Type-48 Ultra Heavy Assault Gun Platform

Description
The, also known as the "Artillery Scarab" or the "Mortar Scarab" is Covenant modified version of the infamous "Scarab" Ultra-Heavy Assault Platform. The Type-48 is a Scarab walker modified to carry a heavy plasma mortar similar to those mounted in stationary artillery positions instead of the standard anti-aircraft plasma cannon in the rear turret. The main plasma stream weapon has been removed to save power and to make space for targeting and rangefinding systems. The vehicle retains the heavy armor plating of the Type 47.

The "Artillery Scarab" was deployed either as a heavy self-propelled artillery piece, firing at distant targets from behind the lines, or as an assault gun, advancing with other Covenant forces and an lowering its main gun to attack buildings and fortifications in short-range direct fire engagements. In either use, the plasma mortar has an exceedingly powerful weapon, capable of leveling most unfortified buildings in one shot, and taking out even bunkers and large structures such as skyscrapers with multiple hits.

While the "Artillery Scarab" is powerful, it is far from invincible. While its armor can withstand multiple his from 65mm and 102mm rockets and missiles, 25mm Gauss Gun slugs, and 90mm and 120mm shells, it cannot withstand impacts from heavy missiles and bombs such as those carried by UNSC fighter and bomber aircraft and the anti-walker variant of the Grizzly Tank. There are also a number of weak points where the armor can be pierced more easily. The legs are particularly weak against enemy fire, with even infantry held anti-tank weapons being able to disable them and heavier weapons even being able to blow them off completely, effectively immobilizing the walker. The doors on the vehicles sides can also be blown off with anti-tank weapons, and the cannon can be disabled or destroyed by sustained fire from rockets, missiles, or tank guns. Finally, the rear armor plating can be blown off by artillery or missile fire, exposing both the Lekgolo colony controlling the vehicle and the plasma core. Even small arms fire to the core will kill the Lekgolo colony and destabilize the plasma core, resulting a catastrophic explosion that is sure to destroy the walker.