The Mantis was designed specifically for anti-air defense to fill the gap left after the cult rejected optic camouflage technology, including the Stealth tank. It has a large capacity anti-air missile battery (which can be upgraded to Tiberium core missiles) and a set of sophisticated sensors, allowing it to detect any cloaked vehicles or infantry. When massed in sufficient numbers, it is more than capable of taking on even the heaviest of aircraft. During the Ascension Conflict, a newer model of the Mantis was deployed. This model is human piloted, and can engage both air and ground targets.