M274 Mongoose

The Mongoose, officially known as the M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle, is a United Nations Space Command ground reconnaisance vehicle.

Overview

One of, if not the fastest ground vehicle available to UNSC Marine Personnel is the M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle, or Mongoose. Essentially four wheels and an engine, this ATV can travel rapidly over nearly every type of terrain imaginable. It can be viewed as the smaller cousin of the Warthog.

It can be seen as an analog to the Ghost but unlike the Covenant vehicle it has no armament itself. The Mongoose possesses no defensive or offensive capabilities whatsoever. As a result troops often seat weapon specialists behind the driver to provide much needed fire support during combat.

This vehicle is reportedly unwieldy and difficult to control at high speed. Thus making the passenger's role of vehicle defense all the more difficult. Both driver and passenger are completely exposed to the elements and enemy fire. As a result they are extremely vulnerable. An ATV slowing down in a combat zone is tantamount to suicide. The Mongoose survives most encounters through sheer speed, ensuring it is in and out of an enemy position before heavy firepower can be brought to bear on it.

One Marine described it as '...the most Buddhist land-based motive system in the UNSC’s arsenal…'.

Operation

Lacking any in-built weaponry of any kind drivers are advised to ensure a fast speed at all times during combat. The addition of an armed passenger is recommended, but due to the high speeds and the handling problems of the Mongoose, do not expect much more than general suppressive fire.

The Mongoose is more than capable of outrunning the Covenant Ghost, but attempts to combat one in the ATV ar ill advised. The Mongoose is best suited to rapid reconnaisance missions and quick relocation of UNSC sniper teams.

Multiplayer Usage and Strategy

File:Mongoose.JPG

The Mongoose in Halo 3's multiplayer.

Due to the high speed nature of the Mongoose, it is said to be a very good vehicle for objective based games, such as CTF and Assault. Although passengers are very exposed to enemy fire, the ATV is often moving too fast to hit (unless the enemy makes a lucky shot).

It is not designed for aggressive strikes against an enemy, but rather for a quick recon run or flag snatch. Do NOT try to attack players head-on with this vehicle it will normally lead to your untimely demise. If combined with a passenger wielding an M41 it becomes a potent Wraith hunter, the high speed and maneuverability of the Mongoose allowing it to run rings around the more cumbersome tank. Although no such battles have occured as of yet an attack on a Scorpion is not advised. It's 360 degree traversable turret could track the ATV and destroy it with ease. The SPARTAN laser could be used in a similar method to the rocket launcher but leaves the passenger, driver and Mongoose exposed to enemy fire during it's charge-up and cool-down periods.

If the passenger is utilizing a sniper rifle then it can become a useful sniper team relocation vehicle.

Involvment in Halo 2

File:Atv.jpg

Early Halo 2 prototype of the vehicle.

This vehicle was intended to be put into Halo 2. However, it was left on the cutting room floor andHalo 2 launched without it, because this prototype version did not behave as well as Bungie wished, It will appear in Halo 3 as a vehicle for both singleplayer campaign and multiplayer.

• Modded for Halo 2

Several modders have managed to insert the Mongoose into Halo 2 as seen in this video. ">mongoose_on_delta_halo.wmv

• The Mongoose has a very similar physical appearance to the Peugeot Quark.
• During an Electronic Monthly interview with Bungie, riding the rear of a Mongoose was termed "Riding Brokeback."