Zurdo-pattern Wraith: Difference between revisions

|image={{tabcontainer|title1=Zurdo-pattern|content1=[[File:H3-T26WraithAGC.png|250px]]|title2=Alt. Chassis|content2=[[File:HReach-T26WraithAGC.png|250px]]}}

|manufacturer=*[[Assembly Forges]] (pre-Great Schism)

*[[Lodam Armory]] (post-Human-Covenant War) {{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}

|length={{Convert|8.8|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

|width={{Convert|9.2|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

|mass={{Convert|47|MT}}<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', page 247</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

|max speed= 82 km/h (51 mph)<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/VEHICLES/WRAITH '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo Universe: Wraith'']</ref>

|engine=[[Boosted gravity propulsion drive]]<ref>''[[Halo 2: Special Collector's Edition Manual]]'', page 17</ref>

|hull=Nearly 2 ft polymer plating (61 cm){{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}

|armament=*[[Heavy plasma mortar|Type-26 35cm Directed Energy Mortar]] (1)<ref name="H4EVG">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', page 117</ref>

|crew=*1 driver

*1 gunner  

The '''Zurdo-pattern Mortar Tank'''{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=275}} {{Type|26|Assault Gun Carriage|AGC}},{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}} more commonly known as the '''Wraith''', is the [[Covenant]]'s main armoured infantry support/assault gun vehicle for ground engagements.  

The Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage is the primary armored ground vehicle used by the Covenant.<ref>'''[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25444 Bungie.net Halo: Reach Ordnance Page]'''</ref> The Covenant deploys Wraiths in tactical ground engagements, where they serve in both anti-infantry and anti-armor roles. The Wraith's firepower also makes it ideal for destroying structures<ref name="H2spec">'''[[Halo 2: Special Collector's Edition Manual]]''', ''page 17''</ref> in the way of ground forces attempting to advance in an area.

Like all Covenant ground vehicles, the Wraith is sleek, bulbous and more reminiscent of an aircraft than a traditional ground vehicle. The Wraith is divided into four main sections: chassis, fins, rudders, and plasma mortar. The chassis houses the cockpit, which includes movement, targeting and firing controls. Holographic control surfaces and displays show the pilot a 360-degree view outside the Wraith.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' ''page 113''</ref> Underneath the cockpit is a [[boosted gravity propulsion drive]],<ref name="h2manual">'''Halo 2 Manual''' ''page 19''</ref> which propels the Wraith and keeps it suspended a short distance above the ground. The Wraith's engine vents excess heat and plasma through an exhaust port at the rear of the vehicle; this port is one of the more vulnerable spots on the Wraith. The wide, sweeping fins at the front of the vehicle stabilize the vehicle on uneven terrain, as well as provide extra thrust during a boost.{{Ref/Reuse|h2manual}} At the rear of the Wraith are two rudders, which control the turning of the vehicle using independent propulsion drives. The fourth major component is the Wraith's main weapon, a heavy plasma mortar, which rests above and behind the cockpit and can be retracted within the main body. The entirety of the Wraith is covered by nearly two feet of armor plating, which is composed of a polymer that is still poorly understood by human physicists.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}  

The main weapon of the Wraith is its 35&nbsp;cm [[plasma mortar]].<ref>'''Halo: Reach Manual''', ''page 9''</ref> The Wraith's mortar is attached to a fixed mounting, meaning that a Wraith must be facing its target in order to hit it.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}} The plasma mortar works by creating a magnetically encapsulated blob of superheated plasma and firing it at a relatively low velocity. Once fired, the bolt is magnetically guided in a ballistic trajectory until it strikes the ground or target. When the bolt hits, the magnetic bubble collapses and the plasma rapidly expands from its compressed state, creating a superheated explosion that will vaporize everything within twenty meters of impact.<ref name="strike">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 112''</ref> Titanium battleplate, concrete, or flesh is instantly obliterated by the blast. Anything just outside of the kill zone is at risk of injury or death — after the initial impact, the plasma begins to cool and thermal expansion takes over, creating a wave of fire traveling outward that can travel away from the initial blast zone. Infantry within range can sustain burns and heat trauma. The explosion also generates a large amount of concussive force, which can splinter bones and destroy vital organs.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[Palace Hotel]]", ''page 351''</ref> Flammable materials are especially at risk of igniting due to the intense heat release and can cause further damage. Once the heat from the explosion dissipates, the blast zone will have been converted into a glass-smooth surface - much like the swaths of vitrified soil created by "[[glassing]]".

With the exception of the [[Scarab]], the Wraith is the Covenant's most destructive mobile armor. Its huge bulk is well shielded from small arms fire, and it is resistant to medium explosive weapons. Its ability to be deployed with the aid of dropships makes insertions into the battlefield fairly easy. Its plasma mortar can easily decimate infantry and vehicles alike, and its destructive powers are so well known to UNSC forces that the mere sight of one on the battlefield can induce psychological effects.{{Ref/Reuse|strike}} One of the benefits is the mortar function due to the trajectory that can suppress any incoming enemy from behind the wall, or those who are stationed at the rooftop that can't be reached by a Scorpion Tank's trajectory. While it's not suitable for head to head battle, it is most suitable to conduct a suppression fire mainly against enemy infantry.

===Single turret configuration===

{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Type-26 Wraith}}

File:H3-T26WraithAGC.png|An active T-26 Wraith in ''[[Halo 3]]'', with its turret unoccupied.

File:H3-WraithHUD.png|HUD of the Wraith in ''Halo 3''.

File:WraithH3.png|The Wraith in ''Halo 3''.

File:H3-WraithturretHUD.png|HUD of the plasma turret on the Wraith in ''Halo 3''.

File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicleRenders.jpg|An early version of the Wraith (top-left) alongside some other cut vehicles from ''[[Halo Wars]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> development. Note the "bumper" on the front and the more traditional cannon.