The Gorgon is a super-heavy troop transport vehicle of the Astra Militarum. The Gorgon is the Imperium of Man's largest transport vehicle and it is capable of transporting up to 50 soldiers, nearly five times that of the standard Chimera and almost twice that of the super-heavy Crassus Infantry Transport.
Due to its large size, slow speed and petty armament, the Gorgon is rarely used as a front-line vehicle.
History[]
While the exact date when the first Gorgon was constructed has been lost to the Adeptus Mechanicus, it is known that it originated on the Forge World of Vanaheim. The Gorgon is used by the Astra Militarum primarily during trench warfare or sieges against enemy fortifications, to get troops across the killing field of "no-man's land" and close to the enemy, where the Astra Militarum can overwhelm the foe with their sheer numbers.
The Gorgon saw heavy use during the opening stages of the Siege of Vraks by the 88th Siege Army of the Death Korps of Krieg.
The Gorgon's slow speed and weak armament make it a poor choice for anything other than short trips or amphibious assaults, Gorgons rely heavily on their thick armour and firing support from other units, usually Basilisks, or Medusa artillery, to make it safely to the enemy lines where it can unload its cargo of soldiers. The front ramp is very thick and can withstand direct hits from heavy weapons and also can be used as a dozer blade. Gorgons are capable of carrying up to two Cyclops Remote-Controlled Tanks and their Controllers.
Armament[]
The most common armament for the Gorgon is two twin-linked Heavy Stubbers located on the rear elevated deck, and four single-use Mortar Launchers on the sides, which are controlled by the two rear gunners. The Gorgon can have its Mortar Launchers replaced with four sponson-mounted Heavy Flamers, Heavy Stubbers, or Heavy Bolters.
The Gorgon can also be equipped with Camouflage Netting, a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, a Searchlight, Smoke Launchers, and track guards. There is rumored to be a closed-top variant of the Gorgon with additional weaponry, but it is unconfirmed.
Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications[]
Vehicle Name: | Gorgon | Main Armament: | Two Twin-linked Heavy Stubbers |
---|---|---|---|
Forge World of Origin: | Vanaheim | Secondary Armament: | Two Sponson-Mounted Mortar Launchers |
Known Patterns: | I - VII | Traverse: | 92 degrees |
Crew: | Driver, Two Gunners | Elevation: | -22 to 34 degrees |
Powerplant: | XD503 V12 P6 Twin-Coupled Multi-Fuel | Main Ammunition: | 8,000 Rounds |
Weight: | 220 Tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | 4 Rounds |
Length: | 13.9 metres | Armour: | |
Width: | 8.1 metres | ||
Height: | 4.9 metres | Superstructure: | 200 millimetres |
Ground Clearance: | .74 metres | Hull: | 180 millimetres |
Max Speed On-Road: | 27 kilometres per hour | Gun Mantlet: | N/A |
Max Speed Off-Road: | 19 kilometres per hour | Vehicle Designation: | 5657-776-0155-GO99 |
Transport Capacity: | Fifty Infantry, or Two Cyclops Tanks | Firing Ports: | N/A |
Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | N/A |
Sources[]
- Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One, pp. 33, 102-108
- Imperial Armour Apocalypse, pg. 10
- Imperial Armour Apocalypse (Second Edition), pg. 8
- Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard (Second Edition), pp. 8, 133-139, 256, 267