Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle

Brute Chopper The Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle (abbreviated Type-25 RAV), colloquially known as the Brute Chopper by UNSC personnel, is a Covenant Loyalist ground vehicle.

Introduction
The Brute Chopper is a heavily-armored dual-wheeled motorbike kept afloat by a gravitic array on its rear (behind and below the pilot), and is widely believed to be the Covenant Loyalist analog to the Covenant Separatist Ghost. The Brute Chopper was uncommon before Halo 2, when the Jiralhanae were not actively delegated to frontline battle, but with their resurgence onto the battlelines, it appears that they have brought their vehicles with them. One aspect that makes the Brute Chopper stand out is that it is rarely flipped. It can also be used to splatter infantry.

Design
The Brute Chopper is a heavily-armored, large, and sluggish assault vehicle. Its primary assets lay in its capability to temporarily accelerate to twice its speed, probably through gravitic thrusters, and its armament: 4 x 35mm Autocannons (once believed to be two Spikers or Brute Shots).

In the prow is a massively swelled cyclical engine array and directly connected to it behind it is a small, exposed cockpit that provides the rider no protection, except from the forward field of fire, where the sheer mass of the engine protects the pilot. The engine is also fitted with massive spiked blades, allowing the pilot to impale anyone in its path. The blades on the wheel are strong enough to take down and cut through any vehicle but a Wraith or Scorpion. This is done by using the thrusters just before impact with an enemy vehicle. Also, its autocannons are extremely powerful even with a slow rate of fire, being capable of destroying a Wraith or Scorpion in very little time.

When activated, the vehicle moves around by the use of two massive wheels on the front of the vehicle. They rotate opposite directions when turning, as well as the whole frontal portion rotating to the left or right. However,the pilot's seat is kept aloft by anti-gravity technology similar to that of the Ghost. That anti-gravity technology makes the Chopper difficult to flip by anything, as the wheels turn instantly when they are on their sides, keeping the driver afloat with the thrusters in the rear.

Origin
As revealed in Contact Harvest, the first Brute Choppers were built by an Engineer named Lighter Than Some as a misguided peace offering towards the Human population of Harvest; Ironically, although the pacifistic Engineer built them in imitation of mechanized plows, the Brutes recognized their potential for carnage and have used them to kill humans ever since. These prototype choppers had two spikers mounted to their bodies. When the Brutes began manufacturing them in mass, these were traded for two pairs of powerful 35mm autocannons.

Misconception
"...The familiar whine of a Covenant Ghost howls and Master Chief lowers the Gauss cannon. But this Ghost is unlike any Ghost we've seen before. Instead of the two small wings that normally frame a Ghost, this model is more tube-like in design. The sound is unmistakable, just like its bumpy hover. There's a much larger driver at the back of this new Ghost-type vehicle -- a Brute. This is the first vehicle we've seen from what Griesemer describes as the Brute Sandbox. As Master Chief lowers the Gauss cannon on the Ghost, the demo ends."

- Luke Smith while discussing Halo 3's single-player Because of observation of earlier Halo 3 builds, the Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle was first misnamed the "Brute Ghost" (mentioned in the December 2006 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly. ) or the "Mauler".

At the time, the vehicle appeared to be similar in color to the Covenant Ghost and sounded the same as well (but that is pre-Alpha code, so it could have been placeholder sound). However, the wings have been folded up and the result is a much thicker, tube-ish vehicle, giving some the idea that this was different from the original Ghost.

In combat
The Brute Chopper is one of the most fearsome vehicles in Halo 3, for two important reasons: 1) Its powerful 35mm Autocannons can pretty much rip through everything except tank armor with relative ease and 2) The Choppers heavy chassis armor and boost gives it the unique ability to destroy every vehicle, except tanks. While in a Chopper, the correct timing of a boost means the instant death of anything that may be directly in your path. However, this ability does little damage against Wraiths and Scorpions, and should not be tried under any circumstances when combatting a tank. The Autocannons on the Chopper are very powerful, and can kill weaker enemies with only a few shots. Unfortunately, the rounds fly at a slow velocity, and at longer ranges, it is necessary to lead your target, which is no small task, because the Chopper has very heavy chassis movement. The Autocannons are also not only very powerful, but pretty much anything they hit will go flying back from the force of the impact. A useful tactic is to set up the chopper somewhere off in the distance, and snipe enemy targets from afar. It may take a while to lead your targets properly, but once you hit them, you can tear pretty much anything apart. The Chopper's biggest hold-back is the lack of the ability to strafe, it can only turn while moving forward or backward and since the Autocannons shoot pretty much straight out of the front of the vehicle, this can be a problem.

Fighting a Chopper
As in all vehicular engagements in Halo 3, going bumper to bumper against a Chopper is not to be taken lightly. The guns on this vehicle will tear through any vehicle you are in, with extremely frustrating ease. On higher difficulties, trying to take on a Chopper in a Warthog is nearly impossible to do, as the Choppers driver will mercilessly pummel you with cannon rounds, and your marine passengers will die in a short amount of time. Therefore, your best bet in nearly any light vehicle is to stay behind or beside it since the warthog and prowler turrets can turn 360 degrees.

Rocket Launcher The Rocket Launchers powerful 102mm shells will usually destroy a Chopper with one hit; however, its effectiveness is counterbalanced by the rockets slow velocity. Therefore, it is prudent to wait until the Chopper tries to charge you, and hit the chassis with a direct rocket. This tactic also applies to the Fuel Rod Cannon.

Trip Mine A well placed trip mine can more or less destroy a Brute Chopper, provided the vehicle runs directly over the blast. Deploying a Trip Mine at the right time to stop a charging Chopper is an easy way to dispose of the enemy and get the "Chop" Achievement.

Plasma Pistol Although no use on its own, the Overcharged EMP can disable the Chopper for a few precious seconds, giving you a chance to stick the vehicle with a grenade or hijack it. This also works with a Power Drain if available

Spartan Laser Despite the Chopper's firepower and splattering capabilities, a quick shot of a Spartan Laser usually can bring one down. The best place to aim for is the large wheel chasis, which make for an easy kill.

Other Vehicles If used correctly, other vehicles are a Chopper driver's worst nightmare. If you have a Ghost, do not go directly at the Chopper; it's guns will rip you apart. Instead, use the Ghost to manuver around to attack the driver exposed at the back. If done correctly, the Chopper will be destroyed. Warthogs and Prowlers can try this as long as you have a gunner. Prowlers and Warthogs without the Gauss cannon should try to circle around a Chopper. Because a Chopper cannot manuver well, a few bursts of a turret can reduce one to a flaming pile of metal. For Gauss Warthogs, this is slightly easier due to the power of the cannon. Scorpions and Wraiths really don't need an explanation, except to make sure the Chopper dosen't get behind you. Finally, Banshees and Hornets only need to stay above their crosshairs and fire down at them, killing them quickly.

Equivalents
The Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle holds a position in Loyalist tactical doctrine similar to vehicles in other armies:


 * Ghost - The Covenant Separatist equivalent of the Chopper, although it is also heavily used by the Covenant Loyalists
 * Mongoose - The UNSCDF equivalent of the Chopper