Colossus (Siege Tank)

The Colossus is an open-topped self-propelled artillery tank of the Imperial Guard, and is one of the oldest and most renowned tanks still in use in the 41st Millennium. The vehicle is usually deployed during sieges and urban combat. The Colossus is armed with one of the largest and most powerful mortars used by the Imperium, known as the Colossus Siege Mortar. The Colossus is based on the common Chimera tank chassis, and like the Imperial Bombard tank has a crane installed on the rear to lift its heavy siege shells and get them into place for firing, the Colossus and the Bombard are nearly identical in appearance leading to many cases of mistaken identity.

Armament
The Colossus is armed and also named after the weapon it carries, known as a Colossus Siege Mortar. The Colossus Siege Mortar is one of the largest and most powerful mortars used by the Imperial Guard. The weapon fires special high concussion shells, which upon impact cause shock-waves that are capable of crushing bones, cracking rocks, and pulping flesh. The weapon is mostly used to destroy enemy infantry in cover, the shock-waves are able to kill without first destroying the cover, but is also capable of destroying the cover and causing the rubble and debris to crush the defenders. The weapons range is equal to that of the much more common Basilisk artillery tank, and like most mortar weapons it is incapable of firing directly at its targets. The Colossus is also equipped with a hull-mounted Heavy Bolter, which can be replaced with a Heavy Flamer. The tank can also be outfitted with camouflage netting, an enclosed crew compartment, a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, a dozer blade, extra armour plating, and a Pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber or Storm Bolter.

Known Users of the Colossus

 * Imperial Guard - The Imperial Guard fields the Colossus during demanding sieges and urban battles.

Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications for this vehicle are lost or unavailable.

Soures
[[Category:C]]
 * Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition), p. 53, 103