M12R Rocket Warthog

Rocket Warthog redirects here. For the Halo: Combat Evolved Rocket Warthog, see M12A1 Warthog.

"It's a Warthog with rockets and it is awesome."

— Bungie.net^[1]

The M12R Light Anti-Aircraft Vehicle^[2], abbreviated as M12R LAAV and commonly referred to as the Missile Warthog, Rocket Warthog,^[2] or Rockethog,^[3] is a UNSC ground vehicle. It is a variant of the M12 Force Application Vehicle that features a mounted M79 Multiple Launch Rocket System^[2]^[4] or its M80 successor.^[5]

Design details

The M12R LAAV is designed to quickly and efficiently defeat lightly armored vehicles such as the Type-48 Revenant and the Type-32 Ghost. The M12R LAAV differs from the basic M12 LRV only in its armament, a single M79 Multiple Launch Rocket System which fires six 65mm Argent V rockets per volley every two to three seconds. The M79 MLRS' rockets are capable of achieving target lock on aircraft, though they cannot lock onto ground vehicles.

Operational history

During the UNSC's counterattack against the Covenant at Szurdok Ridge during the Fall of Reach in August 12, 2552, an M12R was deployed with a single soldier mounted on the rocket launcher for use by NOBLE Team's Kat-B320 and SPARTAN-B312 after their M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle had been destroyed and they had to fend off Covenant infantry and turrets.^[6]

During the hostilities with the reformed Covenant, many of these vehicles participated in the battle and campaign fought on the Forerunner shield world Requiem in 2557 and 2558, respectively. Several were used by Fireteam Crimson during their missions, including the clearing of the location known as Quarry and the defense of Cauldron Base.^[7]

Variants

Corp Rocket Warthog - A few credits in the right hands and even a missile platform can be ruled to have a legitimate use by corporate entities. Features extra armor and is used by the Liang Dortmund Corporation.^[8]
Tundra Rocket Warthog - A tundra camouflaged variant used by the UNSC. Features better armor than the Corp Hog.^[8]
Urban Rocket Warthog - An urban camouflaged variant used by the UNSC. Features better armor than the Corp Hog.^[8]
Woodland Rocket Warthog - A woodland camouflaged variant used by the UNSC. Features better armor than the Corp Hog.^[8]
ONI Rocket Warthog - ONI Rocket Warthogs use multi-role missiles that can lock on to both ground and air targets. Features better armor than the camouflaged models.^[8]
Vespin Warthog - UNSC expeditionary forces allied with Arbiter Thel 'Vadam's Swords of Sanghelios conduct joint patrols to monitor and defend the Sanghelios badlands from Covenant remnants and Created scouts. Named after a particularly deadly pseudo-arachnid that often lairs in the ancient temple complexes used as staging areas, the Vespin Warthog can deal a deadly defensive sting against any local predator, living or construct. The Vespin M-12 is an improved Warthog with high-acceleration rockets and faster reload time.^[9]

Corp Rocket Warthog.
Tundra Rocket Warthog.
Urban Rocket Warthog.
Woodland Rocket Warthog.
ONI Rocket Warthog.
The Vespin Warthog.

Trivia

Breakpoint was the first map map to feature this vehicle in matchmaking.
An NPC manning the turret is capable of firing 1 to 5 rockets individually if it chooses, where as the player is committed to firing all 6 rockets once the trigger is pulled.^{[verification needed]}