M9 Wolverine
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank | |
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| Production information | |
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Manufacturer: |
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| Technical specifications | |
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Length: |
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Width: |
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Height: |
4.5 meters (14.9 ft)[2] |
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Mass: |
11.3 metric tons (11.1 LT; 12.5 ST)[2] |
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Armament: |
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Crew: |
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In service: |
Insurrection - present[2] |
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Role(s): |
Tactical anti-air |
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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 developed by Ushuaia Armory.[1][2] It is employed by the United Nations Space Command for air-defense and as makeshift, close-ranged missile artillery against static targets.[3][4][5][6][7]
While classified as a "tank", the Wolverine is not designed as and does not operate in a manner akin to more conventional main battle tanks (MBTs) such as the Scorpion.[1] Its classification as a tank is instead rooted in historical development within the UNSC. The Wolverine (in particular, its general architecture and framework) was designed alongside more conventional MBTs, leading to the vestigial classification being applied despite not being representative of its true role.[3]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
The M9 Wolverine is a half-track vehicle designed primarily for air-defence roles. The chassis features a centrally-located operator cabin with a large viewscreen capable of seating the vehicle's three crew, with two wheels in the front for steering and a tread system in the back for movement power.[1] The aft half of the vehicle contains the vehicle's primary armament - the M260 Multiple Launch Rocket System, a 70mm missile launcher capable of firing a variety of munitions[2] and a development of the General Support Rocket Systems that have served alongside main battle tanks since the mid-twentieth century.[3] The Argent V missiles are the predominant munitions loaded in these launchers, and serve as a potent short-ranged anti-air missile system effective against Insurrectionist and Covenant light aircraft.[2] While not intended for the role, the M260 MLRS can be used in a limited role as close-ranged missile artillery - something typically ordered against static structures or as a last resort by desperate commanders.[1][3] The missile pods can be field-configured in a variety of mountings,[3] and can be reloaded via a mechanical system on the vehicle itself - with a small stockpile of missiles stored aboard.[7]
To the right side of the cabin is mounted a 60mm XM511 Heavy Grenade Launcher - a belt-fed weapon capable of targeting infantry and armour for the vehicle's defence in the event that it has no easily-available friendly support.[1][3][6]
In the field, Wolverines can be constructed at the vehicle depot and garage, deployable structures that can be constructed at a Firebase.
Variants[edit]
The Wolverine has a number of variants, with the launcher turret systems being field-configurable in a number of different mountings.[3] The vehicle would be updated and upgraded a number of times throughout the Human-Covenant War, leading to early-war and Insurrection-era Wolverines being classed as "fairly unsophisticated" compared to more contemporary models.[8]
The stock variant of the Wolverine is armed only with a single missile launcher, with seven Argent V missile silos arranged horizontally. An advanced upgrade of this replaces the single launcher with two duel M260 MLRS units, each bearing heavy resemblance to the Anaconda SAM upgrades available on the M5 Talos turret. The precise relation between these weapons is unclear.
- Vanguard Wolverine - This Wolverine variant is capable of detecting cloaked enemies, and are driven by more experienced crews.[9]
- 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 manoeuvrable anti-air vehicle that combines the M260 Multiple Launch Rocket System with infrared signature reduction and limited active camouflage technology.[11]
![A stock Wolverine bearing only one M260 MLRS.[1]](/File:WolverineHW.png)
