Phoenix Logs/UNSC Units/Mantis

Mark IX Armor Defense System

The Mantis is a combat vehicle used in a number of different configurations by

the UNSC and licensed security forces. The Mantis replaces the Warthog in

Sergeant Johnson's force. Its default weapon is a chaingun, which can target

both ground and air targets. The Missile/Shield Requisition upgrade increases

the number of missiles the Mantis can fire and adds energy shielding, while the

Gauss/Designator Requisition upgrade replaces the conventional chaingun with

a gauss repeater and adds a networked target designator. The target

designator allows the Mantis to "paint" a single unit and coordinate attacks

using the local battlenet, increasing all damage the target takes from friendly

units. Groups of Mantis walkers will smart target their designators.

Highly mobile, well-protected, air-droppable, and reconfigurable, the Mantis

represents the state-of-the—art in infantry walkers. Mantis units were

stationed at the Henry Lamb Research Outpost for site security, but many

were destroyed in the initial Banished attack. Well aware of their combat

potential, Isabel has begun producing a modified version of the Mantis for the

use of Spirit of Fire's ground forces, with adjustments to reuse parts produced

for the Cyclops and Colossus. While capable, these units lack the neural

interface control systems installed on contemporary UNSC models; a necessary

concession due to the Spirit of Fire's older manufacturing technology.