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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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During the [[Great Crusade]] the Land Raider STC design was rediscovered, allowing their manufacture once more. The discoverer is commonly believed to be the Techno-archaeologist [[Magos]] [[Arkhan Land]] who, at the very birth of the Imperium, is said to have rediscovered the STC designs hidden beneath the surface of [[Mars]]. These vehicles were incorporated into the arsenals of the Imperium's forces, used by both the [[Space Marine Legion]]s and the [[Imperial Army]]. Such was the demand for the Land Raider that an entire [[Forge World]], [[Anvilus 9]], was devoted entirely to Land Raider production, supplying thousands upon thousands of Land Raiders to the [[Emperor]]'s holy forces.{{Fn|4a}}
It is not known, when the first Land Raider was deployed. Some Imperial archaeologists claim that is was first used during the [[Siege of Delebrion]], while others maintain that it was first deployed during the massed tank battles of [[Calypso Platinum]] at the start of the [[Great Crusade]].{{Fn|15b}}
However, at the outset of the [[Horus Heresy]], Anvilus 9 along with other Forge Worlds were seized by the [[Dark Mechanicum]] aligned with [[Horus]], while others chose to secede from the [[Imperium]] and remain neutral. This would prove to be a terrible blow to the Loyalists as their supply of Land Raiders began to dry up, especially since, in sufficient numbers, Land Raiders can take on and destroy even [[Titan]]s.{{Fn|4a}} With the dark clouds of the rebellion drawing closer to [[Terra]], the Emperor ordered that all Land Raiders still in loyalist service were to be transferred and used exclusively by the Legiones Astartes, who were at the forefront of the fighting. The Emperor was never able to annul the order, and consequently, even after the Heresy, the use of the Land Raider remained exclusive to the Space Marines.{{Fn|2}}
The standard Land Raider is armed with a hull-mounted [[twin-linked]] [[heavy bolter]] and two side sponsons each with twin-linked [[lascannon]]s. It may also be fitted with a [[pintle mounted]] [[storm bolter]]. Sponson weapons are controlled through a slaved remote targeting system, and aimed through multi-spectral optic periscopes located around the turret rings.{{Fn|4d}}
The lascannons are of the 'Godhammer' Kz9.76 design, requiring replacement barrels after 2000 shots.{{Fn|4d}} The lascannons are situated in a 180 degree traversable mount, traversing at 80 degrees/second. They can elevate from +42 degrees to -32 degrees.{{Fn|1515a}}
The gyro-stabilised 998AV Massada pattern 'Firefury' heavy bolter is situated beneath a ceramite/titanium bonded armour cowling, is fed by an armoured chain fed from an armoured magazine and sits on top of an electric magnetic turntable. It can elevate from from +90 degrees to -3 degrees within the 90 degree forward arc, rising to +33 degrees on all other facings.{{Fn|1515a}}
The M33 MkVI auxiliary storm bolter incorporates an autosight, geno-coded firing grips and a 200 round ammunition hopper equipped with all-purpose bolter rounds.{{Fn|1515a}}
===Armour===
The Land Raider uses a form of composite armour created by bonding layers in huge, high-pressure cookers, giving it a level of protection incomparable to most other Imperial vehicles. The first, inner armour layer, in addition to structural supports, is constructed of [[adamantine]]. The second is a titanium/[[plasteel]] composite used to reinforce strategic locations, such as the assault ramp, front glacis and hatch doors. The next is a thermo-plas fibre mesh to absorb and dissipate high-energy [[laser weapon]]s, followed by the first of two [[ceramite]] layers, designed to ablate against extreme heat and [[melta weapon]]s,{{Fn|4a}} finally ending in an outer layer consisting of a non-magnetic codex approved acrylic identification sheet.{{Fn|1515a}} When combined, this armouring makes the Land Raider virtually immune to heavy artillery like [[Battle Cannon]]s.{{Fn|5}} The armour is 3.75 inches thick on the front hull, 3.69 inches thick on the side hull and 3.61 inches thick on the rear hull and is reinforced by [[Molecular Bonding Stud|ceramite bonding studs]] all over the Land Raider.{{Fn|1515a}}
Another defensive mechanism is provided by the [[Smoke Launcher|MkII 'Tenebris' smoke discharging units]], armed with [[Smoke Grenade|Stygies 'C' pattern smoke grenades]].{{Fn|1515a}}
===Mobility===
====Engine====
Power for the Land Raider is provided for by a Mars pattern adaptable thermic combustor reaction engine, situated in the rear of the vehicle. It is kept cool by a nitro-ammonium cooling system, and protected from malfunction and [[Daemon]]ic possession by [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] manufacturing sigils and [[purity seal]]s. The engine provides power for all of the Land Raider's systems and can propel it up to an on-road speed of 55km/h.{{Fn|4a}} It can be adapted to run on almost fuel type, including a variety of gases fossil fuels, liquids and even vegetative matter.{{Fn|15b}} The engine outputs 3000 bhp and allows an operational range of 387 miles in reactor only mode, while in dual fuel reactor operation mode this range is extended to 1200 miles.{{Fn|1515a}}
====Suspension====
The Land Raider has a ground clearance of 1 foot 5 inches by use of hydro-compressive suspension units, has a maximum gradient climb of 65% and exerts a pressure of 15.5 psi upon the ground. Furthermore, it is capable of crossing a trench up to 18 feet wide and can overcome vertical obstacles up to 6 feet 2 inches in height.{{Fn|1515a}} Finally, the Land Raider is fully submersible to around 36.57 meters.{{Fn|4d}}
===Equipment===
====Machine Spirit====
Every Land Raider is equipped with automatic control systems known as a [[Machine Spirit]]. The Machine Spirit assists the crew in operating the tank and, in extreme circumstances, can operate the vehicle all on its own.{{Fn|4a}} It is a M32 'Cyclops' class Machine Spirit, operating at a cogitation speed of 1030,000 co/second and featuring a maximum contemplation capacity of 3000 kilobrains. The Cyclops features alembic shielding, aetheric stabiliser rod caps, a pseudo-synaptic relay and is fed by phlogiston and etheric feed coils. Data input is provided by an external sensory interface cortex and the 'Redeye' external monitor, while outputting through an external hailing speaker.{{Fn|1515a}}
Perhaps the most famous example of this was ''[[Rynn's Might]]'' which, despite lacking any crew, proceeded to kill an [[Ork]] [[Warboss]] and his followers before eventually being destroyed.{{Cite This}}
Besides the Machine Spirits, the Land Raider feature triple-redundant banks of [[cogitator|analytical engines]] and communication arrays to facilitate extensive command and control and even allows for deep range strike behind enemy lines.{{Fn|15b}}
====Hull Equipment====
The main part of the hull is taken up by the troop compartment, which is accessible from the outside both by the auto-scaling frontal assault ramp as well as by the side-mounted armoured hatches, who are separated from the internal compartment by inner blast doors.{{Fn|1515a}}
The hull also features a secondary, reinforced cupola, which features the auxiliary storm bolter and multi-spectrum optical pick-ups. The secondary cupola is protected by an auto-scaling hatch cover. It also incorporates a systems status display, a [[Vox|narrow band long range communications array]], an external umbilical cord and can traverse by usage of an electro-magnetic traverse ring.{{Fn|1515a}}
Besides the secondary cupola, the Land Raider has an auxiliary external mounting, which can mount a 'Nightwatch' class auto-surveyor, which incorporates an armoured dish.{{Fn|1515a}}
====Other Equipment====
The Land Raider is hermetically sealed, allowing it to operate in outer space, at the bottom of an ocean and any other unusual environment.{{Fn|1}} It also includes atmospheric sampling equipment, an air filtration and purification unit, and rad-counters for operation in hazardous environments. Each Land Raider also contains significant command and control equipment. The commander is able to monitor his unit's bio-status and other information through Individual squad status screens, using information transmitted by their [[power armour]] through the vehicle's communications dish. The commander also has access to a holographic tactical display and can directly interface with the Machine Spirit.{{Fn|4a}}
The station of the Land Raider's commander is equipped with a systems status display, an omni-directional geno-coded control column and a [[Auspex|multi-function auger]]. The commander itself is seated in a morphic seat, directly connecting via a spinal implant interface and umbilical pick-ups to the tank.{{Fn|1515a}}
The commander also has access to a traversable reinforced cupola on top of the Land Raider, fitted with an auto-sealing hatch and incorporating multi-spectral optical pickups and a wide-band local communications array.{{Fn|1515a}}
For security purposes, all controls are gene-coded to prevent their unauthorized use by the enemy.{{Fn|4a}} The Land Raider also possess possesses an auto-tarot reader and , 2 megawatt quarz/halogen headlight units,{{Fn|15a}} medical facilities and a shrine dedicated to spiritual purity.{{Fn|1515b}}
Other standard equipment includes a [[Searchlight]] and [[Smoke Launchers]]. Additional upgrades include [[Dozer Blades]], [[Extra Armour]], a [[Hunter-killer Missile]], and a [[Multi-Melta]].{{Cite This}} The Hunter-Killer Missile is an MKVIII 'Avenger' pattern.{{Fn|1515a}}
Also the distinctive feature common to many patterns of Land Raider is the consecrated 'aquila' track links. The twelve consecutive track links standing for the twelve [[High Lords]] of the [[Imperium]] and the thirteenth bears the double-headed eagle symbol, that represents the [[Emperor]] himself. So during the campaigns of the [[Space Marines]] a planet's surface is repeatedly stamped with the authority of the Emperor as if he himself marched there.{{Fn|11c}} The track links are made from a cast pseudo-titanium alloy.{{Fn|1515a}}
===Transportation===
The Land Raider has an impressive carrying capacity, either 10 Space Marines in [[Power Armour]] or 5 in [[Terminator Armour]].{{Fn|10}} Since it is hermetically sealed, the Land Raider has no fire ports for the embarked troops to use. The Space Marines can exit from three access points, two hatches located on both sides of the vehicle or a special front assault ramp for disembarking troops straight into combat.{{Fn|4d}} On [[Deathworld]]s and other harsh environments the Land Raider allows Space Marines to recharge their environmental and energy systems, extending their operational range.{{Fn|15b}}
==Technical Information==
==Named Land Raiders==
[[Image:Sword of Fire.png|thumb|right|[[Howling Griffons]]' [[Sword of Fire]]{{Fn|1515a}}]]
*''[[Cestus (Land Raider)|Cestus]]'' — [[Iron Hands]].{{Fn|4c}}
*''[[Eagle's Claw]]'' — [[Red Talons]]. Fought with Traitors during the [[Battle of Amion]].{{Fn|11b}}
*''[[Rynn's Might]]'' — [[Crimson Fists]].{{Fn|8b}}
*''[[Voltar]]'' — [[Space Wolves]].{{Fn|4h}}
*''[[Sword of Fire]]'' — [[Howling Griffons]] Built during and used in Veidt's Schism. Built using lower quality materials due to a blockade.{{Fn|1515a}}
==Images==
*{{Endn|13}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Edition)]], pg. 114
*{{Endn|14}}: [[Firepower (magazine)]] Issue 3, pg. 29
*{{Endn|15}}: [[White Dwarf 245 (UK)]], : **{{Endn|15a}}: ''Adeptus Astartes Phobos Pattern Land Raider'' (poster)**{{Endn|15b}}: pg. 20
===Uncited===
