeLandSpeederTornado1.gifjpg|thumb|right|250px|Tornado variant]]

[[Image:LSTyphoonLandSpeederTyphoon1.gifjpg|thumb|right|250px|Typhoon variant]]Land Speeder Typhoons are a more heavily-armed version of the standard Land Speeder. In addition to the Heavy Bolter, it mounts [[twin-linked]] [[missile launcher]]s. The heavy bolter can also be replaced with a multi-melta.{{Fn|1f}} The missile launcher is of the Sextus pattern and fires multiple [[Frag Missile|fragmentation warheads]].{{Fn|9b}} The Typhoon is held afloat by use of the M30 pattern gravitic lifting plate and propels itself with the help of the [[Lucius (Forge World)|Lucius]] pattern enhanced turbo fan unit. It also incorporates a passive augury probe and a ground-proximity sensor, with some vehicles modified to mount a Merrett pattern [[Scanner|aggressive sensor]].{{Fn|9b}} The Typhoon can sustain an angle of attack between -46 and +46 degrees and its acceleration is rated at seventeen gees for Space Marines and seven gees for baseline human crews.{{Fn|9b}}

Slightly larger than the standard Land Speeder, the Tempest carries [[Extra Armour|heavier armour]] , weapons,{{Fn|1b}} an armoured cockpit and weaponsa [[Scanner|ground tracking scanner]]. {{Fn|10}} To save on weight, the gunner is replaced with a slaved targeting system with the pilot's aim assisted by a [[Machine Spirit]]. Weaponry includes a fixed-forward Assault Cannon and twin-linked Missile Launchers controlled through a multi-spectral targeting [[surveyor]]. Despite the heavier armour, standard combat tactics remain the same, with Tempests flying nap-of-the-earth to avoid enemy fire.{{Fn|1b}}

Land Speeder Storms are significant modifications to the standard Land Speeder, designed for use by the Chapter's [[Scout Squad]]s. Though equal to the standard model in speed and maneuverabilitymanoeuvrability, it trades it's heavy armament for the ability to carry five Marine Scouts into battle. It is further altered with baffled engines and a sophisticated spy array, allowing for stealthy insertions behind enemy lines.{{Fn|2}}

The weapons include a standard Heavy Bolter and a light [[Cerebus Launcher]], a tri-barreled barrelled [[missile launcher]] capable of shooting frag, stun and blind rockets or other types. It is also equipped with an advanced jamming beacon that operates in both electro-magnetic and etheric bands, allowing it to interfere with enemy communications and cause [[teleport homer]]s to malfunction within its area of effect. The heavy bolter can also be replaced with a heavy flamer, multi-melta or assault cannon.{{Fn|2}}

|Type=Scout Skimmer{{cite thisFn|2}}

*''[[Sableclaw]]'' — customized Customized Land Speeder used by [[Sammael]] of the [[Dark Angels]].*''[[Spectral Nine]]'' of the — [[Star Phantoms]]. Took part in the [[Badab War]].{{Fn|7b}}

LandSpeeder.jpg|[[3rd Edition ]] '''Land Speeder'''Smspeeder2004-303.jpg|[[2nd Edition ]] '''Land Speeder'''LandSpeeder1st.jpg|[[1st Edition ]] [[Proteus Land Speeder]]

*[[Javelin Attack Speeder]], an [[Horus HeresySpace Marine Vehicles (List)]]-era pattern**[[Proteus Land Javelin Attack Speeder]], an - a [[Horus Heresy]]-era patterngrav vehicle**[[Storm Speeder]], - a new Pattern pattern designed for the [[Primaris Space Marine]]s

{{CiteCitation issues}}*1: [[Imperial Armour Volume 2Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition]]:

[[Category:SkimmersLand Speeders| ]]