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| [[File:H3 Ghost using its boost drive.jpg|thumb|300px|A {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}} using its boosted gravity propulsion drive.]]
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| '''Boosted gravity propulsion drives''' are a kind of [[gravitic]] transport drive used by most terrestrial vehicles of the [[Covenant]]. They were developed by the [[Sangheili]] prior to the [[War of Beginnings]], though alongside other systems such as [[impulse drive]]s were massively improved during the Covenant era based on the recovery and analysis of [[Forerunner]] technology.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=218}}
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| ==Overview==
| | The '''Boosted Gravity Propulsion Drive''' is a form of propulsion technology used by the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] in their ground and air vehicles, such as the [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle]].{{Ref/Book|Book=Halo 2: Special Collector's Edition Manual|Page=16}} |
| ===Operation===
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| Boosted gravity propulsion drives are used to provide the characteristic hover-field that enables the locomotion of Covenant terrestrial craft. They are used by most Covenant craft functioning within reasonably normal gravity wells, though are superseded by impulse drive where exoatmospheric usage is required. As their name suggests, they employ [[anti-gravity technology]] to suspend the vehicle a short distance off the ground in a stable position and propel them at significant speed in a given direction.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} The process by which this is achieved was described by the Forerunner entity [[Catalog]] as ''"inefficient [cyclic gravity] plates with short-range [effector fields]''", and was considered by Catalog to be a rudimentary step toward implementation of full [[torsion plate]] technology, as used by [[Forerunner starship]]s. Catalog's wording also indicates that boosted gravity propulsion drives operate on a similar principle to the much larger [[repulsor engine]]s used by [[Covenant starship]]s.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Reality of Halo: Plasma|Quote=All UNSC and Covenant vessels make extensive use of [repulsors-lifters] inside of gravity well [lattices], which can be operated in a [traction caterpillar] mode to generate limited amounts of [pseudothrust]. Inefficient [cylic gravity] plates with short-range [effector fields] are also utilized by Covenant ground vehicles. This is a rudimentary technology [bridge] to refined application of [twist-torsion] impulse plates for [high-thrust] travel usable outside of the supporting [lattice] of a planet's gravity well.}} The propulsion systems of Covenant [[Ghost]]s have also been described as twin sets of reactionless [[impulse drive]]s; it is unclear to what degree the two technologies crossover, though it may indicate that impulse drives are used to propel the vehicle's movement while the boosted gravity drive keeps the vehicle hovering above the ground.{{Ref/Game|Halo Legendary Crate|Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop 17|Detail=Ghost}}
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| Vehicles using boosted gravity propulsion exhibit four axis' of movement, and are usually capable of moving left-to-right alongside forward and back, albeit at a slower rate. While active, the drive emits a notable blue glow emanating from the vehicle's undercarriage, accompanied by the sporadic emittance of glowing particles and electrical arcs. Even when used on heavy vehicles such as the [[Wraith]] series of tanks, boosted gravity propulsion drives are capable of surprising bursts of speed and agile mobility.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/wraith|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Wraith|D=12|M=07|Y=2021}} Boosted gravity vehicles are generally additionally capable of a secondary limited-time boost which can massively increase the vehicle's speed - which can be used for rapid maneuvers or evading fire.
| | ==Introduction== |
| | The Boosted Gravity Propulsion Drive is an [[Anti-gravity technology|anti-gravity generation device]] that creates an electrically-charged anti-gravity field that can be used to either lift an object off the ground or propel it. Most Covenant ground and air vehicles are propelled by this technology, allowing them to skim a short distance above the ground while activated. The drive emits a bright blue glow that emanates from the underside of the vehicle, accompanied by glowing particles and arcs of electricity.{{Ref/Note|Although the Covenant rely on anti-gravity technology to lift items like the shade turret and other equipment they are often believed to be using the gravity propulsion drive, this may be incorrect as items like the shade are not actually propelled but suspended in midair.}} |
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| Unlike walkers, wheeled and tracked vehicles such as those developed by [[human]]ity or the [[Jiralhanae]], boosted gravity vehicles suffer in areas of dense foliage. Vehicles operating in such terrain are easily slowed to a crawl - a key weakness which was exploited by [[United Nations Space Command]] [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|Gauss Warthog]] tank-hunters during the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Game|H5G|List of REQ cards|REQ card|Detail=Woodland Gauss Warthog Description|Quote=In rugged terrain the Gauss Warthog is a deadly tank hunter, easily picking off Covenant boosted-gravity vehicles slowed to a crawl in dense foliage. Improved Gauss Warthog with extra armor.}} The systems have some difficulty in managing the vehicle on rugged and uneven terrain - the pilot must take this into account as uneven or broken terrain causes the vehicle to dip and rise in accordance with the environment. This can prohibit movement especially for larger vehicles, in regions which a more rugged counterpart such as a [[Scorpion]] tank may have little issue.
| | Some air vehicles like the [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft]] use a modified gravity propulsion system to attain flight and provide thrust using pods on the vehicle's wings and rear section. Vehicles equipped with this drive also have the ability to divert power from other non-critical hardware to increase speed for either short or infinite amounts of time. The boost feature of the gravity propulsion drive allows a vehicle to increase its maximum speed and cover large areas and can either allow a vehicle to serve as a rapid attack vehicle or to aid in fast bombing runs. |
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| ===Development history=== | | ===Advantages=== |
| Early boosted-gravity propulsion systems were developed by the [[Sangheili]] well before the [[War of Beginnings]]. Following the establishment of the Covenant empire, boosted gravity systems were improved over the millennia thanks to the recovery and reverse-engineering of Forerunner machines.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} In the lead-up to the [[Great Schism]], many Jiralhanae vehicles such as the [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler]] were augmented with boosted gravity drives.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Prowler}}
| | The propulsion drive allows a vehicle to hover slightly above the ground and can, dependent on the vehicle's design, prevent the vehicle from flipping over. The drive also allows a vehicle to move seamlessly and can rotate 360 degrees with very little difficulty. It can also navigate terrains that UNSC vehicles may have trouble driving on, such as icy surfaces. With a boost drive attached, a vehicle using this device can travel at fast speeds and is able to cover a large area in a short amount of time. |
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| ===Usage=== | | ===Disadvantages=== |
| Boosted gravity propulsion drives are used on most terrestrial ground and air vehicles of the Covenant and its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]. This includes, though is not limited to, the following:
| | The gravity propulsion drive is more difficult to control with heavier vehicles. Although it can still keep a vehicle well off the ground, the speed and maneuverability of heavy-class vehicles are limited. Despite apparent simplicity and grace, vehicles that utilize the gravity propulsion drive require a skilled driver to handle the vehicle properly. The pilot must also take terrain into account as uneven or broken terrain causes the vehicle to dip, rise or not allow the vehicle to hover or move effectively in these types of terrain.{{Ref/Novel|Novel=Halo: The Flood}}<!--Page 185--> Although the boost feature can propel vehicles at fast speeds, it does limit maneuverability and renders the weapons system inoperable until the vehicle comes out of boost. |
| *[[Banshee]]s{{Ref/Book|Id=H2M|Halo 2 manual|Page=18-19}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H2LEM|Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition manual|Page=16-17}}{{Ref/Marketing|H3|Believe|Diorama|Detail=Vehicle: Banshee}}
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| *[[Ghost]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H2M}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2LEM}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=464}}
| | ==Notes== |
| *Jiralhanae [[War-sled]]s such as the [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Prowler|Enc22|Page=273}}
| | {{Ref/Notes}} |
| *[[Shadow]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H2M}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2LEM}}
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| *[[Spectre]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H2M}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2LEM}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=272}}
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| *[[Wraith]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H2M}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2LEM}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=274}}
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Gallery== |
| <gallery> | | <gallery> |
| File:HR Beta Boneyard Ghost Screenshot.jpg|A Ghost with an active propulsion drive. | | File:Reach 1180829 Full.jpg|A Ghost with an active propulsion drive. |
| File:HR Beta Boneyard Wraith Screenshot.jpg|The {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} with its propulsion drive, note that due to its weight the vehicle is unable to hover higher. | | File:Reach 848901 Full.jpg|The {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} with its propulsion drive, note that due to its weight the vehicle is unable to hover higher. |
| </gallery> | | </gallery> |
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| ==Sources== | | ==List of appearances== |
| | *''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}} |
| | *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo 2]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: Uprising]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo 3]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo Wars]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo Legends]]'' |
| | **''[[The Duel]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'' |
| | **''[[Palace Hotel]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: Reach]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo 4]]'' |
| | **''[[Spartan Ops]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' |
| | *''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]'' |
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| | == Sources == |
| {{Ref/Sources}} | | {{Ref/Sources}} |
| [[Category:Covenant technology]]
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| [[Category:Gravity technology]] | | [[Category:Gravity technology]] |
| [[Category:Propulsion]] | | [[Category:Propulsion]] |
