M354B Cougar Armoured Fighting Vehicle

The is a UNSC armoured vehicle. Originally designed during the early years of the Insurrection, it was imagined its role would be that of a rapid response vehicle, moving quickly to quell threats until heavier armour could arrive. To this end, it is fast moving, and with decent fire power, but with modest armour. It is also has significant bulk, making it a poor fit for the urban conflicts it was expected to take part in. It fared poorly during the Insurrection, and fared little better against the Covenant. nonetheless, it continued to be utilised, often by Colonial Militias, or garrisons where top of the line armour was not needed. Even if it was not considered the best, these units were thankful for having the means to fight back. 
The Cougar has a driver's cabin up front in a well protected seat, and behind him in left and right seat positions are the commander and the gunner, each with access to the vehicle's sensors and targetting packages. The main gun is two 25mm Gauss guns, capable of engaging medium to heavy armour, in a remote turret setup with auto loaders. It has a PALADIN Weapon Station mounted on top of these to provide supporting fire. This arrangement works well against armour, but is less effective against massed infantry. To the rear is the large engine, necessary to move the vehicle at it's needed high speeds. 
==Variants==
*M355B Civet Armoured Missile Carrier: The Addax is a variant designed to carry long range strike missiles. The latest version is refitted to carry two Venom ATGW, which fire from a turret on top of the vehicle. The turret is replaced with a sensor suite for target acquisition and missile guidance. The missiles retract into the hull for reloading. 
*M356 Impala Light Anti-Air Defence: The Impala utilises twin M41 light anti-aircraft guns, and a launcher bin with 4 Jester SHORAD missile. It carries a fire control RADAR, and a target acquisition RADAR, sensing and targetting aerial threats and destroying them. It was significantly under powered for anti-air roles. 
*M357B Gazelle Mobile Artillery Vehicle: The Gazelle has a central turret fitted with an auto-loading 120mm mortar, with an auto-loader capable of selecting ammunition with programmable fuses. It is perhaps, the most complex and expensive variant. 
*M650 Mastodon Armoured Personnel Carrier: The only variant in frontline use, the Mastodon is significantly modified, with heavier armour, and new, powerful twin engines. Converted into a heavy duty APC, capable of delivering infantry while udner fire.
==UNSC Remarks==