Hydra Platform

The Hydra Flak Platform, also known as simply the Hydra Platform, is an Imperial weapons platform outfitted for anti-air defence. The Hydra Flak Platform is armed with an anti-air turret. The turret is armed with a Hydra Flak Cannon, which consists of two sets of twin-linked, long barrelled Autocannons, for a total of four barrells. The Hydra Platform is usually used by the Imperial Guard as a static weapons emplacement, usually placed in close proximity to Imperial artillery formations in order to protect them from enemy aircraft. Hydra Platforms are also placed next to important static targets, such as bridges, command posts and airfields. The Hydra Platform, much like the Earthshaker Cannon and Manticore Platforms makes use of the common Phaeton pattern Imperial weapons platform that makes use of four stabiliser legs. These legs can fold up and motorised tracks can be attached so the platform, and its mounted weapon, can be towed into place. These platforms are usually towed by larger Imperial support vehicles such as Trojans, as smaller support vehicles, such as the Centaur, are not powerful enough to tow the weight of the platform and its weapon. The Earthshaker Cannon can also make use of the wheeled Lucius pattern weapons platform, although it is unknown if the Hydra Platform or Manticore Platforms can also make use of this pattern. Each Hydra Platform is crewed by several specially trained Imperial Guard soldiers, usually a commander, a gunner, and up to three loaders. The crew will ride in the Trojan assigned to their platform when it is moved. The Trojan also carries some of the platforms ammunition. Hydra Platforms are usually deployed to the field in groups consisting of three Hydra Platforms, their crews, and three Trojan utility vehicles to tow them.

Armament
The Hydra Platform is armed with a Hydra Flak Cannon, which is simply two sets of twin-linked, long barrelled Autocannons. The Hydra Flak Cannon fires explosive flak rounds at an extremely high rate of fire, the rounds explode in the air, showering enemy aircraft with dangerous flak debris that can destroy engines and tear through armour. The Hydra Plaform's gunner and loaders are positioned near the rear of the turret and work together to keep the weapon's automated loading mechanism and complex targeting systems operational. The weapons are mounted on a gyro-stabilised auto-tracking turret mount outfitted with a sophisticated long-range targeting auger to identify, track, and shoot down enemy aircraft. It is unknown, although highy probable that the cannons can be lowered to engage ground forces, much like the self-propelled Hydra tank. The Hydra Platform has no other weapons, although the platform's crew are all armed with Laspistols and Lasguns to defend themselves, and the platform, from enemy ground attack. The platform can be covered in camouflage netting to better conceal it from the enemy.

Also See

 * Imperial Vehicles

Gallery
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