SP42 Cobra: Difference between revisions

{{Era|UNSC|HCW}}

{{Vehicle Infobox

|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]<ref name="EVG"/>

|model=SP42

|class=Main battle tank/self-propelled artillery

|length={{Convert|8.8|m|ftin|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 32''</ref>

|width={{Convert|5.2|m|ftin|sp=us}}

|height=

|mass=

|armament=*[[M66 light railgun|M66 30mm light railgun]]<ref name="EVG"/>

*[[M98 light railgun|M98 105mm light railgun]]<ref name="EVG"/>

|firstuse=[[2497]]<ref name="EVG"/>

|role=Anti-matériel/anti-fortification<ref name="EVG"/>

|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]

|affiliation=[[UNSC Marine Corps]]

 

The '''SP42 Main Battle Tank''' (formally '''Special Purpose-42 Main Battle Tank'''), commonly known as the '''Cobra''', is a hybrid anti-matériel and anti-fortification vehicle used by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. It is manufactured by [[Misriah Armory]].<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="HW">'''Halo Wars'''</ref>

===Service history===

The SP42 Cobra was first deployed in [[2497]] during [[Operation: CHARLEMAGNE]].<ref name="EVG"/> Following this initial deployment the Cobra was presumably used throughout the [[Insurrection]]. The SP42 was then used extensively during the [[Human-Covenant War]], particularly during its earlier stages, in which Cobras were frequently used in both offensive and defensive roles.

Despite the Cobra's classification as a main battle tank it is designed to be lightly armored, fast, and maneuverable. Unlike most tanks the SP42 uses six all-terrain wheels that enable impressive mobility even over rough terrain and are protected by pivoting front and rear wheel guards. The two rear wheels are retracted when the vehicle enters lockdown mode.<ref name="EVG"/>

Unlike most UNSC vehicles the Cobra fills two distinct roles: that of a mobile anti-matériel platform and that of a self-propelled artillery piece. The SP42 MBT is equipped with a pair of turret-mounted [[M66 light railgun|M66 30mm light railguns]] that fire high-density ferrous slugs; these slugs are twice the size of those used by the [[M68 Gauss cannon]] and are designed to penetrate enemy armor using sheer kinetic energy.<ref name="EVG"/> The railguns fire intermittently, not in a single burst, as the energy required to accelerate the slugs to the speeds required to pierce the heaviest armor can only be managed for one of the cannons at a time. Synchronized fire from both railguns can destroy even the most heavily armored tank, with penetration that easily outguns the [[M808 Scorpion|M808 Main Battle Tank]]'s standard [[M512 Smooth Bore High Velocity Cannon|M512 90mm cannon]].

In addition to the Cobra's anti-vehicle role the tank can be stabilized upon the ground, "locking down", and deploy an [[M98 light railgun|M98 105mm light railgun]] which fires a conventional explosive shell at supersonic velocities. The explosive and kinetic forces of the shell complement each other to increase the damage inflicted.<ref name="HW"/> An M98's shell, when specially outfitted, can penetrate a [[Type-30 Locust]]'s  [[Energy shielding#Covenant|energy shield]] and destroy the platform; a single shot can likewise disable the shields occasionally outfitted on the [[Type-26 Wraith]] and deal minor damage to the hull. Massed fire from several M98s can quickly destroy even a [[Covenant citadel]], a massive structure outfitted with starship-grade [[Nanolaminate hull plating|armor plating]].

==Gameplay==

{{Expand-Section}}

*Deflection Plating: gives the Cobra extra protection. Cost 400 resources.

*Piercing Shot: enables railgun to penetrate multiple targets, damaging each. Cost 900 resources.

*The Cobra's artillery mode has an uncanny resemblance to the [[w:c:starcraft:Siege tank (StarCraft)|Terran siege tank]] from ''Starcraft'', which can transform from tank mode to siege mode, with a sacrifice of mobility for longer range and greater firepower.

<gallery widths="150">

File:HW-SP42CobraMBT.png|Cutout of the SP42 Cobra MBT in ''Halo Wars''

File:UNSC COBRA 01.jpg|The Cobra's standard mode

File:UNSC Cobra 02.jpg|The Cobra in lockdown mode

File:HW-RefineryBattle-SP42CobraMBT.jpg|In-game screenshot of a couple of SP42 Cobra MBTs in lockdown mode in ''Halo Wars''

File:Hw-prima-blog-02-02.jpg|A trio of SP42 Cobras assaulting a Covenant Citadel in ''Halo Wars''

[[File:Cobras.JPG|left|thumb|A pair of Cobras in lockdown mode firing on an enemy position]]

File:Deployedcobra.jpg|A formation of Cobras in artillery mode, protecting a UNSC [[firebase]]

File:Cobra 3Render.jpg|Render of the Cobra from different angles

File:UNSC Cobra.jpg|Concept models of the Cobra

File:Cobra concept.jpg|More concept models of the Cobra

File:UNSC Artillery.jpg|Early concept art of the Cobra

<references/>

{{UNSC Vehicles}}