Since its introduction into combat, the Demolisher Heavy Tank has earned a reputation as one of the most deadly vehicles on the battlefield. Although frightened enemy troops have often exaggerated their reports, the Demolisher is definitely a superb battle machine.
         It was the first heavy tank produced by Aldis Industries, and still is the most popular. The Aldis engineers conceived of the Demolisher project in the early days of the Succession Wars as a solution to the 'Mech technology problem. The Aldis designers hoped to create a vehicle heavy enough to destroy any 'Mech, which they could sell to the worlds unable to afford 'Mech forces.
         The first line of Demolishers was an amazing success. Many worlds not protected by standing 'Mech armies bought hundreds of Demolishers. This tall, squat, four-tread model is the one most often thought of as a Demolisher to this day. However, Aldis Industries soon released the Demolisher Mk II, a shorter version with a better suspension system and only two tread units.

         The Demolisher is an efficient battle machine. Its two turret-mounted 185 mm guns use a popular propellant system that mixes two chemicals in suspension to propel the huge shells out of the barrel. In the original model, this system produced an enormous amount of heat, and so the chassis was modified to act as a makeshift heat-sink system. Until the appearance of the Demolisher Mk II, crew members had to wear special coolant suits because of the unbearably hot temperatures inside of the tank during a sustained firefight. The Mk II solved the problem by channeling most of the ejection gases out the barrel.
         Another problem with the original Demolisher was that its targeting, tracking, and communications systems drew too much power from the main battery. To compensate, the Aldis engineers first designed massive power amplifiers to be installed as part of the engine. Their next attempt to solve the problem produced a smaller, more efficient engine with internal power amplifiers. Though this engine was no larger than a normal one of the same horsepower, its cost was significantly higher. With the eventual development of more power-efficient tracking and communication systems, the Demolisher became equipped with a regular engine.
         The number of crew in a Demolisher varies. Sometimes, there is a commander, a driver, two gunners, two loaders, and one communications/engineer crewman. Other times, the commander acts as the driver. There are even versions that have only one gunner and no loaders. The number of crewmen in the tank depends on when it was produced. The newer the model, the less crew it will have.

         As with any military vehicle, the battle history of the Demolisher is a mix of victories and defeats. Most worlds that bought the Demolisher did not buy any support vehicles or light 'Mechs to help fight, and so the heavy tank became known for its ability to destroy anything on the battlefield, thus earning its title as the "'Mech Slayer." Though reports of its battle prowess are often exaggerated, the Demolisher is nevertheless a devastating vehicle.
         Early in the first war, an unknown 'Mech force attacked the storehouse on the Kurita planet Kessel. At the time, the Kurita 'Mech forces normally stationed there had moved off to attack a Steiner world, leaving a lance of Demolishers as the only defensive units.
         The invaders' force was composed of four light 'Mechs, two medium 'Mechs, and two assault 'Mechs. Acting on information that the normal defensive force had gone, the attackers believed that their "token" force would be sufficient to destroy any opposition. What they did not know was that the storehouse was guarded by a unit of Demolishers, else they would have brought 'Mechs more capable of long-range fire.
         Overconfident, the attacking forces first moved in one of their assault 'Mechs to scare any defending troops into surrender. The Demolisher crews were so terrified that all four of them fired at the huge 'Mech at once and destroyed it outright.
Seeing one of their number so quickly defeated, the other invader 'Mechs regrouped and attacked in waves, hoping to wear down the opposition. This was exactly the wrong tactic to use against Demolishers. As soon as two or three of the charging 'Mechs came into range, the four Demolishers destroyed them before they could inflict enough damage to take out even one of the heavy tanks.
         Eventually, the remains of the invading 'Mech force decided it was wiser to depart the planet, but not before a lucky head shot destroyed the attackers' second assault 'Mech.

         There are no known variants of the Demolisher, although some troops will remove armor and install small defensive weapons if there are enemy infantry and small vehicles nearby. Aldis Industries offers a variety of Demolisher "update" packages that improve the capabilities of the tank. The most popular updates are automatic shell-loaders and a combination commander/gunner position.

Hildegarde
         "Hildegarde" is the name of a Marik Demolisher has been through more than 27 engagements. In every on of these battles, Hildegarde has been hit by a barrage of light weaponry and the crew killed. The tank itself has almost never been hurt.

Durk Gunston, Todd Lee, Lou Crescent, Tara Young, and Pierre Jaquay
         These five men are the latest crew for the Marik Demolisher named Hildegarde. They are the first crew to make it through two engagements in the tank without getting killed. Betting on their survival is a popular form of wagering among the troops of House Marik.