Lion King DEFENDER

Not to be confused with the Sentry SS-3 Defender.

Lion King DEFENDER
Company	Taizhou Lion King Signal Co., Ltd.
Produced	2010s?-2021
Type	Rotational Engine-Driven
Sound output	130 dB @ 35 m (115 ft)
Frequency	50/60 Hz
Horsepower	220 hp

The DEFENDER is a mobile, gas engine-driven, rotational mechanical siren that was produced by Taizhou Lion King Signal, or simply Lion King, and if their claim is to be believed, it is one of the loudest sirens to have ever been produced, as well as the largest. The DEFENDER is likely an imitation of the Chrysler Air Raid Siren.

History and design

The DEFENDER was introduced sometime during the 2010s, possibly 2014. Lion King was likely inspired by the Chrysler Air Raid Siren, several units of which were shipped to China during the Civil War in support of the ROC. The DEFENDER, at its core, is comprised of a 10-port rotor and stator (likely reused from one of Lion King's other sirens) and is driven by a 220 hp Cummins (misspelled as Commins by Lion King) diesel motor. The sound produced by the stator is projected through a massive bell-shaped horn, with several support beams inside of it. A screen is also inside the horn, to prevent debris from entering the siren. A cab for the siren's operator is located behind the horn, with a lightbar above it. The engine is located inside a housing behind the cab, with several exhaust vents on each side of it. An exhaust pipe is also located beside the cab.

The DEFENDER is known for spewing an incredibly large amount of smoke when it runs as due to the engine being starved for air, as a result of the siren's design. Below the cab is a large mechanism which rotates the siren, although some units lack this mechanism entirely in favor of remaining a stationary unit. The entirety of the DEFENDER is all supported by a chassis which has 4 wheels attached to it on each side, as well as a towing hinge. Landing legs are also included between the 2 sets of wheels. The entire siren weighs approximately 4.6 tons. DEFENDER units are often painted either plain red or camouflage, with some also adorning a CCAD (Chinese Civil Air Defense) livery. The DEFENDER outputs 130 dB at 35 m (115 ft), putting it on par with Chrysler Air Raid Siren, which outputs 138 dB at 100 ft. If Lion King's claim is accurate, the DEFENDER would be one of the loudest sirens to have ever been produced, which is highly unlikely, as Lion King's decibel ratings are often known to be extremely inaccurate and taken at irregular distances, which makes it difficult to determine exactly how loud one of their sirens would be at a certain range; furthermore Lion King, like all Chinese companies, is influenced by the CCP, and thus would have every reason to lie about having "the world's loudest siren" for propaganda purposes, making the DEFENDER's dB rating even more dubious. The DEFENDER would be produced until 2021, when Lion King removed it from their lineup. Very few DEFENDER units exist, likely due to its high cost. Most units are part of China's nationwide air raid siren system.