Deathstrike Missile Launcher

The Deathstrike Missile Launcher is a mobile missile launcher of the Imperial Guard it uses a Chimera chassis that is modified with a complex launching system to carry and launch a single Deathstrike Missile. The Deathstrike is becoming a rare sight on the battlefield due to commanders overlooking it for its vulnerabilities looking instead for other more mobile and flexible artillery vehicles such a the Basilisk. They are only found on the most apocalyptic battlefields and are only ever used when the total annihilation of a key target is absolutely necessary, and only with the authority of Segementum Command. The vehicle launches a single inter-continental, solid-fuel missile, with an operational range of several thousand kilometers, when the missile detonates everything caught within the blast radius is instantly consumed by an immense fireball that can vaporize almost anything, including armoured units and buildings. A single well-placed shot from a Deathstrike is more than capable of destroying whole armies, due to the immense firepower of the weapon, and the fact that it may need to be used while allies are still in the blast radius, Imperial Command usually assigns highly loyal Commissars to Deathstrikes to ensure the weapon is fired, no matter the target or consequences.

Armament
The Deathstrike Missile Launcher is armed with a single Deathstrike Missile, the missile can be outfitted with several different warheads, including biological, nuclear, and Titan-killer warheads, but by far the most common is the plasma warhead, which is capable of vaporizing almost anything within a very large radius. The rarest warhead used by the Deathstrike is the ancient Vortex Warhead, this weapon from the Dark Age of Technology tears open an inter-dimensional rift that rips its targets apart in a vortex of raging destruction. The Deathstrike Missile has an operational range that no other artillery can ever even come close to reaching, and the firepower is beyond the capabilities of any artillery weapons used by the Imperium. The vehicle is also armed with a hull-mounted Heavy Bolter for protection, even though the Deathstrike usually will never be near any enemies, this weapon can also be replaced with a Heavy Flamer. The vehicle can also be equipped with camouflage netting, a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, a dozer blade, extra armour plating, a Pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber or Storm Bolter, a searchlight, and smoke launchers.

Known Times the Deathstrike Has Been Utilised

 * 994.M40 - Ork Lootas infiltrated the 52nd Army Artillery Park and captured one of the three Deathstrike Missile Launchers that was stationed there, the weapon was later deployed against Imperial Forces fighting in the battle for Baric VI, the cataclysmic explosion destroyed two armoured regiments and the command Baneblade, 'Steel Might', of the 278th Mordain. After a two-year investigation of how the weapon was stolen twelve Imperial Generals were executed for dereliction of duty.
 * Third War for Armageddon - The Deathstrike Batteries located in Hive Helsreach were able to assist in the defense of Hive Volcanus, even though they were located nearly on opposite ends of the planet.

Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications
The technical specifications of this vehicle have yet to be released for public consumption by the Adeptus Mechanicus.