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.

Overview
The Brute Chopper is a heavily-armored dual-wheeled assault vehicle kept afloat by a gravitic array on its rear and a massive double wheel in the front. The Chopper is best described as an "Anti-Vehicle" vehicle. It's powerful 35mm Autocannons can take down most light ground vehicles with ease, and the large blades on the front can instantly destroy any vehicle (except tanks) with a simple boost. It was intended to be the Covenant Loyalist analog to the Covenant Separatist Ghost, but the two are often used in conjunction, due to the Chopper's superior firepower and the Ghost's superior maneuverability. 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.

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: 2 35mm Autocannons (once believed to be two Spikers or Brute Shots).

In the prow is a massively swelled cyclical engine array, which appears to be the source of the vehicle's power. Directly connected to it at the back is a small, exposed cockpit that provides the rider no protection. The only defense is offered by the sheer bulk of the wheels, which are large enough to protect a pilot from frontal fire. The engine is also fitted with massive spiked blades, allowing the pilot to shred 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. Even then, a boosted impact may inflict severe damage.

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 Brute Spikers mounted to their bodies. When the Brutes began manufacturing them in mass, these were traded for two pairs of powerful 35mm autocannons. The four prototypes were made from the remains of a Spirit dropship.

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 misidentified as a "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 and sound to the Covenant Ghost. However, the wings were folded up and the result was a much thicker, tube-ish vehicle, giving some the idea that this was different from the original Ghost. They were proved correct by the unveiling of the Chopper, which in its final iteration bears little resemblance to a Ghost.

Strengths
Its powerful 35mm autocannons can damage everything except tank armor with relative ease, and provide a powerful impact that will send targets reeling. The Chopper's heavily armored chassis and boost gives it the unique ability to destroy every small or medium sized vehicle, including other choppers. Boosting to destroy other choppers should not be attempted head-on, but from a slight angle, or else both will be destroyed. A correctly timed boost is a one-hit K.O. for most other light and medium vehicles. This maneuver is not effective against tanks. However, it will tear through almost any other vehicle, and can be very effective in stopping a flag carrier in Capture the Flag.

Weaknesses
Choppers lack the ability to strafe; they can only turn while moving forward or backward. Other factors like a wide turn radius add to their overall relative lack of maneuverability, as compared with Ghosts and even Warthogs, for instance. The rounds of the cannons fly at a relatively slow velocity and have a tendency to arc; at longer ranges, it is necessary to lead targets, also compensating for arcing. The autocannons shoot nearly straight out of the front of the vehicle, so it can become difficult to destroy more maneuverable vehicle targets. Chopper drivers are extremely vulnerable from the back, which offers little to no shielding from enemy fire. Also, once an enemy gets behind the Chopper, they can very easily neutralize it due to the inability to turn sharp.

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 most other vehicles. On higher difficulties, the Chopper's cannon will kill marine passengers 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. Following behind the Chopper and shooting out the driver is an effective strategy, since they are less maneuverable than other vehicles and will take longer to turn around and return fire.

Rocket Launcher The Rocket Launcher's 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 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. Although if hit in the wrong place on the front wheel it will cause no damage to either driver or vehicle.

Fuel Rod Cannon It generally takes from two to five shots, depending on their placement, to take a Chopper out. It is most effective at close range because the Fuel Rod is extremely slow with a large arc. This can be dangerous if attempted on foot, but effective if jumps over the charging vehicle are timed correctly. The Chopper's lack of maneuverability will work to its disadvantage in this situation.

Plasma Grenade Plasma grenades are invaluable in combat against Brute Choppers. If you have the guts too use them, lure the Brute Chopper to charge you, and at the last moment, jump up as the chopper's wheels travel underneath you. It's easy to stick the wheels, but preferably the grenade will become glued somewhere near the driver. Note that this rarely destroys the vehicle, but in most circumstances disables its operator.

Other Vehicles A Ghost can maneuver around to attack the driver exposed in the back. This is also effective in Warthogs and Prowlers, provided there is a gunner,although the Chopper can boost and charge through these vehicles, killing the occupants, constant movement should avoid this hazard. Prowlers and Warthogs without the Gauss cannon should try to circle around a Chopper. Because a Chopper cannot maneuver 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 need only be cautious of their relatively limited maneuverability compared with the Chopper, so the best strategy is to take them out quickly, not allowing them a chance to get behind and fire at the tank's vulnerable spot. Banshees and Hornets should stay above the Chopper's range of fire and take them out quickly with a Fuel Rod or missile. If you are in another chopper, do not ram it head on, unless playing on the Easy difficulty. The other one will always take you out first.

Note: If you destroy a chopper from in front beware of the wheel when it comes off. It will continue rolling and will cause a small amount of damage, but if moving fast enough will splatter you.

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 - An unarmed, fast two-man vehicle that is the UNSC answer to the Chopper.

Trivia

 * The heavy armor of the front of the chopper allows it to take massive damage, even allowing the driver to survive grenade sticks with plasma or spike grenades. This front armor also allows for the vehicle to survive a single rocket strike.
 * Commentary found on the Legendary Edition disk relates how the Bungie Team tried to make the Chopper analogous to a human Motorcycle, a vehicle for tough guys, in this case the ape-like Brutes.
 * The Brute Chopper only spawns as a default vehicle on Sandtrap, and on Avalanche, it spawns in one-sided objective games and only to the defenders.
 * The Chopper commonly uses its boost feature to ram into and destroy a Warthog, Ghost, or rarely a Mongoose.
 * The turrets on the Chopper appear to be similar to the Gauss Warthogs projectiles.