M274R Mongoose

This article is about the Mongoose introduced in Halo: Reach, were you looking for the variant introduced in Halo 3, the M274 Mongoose, or the variant introduced in Halo 5: Guardians, the M290 Mongoose?

The M274R Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle (abbreviated M274R ULATV), commonly known as the Mongoose, is a United Nations Space Command light ground reconnaissance vehicle designed by AMG Transport Dynamics.

Overview
The M274R Mongoose is a variant of the M274 Mongoose quad bike. The Mongoose served in a variety of roles with the UNSC's ground forces, including as a courier, tow vehicle, and flight line support handler. The Mongoose#s heavy suspension can safely handle up to a metric ton of passengers and cargo, and MJOLNIR-clad Spartans made extensive use of it in the defense of Reach. Though rated for use by UNSC tactical and light armored vehicle units, it is neither armed nor armored. Non-Spartan personnel consider the Mongoose a deathtrap in combat, though there were situations when it was used in anti-tank and raiding roles; most notably with SPNKr-armed passengers providing heavy firepower while expertly trained drivers focused on not rolling over or being struck by Covenant plasma.

Design details
Like the M12 Warthog, the Mongoose is a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle capable of going over any obstacle without any difficulty. The vehicle is powered by a 1,000cc liquid-cooled, mid-engine mounted, four-stroke, hydrogen-injected ICE, allowing it to reach at a maximum speed of 95 km/h.

As the vehicle carries no armament of its own, having a passenger is essential if engaging in a combat zone. Due to its smaller profile, the Mongoose is a difficult target for both slow and fast moving enemy weaponry, as opposed to the Warthog, whose size is somewhat substantial. For quick and practical deployment, the Mongoose can be transported by a Pelican dropship.

M274-M Gungoose variant
The M274-M Gungoose is an armed variant of the Mongoose. Colloquially known as the "Gungoose", the M variant is armed with a pair of optional M67 light anti-infantry weapons.

Changes from the M274 Mongoose in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST to Halo Reach

 * The Mongoose handles better over rough terrain than its incarnation from Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST.
 * The chassis is more detailed and is slightly larger.
 * The windshield is absent, being replaced by a metal plate which features a mirror on either side.
 * When the Mongoose makes jumps, there is an effect of making the Mongoose appear as if it is traveling through the air very fast.
 * It is now possible to hijack a Mongoose.
 * In Forge mode, it is now possible to give the Mongoose red, blue, green, brown, yellow, pink, or purple decal. In team games, the mongoose is the color of the closest spawning team.

Changes from Halo: Reach to Halo 4

 * Like most vehicles in Halo 4, it has a slight graphical change, giving it more detail and texture look.
 * The color cannot be changed in Forge.
 * Handling has been further improved.

Changes from Halo 4 to Halo 2: Anniversary

 * The Gungoose is able to defend itself without the aid of passengers.

Trivia

 * A mongoose is used to refer to two types of carnivorous mammals, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming atmospheric vehicles after real animals, with the exceptions of the Cyclops and Gremlin, which are named after mythical creatures.
 * The M274M "Gungoose" variant was originally to be featured in Halo 2, but was cut; the vehicle was included years later in the remastered multiplayer component of Halo 2: Anniversary.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Halo: Mortal Dictata
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Hunt the Truth
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo: Fractures
 * Breaking Strain
 * Halo: Fireteam Raven