M478 Oryx Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle

The is a UNSC armoured vehicle. Utilised by the UNSC Army, it meets the requirements for their infantry fighting role. Compared to the expeditionary focused Crocodile IFV, the Oryx is more lightly armoured, carries lighter armament, and a smaller crew capacity, but benefits from improved mobility and modularity. Designed to be used in conjunction with tanks, rather than as a lone vehicle, the Oryx benefits and supports armoured formations with mounted infantry, and directed anti-personnel fire. 
Sharing a common chassis with the Springbok APC, it is arranged similarly, with a tracked chassis, the engine and crew compartment up front, and passenger bay in the rear. However, the inclusion of a remote turret, and the increased ammo requirements means it carries less personnel. The driver, commander, and gunner sit in the front, each with their own hatch, Position in the centre of the tank is the remotely operated cannon. The turret's main weapon is a 40mm Misriah Gun. Fed with dual ammunition belts, it can switch between high explosive for use against infantry, or APFSDS for use against armour. The gun is effective, even against heavier vehicles, making it a punishingly effective support weapon. In addition, on either side of the turret, it has a launch bin for a BGM-89 Venom anti-tank guided weapon. These lethal missiles are capable of eliminating a tank at long range, and can be reloaded internally. Both raise up to launch from the top of the turret. Position atop the turret is a PALADIN Weapon Station, usually fitted with a M247H2 HMG for use against infantry. 
The internal passenger bay can carry 8 personnel, in a CBRN sealed hull, with moderate protection against small arms. They can access the battlenet here for combat planning and observation prior to launching. 
The Oryx is a vital element of UNSC mechanised formations, following close behind Scorpions, and providing vital anti-personnel fire. Once their troops are disembarked, they provide supporting fire, engaging tanks and infantry in close proximity to their charges. 
==Variants==
*M561 Springbok Armoured Personnel Carrier: A common chassis, it trades firepower for additional troop transport. 
*M479 Hyena Cavalry Scout Vehicle: Close to the original Oryx, the Hyena has more internal space given over to communication systems, and threat detection systems, and has two scouts who can dismount for scouting operations. 
*M480 Oryx Battle Command Vehicle: A command variant of the Oryx, it sacrifices armament in order to host a command and control centre to allow commanders to move away from mixed positions, and to observe forward positions more safely, and forms a command network with a M6A1 Bobcat Command Vehicle. 
*M481 Aardwolf Air Defence System: The Aardwolf is specialised for air defence roles, with a new threat detection RADAR mounted on the rear of the turret, and one of the missiles bins replaced by a fire control RADAR. The second missile bin has been refitted with 4 MIM-51 Jester Surface to Air Missiles. 
*M482 Oryx Engineering Support Vehicle: An engineering variant designed to clear and destroy obstacles, it carries teams of combat engineers in support of mechanized formations. 
*M483 Oryx Fire Support Vehicle: A modified Oryx that carries enhanced target designation and location systems in place of the missile bins, and equipment for dismounted observers. 
*M3 Bombardier Self Propelled Mobile Artillery: The Bombardier uses the chassis of the Oryx. 
*M9B4 Wolverine Self Propelled Anti Aircraft Artillery: The Wolverine's new platform is the Oryx chassis. 
*M20 Firefly Multiple Launch Rocket System: The Firefly uses the Oryx chassis.
==UNSC Remarks==