Editing SP42 Cobra

{{Era|HCW}}
{{Vehicle Infobox
|image=[[File:HWunit Cobra.png|300px]]
|name=Special Purpose-42 Main Battle Tank
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]<ref name="EVG"/>
|line=
|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 rail gun|M66 30mm light rail gun]]<ref name="EVG"/>
*M98 105mm light rail gun<ref name="EVG"/>
|complement=
|crew=
|skeleton=
|passengers=
|capacity=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=[[2497]]<ref name="EVG"/>
|role=Anti-matériel/anti-fortification<ref name="EVG"/>
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|affiliation=[[UNSC Defense Force]]
}}

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

==Overview==
===Service history===
The SP42 Cobra was first deployed in [[2497]] during [[Operation: CHARLEMAGNE]],<ref name="EVG"/> after a team of [[ORION Project]] commandos had covertly struck a blow against the [[Secessionist Union]] in the [[2496|previous year]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' ''(2009)'', page 44-45</ref> Following this initial deployment, the SP42 MBT was presumably used throughout the [[Insurrection]]. The Cobra was then used extensively during the [[Human-Covenant War]], particularly during its earlier stages, in which SP42s were frequently used in both offensive and defensive roles.

===Design details===
====Chassis====
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.<ref name="EVG"/> Like the [[M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank]], the Cobra's designation as a main battle tank is likely due to its general architecture and framework than because of its function.

====Armament====
Unlike most UNSCDF vehicles, the Cobra fills two distinct roles: that of a mobile anti-matériel platform and that of a self-propelled artillery piece. The SP42 Cobra is equipped with a pair of [[M66 light rail gun]]s on its turret that fire high-density ferrous slugs - which are twice the size of those used by the [[M68 Asynchronous Linear-Induction Motor|M68 Gauss cannon]] - designed to penetrate enemy armor using sheer kinetic energy.<ref name="EVG"/> These rail guns 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 Main Battle Tank]]'s standard [[M512 Smooth Bore High Velocity Cannon|M512 90mm cannon]].

In addition to the Cobra's anti-vehicle role, the vehicle can be stabilized upon the ground, "locking down", and deploy an arcing-trajectory M98 105mm light rail gun which fires a conventional explosive shells 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 Light Excavation/Anti-Fortification Platform|Type-30 Locust's]]  [[Energy shielding#Covenant|energy shield]] and destroy the platform, while one shot can disable the shield upgraded [[Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]]'s shield and deal minor damage.



==Gameplay==
{{Expand-Section}}
===Upgrades===
*Deflection Plating: gives the Cobra extra protection. Cost 400 resources.

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

==Trivia==
*Like most UNSC vehicles, the Cobra is superficially similar to its [[Wikipedia:Cobra|animal namesake]]. When locked down, the SP42 MBT lowers itself and becomes poised to fire; this is similar to actual cobras, which typically coil before striking. The SP42 is especially similar to the [[Wikipedia:Spitting cobra|spitting cobra]], which can project venom to great distances.
*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.
*The vehicle was originally described as being similar to a Russian 'Katyusha' rocket artillery vehicle, which was spurred on by the appearance of vehicles similar to the [[M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank|M9 Wolverine]] but possessing a different ordnance rack. This was a case of mistaken identity, as the vehicle sighted was actually a Wolverine, but with an upgrade adding a second missile pod, creating confusion.

==Gallery==
<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.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}

==Sources==
<references/>

{{UNSC Vehicles}}