Editing Kez'katu-pattern Phantom

{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Center|''Were you looking for the [[Type-25 Spirit|Spirit]]-class dropship introduced in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the [[Type-56 Lich|Lich]]-class dropship introduced in ''[[Halo 4]]'', or the [[Type-44 Phantom|older model]] introduced in ''Halo 4?''}}
{{Ship Class Infobox
|image= [[File:HReach-PhantomDropship-FrontAngle.png|300px]]
|name = Type-52 Troop Carrier
|manufacturer = [[Assembly Forges]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 137''</ref>
|class = Type-52
|length = {{Convert|32.5|m|ft}}<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 268'' (2009 edition); ''page 281'' (2011 edition)</ref>
|width = {{Convert|20.5|m|ft}}<ref name="ENC"/>
|hull=
|crew=Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, operations officer
|complement=16-30 passengers<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="waypoint">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/universe/detail/b5b73b06-50fa-4bcf-b624-ae5110223eb2/phantom '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Phantom'']</ref> <br>
2 [[Type-32 Ghost]]s <br>
1 [[Type-26 Wraith]]
|skeleton=1 pilot
|capacity=
|engine=Twin turbine propulsion system<ref name="waypoint"/>
|slipspace drive=Not equipped
|armament=*1-3 [[heavy plasma cannon]]s<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="waypoint"/>
*2 [[Type-52 plasma cannon]]s<ref name="waypoint"/>
|consumables=
|othersystems=[[Gravity lift]]
|firstuse=[[2531]]
|role=[[Dropship]], gunship, support
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> [[Great Schism]] <br> [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]<br>[[Swords of Sanghelios]]<br>[[Merg Vol's Covenant faction]]<br>[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
}}

The '''Type-52 Troop Carrier''', more commonly known as the '''Phantom''' by [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces, is a troop carrier and gunship in service with the [[Covenant]].<ref name="ENC"/> They are used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying infantry while providing suppressing fire. The Type-52 Phantom is one of the primary [[dropship]]s in service with the Covenant.<ref name="waypoint"/>

==Specifications==
===Design details===
[[File:DeliverHope - CCSHangar.png|thumb|250px|left|Two Phantoms being loaded with troops in the hangar bay of a {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}.]]
The hull of a Phantom is nearly invincible to small-arms fire, although explosives can easily damage or destroy the dropship.<ref name="ENC"/> The Type-52 Phantom is primarily composed of a circular central hull that features a closed operator cabin in the front and its twin turbine propulsion system established into the outer edges of the Phantom. The turbines shape up and back into the form of aerodynamic fins. On either side of the [[dropship]] lie bay doors that can be sealed for exoatmospheric environments. At the bottom of the Phantom, there is a ventral [[gravity lift]] that is able to tow and carry vehicles to and from destinations or deploy passengers. The gravity lift and bay doors were created to allow quick and simple infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type or environment.<ref name="waypoint"/> A ramp is also attached to the dropship it allow passengers to simply walk off when the Phantom has landed.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''', ''page ???''</ref> An intruder countermeasure system is also found on Phantoms.<ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 142''</ref>

One of the Covenant's primary dropships, the Type-52 Phantom is capable of both infantry transportation and deployment in atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. Despite being larger than the [[Type-25 Spirit]], the Phantom is notably more maneuverable—capable of gracefully steering and weaving through tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns, or urban centers such as a city with ease.<ref name="waypoint"/> The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the [[D77-TC Pelican]] in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the Type-25 Spirit dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.<ref name="ENC"/>

===Crew and complement===
[[File:Brute Pack.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Jiralhanae]] soldiers aboard a Phantom.]]
The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot, a navigator, and an operations officer who is in charge of the defensive automatic [[heavy plasma cannon]]s. The Phantom can carry from as little as sixteen to as much as thirty "standard" passengers in its troop bay, depending on the personnel size of each model of the Type-52 Phantom.<ref name="waypoint"/> Generally, passengers are deployed from the ventral [[gravity lift]] and from the doors located by either of the dropship's large side doors. However, due to their size, [[Mgalekgolo]] soldiers are deployed from the Phantom through the use of its gravity lift.<ref name="ENC"/> They have also been seen to transport teams of [[Huragok]], which are carried in cases and swing from the Phantom's underside.<ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref>

Like the Spirit dropship, the Phantom is capable of carrying a variety of Covenant vehicles such as two [[Type-32 Ghost]]s or a single [[Type-26 Wraith]] or [[Type-46 Spectre]], as well as essential equipment such as [[deployable lookout tower]]s, and components of [[Type-27 Mantis|anti-aircraft batteries]] by utilizing its [[gravity lift]].<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="waypoint"/>

===Armament===
Although Phantoms are rarely deployed in a gunship role, they are equipped with a large armament.<ref name="waypoint"/> The Phantom has several armor and armament configurations that vary depending on the model.<ref name="ENC"/> Typically, Phantoms have a single [[heavy plasma cannon]] located underneath its nose and twin, with two side-mounted [[Type-52 plasma cannon]]s attached to the dropship’s open bay doors.<ref name="waypoint"/><ref name="hr">'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref> These plasma cannons are often operated by [[Unggoy]] soldiers. A second model replaces the heavy plasma cannon with a fully automatic one.<ref name="h3">'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref> Another model is armed with three separate, automatic, fully rotational heavy plasma cannons.<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="h2">'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref>

==Models and variants==
===Gunboat variant===
[[File:PhantomGunboat.jpg|thumb|250px|A Phantom gunboat over [[Reach]].]]
{{Main|Phantom gunboat}}
A exoatmospheric combat variant of Phantom outfitted exclusively for space-based engagements, known as the [[Phantom gunboat]], swaps its Type-52 plasma cannons for four plasma turrets mounted around the hull, and a chin-mounted heavy plasma cannon. While similar in design to the default Phantom, the gunboat is significantly larger in size and is equipped with [[energy shielding]] for missile deflection.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''', ''[[Mission 21: Hunt for the Phantom|Hunt for the Phantom]]''</ref>

===Swords of Sanghelios model===
The [[Swords of Sanghelios]] used customized Phantoms following the [[Great Schism]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref> These Phantoms were similar in function and appearance to the "normal" Phantom model, but they were colored an iridescent green instead of the usual purple,<ref name="ENC"/> likely to match the [[UNSC]]'s vehicle color schemes. These Phantoms were equipped also with [[cloaking]] technology, something rarely seen on ships of their size.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> By [[2558]] at least one of these Phantoms had fallen into the hands of [[Kig-Yar]] [[piracy|pirates]] on [[Ven III]].<ref>''[[Halo: Escalation #12]]''</ref>

===Other models===
Several other models of Phantoms exist, although they are essentially the same in both design and function. The troop capacity and armament of a Phantom varies depending on its model.<ref name="waypoint"/> One model that was present early in the [[Battle of Earth]] had three [[heavy plasma cannon]]s.<ref name="h2"/> In Phantom models that were present during the [[Fall of Reach]], and later in the Battle of [[Earth]], had only one plasma cannon. However, the Phantoms at [[Reach]] had a semi-automatic cannon,<ref name="hr"/> while the cannon on the ones at Earth was fully automatic.<ref name="h3"/>

==Identified Phantoms==
*''[[Glorious Advance]]'' - Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]''.

==Gameplay==
The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. Like the Spirit, the Phantom is mostly scripted to deploy troops and leave, sometimes without coming to a halt, though in rarer cases it may stick around to lay siege on the player.

In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom is invincible and can not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. The two silver engine plates can also be destroyed, although it will have no effect on the Phantom's speed. In ''Halo 3'', ''Halo 3: ODST'' and ''Halo: Reach'', the Phantom's three guns, the side doors and platforms, the engine plates, and its hind flaps, as well as its entire well being, are destructible. The Phantom's rear is most susceptible to damage, although this weakness was removed in ''Halo: Reach''. When destroyed, the Phantom will float down, emit sparks and a loud whirring noise, then explode into wreckage, although in ''Halo: Reach'' the Phantom simply explodes.

===Tactics===
*Taking down a Phantom is tempting to do so in Firefight or Campaign; however, it is unwise to do so if there are Phantoms traveling in groups, as they might pin you down with their plasma guns or in the most extreme cases, kill you.
*It is recommended to destroy the Phantom's armaments before taking it out, otherwise they may pin you down.
*If possible, stay under the Phantom and shoot at the drop-off zone where Covenant jump off. You can get a few easy kills with that. However, be wary of the plasma guns.
*Use a heavy weapon to destroy a Phantom. A [[Spartan Laser]], the [[Warthog]]'s LAAV guns, or a [[Rocket Launcher]] or a [[Fuel Rod Gun]] will do the trick.
*With heavy weapons like the Rocket Launcher or a Spartan Laser as well as mounted vehicle weapons like the [[Scorpion]] tank's cannon or a [[M68 Gauss Cannon]].
*Aim for the twin engines (the silver parts on its front), as those are its weak points. However, the weak points are removed as of ''Halo: Reach''.

===Changes===
====Changes from ''Halo 2'' to ''Halo 3''====
*The Phantom is now destructible, vulnerable to heavy weapons and explosives. Nevertheless, it is very durable and able to take up to four shots from a Scorpion tank.
*The Phantom's hull is now a medium-dark violet in ''Halo 3'', rather than magenta as it is in ''Halo 2''.
*The Phantom's flight noise has been reduced from a loud buzzing to a low hum.
*The Phantom fires shots that are now a blue color, rather than a vivid red.
*The Phantom can deliver troops by opening side doors, not just by the gravity lift.
*The Phantom no longer has three separate auto-cannons - they now have one chin-mounted auto-cannon, and two Type-52 Plasma Cannons on either side of the troop bay.
*The troop bay is open on both sides where the plasma turrets are. It is fully accessible by the player and he/she can leap into it before it takes off. The player is usually killed when the Phantom hits a [[Invisible wall|death barrier]].
*The main cannon's rate of fire is slower.
*The two upper tail-like parts in the rear of the Phantom appear smaller.
*A green-colored variant is introduced. The Swords of Sanghelios variant is used by the Elites and has the ability to camouflage itself.

====Changes from ''Halo 3'' to ''Halo 3: ODST''====
*The wreckage from its destruction is smaller.
*The Phantom can carry Engineers in pod-like cases.
*The Phantom's main cannon is equipped with a searchlight for night missions.

====Changes from ''Halo 3'' to ''Halo: Reach''====
*The auto-cannon is replaced by a cannon that has a slower rate of fire and has a more explosive effect upon impact, similar to a [[Type-50 Concussion Rifle]].
*The two front engine turbines no longer glow blue.
*There are no longer any "weak points"; it takes the same amount of weapons fire to destroy regardless of hit location.
*When hit by weapons fire, it no longer takes visible damage aside from the chin and side guns being knocked off.
*When destroyed, instead of having an "overload" phase where it drops and then explodes, the targeted Phantom instantly explodes as soon as it takes enough damage.
*Far less debris is left behind when destroyed; only the debris from the chin gun, the Type-52 Plasma Cannons on the sides, and a portion of the cockpit will be left when it explodes. Furthermore, not all Phantoms encountered are destructible.
*The Phantom has more health, capable of withstanding up to five [[M808 Scorpion]] shots before exploding.
*A variant outfitted for space combat, called the Phantom gunboat, is introduced.

==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*The Swords of Sangelios Phantom resembles [http://memory-alpha.org/index.php/Romulan Romulan] ships from ''[http://memory-alpha.org/index.php/Star_Trek Star Trek]'' in both its lime-green color and its cloaking ability.
*In the [[E3]] 2003 Preview of ''Halo 2'', the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back, similar to a [[Pelican]]. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one Plasma Cannon.
*In [[Campaign Scoring]] charts, it counts as both a "Heavy" and a "Giant" vehicle.
*In the [[Keep It Clean (Trailer)|trailer]] for ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', a Phantom is seen on patrol using two bright searchlights to sweep the streets. Oddly, the lights are located in the exact location as the Phantom's chin mounted gun, possibly meaning that this Phantom was specifically adapted for patrol or that its gun had a headlight mounted alongside it. In the cutscene where the Rookie receives a transmission from Dare, the Phantom that passes by has a searchlight mounted on the front turret. This headlight feature also appears in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*In the ''[[Art of Halo]]'', there is a Phantom render for ''Halo 2'' which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
*In the ''[[Halo Legends]]'' short film, ''[[Prototype]]'', a Phantom is seen carrying a Wraith ''inside'' its troop bay, as opposed to hovering below it. This may be a means to protect the Wraith from being destroyed before it is deployed or it could simply be an oversight made by the artists.
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', a player can pilot a Phantom through the [[Flyable Pelican and Phantom]] easter egg. Unlike the Pelican, it can be destroyed, though unlike other vehicles it shows no outward indication of damage.
*In ''Halo: Reach'''s Firefight mode, the Phantom cannot be destroyed.
*In ''Halo: Reach'''s Firefight mode, a well-aimed [[M41 rocket launcher]] shot to the Phantom's cockpit can blast out the pilot (a Grunt), killing it and sending it spiraling out of the vehicle. When this happens, the Phantom stops and hovers for a few seconds before falling to the ground. Any personnel that are within the Phantom do not react and are not deployed.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2-PhantomDropship-Underside.png|The underside of the early Phantom Dropship in the ''Halo 2 E3 Demo''.
File:H2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled view of the Phantom as it appears in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-PhantomDropshipSide.png|An in-game profile view of the Phantom in ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Halo2 - Phantom Gravity Lift.jpg|The gravity lift of a Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|A Phantom dropping a Spectre in ''Halo 2''.
File:PhantomH3.png|A view of the Phantom as it appears in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-PhantomDropship.png|Alternate preview of the Phantom Dropship in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-PhantomDropshipSide.png|In-game profile view of the Phantom Dropship in ''Halo 3''.
File:Halo3-PhantomDropship1.png|Profile view of the Phantom Dropship from ''Halo 3''.
File:Halo3-PhantomDropship2.png|Underside of the Phantom Dropship from ''Halo 3''.
File:1216048876 Phantom front.jpg|A front view of a Phantom.
File:Banshee phantom escort.jpg|A Phantom escorted by two Banshees on [[Installation 00]] in ''Halo 3''.
File:Phantom Construction 2.jpg|A Phantom carrying a Type-27 Mantis component.
File:Inside a phantom.jpg|Inside a Phantom.
File:H3-CovSepPhantomDropship.png|An in-game preview of a Swords of Sanghelios Phantom Dropship with green color scheme.
File:Active Camo Phantom.jpg|A Swords of Sanghelios Phantom activating its [[active camouflage]].
File:1211317370 Phantom Wreckage.jpg|A Swords of Sanghelios Phantom exploding.
File:Phantom and Pelican.png|A Phantom engaging a Pelican in [[2531]] from ''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''.
File:H3R - Phantom Headlights.png|A Phantom, seen through the "eyes" of the [[Superintendent]], using a pair of high-intensity searchlights to sweep the ruined streets of [[New Mombasa]] in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:HaloReach - Screenshot 05.jpg|An alpha build of ''Halo: Reach'', showcasing the Phantom.
File:Phantom TR.jpg|Turnaround reference of the Phantom as it appears in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:HReach-PhantomDropship.png|Alternate in-game preview of a Phantom Dropship in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HReach-Phantom2large.png|An in-game view of the Phantom Dropship in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Phantom2large.jpg|A view of the Phantom in ''Halo: Reach'', on the level [[Nightfall]].
File:Phantom_Teleport.jpg|A Phantom being teleported onto the [[Viery Territory]].
File:Phantom_NA.jpg|Noble Six shooting at a Phantom in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Phantom_Rough.jpg|A rough model of a Phantom, used in background battles.
File:PhantomAszod.jpg|A Phantom participating at the [[Battle of Aszod]].
File:HE12 Transport2.jpg|A Swords of Sanghelios Phantom on Ven III in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''
{{Col-end}}

==Sources==
<references/>

{{CovenantShips}}
{{Covenant Vehicles}}

[[Category:Covenant Vehicles]]