M274 Mongoose

Summary
The Marines' fastest ground vehicle is the M274 ULTRA-LIGHT ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE or the Mongoose. Essentially four wheels and an engine, this ATV can travel very fast over nearly all types of terrain. There is also a passenger seat on the rear, behind the driver. With no weapons on board, the passenger must use his own weapons for defense. It serves a similar purpose to the Covenant Ghost.

Technical Data
Top speed: 60 mph / 96 kph Mpg: Between 45 and 65 (depending on load) Power plant: 1000cc liquid-cooled, longitudinally mounted, four-stroke, hydrogen-injected ICE Weight: 896 lbs / 406 kg

Strategy
Due to the speed of the Mongoose, it is said to be a very good vehicle for objective based games, such as CTF and Assault. Although passengers are very exposed to small arms fire, it is usually moving too fast to hit, unless your enemy gets a lucky shot with a Rocket Launcher, Spartan Laser, or gets a headshot with a Sniper Rifle. It is not made for an aggressive strike against your enemy, but rather a quick recon run or flag snatch.

Other Notes
This vehicle did not make it into the final version of Halo 2 because the prototype version did not behave as well as Bungie wanted, but it will appear in Halo 3 as a vehicle for both singleplayer campaign and multiplayer.

During an Electronic Monthly interview with Bungie, riding the rear of a Mongoose was termed "Riding Brokeback."

It is said to be very similar in control to the Warthog.