User:Spartan 112/M757 Tortoise Heavy Battle Tank

M757 Tortoise Heavy Battle Tank "HOLY MIKE FOXTROT ALPHA CHARLIE!"

- Anonymous UNSC Marine

=Development= The idea for the M757 Tortoise came in the winter of 2531, after ground contact with the Covenant on Harvest. During the battle, UNSC Marines reported a very large Covenant walker decimating UNSC forces, called the Scarab. The only reliable solution against this vehicle was an orbital bombardment, however this was unavailable to most forces, so a vehicle to counter this walker was produced. Four companies rushed to find a solution, but in the end Ultors M757 proved to be the most cost effective, and most reliable of the prototypes. Limited production began.

In 2545, contact with Covenant forces on Gilgamesh erupted. The Covenant deployed their Scarab walkers, however the 10th Armored Battalion had been provided with four Tortoise tanks. The Tortoise's were able to withstand the firepower of the Scarab for one burst, enough for the crew of the Tortoise to fire back. The rounds of the Tortoise were capable of piercing the armor of the Scarab, but not destroy it utterly. However as UNSC forces gained information on where the crew station was, Tortoise crews began to find their marks and destroy the vehicles. =Description=

Armament
The Tortoise is armed with a 190mm,Smoothbore, High Velocity Gun that fires Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot capable of piercing the armor of a Covenant Scarab Walker. Although it can damage a Scarab, it cannot completly destroy a Scarab, and only a precision shot into the main Lekgolo Colony will down the walker. In addition, twin M28/GPMG turrets are placed on both sides of the tank, with a 90 degree firing radius, these turrets are controlled by computer, and target via sensors placed above the turret.

Armour protection
The Tortoise sacrifices speed and mobility for firepower and protection. The Tortoise is the most heavily armored vehicle the UNSC has produced, capable of withstanding a five second burst from a Scarab. However, continuous fire or concentrated fire and the vehicle will be destroyed.