M9 Wolverine
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank | |
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Manufacturer: |
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Model: |
M9 |
| Technical specifications | |
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Length: |
25.9 feet (7.9 meters)[1] |
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Width: |
14.5 feet (4.4 meters)[1] |
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Armament: |
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Crew: |
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In service: |
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Role(s): |
Self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery |
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Affiliation: |
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The M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank (MAAT), commonly referred to as the Wolverine, is a half-track anti-air vehicle used by the United Nations Space Command. It is manufactured by Ushuaia Armory.[1][2][3][4][5]
Overview
History
As its name suggests, the M9 MAAT is designed for anti-air combat. It is not a tank in the traditional sense, rather using a half-track design which enables it to operate in rough terrain; it received the "tank" moniker due to its development alongside the UNSC's main battle tanks, as well as due to its general architecture and framework.[1][5] After serving in the Insurrection, the Wolverine was used to great effect in the Human-Covenant War, most prominently during military engagements on Harvest, Arcadia, Dwarka, Jericho VII, Miridem, Troy[1] and Concord.[6]
After the Human-Covenant War, the Wolverine was used in the Battle of Draetheus V against Merg Vol's Covenant forces.[7]
Design
The Wolverine's primary armament is the M260 Multiple Launch Rocket System,[1] a development of the General Support Rocket Systems that have served alongside main battle tanks since the mid-twentieth century.[5] This weapon possesses two pods of Argent V surface-to-air missiles that are located on either side of the driver and gunner seats; the weapon can be upgraded with two additional, smaller pods. These missiles are specialized to target and deliver their warhead to an aircraft with great speed and maneuverability. The missile pods are quite large and can be reloaded via a mechanical system in the Wolverine, which stores a small supply of missiles onboard.[5][8]
The laser tracking[9] targeting systems and anti-air capabilities of the Wolverine are virtually peerless, but it can also angle its missile pods to launch missiles at ground targets, preferably stationary targets or structures;[1] because of this, Wolverines are sometimes used to provide indirect anti-armor support when main battle tanks are unavailable.[5] Although aircraft pose little threat, the Wolverine is quite vulnerable to ground-based anti-armor weaponry.[8][9][1]
The driver has the use of a pivoting XM511 Heavy Grenade Launcher for defense from ground attacks. This weapon is deadly against infantry and quite powerful against light vehicles, but the Wolverine requires combined arms support for defense from heavier targets.[1][8][9]
Variants
- Vanguard Wolverine - This Wolverine variant is capable of detecting Cloaked enemies. In Blitz mode, this unit has the "Rush" ability, which means it suffers no deployment fatigue when deployed.
- Arctic Wolverine - The arctic variant of the Wolverine is equipped with a modified drive-train system to allow for better maneuverability in harsh arctic regions, as well as additional insulation and region-specific camouflage for sub-zero ambush tactics unknown to Covenant forces.[10]
- Covert Ops Wolverine - The Covert Ops Wolverine is a highly maneuverable anti-air vehicle that combines the M260 Multiple Launch Rocket System with IR signature reduction and limited Active Camo technology.[11]
Blitz card of Vanguard Wolverines.
Arctic Wolverine.
Covert Ops Wolverine.
Gameplay
Halo Wars
- "This new UNSC vehicle has a specialized role: anti-aircraft.The Wolverine's surface-to-air missiles enemy aircraft and buildings, but its virtually defenseless against powerful enemy ground units, so you'll have to protect it. A potent counter-punch to enemy Banshees."
- — GamePro, July 2008 Edition
Available inside the vehicle depot, the Wolverine can be built when reaching tech level 3 at a price of 300 resources and two population slots per unit. It also has two upgrades:
- Volley: Wolverines can launch a barrage attack that engages both air and ground targets. This upgrade requires 400 resources and a tech level of 3.
- Dual Launchers: Increases the number of missile launchers for more damage. This upgrade costs 900 resources and requires a tech level of 4.
Halo Wars 2
- Info: Anti-Air, Detects cloaked units, Mid-range missiles, Light armor
- Tier: 2
- Cost: Population 4, Supplies 150, Power 180
Unlike its Halo Wars counterpart, the Wolverine has no upgrades, instead having the dual launchers by default. The Wolverine can be built at a garage for every UNSC leader. While effective against aircraft, they do poorly against infantry, vehicles, and structures. In Blitz Wolverines cost 40 energy, while Vanguard Wolverines cost 70 energy.
Pros
- Effective against air unit
- Cheap to manufacture
Cons
- Weak against all ground units
- Does not have abilities.
Trivia
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
- A wolverine is a carnivorous mammal, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming vehicles after real animals.
- In Halo Wars, the Wolverine bears a swivel mount for the XM511 grenade launcher even before the weapon is installed. The grenade launcher is absent in Halo: Spartan Assault, making the vehicle defenseless against ground attacks in the level Reinforcement of the Perch.
- The Wolverine also bears a striking resemblance to the G.I. Joe missile tank of the same name, having a similar role and design.
- In an interview with Gamespot, Halo Wars lead writer Graeme Devine claimed that the Martian factory responsible for producing the Wolverine was bombed by Insurrectionists in 2535, halting further production of the vehicle. However, Halo: The Essential Visual Guide establishes Reach-based Ushuaia Armory as the Wolverine's manufacturer and makes no mention of the insurgent attack. Even if one of Ushuaia's factories on Mars were indeed destroyed, the company would still have access to their facilities on Reach and likely other planets, negating Devine's suspect explanation.
Gallery
Concept art of the Wolverine for Halo Wars.
Concept art of the Wolverine.
Concept art of the Wolverine's XM511 grenade launcher.
Concept art of the Wolverine.
Concept art of the Wolverine,
A high-poly render of the Wolverine from Halo Wars.
Another high-poly render.
A wireframe view of the Wolverine.
An early version of the Wolverine in Halo Wars.
Wolverine in Halo Wars.
A Wolverine outfitted with an XM511 grenade launcher.
Renders of the Wolverine.
An M9 Wolverine on Harvest.
A Wolverine with dual launchers.
A group of SP42 Cobras with a group of M9 Wolverines.
Spartan Edward Davis escorting a pair of Wolverines in Halo: Spartan Assault.
A stock M9 Wolverine.
Halo Wars 2 concept art.
An M9 Wolverine in the Halo Wars 2 Open Beta.
A Blitz card of a Wolverine in Halo Wars 2.
List of appearances
- Halo Wars (First appearance)
- Halo: Spartan Assault
- Halo: Ground Command
- Halo Wars 2
- Halo: The Rubicon Protocol
- Winter Contention (Mentioned only)
Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 205
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 239
- ^ Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide, page 44
- ^ Official Halo Wars Community Site: Vehicle Depot - Wolverine
- ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint: M9 Wolverine MAAT (defunct, backup on Archive.org)
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Halo Infinite: Season 02 Lone Wolves - Story & Intel (Retrieved on Oct 4, 2022) [archive]
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault
- ^ a b c HaloWars: Wolverine
- ^ a b c HaloWars, Wolverine Concept Art
- ^ Mega Construx - UNSC Arctic Wolverine 96852
- ^ Mega Construx - Covert Ops: UNSC Wolverine 97072
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