User:Impurest Cheese/M796E Light Battle Tank


 * The M796E is a Light Battle Tank that was decommissioned by the UNSC in 2531. The tank would however, see continued service with the URF for several more decades

History

 * The M796E Light Battle Tank or Sun Spider was for at least nine years was the predominant tank in the UNSC army until it was replaced by the M808B Main Battle Tank or Scorpion in the year 2531. After this the Sun Spider was taken out of service considered by many to be obsolete. One group of people who would disagree with this however, were the URF who had seen the tank in several battles when it was used against them. Thus began the long process of URF sympathizers and agents smuggling Sun Spiders as well as other vehicles to Rebel Bases. This was made a lot easier by the appearance of the Covenant which soon took priority over the URF in the UNSCs eyes.


 * While in the hands of the URF the Sun Spider received many upgrades to make sure that it can compete with heavier tanks on the battlefield. The original 79mm gun was upgrade to an 88mm High Velocity Cannon just like the Scorpion and layers of Ceramic-Titanium Armour were added to make sure the tank could withstand more punishment. The main improvement was upgrades to the engine which ensured it kept the advantage of speed against its UNSC rivals. In 2556 the URF would field several battle groups of Sun Spiders in Operation BALISTA which would have disastrous consequences for Red Team. Later the Sun Spider would be used in all majior conflicts alongside tanks provided by the Covenant Remenant.

Weaponry

 * Originally the M796E was designed to destroy the lightly armoured vehicles of the URF. The 79mm gun it was equipped with was perfect for the job and very little changes were made to the tank. Unfortunately when faced with the Covenant Armor the 79mm Gun did not perform so well and with the first Scorpions already being mass produced it was easier to decommission the Sun Spider then to fix a bigger gun. The URF would later switch the 79mm gun with the dreaded 88mm Smooth Bore Cannon which had previously used as a mobile anti tank gun. In addition to the 79mm Gun the Sun Spider was equipped with the M202 XP Machine Gun Turret which was used for infantry suppression. The URF saw little point in changing the weapon for a newer model due to the expenses already used on the Sun Spider and because it was still a deadly weapon at the time.

Performance Against Enemy Armor

 * When in use by the UNSC the Sun Spider had no real enemy competition and was used extensively. In the hands of the URF it would have to combat the M808B Main Battle Tank and the Sangheili Type 25 Assault Gun Carriage both of which were newer more heavily armoured vehicles. Against the Scorpion the Sun Spider with its new 88mm Cannon would require two to four shots to penetrate the Scorpions armour while the enemy would only need one to three. The Sun Spider has the advantage of speed on its side and if driven aggressively can fight against a Scorpion Tank.


 * The Sun Spider also has a slight advantage on the Wraith in terms of speed and is better matched in terms of fire power. The relative inaccuracy of the Wraith's Plasma Mortar give the Sun Spider an advantage at long range but as it moves closer it will have to fight the Wraith on equal terms. Both tanks have a similar amount of armor requiring two to three accurate hits each to defeat an opponent. Against lighter vehicles the Sun Spider has the advantage as long as it isn't surrounded. The only real danger in a one on one battle is the M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle or Gauss Warthog due to its deadly anti vehicle weapons.

Compatability

 * Marines
 * Spartans
 * Elites
 * URF Insurrectionists

UNSC Remarks

 * "Didn't know anyone used the old Sun Spider anymore. Then again it isn't the same tank it was thirty years ago"


 * "Seems ironic that we used the M796 to battle the URF and that now they use it against us."


 * "I'd rather sit in the cockpit of a Scorpion then a Sun Spider simply because the later is much older. The URF must spend a fortune keeping them in working order."