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M71 Scythe: Difference between revisions

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(Would someone please upload some more in-game images of the Scythe?)
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{{Weapon
{{Weapon
|image=[[File:Unscaagun.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:Unscaagun.jpg|300px]]
|name=M71 Scythe anti-aircraft gun
|name=M71 Anti-Aircraft Gun
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]<ref name="SB">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref><ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 166''</ref>
|type=Anti-aircraft turret
|type=Anti-aircraft turret
|size=
|size=*Height: 31 feet (9.4 meters)<ref name="EVG"/><br/>
*Length: 27.9 feet (8.5 meters)
|damage per hit=Very high
|damage per hit=Very high
|magazine=1,000 rounds
|magazine=100,000 rounds;<ref name="EVG"/> 1,000 rounds<ref name="SB"/>
|maxammo=Unlimited
|maxammo=
|fire=Automatic
|fire=Automatic
|ammotype=
|ammotype=20x102mm [[Wikipedia:High Explosive Incendiary/Armor Piercing Ammunition|high-explosive incendiary/armor piercing ammunition]]
|operation=Electrically-powered
|operation=Electrically powered
|rate of fire=
|rate of fire=6,000 rounds per minute<ref name="EVG"/>
|accuracy=High
|accuracy=High
|range=Medium
|range=Long
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|counterpart=
|counterpart=[[Shade|Anti-aircraft Shade]]
|counterwep=
|counterwep=
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|affiliation=[[UNSC Defense Force]]
}}
}}


The '''M71 Scythe Anti-Aircraft Gun'''<ref>[http://danp.us/ ''Dan Phillips portfolio'']</ref><ref>[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]] page 166</ref> is a weapons emplacement used by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. It was produced by [[Misriah Armory]] on [[Reach]] and was fed by a 1,000-round ''Galilean'' ammunition drum. It also features an [[M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon|M41 "SPNKr" rocket launcher]].
The '''M71 Anti-Aircraft Gun''', nicknamed the '''Scythe''', is a stationary rotary cannon emplacement used by the [[UNSC Defense Force]]. It is produced by [[Misriah Armory]].<ref>[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]] page 166</ref>


Multiple such turrets were placed around the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Sword Base]] on Reach. One such turret was located at [[Airview Base]]. On [[2552#July|July 26th, 2552]], [[Catherine-B320]] and [[SPARTAN-B312]] were ordered to Airview Base to reactivate the turret.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> These turrets were also seen defending the [[Sabre Program Launch/Research Range]] from [[Type-31 XMF|Seraphs]] and [[Type-28 Troop Carrier|Spirits]], capable of taking them out effectively.
==Overview==
===Design===
The M71 Scythe is a powerful pneumatically powered, air-cooled anti-aircraft weapon that performs reliably against many hostile aircraft. It is specifically designed to fire the powerful [[Wikipedia:High Explosive Incendiary/Armor Piercing Ammunition|20x102mm high-explosive incendiary/armor piercing cartridge]] from a 100,000-round drum; using its six barrels, the Scythe can fire at a rate of 6,000 rounds per minute,<ref name="EVG"/> though some Scythes are fed by 1,000-round drums and consequently maintain lower rates of fire.<ref name="SB"/> This high rate of fire allows the Scythe to strip away the armor of [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] aircraft with relative impunity, especially when the craft fly at low altitudes, such as the [[Type-25 Troop Carrier|Spirit]] and [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom dropships]] and the [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee attack aircraft]].<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="SB"/> The Scythe can even quickly disable the shields of low-flying [[Type-31 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter|Seraph fighters]].<ref name="LNoS">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''</ref> Scythe emplacements are also armed with an [[M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon|M41 missile launcher]] to complement the main cannon.<ref name="SB"/>
 
The M71's tetrapodal base allows the emplacement to be deployed on varied types of terrain. It is usually synchronized with an automated tracking system or a defense-control [[artificial intelligence]].<ref name="EVG"/> The weapon's control panel is located on the body of the platform; this panel allows an operator to activate or deactivate the weapon, as well as to modify targeting parameters.<ref name="SB"/>
 
===Operational history===
Several Scythe turrets were placed around the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Sword Base|Sword]] and [[CASTLE Base]]s on [[Reach]].<ref name="SB"/><ref name="EVG"/> One such turret was located at [[Airview Base]], just outside Sword Base. On [[2552#July|July 26, 2552]], [[Catherine-B320]] and [[SPARTAN-B312]] of [[Noble Team]] were ordered to Airview Base to reactivate this turret, which assisted in repelling the Covenant's raid on the base.<ref name="SB"/> [[2552#August|A few weeks later]], a group of M71s was later used to defend the [[Sabre Program Launch/Research Range]] on [[Farkas Lake]] from Seraphs and Spirits.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*There are several inconsistencies in the appearance of the gun. Because the gun is designed like a Gatling gun, with multiple barrels, its purpose is most likely to attain extremely high rates of fire from 4,000 to 10,000 rounds per minute. However, the gun depicted in the game shoots several individual rounds with deep booms, then immediately begins spinning at an extremely high rate without firing. The design should spin at the high rate and make a loud, deep buzzing sound, due to dozens of rounds being fired per second. This is either an oversight by Bungie or a gameplay factor not fully corrected. Since it is described as being fed by a ''1,000'' round drum, it was most likely not intended to be a gatling gun in the final version of the game, but earlier concepts may have had it being one and a last minute change was made to its mechanics, but not to its appearance. It is also possible that the rounds fired generate a large amount of heat, which would neccesitate multiple barrels. The relatively small 1,000 round capacity would also require a low rate of fire.
*In concept art, the weapon was known as the Vulcan, in reference to the [[Wikipedia:M61 Vulcan|M61 Vulcan Gatling gun]].<ref>[http://danp.us/ ''Dan Phillips' art portfolio'']</ref> This weapon is also the source of the [[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]'s nickname.
*In rare instances, the rotating turret can fall from the rest of the weapon and continue to fire at enemy aircraft. When detached, it rolls around and can be pushed with a vehicle.
*The initial design for the turret had four Gatling-style cannons, while the final design only incorporates a single cannon. The weapon's design was inspired by the [[Wikipedia:GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8 Avenger cannon]] mounted on the [[Wikipedia:Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10 Thunderbolt]].<ref>[http://www.isaachannaford.com/2011/04/initial-anti-air-turret-design-with.html '''Isaac Hannaford''': ''Big guns'']</ref>
*The initial design for the turret had four Gatling-style cannons, while the final design only incorporates a single cannon. The weapon's design was inspired by the [[Wikipedia:GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8 Avenger cannon]] mounted on the [[Wikipedia:Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10 Thunderbolt]].<ref>[http://www.isaachannaford.com/2011/04/initial-anti-air-turret-design-with.html '''Isaac Hannaford''': ''Big guns'']</ref>
*Though the M71 is designed to be a rapid-firing rotary cannon, in-game, it possesses a low rate of fire, producing deep "booms", and the barrels do not spin until a burst has been fired. Realistically, the weapon should fire much faster, the barrels should spin while firing, and the weapon should emit a loud buzzing noise. Furthermore, the Scythe's ammunition drum is stated to hold only 1,000 rounds, which is impractical for such a weapon. ''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide'' reveals that the inconsistencies between the weapon's appearance and function are errors, and that it actually operates like a traditional Gatling-style rotary cannon; thus, it is likely that the Scythes encountered on ''ONI: Sword Base'' maintain low rates of fire to conserve their ammunition.
*In rare instances, the rotating turret can fall from the rest of the weapon and continue to fire at enemy aircraft. When detached, it rolls around and can be pushed with a vehicle.{{Citation needed}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Vulcan_turret.jpg|A turnaround image of the turret.
File:Vulcan_turret.jpg|A turnaround concept image of the turret.
File:Vulcan_1.jpg|An early design of the turret.
File:Vulcan_1.jpg|An early design of the turret.
File:Vulcan_2.jpg|A near-final concept of the M71 Scythe AA turret.
File:Vulcan_2.jpg|A nearly final concept of the M71 Scythe AA turret.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}}

Revision as of 23:04, August 26, 2011

Were you looking for the M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun, which is sometimes called the Vulcan?

Template:Weapon

The M71 Anti-Aircraft Gun, nicknamed the Scythe, is a stationary rotary cannon emplacement used by the UNSC Defense Force. It is produced by Misriah Armory.[1]

Overview

Design

The M71 Scythe is a powerful pneumatically powered, air-cooled anti-aircraft weapon that performs reliably against many hostile aircraft. It is specifically designed to fire the powerful 20x102mm high-explosive incendiary/armor piercing cartridge from a 100,000-round drum; using its six barrels, the Scythe can fire at a rate of 6,000 rounds per minute,[2] though some Scythes are fed by 1,000-round drums and consequently maintain lower rates of fire.[3] This high rate of fire allows the Scythe to strip away the armor of Covenant aircraft with relative impunity, especially when the craft fly at low altitudes, such as the Spirit and Phantom dropships and the Banshee attack aircraft.[2][3] The Scythe can even quickly disable the shields of low-flying Seraph fighters.[4] Scythe emplacements are also armed with an M41 missile launcher to complement the main cannon.[3]

The M71's tetrapodal base allows the emplacement to be deployed on varied types of terrain. It is usually synchronized with an automated tracking system or a defense-control artificial intelligence.[2] The weapon's control panel is located on the body of the platform; this panel allows an operator to activate or deactivate the weapon, as well as to modify targeting parameters.[3]

Operational history

Several Scythe turrets were placed around the Office of Naval Intelligence's Sword and CASTLE Bases on Reach.[3][2] One such turret was located at Airview Base, just outside Sword Base. On July 26, 2552, Catherine-B320 and SPARTAN-B312 of Noble Team were ordered to Airview Base to reactivate this turret, which assisted in repelling the Covenant's raid on the base.[3] A few weeks later, a group of M71s was later used to defend the Sabre Program Launch/Research Range on Farkas Lake from Seraphs and Spirits.

Trivia

  • In concept art, the weapon was known as the Vulcan, in reference to the M61 Vulcan Gatling gun.[5] This weapon is also the source of the M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun's nickname.
  • The initial design for the turret had four Gatling-style cannons, while the final design only incorporates a single cannon. The weapon's design was inspired by the GAU-8 Avenger cannon mounted on the A-10 Thunderbolt.[6]
  • Though the M71 is designed to be a rapid-firing rotary cannon, in-game, it possesses a low rate of fire, producing deep "booms", and the barrels do not spin until a burst has been fired. Realistically, the weapon should fire much faster, the barrels should spin while firing, and the weapon should emit a loud buzzing noise. Furthermore, the Scythe's ammunition drum is stated to hold only 1,000 rounds, which is impractical for such a weapon. Halo: The Essential Visual Guide reveals that the inconsistencies between the weapon's appearance and function are errors, and that it actually operates like a traditional Gatling-style rotary cannon; thus, it is likely that the Scythes encountered on ONI: Sword Base maintain low rates of fire to conserve their ammunition.
  • In rare instances, the rotating turret can fall from the rest of the weapon and continue to fire at enemy aircraft. When detached, it rolls around and can be pushed with a vehicle.[citation needed]

Gallery

  • Vulcan turret.jpg

    A turnaround concept image of the turret.

  • Vulcan 1.jpg

    An early design of the turret.

  • Vulcan 2.jpg

    A nearly final concept of the M71 Scythe AA turret.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide page 166
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named EVG
  3. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SB
  4. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace
  5. ^ Dan Phillips' art portfolio
  6. ^ Isaac Hannaford: Big guns

Template:UNSC Heavy Weapons

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