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Barukaza Workshop Chopper: Difference between revisions

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{{Era|H3}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ship
{{Vehicle infobox
|image=[[Image:Brute_chopper_view.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:ChopperH3.png|300px]]
|name=Brute Chopper
|name=Barukaza Workshop Assault Bike
|manufacturer=
|manufacturer=[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Reuse|visual}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}<br>[[Armory of Barukaza]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=273}}
|line=
|line=[[Chopper]]
|model=Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle <ref name=chopperfiction>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=chopperfiction]</ref>
|model=
|class=Hovercraft
|cost=
|length=6.4 meters (21 feet) <ref name=chopperfiction/>
|length={{Convert|6.4|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}{{Ref/Book|Id=ENC243|ENC|Page=242-243}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|width=2.8 meters (9.33 feet) <ref name=chopperfiction/>
|width={{Convert|2.8|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|height=2.9 meters (9.77 feet) <ref name=chopperfiction/>
|height={{Convert|2.9|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|mass=1 tonne (1.1 tons) <ref name=chopperfiction/>
|mass={{Convert|1|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|max accel=120 kph (75 mph) <ref name=chopperfiction/>
|max speed={{Convert|74|km/h|mph}} {{C|Regular}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}<br/>{{Convert|120|km/h|mph}} {{C|Boost}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
|max speed space=
|max speed air=
|engine=
|engine=
|slipspace drive=
|slipspace speed=
|poweroutput=
|power= unknown <ref name=chopperfiction/>
|shield gen=
|hull=
|hull=
|sensor=
|sensor=
|target=
|target=
|navigation=
|armament=
|avionics=
*Bladed chassis{{Ref/Reuse|ENC243}}/ ramming targe{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}
|countermeasures=
*[[Paegaas Workshop Spiker]]s {{C|early models only}}{{Ref/Reuse|CH20}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}
|armament=*4 x [[35mm Autocannon]]s <ref name=chopperfiction/>
*Four 35mm heavy [[spike cannon|spike heavy cannons]] {{C|later models only}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
*Bladed chassis
|crew=One driver{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}
|complement=
|complement=
|crew=*1 pilot
|skeleton=
|passengers=None
|capacity=
|consumables=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=
|firstuse=[[2525]]
|role=*Rapid assault vehicle
|role=Rapid assault, reconnaissance
|era=  
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]<br/>[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|affiliation=[[Covenant Loyalists]]
|affiliation= [[Covenant]] <br> [[Jiralhanae]] <br> [[Banished]] <br/> Post-war rebel groups{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}
}}
}}
The '''Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle'''<ref name=chopperfiction/><ref>GamePro magazine, July Issue, page 50</ref> (abbreviated '''Type-25 RAV'''), colloquially known as the '''"Brute Chopper"''' by [[UNSC]] personnel, is a [[Covenant Loyalist]] ground vehicle.
{{Quote|I never thought I'd see somethin' that could tear up a [[Warthog]] so completely short of an [[M808 Scorpion|eight-oh-eight]] just by runnin' into it—are Choppers put together out of old battleships or something?|Anonymous [[UNSC]] serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}}}
The '''Barukaza Workshop Assault Bike'''{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} {{Type|25|Rapid Assault Vehicle|RAV}},{{Ref/Book|Id=visual|EVG|Page=31}}{{Ref/Site|Id=bnetchopper|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=bnetchopper|Site=Bungie.net|Page=The Brute Chopper|D=11|M=5|Y=2012|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present#Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle "Chopper"}} commonly known as the '''Brute Chopper''' or simply '''Chopper''' by [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] personnel, is a [[Covenant]] ground assault vehicle used exclusively by the [[Jiralhanae]].


== Introduction ==
==Overview==
[[Image:UNSC_Battle_Cruiser_2.jpg|left|thumb|A Chopper on [[Sandtrap]].]]
===Design details===
The Brute Chopper is a heavily-armored dual-wheeled motorbike kept afloat by a gravitic array on its rear (behind and below the pilot), and is widely believed to be the [[Covenant Loyalist]] analog to the [[Covenant Separatist]] [[Ghost (Vehicle)|Ghost]]. The Brute Chopper was uncommon before ''[[Halo 2]]'', when the [[Jiralhanae]] were not actively delegated to frontline battle, but with their resurgence onto the battlelines, it appears that they have brought their vehicles with them. One aspect that makes the Brute Chopper stand out is that it is rarely flipped.
The Chopper serves as a rapid attack and scout vehicle for the Covenant's Jiralhanae troops. The vehicle is characterised most notably by its shape; the front has a pair of extremely large wheels, with the driver located at the back. The driver's seat hovers off the ground when the vehicle is active and is shielded from the front angles by the wheels, though is completely exposed to hostile fire from the sides and back. The front of the vehicle is equipped with a large ramming targe, capable of allowing the Chopper to cut through obstacles in its path at high speeds. The vehicles also come equipped with weapons on either side of the vehicle; early models simply bearing [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker|Spikers]] as improvised weapons, with late production models employing larger quad-mounted 35mm [[spike cannon|heavy spike cannon]]s firing high-explosive spike projectiles.


== Design ==
Choppers weigh around 1.1 tons (1 tonne), and can reach a maximum speed of 74 kph (46 mph),{{Ref/Site|Id=Universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/chopper|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Chopper|D=19|M=3|Y=2021}} with a maximum range of 272 kilometres (169 miles).{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}{{Ref/Reuse|ENC243}} While driving, the vehicle can conduct short bursts of speed to briefly double its top speed to 120 kph (75 mph){{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}} thanks to two boosters on either side of the vehicle, capable of allowing the vehicle to plow through armoured barricades and light vehicles.
[[Image:Brute_Chopper.JPG|left|thumb|One of the first appearances of the Brute Chopper.]]
The Brute Chopper is a heavily-armored, large, and sluggish assault vehicle. Its primary assets lay in its capability to temporarily accelerate to twice its speed, probably through gravitic thrusters, and its armament: 4 x [[35mm Autocannon]]s (once believed to be two [[Type-25 Carbine|Spiker]]s or [[Brute Shot]]s).


In the prow is a massively swelled cyclical engine array and directly connected to it behind it is a small, exposed cockpit that provides the rider no protection, except from the forward field of fire, where the sheer mass of the engine protects the pilot. The engine is also fitted with massive spiked blades, allowing the pilot to impale anyone in its path. The blades on the wheel are strong enough to take down and cut through any vehicle but a Wraith or Scorpion.  This is done by using the thrusters just before impact with an enemy vehicle.  Also, its autocannons are extremely powerful even with a slow rate of fire, being capable of destroying a Wraith or Scorpion in very little time.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAWUob68LqA][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r1_B6E6hWs][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCDwxEtHn8U][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nCA3hHTFzw]
Choppers are often hand-painted by their riders.{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}


When activated, the vehicle moves around by the use of two massive wheels on the front of the vehicle. They rotate opposite directions when turning, as well as the whole frontal portion rotating to the left or right. However,the pilot's seat is kept aloft by anti-gravity technology similar to that of the Ghost. That anti-gravity technology makes the Chopper difficult to flip by anything, as the wheels turn instantly when they are on their sides, keeping the driver afloat with the thrusters in the rear.
===Development history===
[[File:H3 Chopper.jpg|thumb|left|A Brute driving a Chopper.]]
The first Choppers were, somewhat ironically, originally constructed for peaceful intentions by the [[Huragok]] [[Lighter Than Some]]. Intended as a peace offering to [[human]]ity, the engineer built the vehicles from parts of a damaged [[Spirit]] dropship as farming tools - echoing the design of the [[JOTUN Heavy Industries|JOTUN]] agricultural vehicles widely employed by the humans on [[Harvest]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=CH14|CH|Chapter=14}} However, these vehicles were co-opted by [[Maccabeus' clan]] - who believed the vehicles to be weapons of war - and pressed into service during the [[First Battle of Harvest]] as cavalry. These early Choppers were jury-rigged with the Brutes' Spikers as weapons. Following the battle on Harvest, the Brutes made improvements to the design, affixing the vehicles with twin pairs of heavy spike cannons and other modifications to suit the vehicle to its role better.{{Ref/Novel|Id=CH18|CH|Chapter=18}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=CH20|CH|Chapter=20}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}} By [[2531]], ramming targes and 35mm autocannons were common weapons employed by the Choppers of the [[Fleet of Glorious Interdiction]], with such autocannons sometimes fitted with stabilizers.{{Ref/Game|HW|Detail=Chopper in-game unit}} The models that followed were constructed using cast-off components in an effort to mimic the raider-outriders that were a common feature of life back on [[Doisac]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


== Origin ==
Throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]], the Chopper was primarily manufactured by the Jiralhanae often using scavenged battlefield remains of human and Covenant vehicles. Such Frankenstein-esque vehicles made use of the damaged [[Gravitics|gravity drives]] of the [[Ghost]] and the armor plating of humanity. Choppers were additionally capable of being manufactured by the [[Factory|factories]] attached to [[Covenant citadel]]s. In [[2552]], production of the vehicles was taken over by the [[Sacred Promissory]] of [[High Charity]], primarily focusing on the design created by the [[Armory of Barukaza]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} The Promissory were able to use the vast [[Assembly Forges|nanofabrication facilities]] of High Charity to produce a vast fleet of top-of-the-line models. Nonetheless, Jiralhanae psychological quirks and poor maintenance habits meant even these vehicles still retained a more utilitarian look and crude functionality when compared to other similar vehicles produced by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}


As revealed in Contact Harvest, the first Brute Choppers were built by an [[Engineer]] named [[Lighter Than Some]] as a misguided peace offering towards the [[Human]] population of [[Harvest]]; Ironically, although the pacifistic Engineer built them in imitation of mechanized plows, the [[Brutes]] recognized their potential for carnage and have used them to kill humans ever since. These prototype choppers had two spikers mounted to their bodies. When the Brutes began manufacturing them in mass, these were traded for two pairs of powerful 35mm autocannons.
Following the [[Fall of High Charity]] and the end of the war with humanity, the Chopper did not fall out of production despite the loss of the Sacred Promissory. Instead, the vehicle saw proliferation among many Brute [[pack]]s and insurgent groups of other species, with Jiralhanae worlds under the rule of [[Jiralhanae Warlord|warlords]] and the [[Banished]] continuing to produce their own vehicles for use in personal conflicts.{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}}


== Misconception ==
===Operational history===
[[File:Escalation raids.png|thumb|250px|Jiralhanae raiders pillaging Sangheili settlements with Barukaza Workshop Choppers during the Great Schism.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}]]
Choppers were first employed by [[Maccabeus]] and his clan during the [[First Battle of Harvest]] in [[2525]].{{Ref/Reuse|CH20}} They quickly gained usage elsewhere in the Covenant, with Jiralhanae forces of the [[Fleet of Glorious Interdiction]], under the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Avitus]], employing the vehicles in the [[Battle of Trove]].{{Ref/Game|HW}} The vehicles continued to see use throughout the war, though saw a prominent resurgence in 2552 as vast quantities were manufactured in secret in preparation for the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}{{Ref/Reuse|Universe}} The war's final days saw the Chopper in a heavy front-line role in the battles of [[Battle for Earth|Earth]] and [[Battle of Installation 00|Installation 00]].{{Ref/Game|H3}}{{Ref/Game|H3ODST}} The vehicle was later one of many pieces of equipment included in Doctor [[Robert McLees (ship designer)|Robert McLees]]' report ''[[Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}


{{quote|...The familiar whine of a [[Covenant]] [[Ghost (Vehicle)|Ghost]] howls and [[Master Chief]] lowers the Gauss cannon. But this Ghost is unlike any Ghost we've seen before. Instead of the two small wings that normally frame a Ghost, this model is more tube-like in design. The sound is unmistakable, just like its bumpy hover. There's a much larger driver at the back of this new Ghost-type vehicle -- a [[Brute]]. This is the first vehicle we've seen from what Griesemer describes as ''the Brute Sandbox''. As Master Chief lowers the Gauss cannon on the Ghost, the demo ends.|Luke Smith while discussing Halo 3's single-player}}<ref>http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3155363</ref>
Choppers continue to see proliferation in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]] and the ongoing [[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE1|HE|Issue=1}} They have become a vital part of the [[Banished]] vehicle fleet, with the organisation employing [[Barug'qel Workshop Chopper|their own designs]] of the vehicle.
[[Image:Jiralhanae Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle.jpg|thumb|right|A Brute Chopper on ''[[Sandtrap]]''.]]
Because of observation of earlier ''Halo 3'' builds, the Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle was first misnamed the "Brute Ghost" (mentioned in the December 2006 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly.<ref>http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=755574</ref>) or the "Mauler".


At the time, the vehicle appeared to be similar in color to the Covenant Ghost and sounded the same as well (but that is pre-Alpha code, so it could have been placeholder sound). However, the wings have been folded up and the result is a much thicker, tube-ish vehicle, giving some the idea that this was different from the original Ghost.
Jiralhanae Chopper drivers occupy a unique position akin to [[Wikipedia:Cossacks|Cossacks]], holding ranks within Jiralhanae society outside of the [[Covenant military]] command structure.{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}} The vehicles are extremely popular in the [[Banished]], with Banished troops often competing to become a member of the Banished outrider squadrons; a major source of injury and death among [[Atriox]]'s pilots.{{Ref/Game|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Chopper}} Jiralhanae would often hand-paint the sides of their vehicles, with an unknown [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] speculating them to be seen as status symbols or mounts within Jiralhanae culture - rather than mere equipment.{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}


== UNSC remarks ==
* ''“D’ya think they’re compensating for something? I mean, look at the size of the damn thing—it’s bigger than my first apartment.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
* ''“It doesn’t have the room to accommodate a single passenger—and what do they do with their gear? Lash it on to the fenders?”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
* ''“They don’t have a lot in the way of places you can stow your gear—it’s basically a huge engine with a little bucket tied to it for you to stick your ass in. And big golf delta blades bolted to it, can’t forget about the blades.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
* ''“All the markings are hand-painted. Well, at least they were on all the ones I’ve seen close up. I think the Type-25 is more of a status symbol for the Brutes—or maybe a mount—than it is a just another piece of equipment.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
* ''“Yeah, [[N’tho ‘Sraom]] basically confirmed that—said the riders held specific ranks outside the Covenant military hierarchy structure—that they’re more of a traditional unit like Cossacks or something.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
* ''“They’re not very fast, but they’re like zombies—every time you turn around there they are breathing down your neck! Don’t help that they’re built like tanks, either.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
* ''“With that big damn motor you’d think they’d really fly, wouldn’t you? I wonder if the Covenant romeo echo mike foxtrots slapped a governor on ‘em like our do with the warthog?”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}
* ''"Whatever kind of engine those Kongs put in there, it's heavy! You actually gotta pull the entire front end to one side to turn it!''"{{Ref/Reuse|bnetchopper}}


== Equivalents ==
==Production notes==
{{Expand-section}}
The Chopper's origins lie in concept art produced for ''[[Halo 2]]'', with a sketch produced by [[Eddie Smith]] showing a remarkable resemblance to the final design that would end up in the final build of ''[[Halo 3]]''. The design retains the vehicle's general profile, with the only major difference being the inclusion of a canopy on the vehicle's aft.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://visualatrium.blogspot.com/p/concept-art.html|Site=VisualAtrium.net|Page=Concept art|Detail=Eddie Smith's portfolio page|D=19|M=3|Y=2021}} For ''Halo 3'', [[Bungie]] designed the chopper analogous to a motorcycle, considering it a vehicle for "tough guys".{{Ref/Film|[[Halo 3 Limited Edition|''Halo 3'' Limited Edition]] documentary}}


The Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle holds a position in Loyalist tactical doctrine similar to vehicles in other armies:
==Gallery==
{{linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes}}
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:H2_Chopper_Concept.jpg|''[[Halo 2]]'' concept art for a Chopper-like vehicle.
File:H3 ChopperConcept.jpg|Concept art of the Chopper in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:HW_Chopper_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Chopper for ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HO Chopper Concept.jpg|Concept art for the Chopper in ''[[Halo Online]]''.
File:HINF Concept ChopperConvoy.jpg|Concept art for ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' depicting [[Banished]] Jiralhanae riding what appear to be Barukaza Workshop Choppers.
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:Halo3-BruteChopper.png|Views of the Brute Chopper in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-ChopperHUD.png|HUD view of the Chopper in ''Halo 3''.
File:HTMCC-H3 Choppers 1.png|Two Choppers, one firing its cannon, in ''Halo 3''.
File:HTMCC-H3 Choppers 2.png|Two Choppers driven by [[Jiralhanae Major]]s in ''Halo 3''.
File:UNSC Battle Cruiser 2.jpg|A Chopper being driven by a Spartan on [[Sandtrap]] in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Destroyed Chopper.jpg|A glitch in which one will ride a destroyed Chopper in ''Halo 3''.
File:Covenant brute chopper.gif|An in-game render of the Brute Chopper in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Sparrow Laser.jpg|Choppers in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HW-Chopperarmy.png|A group of Choppers on Shield World 0459 in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Halo Online chopper.png|A side view of the Chopper in ''Halo Online''.
File:HO-Chopper.jpg|An angled view of a Chopper in ''Halo Online''.
File:HO Reactor Chopper.jpg|The Chopper in ''Halo Online'' on the map [[Reactor (Halo Online map)|Reactor]].
</gallery>


*[[Ghost (Vehicle)|Ghost]] - The [[Covenant Separatist]] equivalent of the Chopper, although it is also heavily used by the [[Covenant Loyalists]]
==List of appearances==
*[[Mongoose]] - The [[UNSCDF]] equivalent of the Chopper
*''[[Halo 3]] {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''


== References ==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


<references />
{{Covenant Ground Vehicles}}
 
[[Category:Jiralhanae culture]]
{{Covenant Vehicles}}
[[Category:Drivable vehicles]]
 
[[Category:Covenant vehicles]]
 
[[Category:Brutes]]
 
[[Category:Vehicles]]
 
[[Category:Drivable Vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 04:35, July 19, 2024

Barukaza Workshop Assault Bike
ChopperH3.png
Production information

Manufacturer:

Sacred Promissory[1][2]
Armory of Barukaza[3]

Product line:

Chopper

Technical specifications

Length:

6.4 metres (21 ft)[4][5][2][3]

Width:

2.8 metres (9.2 ft)[3]

Height:

2.9 metres (9.5 ft)[4][2][3]

Mass:

1 metric ton (0.98 LT; 1.1 ST)[4][2][3]

Maximum speed:

74 kilometres per hour (46 mph) (Regular)[4][2]
120 kilometres per hour (75 mph) (Boost)[4]

Armament:

Crew:

One driver[2]

Usage

Year introduced:

2525

Role(s):

Rapid assault, reconnaissance

Affiliation:

Covenant
Jiralhanae
Banished
Post-war rebel groups[2]

 

"I never thought I'd see somethin' that could tear up a Warthog so completely short of an eight-oh-eight just by runnin' into it—are Choppers put together out of old battleships or something?"
— Anonymous UNSC serviceman[4]

The Barukaza Workshop Assault Bike[3] (UNSC Type classification: Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle, T-25 RAV),[1][4] commonly known as the Brute Chopper or simply Chopper by UNSC personnel, is a Covenant ground assault vehicle used exclusively by the Jiralhanae.

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The Chopper serves as a rapid attack and scout vehicle for the Covenant's Jiralhanae troops. The vehicle is characterised most notably by its shape; the front has a pair of extremely large wheels, with the driver located at the back. The driver's seat hovers off the ground when the vehicle is active and is shielded from the front angles by the wheels, though is completely exposed to hostile fire from the sides and back. The front of the vehicle is equipped with a large ramming targe, capable of allowing the Chopper to cut through obstacles in its path at high speeds. The vehicles also come equipped with weapons on either side of the vehicle; early models simply bearing Spikers as improvised weapons, with late production models employing larger quad-mounted 35mm heavy spike cannons firing high-explosive spike projectiles.

Choppers weigh around 1.1 tons (1 tonne), and can reach a maximum speed of 74 kph (46 mph),[2] with a maximum range of 272 kilometres (169 miles).[4][5] While driving, the vehicle can conduct short bursts of speed to briefly double its top speed to 120 kph (75 mph)[4] thanks to two boosters on either side of the vehicle, capable of allowing the vehicle to plow through armoured barricades and light vehicles.

Choppers are often hand-painted by their riders.[4]

Development history[edit]

A Brute driving a Chopper.

The first Choppers were, somewhat ironically, originally constructed for peaceful intentions by the Huragok Lighter Than Some. Intended as a peace offering to humanity, the engineer built the vehicles from parts of a damaged Spirit dropship as farming tools - echoing the design of the JOTUN agricultural vehicles widely employed by the humans on Harvest.[7] However, these vehicles were co-opted by Maccabeus' clan - who believed the vehicles to be weapons of war - and pressed into service during the First Battle of Harvest as cavalry. These early Choppers were jury-rigged with the Brutes' Spikers as weapons. Following the battle on Harvest, the Brutes made improvements to the design, affixing the vehicles with twin pairs of heavy spike cannons and other modifications to suit the vehicle to its role better.[8][6][2] By 2531, ramming targes and 35mm autocannons were common weapons employed by the Choppers of the Fleet of Glorious Interdiction, with such autocannons sometimes fitted with stabilizers.[9] The models that followed were constructed using cast-off components in an effort to mimic the raider-outriders that were a common feature of life back on Doisac.[3]

Throughout the Human-Covenant War, the Chopper was primarily manufactured by the Jiralhanae often using scavenged battlefield remains of human and Covenant vehicles. Such Frankenstein-esque vehicles made use of the damaged gravity drives of the Ghost and the armor plating of humanity. Choppers were additionally capable of being manufactured by the factories attached to Covenant citadels. In 2552, production of the vehicles was taken over by the Sacred Promissory of High Charity, primarily focusing on the design created by the Armory of Barukaza.[3] The Promissory were able to use the vast nanofabrication facilities of High Charity to produce a vast fleet of top-of-the-line models. Nonetheless, Jiralhanae psychological quirks and poor maintenance habits meant even these vehicles still retained a more utilitarian look and crude functionality when compared to other similar vehicles produced by the Covenant.[2]

Following the Fall of High Charity and the end of the war with humanity, the Chopper did not fall out of production despite the loss of the Sacred Promissory. Instead, the vehicle saw proliferation among many Brute packs and insurgent groups of other species, with Jiralhanae worlds under the rule of warlords and the Banished continuing to produce their own vehicles for use in personal conflicts.[2]

Operational history[edit]

Jiralhanae raiders pillaging Sangheili settlements with Barukaza Workshop Choppers during the Great Schism.[10]

Choppers were first employed by Maccabeus and his clan during the First Battle of Harvest in 2525.[6] They quickly gained usage elsewhere in the Covenant, with Jiralhanae forces of the Fleet of Glorious Interdiction, under the Chieftain Avitus, employing the vehicles in the Battle of Trove.[11] The vehicles continued to see use throughout the war, though saw a prominent resurgence in 2552 as vast quantities were manufactured in secret in preparation for the Great Schism.[4][2] The war's final days saw the Chopper in a heavy front-line role in the battles of Earth and Installation 00.[12][13] The vehicle was later one of many pieces of equipment included in Doctor Robert McLees' report Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present.[4]

Choppers continue to see proliferation in the Post-Covenant War conflicts and the ongoing Sangheili-Jiralhanae war.[10] They have become a vital part of the Banished vehicle fleet, with the organisation employing their own designs of the vehicle.

Jiralhanae Chopper drivers occupy a unique position akin to Cossacks, holding ranks within Jiralhanae society outside of the Covenant military command structure.[4] The vehicles are extremely popular in the Banished, with Banished troops often competing to become a member of the Banished outrider squadrons; a major source of injury and death among Atriox's pilots.[14] Jiralhanae would often hand-paint the sides of their vehicles, with an unknown Marine speculating them to be seen as status symbols or mounts within Jiralhanae culture - rather than mere equipment.[4]

UNSC remarks[edit]

  • “D’ya think they’re compensating for something? I mean, look at the size of the damn thing—it’s bigger than my first apartment.”[4]
  • “It doesn’t have the room to accommodate a single passenger—and what do they do with their gear? Lash it on to the fenders?”[4]
  • “They don’t have a lot in the way of places you can stow your gear—it’s basically a huge engine with a little bucket tied to it for you to stick your ass in. And big golf delta blades bolted to it, can’t forget about the blades.”[4]
  • “All the markings are hand-painted. Well, at least they were on all the ones I’ve seen close up. I think the Type-25 is more of a status symbol for the Brutes—or maybe a mount—than it is a just another piece of equipment.”[4]
  • “Yeah, N’tho ‘Sraom basically confirmed that—said the riders held specific ranks outside the Covenant military hierarchy structure—that they’re more of a traditional unit like Cossacks or something.”[4]
  • “They’re not very fast, but they’re like zombies—every time you turn around there they are breathing down your neck! Don’t help that they’re built like tanks, either.”[4]
  • “With that big damn motor you’d think they’d really fly, wouldn’t you? I wonder if the Covenant romeo echo mike foxtrots slapped a governor on ‘em like our do with the warthog?”[4]
  • "Whatever kind of engine those Kongs put in there, it's heavy! You actually gotta pull the entire front end to one side to turn it!"[4]

Production notes[edit]

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The Chopper's origins lie in concept art produced for Halo 2, with a sketch produced by Eddie Smith showing a remarkable resemblance to the final design that would end up in the final build of Halo 3. The design retains the vehicle's general profile, with the only major difference being the inclusion of a canopy on the vehicle's aft.[15] For Halo 3, Bungie designed the chopper analogous to a motorcycle, considering it a vehicle for "tough guys".[16]

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 31
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Halo Waypoint, Chopper (Retrieved on Mar 19, 2021) [archive]
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 273
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Bungie.net, The Brute Chopper (Retrieved on May 11, 2012) [local archive] [external archive]
  5. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 242-243
  6. ^ a b c Halo: Contact Harvest, chapter 20
  7. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, chapter 14
  8. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, chapter 18
  9. ^ Halo Wars: Chopper in-game unit
  10. ^ a b Halo: Escalation, issue 1
  11. ^ Halo Wars
  12. ^ Halo 3
  13. ^ Halo 3: ODST
  14. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Chopper
  15. ^ VisualAtrium.net, Concept art: Eddie Smith's portfolio page (Retrieved on Mar 19, 2021) [archive]
  16. ^ Halo 3 Limited Edition documentary