M808B Main Battle Tank
M808B "Scorpion" MBT
Production information
Manufacturer
UNSC
Model
M808B
Class
Main Battle Tank
Technical specifications
Length
10 meters (33 ft)
Width
3 meters (9.8 ft)
Mass
66 metric tons (65 LT; 73 ST)
Maximum acceleration
9 km/h/s
Maximum speed (atmosphere)
54km/h (33 mph)
Shielding
Yes
Hull
Ceramic-Titanium Armor
Armament
* 1 M512 90mm Smooth Bore High Velocity Cannon
* 1 M247T Medium Machine Gun
Crew
* 1 Driver
0 Gunner (only on M808B variants with separate machine gun placement)
Passengers
Passenger (4)
Usage
Role(s)
* Main Battle Tank
* Anti-Vehicular platform
* Anti-infantry platform
* Heavy Weaponry
Affiliation
United Nations Space Command
Production information
Manufacturer
UNSC
Model
M808B
Class
Main Battle Tank
Technical specifications
Length
10 meters (33 ft)
Width
3 meters (9.8 ft)
Mass
66 metric tons (65 LT; 73 ST)
Maximum acceleration
9 km/h/s
Maximum speed (atmosphere)
54km/h (33 mph)
Shielding
Yes
Hull
Ceramic-Titanium Armor
Armament
* 1 M512 90mm Smooth Bore High Velocity Cannon
* 1 M247T Medium Machine Gun
Crew
* 1 Driver
0 Gunner (only on M808B variants with separate machine gun placement)
Passengers
Passenger (4)
Usage
Role(s)
* Main Battle Tank
* Anti-Vehicular platform
* Anti-infantry platform
* Heavy Weaponry
Affiliation
United Nations Space Command
The M808B Main Battle Tank, commonly known as the Scorpion, is a United Nations Space Command-employed heavy ground combat vehicle. The Scorpion is used for large scale operations requiring heavy firepower or used as an anti-vehicular platform.
The M808 Scorpion is an armored attack vehicle that has been in service for more than thirty years, and serves as the UNSC's main anti-vehicle platform. The M808B is considered "light" by standard definitions but has served as the UNSC's main battle tank well before the Human-Covenant War. Its four-track nacelles design with each track mounted on an independent, computer-controlled suspension system, allows the Scorpion to traverse, climb over, or maneuver around large debris or other battlefield obstacles, and prevents the vehicle from being easily disabled. The central chassis is simple in design containing the main armament at the stern of the hull, and the crew compartment forward of it; and the machine gun at the bow on certain variants. The chassis is covered with heavy titanium-ceramic armor plating, making it incredibly resilient to small-arms fire; however, it's still possible for infantry-portable anti-armor weapons to inflict catastrophic damage. The M808B only requires a crew of one, with complete weapons control allocated to the driver, provided the driver is equipped with a neural interface. Otherwise, it requires one driver and one gunner on a coaxial mounted machine gun. As time has progressed, the Scorpion has been modified into more than a half-dozen different versions, however, despite the modifications the Scorpion's psychological aspect and versatility remain unchanged.
The Scorpion is equipped with two weapon systems. The 90mm High Velocity Cannon - the M808B's main weapon - fires 90mm Tungsten Armor Piercing Ballistic Capped Rounds at a high velocity, with a three-to-four-second delay between each round. The secondary weapon system is the M247T 7.62mm AP-T Medium Machine Gun, used for engaging infantry. The 90mm cannon, although the standard weapon on the M808, could be considered "light", compared to the 105mm cannon that can be mounted for greater offensive power. Along with its weapons system the Scorpion is equipped with anti-mine detecting software and electronics to help increase safety while in use.
Advantages
The M808B battle tank has proven itself to be the workhorse of UNSC armored attack vehicles. Its 90mm cannon can deliver a devastating blow to anything it targets - infantry or armor. Its thick titanium-ceramic armor can withstand a direct hit from a Covenant Fuel Rod Cannon and continue on with enough armor to keep fighting. Its one man crew severely limits human casualties; along with its main offensive capabilities, four Marines can sit on the tread pods of the tank, providing support while using the tank as a transport until they reach their destination. The Scorpion's efficient engine allows it to travel up to 466 miles or 750km before needing to be refueled. Along with its offensive capabilities as an anti-vehicle platform, the M808 also fulfills the role of anti-infantry; its machine gun can effectively take down heavily armored and shielded targets at medium range, and the main gun is devastating to infantry targets at any range, instantly killing targets at the impact zone and severely injuring those close by.
Disadvantages
The M808 battle tank's 90mm cannon must be reloaded after every shot and takes between three to four seconds, the time it takes for the cannon to reload may give the enemy enough time to react against the tank. Its deep dead-zone, or the area within which fire from the tank's guns cannot hit targets, puts the vehicle at risk from enemy anti-tank infantry. Although the Scorpion can carry up to four passengers, any Marines sitting on the tread covers of the Scorpion are vulnerable to small-arms fire, and any explosions near the tank can kill all personnel riding on the treads. The Scorpion's slow speed also puts it at a disadvantage, as other more nimble vehicles like the Ghost can out-maneuver the tank and get within its dead-zone.
Known Scorpion Tanks and Variants
* 030569
* M808B2 Sun Devil: A modification with four 40mm Autocannons.
* M808B3 Tarantula: A variant with twin Scimitar 4x178mm rocket pods.
* 12-9F5: Painted brown, this version has a wider-set track and an enhanced undercarriage, and is designed for urban warfare.
* 957-A3: Painted gray, the 957-A3 has enhanced electronics for a more accurate cannon shot.
* UE8-14: Painted olive-green, this variant has thinner armor, is lighter, and is designed for medium-armor warfare.
* TB-SB-1: Painted black, the TB-SB-1 has thicker armor than the standard Scorpion and a sturdier chassis.
* HJ3-213: With thicker treads than the standard version, this variant has a sturdier chassis as it is built for rougher terrain.
