ne of the keys to the mobility of a Space Marines army is the ability to pin down the enemy in their positions and allow the Space Marines to operate unhindered. As a rapid strike force, Space Marines do not use massed artillery such as the Basilisks and Bombards of the Imperial Guard, but instead employ Whirlwind multi-launchers. Normally used as support for more fast-moving troops, the Whirlwind is not usually capable of such long-range suppressive fire. However, when required, a Land Speeder can have additional augurs and communications equipment fitted, allowing its crew to coordinate the fire of a number of designated Whirlwinds.

Creation of the suppression doctrine is credited to Jagrvelj Skyhammer, Master of the Arsenal for the Storm Ravens Chapter and victor of the Rhopara Crusade. It was at his direction that several of the Storm Raven’s Land Speeders were stripped of all unnecessary armament and fitted with sophisticated terrain-following sensor arrays. Drawing upon 200 years of combat experience, Skyhammer retrained the Chapter’s pilots, suppressing their hunting urges and awakening instincts of evasion and caution, the better to scout enemy formations and direct Whirlwind fire support. After great successes in the assault on the Rhopara sector capital, Skyhammer’s tactic was adopted not only by the rest of the Storm Raven’s Chapter, but across the Adeptus Astartes as a whole.