SP42 Main Battle Tank

SP42 Cobra

The SP42 Cobra is a Human Anti-Vehicle/Fortification system in use by the UNSC Marine Corps.

Background
Unlike many vehicles, the Cobra fills two distinct roles, that of a mobile Anti-Vehicle platform, and of a self-propelled artillery piece. It features armored panels that are designed to deflect hardened projectiles and absorb massive amounts of damage from explosive shells. Although it is not fast, the Cobra is still highly maneuverable, and can keep up with combat groups.

The SP42 Cobra is equipped with a pair of Rail Cannons on its turret that fire a high-density ferrous slug designed to penetrate enemy armor using sheer kinetic energy. It has a slow rate of fire, although it also fires a projectile twice the size of a M68 Gauss Cannon slug. The rail cannons are forced to fire one after another, not in a single burst, as the energy required to accelerate the slug to the speeds required to pierce the heaviest armor can only be managed for one of the cannons at a time. Synchronized fire from both Rail Cannons will destroy even the most heavily armored tank, with penetration that easily out-guns the standard 90mm gun of the M808B "Scorpion" MBT.

In addition to the Cobra's anti-vehicle role, the Marine tank crews can stabilize the vehicle into the ground, "locking it down", and deploy a bombard rail cannon which fires a conventional explosive shell at supersonic velocities, with both the explosive and kinetic force adding to the damage inflicted. It sacrifices mobility for the range that elevating the big gun can offer. The shells used are multipurpose, and can be adapted to eliminate anything from a formation of Covenant Type-25 "Wraith" AGC's to an enemy fortification or firebase, though it's use against groups infantry may be less effective if they are spread apart.

Trivia

 * A light tank in Halogen, a fan-made mod of Command and Conquer: Generals, also an RTS which was shut down by Microsoft, was also called the Cobra.


 * The vehicle was earlier described as being similar to a Russian 'Katyusha' Rocket artillery vehicle, which was spurred on by the apperance of vehicles similar to the Wolverine but possessing a different ordnance rack. However, it appears the vehicle's design and function have changed heavily since then.
 * It is speculated that this is the UNSC's counterpart to the Locust.
 * The Cobra's artillery mode has an uncanny resemblance to the terran siege tank of starcraft