Changes

[[Image:PredatorArt.jpg|thumb|right|Predator Tank^{{Fn|3a}}]]

Construction of Predators remains restricted to a Chapter's [[Armoury]] or allied [[Forge World]], with most Chapters fielding between twenty to thirty of all types.^{{Fn|4 }} However, some Chapters are known to contain several hundred battle tanks, though that number includes [[Land Raider]]s as well.^{{Fn|6 }} The Predator shares many of the same design features with the Rhino, with differences noted below.

The '''Predator Destructor''' is the original model of Predator battle tanks, with its origins dating back to the [[Dark Age of Technology]].^{{Fn|4a }} The Predator was built in direct response to the threat of [[Orks]], which were proving difficult for humanity to handle. Its combination of heavier armour and weaponry allowed the Predator to withstand Orkish attacks and easily destroy their vehicles. Soon the Predator became the standard fighting vehicle for all of humanity's armies, and would remain in that position throughout the [[Great Crusade]], where its small troop carrying capacity would be replaced with space for more ammunition.^{{Fn|4a }} Eventually, similar to the Rhino it was based off of, the Predator Destructor would be restricted to use by the Space Marines only.

The main turret armament on the common Mars pattern MarkVIb Predator Destructor is the Syrtis pattern [[Autocannon]], which is constructed with an automatic ammunition feed, muzzle flash suppressor and discharge extractor.^{{Fn|4a }} The weapon is aimed by the vehicle commander/gunner through a multi-spectral remote targeting [[surveyor]] and accuracy talisman.^{{Fn|4a }} It fires explosive ammunition, each round larger than a Space Marine's fist, which easily chew through heavily-armoured infantry and light vehicles.^{{Fn|3}}

The side sponsons can mount either [[Heavy Bolter]]s for close defense or [[Lascannon]]s for additional anti-tank firepower. The sponson weapons are remotely controlled from the turret and aimed through similar surveyors.^{{Fn|4a}}

Protection for the Predator Destructor comes from three layers of armouring. The first, a bonded [[ceramite]]/[[adamantine]] alloy, gives the Predator protection equivalent to five times its width in conventional steel whilst being lighter.^{{Fn|4a }} This is followed by a reinforcing thermoplas with a mesh of sub-dermal energy dissipation fibre for protection against radiation. The outer layer is a non-metallic acrylic identification sheath.^{{Fn|4a}}

|Vehicle Name=Predator Destructor^{{Fn|4a}}

The '''Predator Annihilator''' is the second and latter of the two major patterns, though its introduction was not without controversy. In [[M36]], during the [[Skarath Crusade]], a [[Space Wolves]] [[Great Company]] found itself surrounded by traitor forces, including overwhelming numbers of tanks and [[Chaos Dreadnought]]s.^{{Fn|4b }} However, the Space Wolves, renowned for their ingenuity and refusal to be defeated, concocted a solution. The Great Company's [[Iron Priest]]s prayed to their [[Primarch]], [[Leman Russ (primarch)|Leman Russ]], for guidance, and were granted a vision. Acting upon this guidance, they proceeded to replace the Autocannons on their Predator Destructors with [[Lascannons]] normally carried by their [[Long Fang]]s. So modified, the Space Wolves' tanks were able to cut a swath through the enemy's armoured ranks and allowed the Great Company to escape the trap.^{{Fn|4a}}

The [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] was suitably infuriated at the Space Wolves' blasphemous alteration to a holy STC design, however their success could not be denied. While the Space Wolves continued to field Predator Annihilators, the [[Tech-priest]]s examined the design, debated its sanctity in councils and ran extensive trials. Two hundred years later, it was found that the modified tank was not only acceptable to the [[Machine God]], but that the Predator was intentionally designed to accept such a retrofit.^{{Fn|4b }} The Predator Annihilator has since found its way into the Armouries of many other Space Marine Chapters.

In place of the Syrtis pattern Autocannon, the Predator Annihilator mounts [[twin-linked]] 'Stormbringer' [[Lascannon]]s equipped with flash dampeners and focusing rings. Powered by diaquartzoid crystal batteries, each lascannon has a barrel life of 1000 shots before it warps and must be replaced.^{{Fn|4b}}

|Vehicle Name=Predator Annihilator^{{Fn|4b}}

When they first rebelled against the [[Emperor]], the [[Traitor Legions]] took with them their Predator Destructors, many of which still remain operational over 10,000 years later.^{{Fn|5 }} Though they share some similarities to their Loyalist cousins, many of these once-noble machines have been [[Chaos_Space_Marine_Armoury#Unique_Vehicle_Upgrades|twisted and warped]] by the power of [[Chaos]], including outright possession by [[Daemons]].^{{Fn|5}}

*^{{Endn|1}}:[[White Dwarf 271]]*^{{Endn|2}}:[[Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition)]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition)]], p. 41**^{{Endn|3a; }}: pg. 78*^{{Endn|4}}:[[Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition]]:**^a{{Endn|4a}}: ppp. 27, 28**^b{{Endn|4b}}: ppp. 37, 38*^{{Endn|5}}:[[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]], p. 34*^{{Endn|6}}:[[Insignium Astartes]], p.48