UNSC R&D authorized further research on Mantis walker platforms after being prompted by mounting successes. Most Mantis platforms performed optimally in tandem with Armor and Infantry, the Mantis Operator was designed to work independently for a maximum of 48 hours under heavy fire. With a shifted center of gravity and a newly designed two part body (the mantis cockpit cannot pivot 360 but can now look up and down) this Mantis variant can run up to 50 km/h while firing. It is equipped with slightly thinner armor to make it more agile. Rudimentary AI and advanced engineering allow it to perform amazing feats of agility such as bounding over obstacles and dodging missiles and lines of fire. It is armed with a M511 80mm SBHV cannon that can fire 60 shells per second. It is also equipped with a 6 tubed M88 65mm remote rocket launcher, and a nose mounted M41 12.7MM chaingun. Advanced tactical awareness and targetting modules are also installed to give it an advantage in firefights.