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{{ambig|subject=Space Marine vehicle|disambiguation=Vindicator}}

The '''Vindicator''' is a short ranged siege tank used by [[Space Marine Chapter]]s. Based upon the [[Rhino]] chassis, it shares many of the same design features, though with equipment and armament optimized to deliver heavy ordnance at short range.

==History==

The origins of the Vindicator are fragmentary, although the earliest records show it was developed along with the other Rhino [[STC]] variants during the [[Dark Age of Technology]]. The fragments at the request of [[General]] [[Vindictis]] were recovered from the [[Librarius Omnis]] and within this request the General asked for a self-mobile weapon of high calibre, capable of following up with advancing armies and able to engage well-protected targets with a high angle of fire. It is believed that General Vindictus was personally responsible for instigating the idea of the 'Vindicator' so the vehicle was thus named in his honour. The record states that on the planet [[Rostern]] 10 assembled Vindicators fought against raiding [[Orks]] and though 9 out of 10 were ultimately destroyed in the process, Imperial forces were victorious.{{Fn|1a}} Other records show that the Vindicator was first fielded during the early years of the [[Horus Heresy]] on [[Rostern I]], when massive [[Thunderer Cannon]]s were mounted onto remodeled Rhinos and used to blast heavily dug-in [[Traitor Legions|Traitor]] positions among the urban rubble.{{Fn|2a}}

==Tactical Use==

As laid down by the [[Codex Astartes]], the Vindicator's chief role is in urban combat, to provide [[Assault Squad|assault]] and [[tactical squad]]s with destructive firepower against enemy strongpoints and snipers. Standard combat doctrine has the Vindicator advance down a street towards the target structure, supported by Space Marine squads advancing from building to building on either side of it, blasting holes in the walls if necessary. Once in position, the Vindicator opens fire on the target building, reducing much of it to rubble and opening the way for subsequent assault by Space Marines with close-combat weaponry.{{Fn|1a}}

==Technical Information==

===Armament===

The [[Demolisher Cannon]] gives the Vindicator immense destructive capabilities. Firing rocket-assisted siege shells, the Demolisher Cannon can reduce a building to rubble in a matter of moments, crushing the enemies taking shelter under tonnes of rubble.{{Fn|2a}} The cannon's two exhaust vents for vacating rocket back-blast are located behind its multi-spectral targeting array. The Rhino chassis's transport capacity is given over completely to ammunition storage, of which it can carry 16 shells in its racks. That number is normally increased by two, with one shell preloaded and a second stored on the collapsible loading ramp.{{Fn|1a}} Some variants of the Vindicator are equipped with a crane-winch which helps it reload faster.{{Fn|7}} The Vindicator is also armed with a [[Storm Bolter]] for close defense.{{Fn|2a}}

==Variants==

[[Image:CSMVindicator.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Chaos Space Marine]] Vindicator{{Fn|4}}]]

===Chaos Vindicators===

Vindicators were used extensively by the [[Traitor Legion]]s during the [[Horus Heresy]], specifically in the [[Siege of the Imperial Palace]], and have remained in service with Chaos Space Marine forces since then. The [[Iron Warrior]]s in particular, field many squadrons of Vindicators and deface them with defaced statuary of fallen cities they have conquered. The Vindicator can also be possessed by a bound daemon.{{Fn|3}}{{Fn|5}}

===Deimos Pattern Vindicator===

==Named Vindicators==

==Images==

==See also==

*{{Endn|7}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Two - Second Edition: War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes]], pgs. 96-97

*{{Endn|8}}: [[Hunt for Voldorius (Novel)]], Chapter 9

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