M12 Warthog

"The Warthog is as much a part of the UNSC as boots, guns, and tasteless coffee."

- Halo Encyclopedia

The M12 Force Application Vehicle, more commonly known as the Warthog or simply the Hog, is a United Nations Space Command ground vehicle.

Overview
The M12 FAV Warthog is the UNSC's primary ground vehicle, used for its scouting and reconnaissance capacity, or as an integral part of a mechanized infantry unit; the M12 has been a part of the UNSC's armored vehicle fleet for fifty years, and is the most recognizable vehicle in their arsenal. It is a highly mobile, all-wheel-drive, all-wheel-steering, ICE-powered vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.

The M12 is a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle capable of going over any obstacle without difficulty; under the hood the M12's power is generated by a forward-housed low-profile liquid-cooled hydrogen-injected ICE I/C plant, coupled with an automatic infinitely variable transmission (IVT). The hydrogen fuel is burned at very high temperature with a synthetic carbon/silicon catalyst to achieve even better fuel consumption. This hydrogen engine is the standard among all UNSC ground based vehicles, replacing fossil fuel-based engines some 400 years ago. The M12 features a Graf/Hauptman solar/saline actuator, and will convert up to twelve liters of fresh, brackish or salt water into hydrogen on the fly, detritus is compacted on board, this allows the Warthog to travel 790 kilometers or 490 miles before it needs to be refueled. The M12 is a huge, unwieldy, difficult to steer vehicle – until a user learns how to drive it properly. With proper application of the hand, or "e-brake" the M12 can actually turn on a dime. Massive disc brakes and its automatic braking systems allow the vehicle to come to a near immediate, but controlled stop should the driver be ejected, or choose to leave the vehicle. The Warthog's tires have moved away from previous inert-gas pocket inflation with equally burst-proof single unit nanotube skeletons. They provide the buoyancy and ride of gas-pocket tires, but are almost indestructible. The relatively massive tires are a joint project between Michelin-Vance and AMG.

The M12's design places it into the jeep family of vehicles; it has no doors and has a total seating of two or three. The M12's description as a reconnaissance vehicle is, at best, an understatement; the M12 has both offensive and defensive capabilities. The M12 can be configured to become a troop carrier, armament carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, or communications vehicle. All M12-based vehicles are designed to travel both on and off-road, in all weather conditions.

Advantages
The M12 is the workhorse of light infantry ground vehicles, is adaptable to almost any situation, and is arguably the most customizable vehicle in the military's fleet, similar to the older jeeps used in the 20th century. It is able to reach top speeds of 125km/h (78 MPH) and, more importantly, swings around rapidly to allow the gunner a better angle on a prospective target. The mounted M41 chain gun can cut down heavily armored infantry within seconds, this also applies to shielded infantry as well. With enough controlled fire from the 12.7X99mm armor-piercing rounds, the M41 can easily rip through the armor of a Covenant Ghost and destroy it. The Warthog's titanium armor, though light, is tough enough to take at least one fragmentation grenade and keep rolling and can withstand small amounts of energy weapon fire. It also makes for an impervious scout and transportation vehicle, able to make a smooth getaway or rapid infiltration if needed.

Disadvantages
Due in part to its speed, the M12 is prone to roll over. It is vital that the driver can get in and out of dangerous situations without flipping the hard-to-right vehicle. The open nature of the Warthog always puts its driver and passengers at risk as a good marksman can easily take down the driver or passengers of the M12. A well thrown frag grenade can flip a Warthog, which will knock the driver and passenger out of the vehicle. Although the armor of the M12 is tough, a couple of direct hits from grenades or a well placed rocket will destroy it immediately. Covenant energy weapons are the biggest threat to the Warthog; a short burst from a Banshee's light plasma cannons is deadly, able to melt and punch through the armor with ease. The Warthog is also vulnerable to the Banshee's Fuel Rod Gun which can reduce the vehicle to twisted charred metal with one strike. Infantry plasma weapons can inflict moderate damage, and, like all vehicles, is rendered temporarily or permanently inoperable by a hit from an overcharged Plasma Pistol. The M41 LAAG is prone to overheating, which requires the person operating the weapon to use it in short bursts. Failing to operate the weapon carefully will leave the operator vulnerable as they wait for the chaingun to cool down.

Variants
The M12 Warthog can be configured for various roles including the M831 TT which eliminates the support weapon in favor of four side-facing passenger seats, the M864A with an enclosed passenger compartment and treads in place of wheels, the M914 RV equipped with a towing winch and a heavy duty motor and gear system, armament carrier, ambulance, or communications vehicle. All M12-based vehicles in service with the UNSC are designed to travel both on and off-road, in all weather conditions.

M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle
The M12 LRV/LAAG (Light Anti-Aircraft Gun) is the standard and most common M12 FAV variant employed by the UNSC in most of its operations. The Warthog sports a M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun capable of taking out light-armored flesh-based targets.

M12A1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle
The M12A1 Warthog LAAV is an anti-armor variant of the M12 FAV, identified by its black paint with yellow stripes and matching seats. The Warthog sports a 102mm SC-HE Rocket Turret, capable of delivering three rockets and taking out heavy-armored targets.

M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle
The M12G1 Warthog LAAV is an anti-armor variant of the M12 FAV, sporting a M68 Gauss Cannon as its primary armament. Like the M12A1, the M12G1 is designed to take out heavy-armored targets.

M12R Light Anti-Armor Vehicle
The M12R Warthog LAAV is an anti-armor variant of the M12 FAV, sporting a M79 Multiple Launch Rocket System as its primary armament. Like the M12A1, the M12R is designed to take out heavy-armored targets.

M831 Troop Transport
The M831 TT is the UNSC's troop transport vehicle. The Warthog is able to hold up to five UNSC infantrymen and transporting them to safety, or to the frontlines.

M864 Arctic
The M864 Arctic is camouflaged and outfitted specifically for expeditions in the Arctic. It can be found exclusively on the Halo 3 Legendary map, Avalanche.

M868 Tropic
The M868 Tropic is camouflaged and equipped specifically for tropical expeditions.

M914 Recovery Vehicle
The M914 RV is a faster, stripped down version of the Warthog, built for troop and equipment recovery.

Civilian Warthog
Due to the success of the Warthog in battle situations, a civilian variant, also known as the Hog, was mass-produced for public use. It can be seen in Halo 2, advertised on a billboard on the map, Headlong.

Flatbed Warthog
The Flatbed Warthog features a flatbed design with no seating or weaponry in the rear.

Warthog APC
The Warthog Armored Personnel Carrier is a United Rebel Front ground vehicle. It is essentially an M12 Warthog modified by the URF to include a heavily armored passenger section capable of carrying troops and supplies.

Missile Warthog
The Missile Warthog is a variant of the M12 FAV, sporting two Argent V missile racks as its primary armament.

Campaign

 * In Halo: Combat Evolved, a Warthog accompanied by a Marine gunner is the most effective way to take out the first Wraith in "Assault on the Control Room", making sure to avoid the ice and using hit and run tactics. Mow down Covenant infantry simultaneously if possible.
 * When making the final run in "The Maw", be sure to slow down when approaching the large down slopes, as you will risk losing control of the Hog and wasting precious seconds.
 * In Halo 2, the Warthog is one of the best vehicles to use on the level "Delta Halo" as it will allow you to take on Ghosts and not risk losing your Marine allies.
 * In Halo 2 and Halo 3, you can take out enemy Ghosts by ramming them head on at full speed as long as you are not going uphill. If done right, the hapless Ghost will explode as if it was rammed by a Chopper. In Halo: Combat Evolved, this tactic can be used to flip a Ghost, freeing it for use by you or your Marines.
 * In Halo 3, keep an eye on your motion tracker when Marines are driving Warthogs around you. They will hit you if you are not alert, usually lowering your shields, sometimes killing you. Be especially careful on "Tsavo Highway".
 * Take care when using the Warthog against other vehicles on Legendary. If you don't have a heavily armed passenger, they will kill you easily. Use weapons such as the Rocket Launcher or in Halo 3 the Spartan Laser, if you have no other vehicular option. Having a passenger with a weapon like the Rocket Launcher can destroy the vehicles or flip them and boot their occupants, making them easy kills.

Multiplayer

 * Always drive the Warthog at top speed or you may die rather quickly. Tell your gunner or if you are the gunner and are facing an enemy Warthog, shoot at the enemy gunner, not the Warthog itself.
 * Unless absolutely necessary, do NOT use the turret without a driver. You are just asking the other team to grenade you or snipe you. It is reasonable in a Gauss turret due to its lethal power, but change positions often or you could be easily overwhelmed.
 * Watch for grenades when driving the Warthog. A well timed grenade can flip you over or even kill you, so it is best to drive at a steady pace. However, a steady or slow pace means you are an easy target for rockets and plasma grenades.
 * It is very tempting to splatter enemies with the Warthog, try not to do this because it can get you hijacked or make you much more vulnerable to a Plasma Grenade stick. Instead, back away and let the gunner rip them to pieces.
 * If you turn your camera ninety degrees clockwise from the front of your Warthog before being hijacked, you have a one second chance to assassinate them and take back what's yours. Use this to get a nice, easy kill, assuming the hijack damage doesn't kill you. Likewise, the hijacker can turn their camera ninety degrees counter-clockwise from the front of the Warthog and quickly melee when the hijacking animation is done. This prevents them from being assassinated and will instantly kill the hijacked player.
 * Warthogs can be used as effective entrance jammers. This is especially useful in CTF, meaning they will have to either remove it or destroy it, giving you time to find out and eliminate them.
 * In Halo: CE and Halo 3, one of the best tactics to take down a rampant Warthog is to get as close to it as possible and stick it with a plasma grenade, the tactic is very difficult and has the greatest possible risk of killing you as well, however if the stick is successful, and destroys the vehicle, the sacrifice is worth it.
 * The Warthog is not the best vehicle to take out heavy tanks directly. The tank shots will easily blow up an overconfident Warthog. Flank the massive vehicle and pick off the tank's weak spot.
 * When circling an enemy base with your Warthog, it is usually best to drive clockwise around it. This puts more of the Warthog in between you and the enemy base, making it harder to be killed by light weaponry.
 * In most maps, for example "Blood Gulch", the map has some road like trenches in it, driving on these is highly recommended as this makes flipping less likely and the sides give you some cover from enemy attack. The only weakness is the length which is a lot longer as you are zig-zagging.
 * Beware, the Rocket 'Hog in the PC version of Halo: Combat Evolved has a minimum range below the turret to prevent the explosion injuring the operator, so unlike other variants using it as a turret on a high place is impractical, this also leads to a weak spot easily exploited by a crouching enemy.
 * If you have to do a tight turn while driving, a good tactic is to use the hand-brake. This causes the turn to be a lot smaller. This is also useful when trying to splatter an enemy trying to evade you.

Halo Wars
In Halo Wars, Warthogs are lightly armored, fast and nimble scout units. They are your first unit and do not have any damage capability other than running things over. Along with infantry units, they can be used to collect discovered resource crates. The turret can be bought at Tech Level I and at II, a grenadier rides passenger, and finally at Level III you may purchase the Gauss cannon. They cost 150 resources and are trained at the command center. They take up one population.


 * Gunner: 250 resources and requires a tech level of one. Adds a M41 Vulcan Light Anti-Aircraft Gun, giving them combat capabilities.
 * Grenadier : 500 resources and requires a tech level of two. Adds a marine riding shotgun with a XM510 Multishot Grenade Launcher.
 * Gauss Cannon: 800 resources and requires a tech level of three.

UNSC Remarks

 * "It's [the M12] sort of a bear to wheel around, but that's something you gotta expect – the thing is twice the size of my granddad's car – but it's something you get used to pretty damned quick."
 * "On the battlefield speed is life and the M12 has that in spades – having a great big damn gun don’t hurt, either."
 * "One word: handbrake."
 * "I have yet to come up against an obstacle that the Warthog couldn't go right over."
 * "The Sarge hates it when we ram stuff, says the 'Hog ain't indestructible. But it sure feels like it when you're plowing through a crowd of startled Grunts, though."
 * "The seats are unreal! I was thinking of pulling a set out of a parts vehicle and shipping them home...but the wife shut it down – says everyone would be able to tell where they came from."
 * "Look at these legs – pretty nice, huh? It’s totally from getting in and out'a the 'Hog's thirty-six inch damn step height."

Miscellaneous

 * WETA Workshop, based in New Zealand, built a full-scale, operating, accurate Warthog. It has several numbers on it, some possibly pertaining to that specific model or maybe even that specific Warthog, including, but not limited to, 5c8611, N/AAV-20, and others. WETA's Warthog is accurate in every function, including a "working" minigun, four-wheel steering, digital displays, air bags, and the ability to "crab crawl". If you look at the driver's side of the windscreen, there are stamps portraying the number and type of Covenant troops killed. It can be seen in the short film Halo: Arms Race. Some of the team members of Bungie were given the chance to drive the WETA Workshop's Warthog. Three members of the Bungie team were driving the Warthog around a parking lot when they scraped the side of it on a small wooden structure built onto the side of a wall.
 * A remote control toy Warthog was one of the first Xbox 360 Avatar accessories available after the August 11, 2009 dashboard update that introduced Avatar accessories. It is available from the Xbox Live Avatar shop for 320 Microsoft Points, under Halo 3: ODST-themed accessories. It appears to be the standard M12 recon variant with a LAAG on the back.
 * Three ODSTs or Marines can quickly and effortlessly flip Warthogs all by themselves in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, despite not possessing the super-human strength of SPARTAN-IIs, Brutes or Elites, though this is admittedly just for gameplay reasons and is likely not canon.
 * The Warthog was originally going to be a Humvee-like vehicle in the early stages of development of Halo: Combat Evolved.
 * During Halo 2's development Bungie considered more specialized warthog variants including a "Snow", "Jungle" and "Transport" Warthog. Eventually, the "Snow" and "Transport" variants are featured in Halo 3, although with major design changes.
 * The passenger seat aiming system was changed from Halo: Combat Evolved to the one in Halo 2. In Halo: Combat Evolved, the passenger views everything in first-person. It was changed to third-person in Halo 2 and remains unchanged ever since.
 * In Halo: Combat Evolved, the windshield of the Warthog will deflect plasma grenades thrown at it from the front.
 * In the original game, Warthogs were decently powerful units, but their easy-to-build nature made them likely candidates for rushing, which plagued the Halo Wars online multiplayer after its release. To address this in an update Robot made them easier to kill and weaker.

Related Links

 * Warthog Jump
 * "Spectre" - Covenant Separatist equivalent
 * Prowler - Covenant Loyalist equivalent
 * Revenant

M12 Warthog