M12 Warthog

"The Warthog is as much a part of the UNSC as boots, guns, and tasteless coffee."

— Halo Encyclopedia

The M12 Force Application Vehicle, more commonly known as the Warthog or simply the Hog, is a United Nations Space Command ground vehicle.^[1]^[2] Due to its versatility, the base M12 platform lends itself to many variants, the most ubiquitous model fielded by the UNSC Defense Force being the M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle, which is equipped with a turret-mounted machine gun for a basic defensive capability.

Specifications

Overview

The M12 FAV Warthog is the UNSC's primary ground vehicle, used for its scouting and reconnaissance capacity, or as an integral part of a mechanized infantry unit; the M12 has been a part of the UNSC's armored vehicle fleet for fifty years, and is the most recognizable vehicle in their arsenal. It is a highly mobile, all-wheel-drive, all-wheel-steering, hydrogen-injected ICE-powered vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.^[2]

Design details

The M12 is a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle capable of going over any obstacle without difficulty; under the hood the M12's power is generated by a forward-housed low-profile liquid-cooled hydrogen-injected ICE I/C plant, coupled with an automatic infinitely variable transmission (IVT).^[3] The hydrogen fuel is burned at very high temperature with a synthetic carbon/silicon catalyst to achieve even better fuel consumption. This hydrogen engine is the standard among all UNSC ground (and most air) based vehicles, replacing fossil fuel-based engines some 400 years ago. The M12 features a Graf/Hauptman solar/saline actuator, and will convert up to twelve liters of fresh, brackish or salt water into hydrogen on the fly. Detritus from the process is compacted on board and disposed of manually by the crew. This allows the Warthog to travel 790 kilometers or 490 miles before it needs to be refueled, a range that can be easily extended by the addition of any container capable of holding liquid. Older models boast a fully independent swing-arm suspension system and four in-hub wheel motors.^[4]

The M12 is a huge, unwieldy, difficult to steer vehicle – until a user learns how to drive it properly. With proper application of the hand, or "e-brake" the M12 can actually turn on a dime. Massive disc brakes and its automatic braking systems allow the vehicle to come to a near immediate, but controlled stop should the driver be ejected, or choose to leave the vehicle. The Warthog's tires have moved away from previous inert-gas pocket inflation with far more resiliant and superiouly burst-proof single unit nanotube skeletons. They provide the buoyancy and ride of gas-pocket tires, but are almost indestructible, allowing the M12 to easily roll through situations that would leave other vehicles disabled and vulnerable. The relatively massive tires are a joint project between Michelin-Vance and AMG.^[4]

The M12's design places it into the jeep family of vehicles; it has no doors and has a total seating of two or three in the base model. The M12's description as a "force application vehcile" is spectacularly accurate; the M12 has both offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as intel gathering and supply transport and practically any other task that can be accomplished by a wheeled vehicle. The M12 can be configured to become a troop carrier, armament carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, or communications vehicle. All M12-based vehicles are designed to travel both on and off-road, in all weather conditions.^[2]

2554 model

An M12 FAV traversing in one of UNSC Infinity's hangar bays.

The 2554 model of the Warthog entered service in late 2552.^[5] Unlike the models used throughout the Human-Covenant War, the 2554 model uses a swing-axle system, a redesigned transmission and drive shafts, and constant-velocity joints.^[4] This version features a more angular body style, utility bars over the hood and around the bed, and several other largely cosmetic changes. Newer Warthogs typically carry several Jerrycans filled with water to be rendered into hydrogen for the engine.^[3]

Advantages

The M12 is the workhorse of light infantry ground vehicles, is adaptable to almost any situation, and is arguably the most customizable vehicle in the military's fleet similar to jeeps used in the 20th century. It is able to reach top speeds of 125km/h (78 MPH) and, more importantly, swings around rapidly to allow the gunner a better angle on a prospective target. The mounted M41 chain gun can cut down heavily armored infantry within seconds, as well as shielded infantry. With enough controlled fire from the 12.7X99mm armor-piercing rounds, the M41 can easily rip through the armor of a Covenant Ghost and destroy it. The Warthog's titanium armor, though light, is tough enough to take at least one fragmentation grenade and can withstand small amounts of energy weapon fire. It also makes for a formidable scout and transportation vehicle, able to make a smooth getaway or rapid infiltration if needed.

Disadvantages

Due in part to its speed, the M12 is prone to roll over. It is vital that the driver can get in and out of dangerous situations without flipping the hard-to-right vehicle. The open nature of the Warthog always puts its driver and passengers at risk as a good marksman can easily take down the driver or passengers of the M12. A well thrown frag grenade can flip a Warthog, which will knock the driver and passenger out of the vehicle. Although the armor of the M12 is tough, a couple of direct hits from grenades or a well placed rocket will destroy it immediately. Covenant energy weapons are the biggest threat to the Warthog; a short burst from a Banshee's light plasma cannons is deadly, able to melt and punch through the armor with ease. The Warthog is also vulnerable to the Banshee's Fuel Rod Gun which can reduce the vehicle to twisted charred metal with one strike. Infantry plasma weapons can inflict moderate damage, and, like all vehicles, can be rendered temporarily or permanently inoperable by a hit from an overcharged Plasma Pistol. In Halo: Reach and Halo 4, the M41 and M46 (respectivly) LAAGs are prone to overheating, which requires the person operating the weapon to use it in short bursts. Failing to operate the weapon carefully will leave the operator vulnerable as they wait for the machine gun to cool down.^[6] The M12 is very vulnerable to small arms fire, mainly due to the crew's exposed possitions, most specifically the highly-placed turret mount. Though the turret's armor (and near-constant stream of 12.7mm rounds) is a heavy deterent, a skilled soldier with an accurate weapon can eliminate the crew easily enough.

Variants

The M12 Warthog can be configured for various roles: examples include the M831 TT, which eliminates the support weapon in favor of four side-facing passenger seats; the M864A, with an enclosed passenger compartment and treads in place of wheels; or the M914 RV, equipped with a towing winch and a heavy duty motor and gear system, armament carrier, ambulance, or communications vehicle. All M12-based vehicles in service with the UNSC are designed to travel both on- and off-road, and in all weather conditions.

Other models

M864 Arctic

The M864 Arctic is camouflaged and outfitted specifically for expeditions in the Arctic.^[7] It can be found exclusively on the Halo 3 Legendary map, Avalanche.

M868 Tropic

The M868 Tropic is camouflaged and equipped specifically for tropical expeditions.^[7]

M914 Recovery Vehicle

The M914 RV is a faster, stripped down version of the Warthog, built for troop and equipment recovery.^[7]

Gameplay tactics

Campaign

It is recommended for the player to be accompanied by an AI gunner. Also, as they are programmed in the game, have excellent accuracy and, in most situations, can quickly eliminate enemy infantry and vehicles almost without fail.
It is often advised for the player to switch Warthogs if they see a heavier-armed Warthog (i.e. Gauss, Rocket) as they would provide a more lethal method to eliminate the enemy personnel and vehicles.
Take care when using the Warthog against other vehicles on Legendary. Without any heavily-armed passengers, the enemy AIs can kill the player easily. It is advised to have the passenger to be equipped with a Rocket Launcher or a Spartan Laser.
The Warthog is the second strongest vehicle for ramming a Shade Turret.
With a gunner, the Warthog is very effective against Ghosts, but still weak against Choppers.

Multiplayer

Do not slow down when driving the Warthog. A slow Warthog can become an easy prey to hijacking and can be quickly be destroyed with explosives.
Always remind the gunner to focus on the enemy vehicle's gunner instead of the driver. This will eliminate any counter-offensive and make it easier to eliminate the enemy vehicle.
The M12 is very versatile vehicle; it can evade explosives rounds fired by the enemy if the driver is experienced with the vehicle (using the hand-brake) and the terrain (avoiding locked-on missiles with a scenery object). For example, an experienced driver could avoid a grenade explosion by skidding around the grenade instead of going straight over it.
The Warthog is not the best vehicle to engage head on with a tank. Should the players find it necessary to remove the threat, it is advised to utilize an anti-armor Warthog instead of the anti-infantry Warthog. Additionally, flanking the tank as to diverting its attention would provide a window of opportunity for the anti-armor Warthog to destroy the tank.
Unless absolutely necessary, do not use the turret without a driver. A gunner in a stationary Warthog is more easily exposed to attacks than those in a moving Warthog; one such instance is that a gunner can be quickly eliminated by sniper fire. It is reasonable in a Gauss turret due to its lethal power, but change positions often or the player could be easily overwhelmed.
It is very tempting to splatter enemies with the Warthog. However, do not attempt to do so as the Warthog would be more likely be susceptible to a Plasma Grenade stick. In some cases, the Warthog could fall prey to a heavily-armed opponent.
Warthog can be used as effective entrance jammers. Additionally, it is often recommended for the driver to drive the Warthog in an irregular behavior when circling around an enemy base.
In most maps, for example "Blood Gulch", the map has some road like trenches in it, driving on these is highly recommended as this makes flipping less likely and the sides give the player some cover from enemy attack.

Halo Wars

In Halo Wars, Warthogs are lightly armored, fast and nimble scout units. They are player's first unit and do not have any damage capability other than running things over. Along with infantry units, they can be used to collect discovered resource crates. A Warthog cost 150 resources to construct at the command center and a unit takes up one population.

Gunner: 250 resources and requires a tech level of one. Adds a M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun, giving them combat capabilities.
Grenadier : 500 resources and requires a tech level of two. Adds a grenadier armed with a XM510 Multishot Grenade Launcher.
Gauss Cannon: 800 resources and requires a tech level of three. Replaces the M41 LAAG with a M68 ALIM.

UNSCDF personnel remarks

"It's [the M12] sort of a bear to wheel around, but that's something you gotta expect – the thing is twice the size of my granddad's car – but it's something you get used to pretty damned quick."
"On the battlefield speed is life and the M12 has that in spades – having a great big damn gun don’t hurt, either."
"One word: handbrake."
"I have yet to come up against an obstacle that the Warthog couldn't go right over."
"The Sarge hates it when we ram stuff, says the 'Hog ain't indestructible. But it sure feels like it when you're plowing through a crowd of startled Grunts, though."
"The seats are unreal! I was thinking of pulling a set out of a parts vehicle and shipping them home...but the wife shut it down – says everyone would be able to tell where they came from."
"Look at these legs – pretty nice, huh? It’s totally from getting in and out'a the 'Hog's thirty-six inch damn step height."

Trivia

Production notes

The Warthog was originally going to be a Humvee-like vehicle in the early stages of development of Halo: Combat Evolved.^[8]
WETA Workshop, based in New Zealand, built a two-third-scale, operating Warthog. It has several numbers on it, some possibly pertaining to that specific model or maybe even that specific Warthog, including, but not limited to, 5c8611, N/AAV-20, and others. WETA's Warthog is almost accurate in every function, including a "working" minigun, four-wheel steering, digital displays, air bags, and the ability to "crab crawl". Stamps portraying the number and type of Covenant troops killed can be seen on the dash. This Warthog is featured in the Halo: Landfall live-action film series.^[9]
- Some Bungie employees were given the chance to drive WETA Workshop's Warthog. Three members of the Bungie team were driving the Warthog around a parking lot when they scraped the side of it on a small wooden structure built onto the side of a wall.^[10]
During Halo 2's development, Bungie considered creating more specialized warthog variants including arctic, transport, and jungle models. The first two models were later featured in Halo 3 as the M864 Arctic and the M831 Troop Transport, respectively, while the latter model was named in the Halo Encyclopedia as the M868 Tropic.

Miscellaneous

A warthog is a wild member of the pig family that lives in Africa, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming ground-based vehicles after real animals, with the exceptions of the Cyclops and Gremlin, which are named after mythical creatures.
A remote-controlled toy Warthog was one of the first Xbox 360 Avatar accessories available after the August 11, 2009 dashboard update that introduced Avatar accessories. It is available from the Xbox Live Avatar shop for 320 Microsoft Points, under Halo 3: ODST-themed accessories.
In Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo: Reach, the Warthog's tires are printed with the word PUMA. This is a reference to an episode of Red vs Blue's in which Simmons and Grif argue with Sarge about whether to call the vehicle a Puma or Warthog.
The Halo 4 Warthog is featured in Forza Motorsport 4, although it is not drivable.^[11]
- As stated in its Forza depiction, multiple Warthogs are still operational after the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn's crash in Requiem. ^[12]

Gallery

Concept art of John-117 sliding over a Warthog's canopy in Halo 4.
A render of a Warthog in Halo: Combat Evolved.
A render of a Warthog in Halo 2.
A scout Warthog in Halo Wars.
The Halo 4 Warthog as it appears in Forza Motorsport 4.
A rough model of the Warthog, used in background battles.
Various Warthog models in Halo: Reach.
The Warthog's dashboard in Halo: Combat Evolved.
The Warthog's dashboard in Halo 3.
The Warthog's dashboard in Halo: Reach.
The Warthog's dashboard in Halo 4.
View of the Warthog's tusk-like tow cable in Halo 4.
The Warthog's liquid-cooled hydrogen-injected ICE engine.
"Puma" written along the rim of a Warthog's tire.
A formation of Warthogs leading an assault against Covenant forces during the Fall of Reach.
A 3D development model of the Warthog in Halo 4.