Leman Russ Conqueror

The Leman Russ Conqueror is a variant of the Imperial Guard main battle tank, the Leman Russ. The Leman Russ tank is named after the Primarch of the Space Wolves Space Marines Chapter, Leman Russ, and is one of the most common war-machines used by the Imperium. The Conqueror variant differs from the normal Leman Russ in that its main weapon is a Conqueror Cannon, as opposed to the Battle Cannon used on the Leman Russ. The Leman Russ tank has many variants, and the Conqueror is one of the most uncommon, as the Standard Template Construct (STC) blue-prints used in its construction were only recently found. Although the Conqueror is relatively new to the Imperium's arsenal, it has already proven itself as a capable breakthrough or line-breaker tank, as it excels greatly at this role.

History
The Standard Template Construct blue-prints for the Conqueror were rediscovered on the Forge World of Gryphonne IV, sometime during the 38th Millennium. When the designs were originally found many within the ranks of the Adeptus Mechanicus feared that the weapon's smaller size would result in a loss of firepower and poor battlefield performance when compared to the Battle Cannon, but these fears were laid to rest during the weapon's field testing. The weapon was shown during testing to have greatly reduced recoil, due to the gun's torsion bar counter-balance mechanisms, this gave the tank greater accuracy when firing while on the move. The weapon's smaller size also gave the vehicle greater mobility, and allowed its loaders to keep up a high rate of fire. The weapon's use of smaller shells allows the vehicle to carry more ammunition, making it less reliant on re-supply during operations. The space saved in the turret also allows for the use of a co-axial Storm Bolter, and is the only Leman Russ variant that has a co-axial weapon. The turret also has additional armour plating on the forward sides, improved air-intake valves and vents, and a rear hatch that can be used to quickly re-arm the tank and also to dispose of spent shell casings without a crew member having to leave the tank.

Proving Grounds
The entire first production run of Leman Russ Conqueror tanks were issued to the Skitarii legions of Gryphonne IV, and they're first action was to partake in the Castra Campaign. During the campaign the Adpetus Mechanicus Skitarii and the War Griffons Titan Legion were tasked with the destruction of enemy forces that were held up inside of Hive Castra Septus. The Conqueror equipped Skitarii Regiments were able to keep up with the advance of the Titans as they attempted to encircle the Hive City and trap the enemy combatants within. Enemy forces were unable to make it past the combined force of the Titans and the Conqueror tanks and after the Titans created breaks in the defender's defensive line the Conquerors rushed into their midst, completely annihilating the traitors. After this success, the Leman Russ Conqueror was put into full production and was slowly but steadily exported to Imperial Guard Regiments around the galaxy. Sometime during the 39th Millennium the Adeptus Mechanicus munition-adepts of the Gryphonne IV Forge World tried to create a new type of shell for the Conqueror. The shell, known as the Auger Shell, was supposed to increase the tank's firepower, but was considered a complete failure, the production of the Auger shell is no longer permitted.

In the 41st Millennium
During the 41st Millennium the Conqueror is an uncommon sight in most Imperial Guard Regiments as the STC blue-prints used in its construction are found only on the Forge World of Gryphonne IV. The original blue-prints that were found currently reside on Mars waiting to be processed, at current there are several other Forge Worlds lobbying to gain access to them. The Conqueror is well liked by its crews for its speed, mobility, and high rate of fire, and it has unofficially became known as a "breakthrough" tank because of its common tactical deployment of exploiting gaps in enemy lines.

Armament
The Leman Russ Conqueror is equipped with an uncommon armament when compared to the original Leman Russ tank and its other variants. The tank's main weapon, the Conqueror Cannon, is a smaller and less powerful version of the Battle Cannon used on the baseline Leman Russ, but the reduced size and firepower allow the tank to move while firing and have a higher rate of fire. The Conqueror is also the only Leman Russ tank variant that has a co-axial weapon mounted on the tank's turret. The Conqueror, like all Leman Russ variants, can be equipped with two sponson mounts, one on each side. The most common configuration for the sponson-mount is 2 Heavy Bolters or 2 Heavy Flamers. Leman Russ tanks that are a part of a well-equipped armoured regiment sometimes have 2 Multi-Meltas or 2 Plasma Cannons as their sponson weapons. The tank can also be equipped with camouflage netting, extra armour plating, a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, improved communications equipment, a mine sweeper, a Pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber or Storm Bolter, track guards, rough terrain modifications, a dozer blade, and smoke launchers. All Leman Russ Conqueror tanks are equipped with searchlights mounted onto the top of the turret, they are used to illuminate enemies and are also used for nighttime communications in case of a radio failure.

Known Users of the Leman Russ Conqueror

 * Imperial Guard - The Leman Russ Conqueror is used as a "breakthrough" by the Imperial Guard, and is used by many Imperial armoured regiments and companies that receive their vehicles from Gryphonne IV.
 * Planetary Defence Forces - The Leman Russ is used by several Planetary Defence Forces stationed on Imperial worlds near Gryphonne IV.
 * The Lost and the Damned - The Lost and the Damned is the name collectively given to the multitude of beings that have turned to Chaos over the millennia, the vast majority of whom are the ordinary mortals who fight for Chaos. They are not a single coherent force, but rather a diverse and infinite collection of war-bands and hosts under the leadership of Chaos Champions. These forces take their weapons and vehicles with them, and as many of them were former members of the Imperial Guard or Planetary Defence Forces, they make use of an unknown number of Leman Russ Conqueror tanks.
 * 74th Cadian Armoured Regiment - Fought during the defence of Hamman's World against the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Kraken
 * 27th Konig Armoured Regiment - Part of the Caleb Reclamation Forces
 * 8th Palladius Armoured Regiment - Fought during the Atria Wilderness Campaign
 * 66th Arcadian Armoured Regiment - Part of the Toal III Invasion Force
 * 11th Mortant Armoured Regiment - Fought on the world of Hellion V
 * Armageddon Steel Legion - Fought during the Third War for Armageddon
 * 3rd Tallarn Armoured Regiment - Fought in the defence of Balle Alpha, and during the Taros Campaign
 * 12th Tallarn Armoured Regiment - Fought against the Tau during the Taros Campaign
 * Vraksian Traitor Militia - The Vraksian Traitor Militia fought against the Imperial Forces during the Siege of Vraks
 * Death Korps of Krieg - The Death Korps of Krieg fought against traitor forces during the Siege of Vraks
 * 28th Valhallan Armoured Regiment 
 * 8th Pardus Armoured Regiment

Also See

 * Vehicles of the Imperial Guard
 * Leman Russ Tank

Gallery
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