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→Battlefield Role
However the Basilisk has also proven its worth as an assault gun, using cannon's low angle of elevation to engage targets at short range in direct support of troops. The high explosive shells fired by the Basilisk are as devastating to infantry and tanks as they are to fortifications, however it is no replacement for a true [[Battle Tank]].{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}} The lack of ablative armouring and exposed fighting position leaves the Basilisk highly exposed to enemy fire and hostile environments, although many patterns go some way towards correcting this by incorporating an Enclosed Crew Compartment.{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|4}} Basilisks tasked for direct fire support will be detached from their parent company and placed under the temporary command of the tank or infantry company it is intended to support.{{Fn|3}} Basilisk's have been observed in a variety of roles, such as anti-aircraft.{{Fn|10}}
During the [[Great Crusade]] and [[Horus Heresy]], the Basilisk was also used by siege units of the [[Space Marine Legion]]salongside such vehicles as the [[Whirlwind]] and [[Medusa]], though not nearly to the same extent as the [[Imperial Army]] given that static warfare did not fit the strengths and advantages of [[Space Marines]]. The legions would use them in protracted bombardments and defense against enemy armour.{{Fn|7}} The Iron Warriors, in particular, were noted to have fielded many in their role as expert siegebreakers.{{Fn|8}} The [[Ultramarines]] are also known to have fielded Basilisks.{{Fn|9}} The Basilisks used by the [[Solar Auxilia]] were semi-automated and mounted on the environmentally-sealed chassis of the [[Leman Russ Battle Tank#Mars-Solar Pattern|Mars-Solar pattern Leman Russ]].{{Fn|21a}}
==Technical Information==