Demolisher

Demolisher heavy tank
Production information
Manufacturer	Aldis Industries Trellshire Heavy Industries
Production Year	2823
Mission	Close Range/Urban Combat
Type	Tracked
Cost	2,151,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	80 tons
Armor	Durandal 160 Standard
Engine	GM 240 Superload ICE
Speed	54.0 km/h
Crew	6
Communications System	Omicron 5000
Targeting Tracking System	Omicron VII
Heat Sinks	None
Armament	2x autocannon/20
BV (1.0)	609
BV (2.0)	981

Description

Tall, squat, and using four treads, the Demolisher has a well-earned, though sometimes exaggerated, reputation as one of the most deadly vehicles on the battlefield. Designed to counteract the increasing scarcity of 'Mechs during the Succession Wars and based on the increasingly rare old SLDF heavy tank of the same name, the Demolisher became popular, especially on worlds where BattleMechs were not available.

Aldis designed the Demolisher to be able to destroy any 'Mech, which was what appealed to the customers. The initial run was well-received, with hundreds of Demolishers being bought by 'Mech-deficient planets.

Weapons and Equipment

The Demolisher is armed with two 185mm ChemJet Gun autocannon/20s, which are enough to make any other unit, 'Mechs included, pause. The relatively short range of the guns means that maneuverable units with long-range weaponry can confound the Demolisher. It utilizes 10 tons of armor for protection, and the internal combustion engine allows for a cruising speed 32.4 km/h. The tank also lacks any form of secondary weapons, which may be detrimental when the massive cannons run dry.

Variants

Some crews are known to remove armor and install small defensive weapons if the situation requires.

• Mark I / Mark II 

  The late Star League–era original incarnation of the Demolisher design, and only known to have been in service with the Star League Defense Force. The major difference between the two versions of this variant was the improved gun cooling system on the Mk II, which funneled most of the superheated exhaust gasses from the twin 185mm ChemJet Guns' four-round bursts out the barrels; this solved a serious issue on the Mk I where the massive heat buildup from firing the guns forced crews to wear special coolant suits while operating the tank. As with its later namesake, the ChemJet guns utilized autoloaders.

• Devastator 

  The third generation of the Demolisher, the Mark III, was marketed to richer planets in the Inner Sphere. It is powered by a Type 240 fusion engine and mounts some additional weapons: A Zippo flamer in the turret, one Intek small laser in the front and on each side, and a front-mounted Holly SRM-6. BV (2.0) = 1,037

• Arrow IV 

  This variant of the Demolisher tank debuted during the FedCom Civil War. It replaces the AC/20s and some armor with a pair of Arrow IV missile launchers and seven tons of ammunition. For defense against close-range attacks it mounts a pair of medium lasers. BV (1.0) = 676; BV (2.0) = 1,297

• Clan 

  Developed by the Clans in 3058, this variant carries twin LB 20-X autocannons as its main armament with 40 salvos to deliver a lot of damage to its enemies. Mounted coaxially with these huge autocannon are a pair of medium pulse lasers. Six machine guns scattered across the front and side arcs protect it from infantry. Like most Clan vehicles, the Clan Demolisher carries CASE to protect the ammunition bay. BV (1.0) = 1,184; BV (2.0) = 1,563

• Gauss 

  This 3053 version of the Demolisher swaps the AC/20s for twin Gauss rifles with four tons of ammunition and a pair of medium lasers. It also adds some armor protection. BV (1.0) = 1,090; BV (2.0) = 1,529

• MRM 

  Developed during the late Clan Invasion era, this variant can launch almost one hundred missiles at an enemy thanks to its three MRM-30 launchers. Each launcher can count on two tons of ammunition. A C3 slave allows it to take advantage of targeting data provided by other units. BV (1.0) = 1,006; BV (2.0) = 1,242

• Fuel Cell 

  One of the deadliest variants of this tank ever built, the inclusion of a Fuel Cell engine enables to this variant to effectively double its firepower. A pair of Ultra autocannon/20s sit in the classic turret mount. Very few targets can survive receiving fire from these guns firing at double rate. CASE is utilized to protect the crew in case any of the eight tons of ammo explodes. A supercharger is used to boost speeds to 65 km/h to help bring its autocannon in range. BV (2.0) = 1,585

• Reinforced 

  This Combine variant trades sheer damage capability for range and survivability, while technically keeping the same damage output of the original design. A pair of Ultra autocannon/10s are mounted in the turret. When firing at double rate these cannons are capable of similar damage to the original autocannons but at double the range. A thick skin of ballistic-reinforced armor provide this variant unrivalled protection compared to other Demolisher models. BV (2.0) = 1,434

Apocryphal Variants

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

• Devastator DVE-5B Mark III 

  The third generation of the Demolisher, the Mark III, was found in the arsenals of the Successor States and among the militia forces of some of the wealthier planets in the Inner Sphere. It is powered by a Magna 240 Fusion engine and mounts two M.E. ('MechEater) Autocannon 20s, a Javoc Short Range Missile Four-Pack, and a Torch XXVI in the turret, along with a Radon VI medium laser on the front and a Radon V small laser on each side.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Related Designs

• Demolisher II - A replacement for the Demolisher developed by the Lyran Alliance.
• Zhukov Heavy Tank - Aldis Industries' follow-up design that shares several elements of the Demolisher.

Notable Crewmembers

See: Category:Notable Demolisher Crewmembers

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Zerstörer, which means Destroyer.

• Grayson Carlyle, in The Price of Glory, takes note of multiple Demolishers in a Star League-era cache discovered on Helm. This is likely the LosTech SLDF precursor (almost certainly in the form of the improved Mark II) to the Demolisher's Succession Wars incarnation.

Gallery

• 

  Original Demolisher from TRO:3026

• 

  Decolorized reprint of Zerstörer (Demolisher) from German HWH:3031

• 

  Demolisher from TRO:3026 Revised

• 

  Demolisher from TRO:3039

• 

  Demolisher from RGilClan: vol. 25

• 

  Demolisher in Urban Terrain from CityTech

• 

  Demolisher in colors of 15th Dracon Regiment from Camo Specs

• 

  Demolisher in motion from CCG

• 

  Demolisher from MechWarrior: The BattleTech Role Playing Game

• 

  (Apocryphal) DVE-5B Mark III Devastator from BattleTechnology, Issue #0102

Bibliography

• BattleTechnology, Issue #0102
• Combat Operations
• Objective Raids
• Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Sorenson's Sabres
• Technical Readout: 3026
• Technical Readout: 3026 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3150