Siege Tank

Siege Tank

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The Siege Tank is a vehicle that can be configured to fulfill both the armored support and the long-range artillery support roles.

Specifications/Overview

Design

The Siege Tank features superior protection and armament compared to the main-line Scorpion Tanks. The Siege Tank was designed for increased survivability, with an enlarged, reinforced turret and hull. The turret layout also features an upgraded Tank-Mode armament package, allowing the Siege Tank to defend itself more successfully in open battlefields. The treads of the Siege Tank are made out of modular, heavy-duty neosteel plates. Unlike standard tracked vehicles, the Siege Tank boasts a multi-track configuration with two extra tracks for added stability. Historically, tracked vehicles have a drawback, for the loss of a single tread segment results in immobilization. To prevent this, engineers have added a series of tubes in the chassis and bogies of the tank that pump a fast-drying gel onto the affected area. Said gel replaces lost tread segments, and allows the Siege Tank to remain operational after suffering damage that would cripple vehicles lacking this technology.

Weapons/Armament

By way of armament, the Siege Tank's turret has a dual-mode weapon system. In assault/tank mode, the Siege Tank utilizes twin 90mm plasma cannons. These are the Siege Tank's main line of defense and are effective against enemy armor. Yet, the true might of the Siege Tank lies in its siege mode. On activation, the twin plasma cannons become the dreaded 180mm Shock Cannon, and just the roar of this weapon has been known to send enemies of the Dark Angels into full retreat. The shock cannon fires super-heated tungsten in a large target area. The weapon can fire a diverse range of munitions, like armor-piercing Maelstrom shells.

Siege Mode

In siege mode, the Siege Tank's main tracks turn outwards and the secondary tracks slide into the hull, while thick hydraulic outriggers (also called legs) deploy from the sides of the tank. Once the legs are locked in, they push against the ground for added stability. The base of the outrigger, known as the pad or foot, is similar to a large claw. It comes with retractable talons that activate on rough terrain, and microscopic weep holes which secrete a rubbery substance for greater grip on metal and pavement.