Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle: Difference between revisions

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==Specifications==

A Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle is only capable of safely holding a single occupant.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} Each SOEIV contains a variable number of weapons, ammunition, [[ration]]s, a radio, and can be used as a shelter if need be.<ref name="Xbox">'''Xbox 360 Magazine''', "Issue 35", ''pages 34-37''</ref> Dedicated SOEIV variants exist to deliver supply caches to ground forces, ranging from weapons and ammunition, to small light vehicles such as an [[M274 Mongoose|M274 ULATV Mongoose]], and even a [[Shiva-class nuclear missile]]. These SOEIVs are slightly larger in size.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 315''</ref>

In use for nearly a century,{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} SOEIVs allow for the rapid deployment of ground assault troops near or right onto an objective, a method known as "transorbital support interdiction".{{Ref/Reuse|wp odst}} Their smaller profiles make them more difficult to destroy by defensive fire than conventional [[dropship]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|HtF}} Despite the dangers related to SOEIV deployment, these drop pods have a lower overall casualty rate in combat than conventional dropship deployment. This is largely due to its occupants being conveyed separately, rather than together in one ship. SOEIVs can also be utilized by a spacecraft making a quick pass over a world, allowing for the deployment of hundreds of soldiers in quick succession.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc}} Drop pods have also seen use as ballistic projectiles, capable of destroying [[Blisterback]] artillery platforms.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjN1eWhzPeA '''Youtube''': ''Halo Wars 2 Official E3 Trailer'']</ref> Each pod bears the name of the soldier inside; amongst other things this identification could be used to identify the unfortunate occupant of a destroyed pod.{{Ref/Reuse|HtF}}

The SOEIV's ceramic skin burns away during atmospheric re-entry, protecting the rest of the pod and its occupant from the worst of the considerable heat.{{Ref/Reuse|bungie.net}} An alloy crash cage is there to keep the armor from ripping away and to replace the ceramic skin once it burns away.{{Ref/Reuse|htf53}} If the ceramic skin that covers a SOEIV is damaged before or during the pod's entry into atmosphere, it has a tendency to fail spectacularly; this often results in the air inside the pod becomes unbelievably hot, sometimes fatally so.{{Ref/Reuse|HtF}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc}} This is one of largest contributors for the SOEIV's relatively small size—the destruction of a single pod loss only results in one casualty rather than the deaths of the entire unit.{{Ref/Reuse|bungie.net}} As the pod's ceramic skin strips off, the interior of a SOEIV can reach temperatures as high as 37°C (98°F).{{Ref/Reuse|htf53}} At this point in the re-entry procedure, the pod is free-falling at terminal velocity.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} After the SOEIV has penetrated the atmosphere, at an altitude of 3,000 feet,{{Ref/Reuse|Xbox}} the upper exterior panels separate acting as a drag-type chute, slowing its descent some and helping to keep the pod on course. At approximately 50 meters, the SOEIV's computer-controlled braking rockets engage. The pod is significantly slowed down as its momentum is reduced, allowing for a safe though somewhat abrupt landing.{{Ref/Reuse|bungie.net}} Braking rockets and drag chutes on SOEIVs do fail on rare occasions, resulting in the pod's occupant's death upon impact. This cause of death is feared by every Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, and is referred to in hushed tones as "digging your own grave." For this reason, the pods are equipped with at least one backup drag chute that automatically deploys in case of primary failure.{{Ref/Reuse|htf53}}{{Ref/Reuse|bungie.net}}

[[File:Ariel drop.png|thumb|250px|right|SOEIV pods in [[Ariel]]'s lower atmosphere.]]

This variant is made by [[Ushuaia Armory]] and weighs 870kg.<ref>'''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo]]''', pages 50-51''</ref>

Following the end of the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC partnered with a number of military contractors to introduce an improved version of the venerable design. Aside from some minor aesthetic changes, the M9407 post-war pods include more reliable in-flight communications, more powerful maneuvering thrusters and limited inertial compensators, a new brake design, significantly improved structural integrity using new metal matrix composites, and thermal superconducting elements in the heatshield to protect occupants. The internal harness of post-war pods is also highly configurable, and compatible with ODST battledress and MJOLNIR-equipped Spartans.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-fighting-words '''Canon Fodder:''' ''Fighting Words'']</ref> This variant was used by the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.<ref>'''Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo''', page 42''</ref><ref>[[User talk:ScaleMaster117#Warfleet SOIEV designation|Steven Loftus clarifying the M9407 on his talk page]]</ref>

===Unknown variant===

This variant was used by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in [[2559]]<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]'''</ref>, alongside the variants seen above<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2: Operation: SPEARBREAKER]]'''</ref> to deploy ODSTs and Hellbringers.{{Ref/Reuse|Kinsano}} It bears resemblance to escape pods equipped on the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''' level, ''[[Dawn]]''</ref>, though it is unknown if the two share more than superficial similarities.

*The concept of dropping individual soldiers onto a planet from orbit in pods was popularized by [[Wikipedia:Robert A. Heinlein|Robert A. Heinlein]]'s novel ''[[Wikipedia:Starship Troopers|Starship Troopers]]''. SOEIVs in the ''Halo'' universe act similarly to those described in the book. The ODST and the book's Mobile Infantry's share the doctrine that officers should be into combat deployed ahead of enlisted personnel. Additionally, the ODST tradition of playing the [[Helljumpers' anthem|ODST anthem]] prior to a drop is similar to Mobile Infantry traditions in ''Starship Troopers'', with the anthem of the unit's respective troop ship played on their radios during mid drop.