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Tech

Magnum

The sidearms which fall into the M6 PDWS series represent, without a doubt, the most prominent handguns among all of the UNSC’s Armed Forces, local law enforcement, and even human criminals. Developed and produced by Misriah Armory, the M6 series is a recoil-operated, magazine-fed selection of sidearms with an incredibly large array of variants and customizations, all of which are officially issued in three different finishes: hard chrome, black polymer, and electroless nickel.

Among the many variants in production, the following are the most common:

- M6A – Standard issue/black polymer finish
- M6B – “Officer's model”—issued with smart-linked scope [KFA-2]/hard chrome finish
- M6C – “Up-sized,” standard issue/black polymer finish
- M6C/SOCOM – Accurized—issued with smart-linked scope [VnSLS/V 6E]/black polymer finish
- M6D – ”Up-sized,” ”Officer's model”—issued with smart-linked scope [KFA-2]/hard chrome finish
- M6E – Standard issue/electroless nickel finish
- M6F – “Officer's model”—issued with smart-linked scope [KFA-2]/electroless nickel finish
- M6G – “Up-sized,” standard issue/electroless nickel finish
- M6H – “Up-sized,” ”Officer's model”—issued with smart-linked scope [KFA-2]/electroless nickel finish
- M6I – Select-fire variant; detachable shoulder-stock/black polymer finish
- M6J/C – Carbine variant; 355mm barrel, detachable shoulder-stock/electroless nickel finish
- M6K – Police "undercover" variant; 6 round magazine capacity/black polymer finish
Their cartridges typically run the range of 12.7 x 40mm SAP-HE (Semi-Armor Piercing, High Explosive) ammunition, making them incredibly effective in the field, despite being somewhat bulky in design. Several variants are also issued with the KFA-2 smart-linked scope which allows the user to have data transferred directly to their armor’s heads-up display. For decades, the M6 series has remained at the forefront of the UNSC’s armament, a powerful and effective tool against all manner of infantry—alien or domestic—something which will likely remain unchanged in the years to come.

Assault Rifle

The term “Assault Rifle” is colloquially used throughout the UNSC Armed Forces to describe an array of Individual Combat Weapon Systems with the model prefix “MA.” It is the most commonly associated sidearm of the Army, Navy, and Marines; it is instantly recognizable due to its accentuated and bulky shroud, its practical but heavy design, and its overall efficiency across a wide spectrum of combat scenarios.
The MA series of rifles are typically air-cooled, gas-operated and utilize a rotating bolt. They are easy to clean, easy to use, and can survive harsh environmental conditions. They can carry a variety of ammunition types and magazine sizes, though the most recent iterations—like the Marines’ MA5C and the Army’s MA37—carry between thirty-two (32) and sixty (60) rounds per magazine. Assault Rifles traditionally use the standard 7.62mm round, which can be fired at a full range of settings, the most common of which is fully-automatic.

As of 2552, the most popular Assault Rifles currently in use are as follows:

- MA2B – Used sparsely across the UNSC Special Forces with .390 caliber ammunition.
- MA3A – Currently out of production, but still heavily used in the black market and by terrorist organizations.
- MA37 – Consistently in production since 2437, and still heavily favored by the UNSC Army.
- MA5B – Used effectively at short-range by the UNSC Marine Corps and Navy at 60 rounds per magazine.
- MA5C – Used effectively at short-to-mid-range by the UNSC Marine Corps and Navy with 32 rounds per magazine.
- MA5K – A cut-down, carbine variant with a 30 round magazine size, used almost exclusively during Special Forces operations.

The MA line of assault rifle remains one of the most dominant weapon series throughout human-controlled space, involved in nearly every military activity from the early 30’s to the Fall of 2552, during the final battles of the Human-Covenant War. Regardless of the persistence of newer weapon models, the MA line is fully expected to continue its military service in some shape or form for decades to come.

Machine Gun Turret

One of a number of machine gun turrets employed by the UNSC, the M247H is an air-cooled, gas-operated, electrically-fired machine gun which is fed linkless 12.7mm HVE (High Velocity, Explosive) rounds. Due to its comparatively light weight and ease of transportability, the M247H is used at most UNSC base locations and high-priority sites. In its default configuration, the machine gun is affixed to a turret base tripod, with a defensive plate shield and ammunition box residing at its center axis. The heavy barrel points forward while the weapon’s firing mechanism and trigger are located at the rear, allowing the gun to be maneuverable in 180 degrees by any qualified personnel. Though rare, some reports have indicated that soldiers have detached the M247H and fired it from the hip, using it to pursue enemies past the gun’s fixed range of fire. Such reports, however, remain unsubstantiated. The weapon is primarily used to apply suppressing fire, point-to-point cover fire, and, predominantly, direct fire. While the M247H is the most ubiquitous of the UNSC’s contemporary machine gun turrets, the M247 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) and the AIE-486 HMG are both utilized with great frequency across most theaters of war.

Warthog

Perhaps the most recognizable piece of hardware in all of the UNSC, the M12 FAV is extremely versatile in both maneuverability and offensive functionality. Typically carrying one driver, one passenger, and a rear gunner (though variants may differ), the Warthog excels at scouting and reconnaissance, while still remaining effective at applying direct force to enemy infantry and armor.
The Warthog is roughly three metric tonnes, fueled by a 12.0 L liquid-cooled hydrogen-injected ICE and can reach speeds of up to 125kph (78mph). Apart from its consistent performance in the field, the wide diversity of arms it carries give it an excellent range of possible applications. The predominant examples of this can be seen with the three core models:

- LRV (Light Reconnaissance Vehicle) with an M41 12.7mm LAAG
- LAAV-G (Light Anti-Armor Vehicle, Gauss) with an M68 25mm ALIM
- LAAV-R (Light Anti-Armor Vehicle, Rocket) with an M79 65mm MLRS
While these are the UNSC’s primary configurations for the M12, other versions exist and achieve similar levels of success with their varied roles: carrying troops, supplies, and arms; acting in medical, reconnaissance, and communication roles; or lastly, participating in excursions in extreme weather and/or terrain conditions. All-in-all, the Warthog is the most reliable and the most appreciated piece of equipment throughout all of the UNSC’s armory.

Wolverine

The Wolverine Main Anti-Aircraft Tank (official designation: M9 Wolverine) is somewhat of an enigma within the UNSC in that it is not used as a “tank” in the standard hard-hitting, hard-armored tradition. Its classification is based chiefly on the vehicle’s historical development alongside the Main Battle Tanks currently employed by the UNSC—but only with regard to its general architecture and framework. When reviewing the actual arsenal employed by the Wolverine, one can quickly see why such a classification is vestigial, though relevant on the battlefields on which it is deployed.
Central to the Wolverine’s arsenal is the MLRS or Multiple Launch Rocket System, which has seen many different forms of military use since the mid-to-late-20th century. Birthed from the antiquated GSRS (General Support Rocket System), this technology was created through a joint effort among a variety of nations across Earth. With regard to the Wolverine, its multiple-pod implementation can fire a bevy of Argent V missiles toward enemy aircraft—an incredibly powerful and effective force when used strategically and en masse.

Ancillary to the twin pods, the M9 Wolverine has incorporated a dorsal-mounted pivoting XM511 grenade launcher. While nowhere near as potent as an MBT’s cannon, this weapon supports its primarily anti-air Argent component by clearing the ground of infantry and heavy armor in areas where Scorpions or Grizzlies have not been deployed. In moments of desperation, some Wolverine commanders have even turned their anti-air missiles groundward as makeshift, but devastating, close-range artillery.

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Le tank antiaérien Wolverine (dénomination officielle : M9 Wolverine) est une unité énigmatique de l'UNSC. En effet, le Wolverine n'est pas utilisé comme un « tank » traditionnel (machine équipée d'un blindage ultra résistant et d'un arsenal destructeur). Cette classification est basée sur la période de développement de ce véhicule qui coïncide avec celle des principaux tanks de combat actuellement utilisés par l'UNSC (NDLR : uniquement pour le châssis et l'architecture générale). Si l'on étudie l'arsenal du Wolverine, il est aisé de comprendre pourquoi une telle classification est anecdotique, même si elle peut s'avérer pertinente sur le champ de bataille.

Le Wolverine est équipé du MLRS ou Système de lance-roquettes multiple que l'armée a utilisé de nombreuses façons depuis la seconde moitié du XXe siècle. Issue de l'ancien GSRS (Système de roquettes pour soutien général), cette technologie est le fruit de la collaboration de nombreuses nations terriennes. L'architecture multicapsules du Wolverine permet de tirer des salves de missiles Argent V sur les unités aériennes. Cette technique est particulièrement destructrice et efficace lorsqu'elle est utilisée en rafales et de manière stratégique.

Le Wolverine est également équipé d'un lance-grenades XM511 rotatif. Bien que beaucoup moins puissante que le canon d'un tank d'assaut, cette arme, particulièrement efficace pour éliminer l'infanterie et les blindés lourds, est le complément idéal de l'élément DCA principal dans les zones où les Scorpions ou les Grizzlies n'ont pas été déployés. Dans les moments les plus désespérés, des commandants de Wolverine ont même dirigé leurs missiles Argent V vers des cibles au sol, transformant ainsi l'arsenal antiaérien de leurs blindés en une artillerie courte portée dévastatrice.

Au fil des années, le Wolverine n'a jamais cessé de faire ses preuves au combat, particulièrement pendant la guerre avec les Covenants, où la mobilité et une forte puissance de tir étaient essentielles. </toggledisplay>

Prototype

Under the direction of Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb, the Office of Naval Intelligence created a number of classified codename projects during the early-to-mid 26th century, including the more publicly-known SPARTAN-II and MJOLNIR programs. Another such program—known simultaneously as HRUNTING and YGGDRASIL—was a nuclear-powered armor defense system which could be operated by a standard UNSC Marine.
Unlike the more compact armor variant of MJOLNIR, HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL’s results would not require extensive and risky biological augmentations for the operator and, as a result, would be much more expensive to design and manufacture. Very few have reported seeing this technology in the field since it remained in a somewhat secretive state well into the war with the Covenant—at least one suit is known to have been deployed in-combat before reportedly being scuppered by ONI as a security precaution.

HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL’s mechanical defense systems and weaponry capabilities are expansive—far outstripping MJOLNIR in almost every way save for bio-ergonomic mobility and size. Although its full technical specifications were never made public, reports have indicated the following components were equipped:

- HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I Prototype Exoskeleton based on titanium alloy plating and nanocomposite titanium microfiber

- Dynamic Local Dissipative Shield Technology

- T261 Lucifer AMGG (Arm-Mounted Gatling Gun) with 20mm high-explosive rounds, alternate-hand grip stabilizer

- Type-18 Magnetic/Bayonet-style Claymore which can be primed, attached, or otherwise impaled into nonmagnetic surfaces

- Motion Sensor with 1400m+ range (within map mode) across flat surfaces with minimal obstruction

- 2 x Ventral VTOL Stabilizers / 2 x Dorsal VTOL Stabilizer / 4 x Afterburner Thrusters

- LAU-181D/SGM-151 Shoulder-mounted, self-guided high-explosive missiles

- M149 Magellan RCL–armor mounted recoilless rifle with 105mm high-explosive ordnance

Another rumored component was a 300 MT lead-tampered nuclear fission self-destruct sequence (in compliance with Cole Protocol and Winter Contingencies) which would re-use the fusion components of the suit’s power system and begin with a staggered countdown and could only be completed by delivery of a voice command code word—the exact word never having been publicly revealed. This method hints strongly at a kamikaze-style purpose rather than simple security. Since this is illegal under several intact conventions, its official status remains “security.”

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Le résultat ultrasecret du double projet HRUNTING et YGGDRASIL.

Sous la direction du vice-amiral Danforth Whitcomb, le service de renseignement de la Marine (ONI) a créé un certain nombre de projets avec des noms de code secrets, du début à la moitié du XXVIe siècle, notamment les programmes les plus connus que sont SPARTAN-II et MJOLNIR. Un autre de ces programmes, connu à la fois sous le nom de HRUNTING et YGGDRASIL, était un système de défense d'armure nucléaires qui pouvait être activé par un simple Marine.

Contrairement à l'autre armure plus compacte de MJOLNIR, l'armure HRUNTING/YGGRADSIL présentait des résultats qui ne nécessitaient pas d'augmentation intensive des risques biologiques pour l'opérateur et pas conséquent, était bien plus onéreuse à concevoir et à fabriquer. Très peu de personnes ont pu se targuer d'avoir vu cette technologie à l’œuvre, car elle est restée à l'état plus ou moins secret asse tardivement dans la guerre contre les Covenants, mais on sait qu'au moins une armure a été déployée au combat avant d'être sabotée par l'ONI soi-disant comme mesure préventive.

Les systèmes de défense mécanique et les capacités balistiques de HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL sont très étendus et dépassent beaucoup MJOLNIR dans presque tous les domaines à l'exception de sa mobilité bio-ergonomique et de sa taille. Bien que l'intégralité de ses caractéristiques n'ait jamais été rendue publique, les rapports ont indiqués que cette armure était équipée des composants suivants :

• Prototype d'exosquelette Mark I HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL basé sur une couche d'alliages de titanium et de microfibres de titanium nanocomposite

• Technologie de boucliers dissipatif local dynamique

• T261 Lucifer AMGG (Gatling monté sur bras) avec des balles à forte explosion de 20 mm, stabilisateur à double poignée

• Claymore magnétique de type 18/de style baïonnette pouvant être amorcé, attaché, empalé sur des surfaces non magnétiques

• Capteur de mouvement avec portée de 1400 m (dans le mode carte) sur des surfaces planes avec une obstruction minimale

• 2 x stabilisateurs VTOL ventraux / 2 x stabilisateurs VTOL dorsaux / 4 x propulseurs postcombustion

• Missiles LAU-181D/SGM-151 autoguidés à forte explosion, portés à l'épaule

• Fusil sans recule monté sur armure RCL Magellan M149 avec balles de 105 mm à forte explosion

On raconte qu'un autre composant était une séquence d'autodestruction par fission nucléaire au plomb de 300 MTA (conformément au protocole Cole et aux conditions hivernales) qui aurait réutilisé les composants de fusion du système d'énergie de l'armure et aurait commencé par un compte à rebours par palier qui ne pourrait être achevé que par l'obtention d'un code de commande vocale, ce code exact n'ayant jamais été révélé au public. Cette méthode fait fortement penser à un style kamikaze plutôt qu'à un simple système de sécurité. Puisqu'elle reste illégale aux yeux de plusieurs conventions, son statut reste officiellement "sécuritaire ". </toggledisplay>

Vulture

Within the UNSC, there is no shortage of vertical take-off and landing craft—after all, they’re agile, versatile, and effective when appropriately leveraged. But unlike the heavy D77-TC Pelican, the beastly AC-220 Vulture gunship, the nimble AV-14 Hornet, or the swift AV-22 Sparrowhawk, the UH-144 Falcon is exceptionally discrete, while remaining incredibly effective. The Falcon’s open cabin, its relatively heavy weaponry, and its maneuverability make it an equally viable option for the tight confines of a narrow gorge, a dense forest, or even a skyscraper-laden cityscape. The pilot resides in a closed cabin, while the crew have their choice of two gunner seats in extended buckets, two passenger seats, an aft bench, and a limited amount of standing room. A pair of Falcons can easily and quickly transport a fully-equipped infantry squad, making it one of the most popular transports within the UNSC Army.

In terms of firepower, fixed below the pilot’s main cabin is an M638 20mm auto-cannon and flanking the vehicle on both sides are modular turrets depending on the Falcon version in use: either the UH-144A or the UH-144S models. The former includes a pair of M460 automatic grenade launchers, while the latter sports standard M247H 12.7mm heavy machine guns. Both have been incredibly effective against Covenant Banshees and providing point-to-point suppressive/attack fire on enemy ground emplacements and infantry.

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L'UNSC ne manque pas de vaisseaux à atterrissage et décollage vertical (ADAV) : après tout, ils sont maniables, polyvalents et efficaces dans les situations adaptées. Mais contrairement au lourd Pelican D77-TC, au redoutable vaisseau de guerre Vautour AC-220, à l'agile Hornet AV-14 ou au rapide Sparrowhawk AV-22, le Falcon UH-144 est exceptionnellement discret, tout en demeurant incroyablement efficace.

Grâce à sa cabine ouverte, à son armement plutôt lourd et à sa manœuvrabilité, le Falcon est une option tout aussi adaptée aux canyons étroits qu'aux forêts denses ou aux centres-villes peuplés de gratte-ciels. Le pilote est installé dans une cabine fermée, tandis que l'équipage dispose de deux sièges de mitrailleurs dans des extensions, de deux sièges de passager, d'une banquette à l'arrière et de quelques places pour voyager debout. Une escadrille de deux Falcon peut facilement et rapidement transporter une escouade d'infanterie avec équipement complet, ce qui fait de cet appareil l'un des moyens de transport préférés de l'Armée de l'UNSC.

En termes de puissance de feu, il embarque un canon automatique M638 20 mm sous la cabine de pilotage, ainsi qu'une tourelle modulaire sous chacun de ses flancs : des UH-144A ou des UH-144S, selon le modèle de Falcon choisi. Le premier est composé de deux lance-grenades automatiques M460, le second des mitrailleuses lourdes M247H 12,7 mm standard. Ces deux armes sont d'une efficacité redoutable contre les banshees des Covenants et fournissent des frappes millimétrées sur les emplacements ou troupes ennemis. </toggledisplay>

NMPD Pelican

If one could trace back the intermingling of the civilian sector with the United Nations Space Command, they would likely find themselves during the throes of the Interplanetary War hundreds of years before the war with the Covenant. This earlier conflict sowed the seeds for such materiel compromises in the 26th century as the D77C-NMPD, the New Mombasa Police Department’s Pelican dropship.

Very few modifications have been made to the D77C over the existing D77H model, beyond the superficial color scheme and minor chassis alterations. The standard Pelican’s missiles and guns have been completely removed, replaced for civilian use with optical and sensory surveillance systems for the tracking and seizing of fugitives as well as addressing large-scale emergencies. For situations such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, riots or other strategic integrations which would require a heavily armored vehicle for airborne transportation, nothing comes close in utility to a Pelican.

During the Covenant’s initial invasion of Earth, the local D77C-NMPD dropships were a lifesaving element of the evacuation effort, and they later facilitated the military operations which followed the New Mombasa Slipspace Event.

Vulture

Easily the largest in its class, the AC-220 Vulture gunship is the preferred aerial combat vehicle of the UNSC during protracted air-and-ground engagements, particularly when addressing a heavily-fortified enemy stronghold. Its contemporary, tank-like design was conceived in 2498 to curtail the spreading rebellion in the Outer Colonies—although its core attributes have been present since the AC-47, AC-130, and AC-163 five hundred years earlier. The Vulture is not a remarkably fast vehicle, but it can be mobile and even more so, functionally effective, within a 360-degree radius chiefly due to its VTOL directed-thrust propulsion systems and its dorsal A-74 armament. Additionally, the craft has a heavy, titanium-based plating which makes it extremely dominant in aerial encounters, even against the Covenant’s imposing armament.

The materiel components of the AC-220 are as robust as they are intimidating. Extending from its fore undercarriage are a series of GUA-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannons which can directly fire into infantry and light armor, shredding it where it stands. On its back are two self-guided missile emplacements: the A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher and the dual Argent V missile bays; both are specifically tailored to unleash a unified barrage on a target, overwhelming any energy or armor shielding it might have. The net results of such a combined arsenal are, as expected, extraordinarily destructive.

The UNSC’s AC-220 Vulture requires highly-trained pilots and can service a crew of six. The gunship was effective in combat against the Covenant, but due to their size, lack of radioactive shielding needed for space travel, and general manufacturing cost they were only used in key battles in that war.

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Sans aucun doute le plus gros de sa catégorie, l'hélicoptère d'attaque Vautour AC-220 est le véhicule de combat aérien préféré de l'UNSC pour les batailles aériennes et terrestres de longue haleine, tout particulièrement lorsque l'objectif consiste à détruire une imposante forteresse ennemie. Conçu en 2498 pour étouffer la rébellion naissante dans les colonies extérieures, le Vautour AC-220 arbore une silhouette contemporaine qui n'est pas sans rappeler celle d'un tank, même si cet hélicoptère emprunte ses principales caractéristiques aux AC-47, AC-130 et AC-163, conçus 500 ans auparavant.

Peu rapide, le Vautour est néanmoins extrêmement maniable et d'une efficacité redoutable grâce au rayon d'action de 360 degrés que lui offrent ses systèmes de propulsion à décollage et atterrissage verticaux et ses missiles A-74 dorsaux. De plus, son blindage en titane renforcé le rend particulièrement résistant lors des combats aériens, même contre l'impressionnante force de frappe covenante.

L'équipement de l'AC-220 est aussi complet qu'intimidant. Fixée au châssis avant, la batterie de canons automatiques de type GUA-23/AW peut tirer directement sur l'infanterie et transpercer les armures légères pour en faire des copeaux. À l'arrière se trouvent deux emplacements pour roquettes à guidage autonome : le lance-missiles vertical Sylver A-74 et le porte-missiles double Argent V. Tous deux spécifiquement conçus pour concentrer une puissance de feu massive sur une même cible, ces systèmes balistiques sont capables de transpercer n'importe quelle armure ou n'importe quel bouclier d'énergie. Bien entendu, leur utilisation combinée est dévastatrice.

Pouvant accueillir six membres d'équipage, le Vautour AC-220 de l'UNSC est un véhicule dont le pilotage est réservé aux plus expérimentés. Cet hélicoptère de combat était efficace contre les Covenants, mais en raison de sa taille, de son coût de fabrication et de son manque de protection radioactive nécessaire aux voyages spatiaux, il ne fut utilisé qu'au cours des combats majeurs de cette guerre. </toggledisplay>

Sabre

Highly-classified—to the extent that three prior administrations adamantly denied its existence—the Sabre program offers the UNSC’s best option for swift, versatile, and lethal planetary defense. Developed for fighter combat against enemy forces in orbit above Inner Colony worlds, the YSS-1000 or "Sabre" is extensively equipped with a heavy arsenal, a cabin for two operators, and the ability to be launched from a planet’s surface without the use of asynchronous linear-induction, traditional nuclear technology, or other conventional means of off-world transit. The Sabre is built for the dual purposes of peak acceleration and maneuverability in orbital combat, accomplishing some feats that many ground-to-space-capable vessels are simply incapable of. Its armament further enhances its combat appeal, carting twin M1024 ASW/AC 30mm MLAs and a pair of ST/Medusa missile pods. As such, this craft is intended specifically for lethal encounters, not simply to disrupt, disable or maim targeted craft.

Across the Inner Colonies, there are several well-hidden launch sites, the newest lying on the banks of Farkas Lake on Reach. Apart from their top-secret locations and heavy array of gun batteries, these sites are largely standard launch complexes, consisting of multiple bays, each with various maintenance tiers and control decks. Despite its internally-lauded performance against a Covenant Corvette and, by extension, the supercarrier Long Night of Solace just prior to Reach’s demise, the Sabre project remains a well-guarded secret.

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Projet extrêmement secret (trois administrations ont même nié catégoriquement son existence), le programme SABRE est la meilleure option de l'UNSC pour une défense planétaire rapide, polyvalente et meurtrière. Développé pour combattre les forces ennemies en orbite autour des colonies intérieures, l'YSS-1000, ou « sabre » est équipé d'une puissance de feu lourde ainsi que d'une cabine pour deux pilotes, et peut être lancé de la surface d'une planète sans utiliser d'induction linéaire asynchrone, de technologie nucléaire traditionnelle ou d'autres moyens conventionnels de transit interstellaire.

Le sabre est conçu pour disposer d'une accélération puissante et d'une manœuvrabilité améliorée en combat orbital qui lui donnent des caractéristiques uniques par rapport à la plupart des vaisseaux sol-espace. Sa capacité au combat est améliorée par un armement adapté, avec des canons automatiques M1024 ASW/AC 30 mm jumeaux et deux tubes de lancement de missiles ST/Medusa. Ce vaisseau est donc spécifiquement conçu pour le combat à mort, pas seulement pour endommager, neutraliser ou ralentir le vaisseau ciblé.

Les colonies intérieures abritent de nombreux sites de lancement bien cachés, dont le dernier en date se trouve sur la côte du lac Farkas, sur la planète Reach. En dehors de leurs emplacements ultrasecrets et de leurs batteries de mitrailleuses lourdes, ces sites sont des complexes relativement standard, composés de plusieurs baies de lancement possédant chacune différents bâtiments de maintenance et une salle de contrôle. Malgré ses performances louées en interne face à une corvette covenante, et par extension contre le super transporteur Long Night of Solace juste avant la chute de Reach, le projet SABRE reste un secret bien gardé. </toggledisplay>

Unité Booster

Indisponible

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L'Unité Booster est un véhicule d'attaque lourdement armé conçu spécifiquement pour l'hyperespace et les environnements de combat rapproché. L'objectif principal des armes qui l'équipent est de "perturber/submerger/adapter", une technique utilisée pour gérer le double problème des boucliers à champ protecteur et du blindage renforcé. S'il est utilisé conjointement avec les IEM, la puissance d'explosion et de projection peut générer des incisions chirurgicales dans des défenses à grande échelle qui n'auraient pas pu être franchies autrement.

Seules deux missions connues dont état de l'utilisation de l'Unité Booster.

Comme son cockpit ouvert en donne la preuve, il a été conçu en même temps que le projet MJOLNIR et en association avec les recherches sur la technologie AEV ou "Activité extravéhiculaire" à la suite de l'incident du Summa hyperespace. Il a été spécialement pensé pour les unités SPARTAN-II améliorées et n'est totalement exploitable que dans des environnements d'impesanteur/microgravité ou d'introsphère/troposphère basse. Il n'a aucune propriété aérodynamique en dehors de sa masse de base et de son quotient de poussée. Les Unités Booster sont directement déployées dans le vide grâce à un système spécial de treuils hydrauliques qui s'ouvre depuis la baie ventrale d'un certain nombre de navires de combat améliorés de l'UNSC et de véhicules des services secrets de l'ONI.

U092/AEV a été conçu par le Bureau du service de renseignements de la Marine en coopération avec les Opérations spéciales de la Marine et l'université de Songnam. Comme pour de nombreux projets ONI, les analyses et les résultats matériels potentiels ont été classés top secret. En raison de leur manque d'intérêt sur le terrain, l'ONI et l'UNSC n'ont pas prévu d'application ou de production à grande échelle. En fait, techniquement, elles sont classées par l'organisme de navigation et de logistique de la marine comme munitions aériennes plutôt que comme appareils d'aviation. </toggledisplay>

Drop Pod

The Single-Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle, or SOEIV, commonly referred to as a drop pod, is a variant of the Human Entry Vehicle, a method of troop deployment from very high altitudes or in many cases from space. Drop pods are most commonly used by Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs), although conventional Marines and even Spartans have been known to use them in certain circumstances.

The unwieldy rectangular shape is roughly over five meters long from nose to tail, with a bulk span of three meters and a width of similar dimensions. Within a standard SOEIV, an occupant would have access to a crash seat with secured belts, controls for maneuvering the pod, and a variety of communication systems which would allow synchronization with others being deployed during a given drop. Weapon and equipment racks are filled prior to drops and once a successful drop has been achieved, the single hatch is expelled by way of an explosive-gas bolt system triggered by the occupant.

Combat drops such as this were historically performed during the wars of the early 20th century by paratroopers who used them to circumvent enemy lines. In the 26th century, the reasons for such deployment has changed very little—although the near ubiquity of meteor and other debris showers in many solar systems adds another strategic component to this type of insertion.

ODSTs are typically deployed from high altitude or from an exoatmospheric location, being fired toward the planet's surface until the atmosphere is breached. At this point, the occupant is free-falling at terminal velocity until the pod's automated braking-chute system is initiated, thrusting the pod backward prior to its terrestrial contact—the intended result being a safe landing.

Many drops, however, do not end safely. Though these engagements have low overall attrition yields due to the singular occupant nature of the drops, the heightened risk of equipment malfunction or user error make it extremely dangerous.

Still, this type of combat infiltration is not uncommon even across different species. During the war with the Covenant, the UNSC observed that Elites were being deployed into combat through similar means, alongside equipment pods and other materiel. Some reports even indicate that the extragalactic parasite known as the Flood used an analogous method of deployment across large spans of localized space, a testament to the overall science and philosophy of such techniques.

UNSC The Heart of Midlothian

The Heart of Midlothian was a UNSC destroyer which participated in a number of engagements throughout the Covenant War—the final being a fateful journey to the remote colony of Algolis. Approximately 485 meters from stem to stern and weighing in at 7,900 metric tons, the Midlothian hefted a pair of magnetic accelerator cannons, a Shiva-class nuclear payload, and an Archer missile firing array. It was, without a doubt, a ship to be reckoned with.

Although UNSC destroyers were historically employed on escort missions or in large-scale fleet engagements, the Midlothian had been sent alone to the planet of Algolis, where a small Covenant contingent had made landfall. Upon arrival, the Midlothian was to slingshot the gravity well of a nearby gas giant, following an asteroidal trajectory toward the planet.

After deploying a groundside detachment which included ODSTs, the destroyer was to rendezvous with a frigate in low orbit to assist with evacuation efforts. After evacuating the population and destroying a series of classified prototype weapon systems—preventing Covenant capture of cutting-edge technology—these ships were then to loop out of orbit and escape prior to the arrival of a larger enemy force.

The Heart of Midlothian, however, never made it to Algolis. The destroyer was assaulted by a battlegroup of Covenant ships. Shortly after it was forcibly boarded, the ship was destroyed—as required by the Cole Protocol—an act which would prevent information about the location of Earth from falling into enemy hands.

UNSC Say My Name

As the Covenant forces broke past the orbital defense grid surrounding the Earth's atmosphere, a contingent of UNSC vessels attempted to intercept, engaging as they accelerated toward the planet's surface. During the conflict, a single Covenant assault carrier burrowed into the atmosphere, coming to rest above the city of New Mombasa–demanding the military’s immediate and focused attention.

Enter UNSC heavy cruiser Say My Name.

Equipped with a Magnetic Accelerator Cannon and Archer missile pods, this powerful vessel was not a stranger to military conflicts with the Covenant. Nevertheless, Fleet HQ would issue an order that even the ship’s admiral had not anticipated. The UNSC Say My Name was to jettison a number of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers onto the carrier’s outer hull, breaching its armature and gaining access to its interior.

Whether their ultimate goal was destroy the ship from inside or to covertly apprehend the Covenant’s Prophet of Regret, all the UNSC’s plans would quickly become irrelevant. As the drop took place, the assault carrier tore a hole into subspace directly above the city, escaping to a newly discovered Forerunner installation and ushering in large-scale devastation. The majority of ODST units deployed in this mission perished during the initial Slipspace rupture while still airborne.

Of the handful of troopers which survived, five were from a squad consisting largely of replacements, recently confiscated by ONI for use in a classified, groundside operation–and this new mission saved their lives during the drop, leading them away from the carrier’s devastation and toward the planet’s surface.

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Navire sur le front des opérations pendant les évènements d'Halo 3 : ODST...

Alors que les forces covenantes traversent la grille de défense orbitale qui protègent l'atmosphère terrestre, un groupe de vaisseaux UNSC essaie de les intercepter, combattant les navires covenants qui se précipitent vers la surface de la Terre. Pendant ce conflit, un seul croiseur d'attaque covenant pénètre dans l'atmosphère et se pose au-dessus de la ville de Nouvelle Mombasa, attirant immédiatement l'attention des forces militaires.

Entrez dans le puissant croiseur UNSC Say My Name.

Équipé d'un canon Accélérateur et de modules lance-missiles Archer, ce puissant vaisseau n'est pas étranger aux conflits militaires avec les Covenants. Néanmoins, le QG de la flotte va lancer un ordre que même l'amiral du navire n'a pas anticipé. Le Say My Name de l'UNSC va larguer un grand nombre de soldats ODST sur la coque externe du croiseur, pour que ces derniers transpercent son armature et puissent pénétrer à l'intérieur.

Que l'objectif ultime de ces unités de choc soit de détruire le navire de l'intérieur ou d'approcher discrètement le Prophète du Regret des Covenants, tous les plans de l'UNSC vont s'avérer inutiles. Pendant le largage, le croiseur d'attaque ouvre une fissure hyperspatiale directement au-dessus de la ville et s'échappe vers une nouvelle installation Forerunner pour y semer la dévastation à grande échelle. La majorité des unités ODST déployées en mission périssent pendant la rupture hyperspatiale d'origine alors qu'elles sont encore en plein vol.

Parmi les quelques soldats qui survivent, cinq proviennent d'une escouade composée en majeure partie de remplaçants et récemment réquisitionnés par l'ONI en vue d'une opération terrestre classée top secrète. C'est cette nouvelle mission qui leur a sauvé la vie pendant le largage, les éloignant de la dévastation du croiseur et les amenant à la surface de la planète. </toggledisplay>

Gauss Technology

Though Karl Friedrich Gauss is an unlikely subject of conversation in the corps, every UNSC soldier knows the basic principles of magnetic induction which the scientist pioneered. While complicated in detail, the central values behind such technology are fairly simple. Triggering magnetic energy currents in sequential order can exponentially accelerate an object, hurling it at an impressively violent speed. In scientific jargon, this process is called "asynchronous linear induction." While such technology was used for transportation throughout the 21st century and beyond, only much later were machines such as mass drivers created. Using the same principle, mass drivers could launch payloads from terrestrial locations, ultimately delivering them into space at hyper-sonic speed. It wasn't long after that the military began to explore a more strategic use of this technology, the earliest of such field applications were precursors to the Gauss cannon. And although using a magnetic field to channel high-density objects became an effective measure in terrestrial combat, it was even more potent in space, removed from atmospheric conditions and local gravity. The most common planetside applications of magnetic induction are the UNSC's M12G1 Warthog LAAV and the SP42 Cobra, using M68 and M66 asynchronous linear-induction motors respectively. Magnetic Accelerator Cannons, or MACs, also use this technology. Housed on orbital platforms that surround specific worlds, these massive weapons are organized into battle clusters and provide a planet's first line of defense against outside attack. Other less common, but notable applications include the M99 Stanchion, a sniper rifle that was used during Operation: TREBUCHET, and ONI's prototypic OF92/EVA, or Booster Frame, which was rumored to have been deployed in a handful of highly classified space operations.

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Bien que Karl Friedrich Gauss soit un sujet de conversation peu probable dans l'armée, chaque soldat de l'UNSC connaît les principes de base d'induction magnétique dont le scientifique est l'inventeur. Si les détails en sont complexes, les valeurs fondatrices de cette technologie sont assez simples. Déclencher des courants d'énergie magnétique dans un ordre séquentiel peut accélérer un objet de manière exponentielle, le projetant à une vitesse extrêmement élevée. Dans le jargon scientifique, on appelle ce processus "l'induction linéaire asynchrone".

Alors que cette technologie était utilisée pour le transport pendant toute la durée du 21ème siècle, et même après, ce n'est que beaucoup plus tard que furent créées des machines comme les catapultes électromagnétiques. Basées sur le même principe, ces catapultes pouvaient lancer des charges depuis la Terre afin de les livrer dans l'espace à une vitesse supersonique.

Ce n'est que peu de temps après que l'armée a commencé à explorer une utilisation plus stratégique de cette technologie, les première applications sur le terrain étant les précurseurs du canon de Gauss. Et bien que l'utilisation d'un champ magnétique pour guider les objets à haute densité soit devenue très utile au combat, elle l'était encore plus dans l'espace, débarrassée des conditions atmosphériques et de la gravité.

Les applications les plus courantes d'induction magnétique connues sur des planètes sont le LAAV Warthog M12G1 et le Cobra SP42 de l'UNSC qui utilisent des moteurs à induction linéaire M68 et M66. Les canons à accélérateurs magnétiques, ou canons AM, utilisent également cette technologie. Ces énormes armes, assises sur des plateformes orbitales qui entourent certains mondes, sont organisés en batteries de combat et sont la première ligne de défense de la planète contre les attaques extérieures.

D'autres applications moins connues, mais tout aussi importantes, sont la Colonne M99, un fusil sniper utilisé pendant l'opération : TRÉBUCHET et le prototype OF92/EVA, ou Cadre d'accélération, de l'ONI, qui, selon la rumeur, a été déployé pendant de nombreuses opérations spatiales classées top secrètes. </toggledisplay>

The MJOLNIR Project 1

It was common knowledge within Section Three of the Office of Naval Intelligence that Doctor Catherine Halsey was working on something critical to the UNSC’s war efforts—just what that was remained a mystery for quite some time. When the Spartans’ existence was finally revealed, much fanfare was paid to their enhanced combat abilities and reinforced physical bodies. But what might have mattered most was their armor—the one thing which would protect them in the most brutal of combat scenarios. That armor was called MJOLNIR, and this is its story...

Spike Rifle

Unlike most species within the Covenant, the Jiralhanae were allowed to incorporate their own ordnance into the vast armament that the Sangheili had been honing for centuries. While it’s unknown how exactly this came about, it has become customary (though not exclusory)—since their induction—for Jiralhanae troops to primarily use Jiralhanae weapons, with several having even been enhanced through preexisting Covenant technology. The Spike Rifle, or “Spiker” as it’s referred to in the field, is a Jiralhanae weapon which has seen relatively little iteration since its first design on Doisac. Engineered to fire superheated spikes at a low but effective muzzle velocity, it bears two large bayonets, attached to the barrel. The Spike Rifle is fully automatic and its magazines are typically capable of carrying 40 rounds, though there is evidence to suggest that this number is not standard across all versions of the weapon. The Spike Rifle was engineered to be held in one hand by a standard Jiralhanae troop, but due to its intimidating size (81.3 cm/32.17 inches in length) and weight (7 kg/15.5 lbs.), most humans are forced to use two hands when firing it. Unlike other Covenant technology which directs high volumes of energy at a target with the specific intent to kill, the spikes and bayonets are intended to puncture and dismember their targets, engendering a significant psychological response from any group unfortunate enough to face them.

Gravity Hammer

At the center of the Jiralhanae’s armament of brutal and horrific weaponry lies the Gravity Hammer, a two-meter-long device built for extremely close-range melee combat. In the Jiralhanae culture, it served dual purposes as a weapon as well as a defining ceremonial vestige of clan leadership, and is thus typically wielded by a chieftain or other high-ranking member. The hammer would be relinquished only when the leader was overthrown in combat, whereupon the winner would take the new leadership mantle along with the hammer. The weapon’s design is simple and unsurprisingly violent: it is without a doubt a war hammer, its head composed of a heavy base on one end and a razor-sharp blade on the other. Both are extremely effective at either crushing or dismembering any unfortunate opponents who find themselves within range. Inside the head itself lies another component: a short-range gravity drive, which was integrated not long after the Jiralhanae’s conversion into the Covenant in 2492. This device can effectively displace gravity at the user’s discretion in targeted locations—though conventional manipulation of the weapon typically eliminates the need for such extraordinary use. Not all Gravity Hammers function or look identical. Some have been aesthetically-tailored to the use of specific clans, families, or packs. For example, a hammer like the Fist of Rukt, which is one of the more infamous weapons of recent Jiralhanae heritage, carries its own customized design, as well as the legacy of the blood it’s spilled.

Focus Rifle

Remaining mysterious even in post-war times is the Covenant’s Focus Rifle, or T-52 Special Applications Rifle. Developed in the cavernous war factories deep within High Charity, the Focus Rifle appears to be the product of reverse-engineered Forerunner technology and, more specifically, technology which is employed by Sentinel drones. While much of the Covenant’s arsenal originates from the knowledge gleaned from dormant Forerunner artifacts, the Focus Rifle is a repurposing of existing, active Forerunner machines—in this case, beam weapons, which were captured, disabled and reconstituted. The T-52 SAR is 145.2 centimeters (57.2 inches) from end to end, its length consisting of an elongated firing channel, a centralized coil set, and an ergonomic—for Sangheili—grip within a exotic metal alloy stock. The optics system enhances visuals from 3.5x to 9.5x magnification, and is smart-linked by default to Sangheili battle harnesses and Kig-Yar marksman hardware. The rifle’s coil set gathers and primes the plasma energy before electromagnetically directing and accelerating it down the firing channel—a continuous beam of superheated plasma, strikingly reminiscent of the Sentinel Beam. The downside of the Focus Rifle is easily its energy expenditure, which is significantly higher than that of other Covenant weapons. While it can be recharged in the field, the time committed to such a task, and the frequency at which it is needed, tempers the T-52’s overall effectiveness to some degree. Still, in the hands of an experienced marksman, the Focus Rifle can deliver an incredible amount of damage to the most heavily shielded or armored opponent.

Concussion Rifle

Engineered by the Merchants of Qikost, the Concussion Rifle’s overall design predates the Writ of Union and the formation of the Covenant, one of many examples of technology introduced into the alliance's armament by the Sangheili, by way of their pre-existing military dominance. Though its physical configuration has evolved since its first inception, its core purpose and functionality remains unchanged. Unlike much of the Covenant weaponry, the T-50 uses magazine cells rather than a battery system, and thus requires the kind of reload usually experienced with traditional ballistic weaponry. In the case of the Concussion Rifle, the cell allows the semi-automatic firing of six bolts of explosive plasma. The energy and its delivery system are strikingly similar in design to that of the Covenant’s heavier mortar vehicles, though the aliens themselves are reticent to include the rifle in the same category. The Concussion Rifle’s size and power dictate that it be used only by higher-ranking infantry and officers, namely Sangheili, and more specifically those with leadership roles within Zealot or Special Operation classes. For this reason, those who use the weapon are trained in specific battlefield tactics often associated with it.

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Fusil lourd à énergie dirigée Type 50

Conçu par les marchands de Qikost, le fusil à concussion possède un design qui est antérieur au Traité de l'Union et à la formation des Covenants. Cette arme est un exemple des technologies introduites par les Sangheili dans l'arsenal de l'alliance, témoin de leur domination militaire. Bien que sa configuration physique ait évolué depuis sa conception d'origine, ses principes et fonctionnalité de base demeurent inchangés.

À l'inverse de la plupart des armes covenantes, le T-50 utilise des magasins de cellules, au lieu de l'habituel système de batteries, ce qui nécessite un genre de recharge réservé d'ordinaire aux armes balistiques traditionnelles. Dans le cas du fusil à concussion, la cellule permet le tir semi-automatique de six éclairs de plasma explosif. L'énergie et le système de tir possèdent une ressemblance, même les extraterrestres sont réticents à inclure le fusil dans la même catégorie.

Vu la taille et la puissance du fusil à concussion, seuls les officiers les plus hauts gradés et l'infanterie d'élite peuvent l'utiliser : il est donc réservé aux Sangheili, et plus précisément aux meneurs de classes Dévot et Opérations spéciales. C'est pourquoi les utilisateurs de cette arme sont formés aux tactiques de combat spécifiques qui lui sont associées. </toggledisplay>

Fuel Rod Gun

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, the Covenant’s Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon, frequently referred to as the “Fuel Rod Gun,” is a recoil-operated, shoulder-mounted, anti-personnel/anti-armor munitions launcher used by infantry and other groundside forces. The Covenant deploy a number of launchers in the field, but the Fuel Rod Gun is, without a doubt, the most commonly used, typically attributed to the fact that many Unggoy have been trained to operate it. The T-31 Fuel Rod Gun is a rare breed in that, as with only a handful of other Covenant weapons, it uses ballistic rounds rather than directed energy or superheated plasma. These 38mm rounds, colloquially referred to as “fuel rods,” contain a stable, yet radioactive composition that is primed and synchronously launched down the weapon’s barrel. Once the rod leaves the weapon, it continues in a parabolic arc similar to that of a grenade launcher or other mass launching weapons, hitting targets accurately at up to 165 meters (541 feet), detonating upon impact. While much of the Covenant matériel witnessed in battle is named and designated for the year it was first observed by the UNSC, there are several exceptions, the most notable of those is, in fact, the Fuel Rod Gun. The T-33 LAAW was believed to be first observed during the ground conflict on Harvest in early 2531, only to be properly catalogued by the Office of Naval Intelligence in 2533, over two full years later.

Plasma Cannon

The Plasma Cannon is a broad, rather open-ended colloquial designation for the Covenant’s Class-1 directed energy cannons, typically deployed as a stationary emplacement, within the heavy support role. The T-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon is the most updated variant of this weapon-type employed by the Covenant late in the war. Earlier, the leaner T-42 Plasma Cannon was frequently observed, its narrow, elongated shape vaguely resembling that of the T-51 Plasma Repeater. Contemporarily, the T-52 Plasma Cannon is the most pervasive of Covenant stationary turrets, being deployed predominantly in areas where the T-26 Shade cannot be, or simply where swift, transportability takes precedence over heavier firepower. The weapon is composed of a large rear housing system, a coil set buried deep within its internal components and a circuit emitter at its nose, allowing the primed plasma to be fired at an extraordinarily fast muzzle velocity. Plasma Cannons are often, though not always, manned by Unggoy, due to their ease of control and light energy shielding, which protect the diminutive aliens' comparatively slight size. Another attribute of the T-52 DESW is its modular, copper-colored cooling units which are the cannon’s primary maintenance need, something easily repaired and replaced by Unggoy units.

Ghost

Perhaps the most commonly used vehicle in the Covenant arsenal is the Type-32 RAV or Ghost, an incredibly swift and agile single-pilot craft with an armament well-suited for assaulting opposing infantry and, when necessary, even fortified enemy positions. The craft’s most prominent use, however, has been that of reconnaissance, allowing the front line of any Covenant military incursion to have quick and solid intel with low risk to the accompanying forces.

Unlike the T-25 AGC Wraith or the T-48 LAGC Revenant which utilize a plasma mortar mechanism as their primary armament, the Ghost fires a pair of lower grade, but significantly faster class-2 directed energy cannons. With two of these girding the Ghost’s air dam, the twin weapons can be used formidably either up close or at range, though even the front of the vehicle itself can also be used as an effective battering ram. Since the vehicle can reach impressively high speeds out in the open, it can be particularly devastating to high concentrations of enemy infantry.

The Ghost uses a boosted gravity propulsion drive which is standard among most Covenant infantry support vehicles, though this specific drive set has been tweaked to offer smoother versatility and mobility rather than raw power. The dual combination of speed and armament make the Ghost an exceptional asset for a wide variety of military endeavors, which is repeatedly evidenced by its frequent use across most theaters of war.

Revenant

The Covenant command an array of vehicles custom-tailored for a variety of combat situations, hammered into existence through centuries of war and bloodshed. For some time, the T-32 RAV Ghost has been predominantly used for swift attacks and reconnaissance while the T-26 AGC Wraith has run the gamut of heavy ground assault types—but the role found in between has been somewhat difficult to fill. The T-52 ISV Prowler, operated exclusively by the Jiralhanae and the T-46 ISV Spectre, which saw intermittent use in recent years, were both attempts at a solution; but neither held popular favor.

Enter the T-48 LAGC Revenant.

The Revenant is a lightly-armored mobile artillery vehicle which simultaneously leverages the speed and maneuverability of the Ghost with the heavier brand of firepower that the Wraith commands. Rather than fire pulsed bursts of plasma energy in rapid succession, the Revenant utilizes a slightly weaker plasma mortar, trading its bigger brother’s vicious armament for size, speed, and agility.

In addition, its ability to boost forward at a high velocity and the craft’s well-armored nose combine to make it incredibly useful against close-range infantry in an open environment. Its only real drawback is that both the operator and the passenger are exposed at all times. But among Covenant vehicles, this is not an uncommon design element, likely due to the aliens’ heavy reliance on personal energy shields.

In the end, it is probable that the Revenant will supersede the other Infantry Support Vehicles, perhaps even coming to rival the Ghost and the Wraith over time.

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Les Covenants possèdent une batterie de véhicules fabriqués sur mesure pour répondre à leurs besoins et forgés par des siècles de guerre et de bains de sang. Pendant une période, le ghost T-32 RAV a principalement été utilisé pour les attaques éclair et les missions de reconnaissance, tandis que l'apparition T-26 AGC servait aux assauts terrestres lourds... Mais entre ces deux utilisations, aucun véhicule n'était réellement parvenu à s'imposer. Ni le Prowler T-52 ISV, utilisé exclusivement par les Jiralhanae, ni le spectre T-46 ISV, déployé par intermittence ces dernières années, n'ont suscité beaucoup d'engouement.

Jusqu'à l'arrivée du revenant T-48 LAGC.

Le Revenant est un véhicule d'artillerie mobile à blindage léger, qui profite à la fois de la vitesse et de la manœuvrabilité du ghost, et de la puissance de feu supérieure de l'apparition. Le revenant a troqué les rafales dévastatrices d'énergie à plasma contre un mortier à plasma un peu moins puissant, ce qui lui confère une vitesse et une maniabilité supérieure, ainsi qu'une taille mieux adaptée.

De plus, à courte portée, ce véhicule est très utile contre l'infanterie en terrain dégagé, grâce à sa vitesse de pointe et au blindage renforcé de son nez. Son seul réel inconvénient est que le pilote et le passager sont tous les deux exposés à tout moment. Mais cela n'est pas inhabituel dans les véhicules covenants, car les aliens comptent beaucoup sur leurs boucliers personnels très puissants.

Au final, il n'est pas improbable que le revenant remplace les autres véhicules de soutien d'infanterie, et avec le temps, il pourrait même rivaliser avec le ghost et l'apparition. </toggledisplay>

Scarab

No other Covenant vehicle can manage to strike the same level of fear in an opponent as the T-47 UHAP Scarab—a heavily-fortified and incredibly dexterous mobile platform capable of carrying substantial numbers of enemy infantry while still providing impressive levels of firepower. The Scarab was originally designed for excavation purposes on widely varied terrain, its maneuverability coupled with its primary weapon, an ultra-heavy focus cannon, made it especially useful for uncovering artifacts of worth.

Though it is still considered by many to be a heavy vehicle, recent intelligence reports seem to indicate that the Scarab is a single biological entity with extensive armor, comprised almost entirely of Lekgolo eels, the same species which take the form of Hunters. The creature is fused into the carapace and appendages in cavernous assemblies such as High Charity. The Scarab is modularly crafted on an assembly line like any other vehicle, its various pieces combined then activated.

At the end of their production, the Covenant typically equip the Scarab's prow with an ultra-heavy focus cannon, an ultra-heavy plasma cannon on the adaxial-aft of its carapace, and a trio of mounted T-52 plasma cannons. This, of course, in addition to the standard crew of one pilot and five defenders. Rather than steer the T-47, the pilot “guides” the beast and directs the artillery when needed. The Scarab has the deck capacity to hold up to twelve defenders, with reasonable combat efficiency, at any given time.

And while the T-47 UHAP is harrowing to behold, it is not without a weakness. At the rear of the carapace is a shielded power core, one of the only locations where the vehicle’s true form—the Lekgolo collective—can be seen. Several well-placed shots can break the shield and tear the creature’s tissue, initiating a chain reaction which will quickly destroy the craft. The act of bringing down a Scarab platform may not be a common occurrence in combat, but they do occur and are usually executed in some shape or form by a Spartan.

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Le scarab T-47 est le véhicule covenant par excellence pour semer la terreur : son blindage lourd et sa plateforme très mobile permettent de transporter de nombreux guerriers tout en fournissant une puissance de feu impressionnante. Conçu à l'origine comme un engin d'excavation, le scarab parvenait à déterrer les artefacts les plus précieux grâce à sa manœuvrabilité et son arme principale.

Généralement considéré comme un véhicule lourd, le scarab serait en fait une entité biologique unique possédant un blindage lourd composé d'anguilles Lekgolo, comme les Chasseurs. La créature est modelée dans une carapace au sein d'usines caverneuses, comme celles de Grande Bonté : une fois les pièces combinées, elles sont activées.

À la fin de la chaîne d'assemblage, les Covenants équipent habituellement leurs scarabs d'un canon à concentration ultralourd à l'avant, d'un canon à plasma sur l'axe de sa carapace, et de trois canons à plasma T-52. En plus, bien sûr, de l'équipage standard d'un pilote et de cinq gardes. Le pilote ne « conduit » pas le T-47, il « guide » la bête et dirige son artillerie au besoin. La plateforme du scarab peut accueillir 12 gardes. Un véhicule efficace au combat, quelles que soient les conditions.

Particulièrement redoutable, le T-47 a cependant un point faible : l'arrière de sa carapace est un générateur de puissance blindé, laissant voir la véritable structure du véhicule, le collectif de Lekgolos. Quelques tirs bien placés peuvent détruire le bouclier et déchirer la peau de la créature, provoquant une réaction en chaîne qui détruira rapidement le véhicule. La destruction d'une plateforme scarab arrive rarement au combat, mais cela reste possible pour un Spartan. </toggledisplay>

Spirit

Indisponible

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La capacité d'invasion des territoires occupés par l'ennemi est fondamentale pour le succès du modus operandi militaire des Covenants. Pour cela, ces derniers disposent de nombreuses options de déploiement de troupes : élévateurs à manipulation de gravité pour les vaisseaux principaux, aiguilles de téléportation pour les infiltrations chirurgicales à grande échelle, et modules de largage spécialisés pour les combattants Élites. Bien qu'inventives, ces méthodes ne sont pas toujours les plus pratiques pendant une campagne militaire prolongée.

C'est là qu'entrent en jeu les transporteurs de troupes primaires, dont les Covenants possèdent deux versions principales : le phantom T-52 et le spirit T-28. Lourdement armé et capable de transporter jusqu'à trente passagers, le spirit est l'un des vaisseaux covenants les plus utilisés au combat. Privé de l'élévateur de gravité locale dont est équipé le phantom, il possède une carapace blindée qui offre une meilleure protection aux troupes, car elles ne sont jamais exposées avant leur déploiement.

Sous l'armature arrière, emplacement de la cabine de pilotage, se trouve un canon à plasma lourd qui peut fournir une puissance de feu intéressante lors du déploiement des troupes. Et comme le phantom, le spirit peut déployer des véhicules au combat (deux petits ou un grand).

Malgré la taille et la forme unique du spirit, les Covenants l'ont régulièrement utilisé pendant la guerre : sa grande manœuvrabilité et ses fortifications en font un atout important de la machine de guerre des Covenants et une force puissante contre la résistance de l'UNSC. </toggledisplay>