R'shwupa-pattern Phantom

The Phantom gunboat is a Covenant exoatmospheric assault ship and a vacuum-sealed variant of the Phantom family outfitted for space-based engagements.

Design details
The Phantom gunboat is similar in design to the standard Type-52 Phantom Troop Carrier, but noticeably larger. However, the gunboat is used almost exclusively as a space combat craft rather than as a troop transport, though they have been seen capable of operating in-atmosphere. Despite this, however, standard Phantom gunships were also sometimes used during space engagements.

Armament
It is equipped with a chin-mounted heavy plasma cannon, four side-mounted, smaller heavy plasma cannons, swapping the standard Phantom's two attached plasma cannons with two on either side in place of the troop bay doors, and one aft plasma cannon. These weapons fire large plasma rounds similar to those of the normal "concussion" heavy plasma cannon. The gunboat is capable of emitting a powerful energy shield that can deflect missile attacks.

Operational history
Several Phantom gunboats assaulted the UNSC refit station Anchor 9 in Operation: UPPER CUT during the Fall of Reach. They were escorted by Type-31 Seraphs and Type-27 Banshees. All of the attacking gunboats were destroyed by a combination of Anchor 9's defensive guns, fire support from the, and the defending pilots, including SPARTAN-B312, who, along with the other pilots, defended the station in a FSS-1000 Sabre. Phantom gunboats were also used during the Battle for Earth, including the Battle of Mombasa with one such assault ship used to harass a M12B Warthog as John-117, operating the machine gun, opened fire upon the gunboat. Eight Phantom gunboats are carried by the Shadow of  Intent.

In 2554, Parg Vol used a Phantom gunboat as his personal transport during the Battle of Draetheus V. It was stolen by Spartan Sarah Palmer to reach X50 and kill Merg Vol. She later escaped from the moon on the ship.

Several Phantom gunboats were utilized by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant during the Battle of Installation 03.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo: Spartan Assault
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Terminals
 * Halo: Spartan Strike