Atlas

An Atlus pulling a stricken Leman Russ tank from danger

The Atlus is a recovery vehicle used by the forces of the Imperial Guard and possibly other Imperial forces such as Planetary Defense Forces and the armed forces of the Inquisition to recover damaged or immobilised armoured vehicles during and after a battle. The Atlus uses a powerful rear-mounted crane to tow vehicles out of the line of fire and to the field repair shop, where they can be fixed and sent back into combat. Heavily damaged vehicles can be placed on trailers and hauled away by a Trojan to be repaired at a better-equipped facility. The large spade on the rear of the Altus is used to keep the tank from being dragged backwards by the weight of its target. If a vehicle is completely destroyed, and beyond repair, it is stripped of usable equipment and unfired ammo, its Machine Spirit commended to the Emperor, and then its chassis is left to rust in peace.

Atlus towing an Imperial tank to safety

The Atlus is mainly used to recover damaged or immobilised tanks from the front where they can be repaired, but it can also be used to simply move a vehicle out of the way of other vehicles, and to move other obstructions. An Atlus is capable of lifting and towing up to one Leman Russ tank, of any variant, but anything larger, such as an Imperial Baneblade, will need to be towed by up to four Atluses to move it even a short distance. A regiment lucky enough to have multiple Atlus recovery vehicles usually groups them all into a single recovery squadron that is directly under the command of the regimental colonel and his staff. The tanks are given out as needed to the various companies.

Armament

An Atlus as part of an armoured convoy

The Atlus uses the same Mars Alpha pattern chassis as the Leman Russ main battle tank, but with the turret ring and armour plating removed and the engine overcharged to provide more power. The Atlus is always kept in reserve during battle until it is needed and when it enters the battlefield to tow a stricken tank it is always protected by friendly units until it is clear of the fight, so the Atlus is only equipped with a hull-mounted Heavy Bolter for general protection. The tank can be upgraded with Camo-Netting, Extra Armour, a Hunter-killer Missile Launcher, an Improved Communications System, a Mine Sweeper, a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter, Rough Terrain Modifications, a Searchlight, Track Guards, and smoke launchers.

Known Regiments That Use The Atlus

• 28th Death Korps of Krieg Armoured Regiment - The 28th Krieg Armoured Regiment served as a part of the Galan V Expeditionary Force
• 121st 'Teutonian' Armoured Regiment
• 74th Cadian Armoured Regiment - The 74th Cadian Armoured Regiment participated in the defence of Hamman's World

Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications

Atlus Recovery Vehicle

Vehicle Name:	Atlus	Main Armament:	Heavy Bolter
Forge World of Origin:	Stygies VIII	Secondary Armament:	N/A
Known Patterns:	I - IX	Traverse:	10 degrees
Crew:	1 Commander, 1 Driver, 1 Operator	Elevation:	-2 to 18 degrees
Powerplant:	MR230 v12 Multi-Fuel	Main Ammunition:	300 Rounds
Weight:	43 Tonnes	Secondary Ammunition:	N/A
Length:	7.08 metres	Armour:
Width:	4.68 metres
Height:	3.75 metres	Superstructure:	90 millimetres
Ground Clearance:	.45 metres	Hull:	80 millimetres
Max Speed On-Road:	34 kilometres per hour	Gun Mantlet:	N/A
Max Speed Off-Road:	20 kilometres per hour	Vehicle Designation:	0427-941-1117-AT013
Transport Capacity:	N/A	Firing Ports:	N/A
Access Points:	N/A	Turret:	N/A

Sources

• Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard & Imperial Navy, pp. 147-150
• Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One, p. 144
• Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks - Part Two

Also See

• Imperial Guard Vehicles

Gallery

Atlus Recovery Tank of the 28th Death Korps of Krieg Armoured Regiment

Atlus Recovery Vehicle of the 121st Teutonian Armoured Regiment with an added dozerblade

Atlus Recovery Vehicle of the 74th Cadian Armoured Regiment