M875 Self Propelled Howitzer

== Overview ==
The M875 Self Propelled Howitzer (SPH), affectionately referred to as the Whip Scorpion, or just Whip, is a modified variant of the M808B main battle tank.
=== Design Overview ===
The M875, like other UNSC equipment, was built from an M808B chassis, equipped with the devastating M252 howitzer on a fully rotating turret. This allows the SPH to conduct operations without having to reposition once emplaced. The long range of the M252 affords the Whip Scorpion a max effective range of 66.9 kilometers. The size of the howitzer mounted atop the hull adds an additional 5 tons of weight in comparison to the M808B MBT, as such the M875 has a reduced max speed and slight degradation of handling in austere terrain.
=== Usage ===
The M875 provides a full range of indirect fire solutions. Utilizing High Explosive ordinance, it's capable of providing sustained offensive and defensive fire mission. The SPH's standard loadout includes white smoke rounds, capable of obscuring wide areas of space to cover friendly movements. Laser guided munitions are also commonly used, providing JFO's with the ability to call for surgical precision fire against high value or priority targets. Less common, the M875 is able to fire cluster and mining munitions, which affords UNSC ground forces devastating fire support and area denial capabilities. When in transit and emplaced, the vehicle commander has access to an M247H RCWS to provide defensive fires.
Due to the large size of the howitzer and the limited space available in the turret, the autoloading mechanism was engineered to be as mechanically sound as possible without compromising any further integrity of the hull. As such, the Whip has a sustained fire rate of 5 rounds per minute, or 1 round every 12 seconds. 
== Operational History ==
The M875 saw use during the insurrection, by both the UNSC Marines and the Army, albeit less often by the former given their expeditious nature and preference for ship-based fire support. The Whip Scorpion was eventually replaced during the early years of the Human-Covenant War by the M400 Kodiak in favor of its higher rate of fire and mobility.
File:SPH1.png|An M875 Whip Scorpion conducting a fire mission during a training range, circa 2499.
File:SPHFireing.png|An M875 SPH battery conducting fires against insurrectionist forces as UNSC Marines pose in the foreground.