FSS-1000 Sabre
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Template:Ship Class Infobox The YSS-1000 Prototype Anti-Ship Spaceplane, commonly known as the Sabre, is a highly classified starfighter used by the UNSC Air Force in surgical orbital combat.[1][2][3][4]
Specifications
Design details
The YSS-1000 is a space-based fighter, which can be launched vertically from a ground-based launch platforms using a system of seven-stage detachable rockets to propel itself out of a planet's atmosphere into low orbit[5][1] without the use of asynchronous linear-induction, nuclear technology,[3] or other traditional means of surface-to-orbit transit. The Sabre also possesses powerful energy shielding technology, which covers all areas of the craft and quickly recharges when depleted.[1][3][4]
The Sabre is designed for the dual purposes of peak acceleration and maneuverability in orbital combat, due in large part to a powerful afterburner system. This emphasis on speed and responsiveness enables the Sabre to perform feats that other human single ships cannot accomplish, and even allows the craft to compete favorably with the Covenant's more technologically advanced Type-31 Seraph fighter. The Sabre is capable of performing complex aileron rolls, Split S maneuvers, and Immelmann turns.[6] The starfighter's engines are maintained and repaired by engine service modules in Sabre engineering facilities inside orbital refit stations. The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Aviator helmet is recommended for use by Sabre crew members.[7]
Armament
The Sabre's armament includes twin M1024 30mm autocannons as well as twin-linked ST/Medusa missile pods; these missiles are capable of maintaining a lock on even fast-moving and highly evasive craft which could likely "shake" most projectiles. The Sabre's targeting computer can identify enemy contacts from a long distance, as well as show the distance to a target. The craft is intended for lethal encounters, not for simply disrupting or disabling targeted craft.[3][4]
Operational history
The Sabre was developed by the Sabre Program, a top-secret project in which SPARTAN-B312 was a pilot at some point.[2] The craft's existence has been denied by three separate administrations[6] and the program has remained secret throughout its existence.[4][3]
The earliest known use of the Sabre was during a counter-insurgency operation on Mamore on May 10, 2552. SPARTAN-B312 demonstrated great skill in piloting the Sabre, thus gaining the approval of Colonel Urban Holland and resulting in the Spartan's assignment to NOBLE Team.[8]
Multiple Sabres were stored in launch facilities across the surface of the planet Reach, including the newest facility near Farkas Lake.[3][4] In addition, the orbital platform Anchor 9 had several Sabres stored in its launch bays.[6][9] During the Fall of Reach in summer 2552, SPARTAN-B312 and Jorge-052 of NOBLE Team used a Sabre during Operation: UPPER CUT, in which multiple Sabres were used to board the Covenant corvette Ardent Prayer in order to use it to deliver a makeshift slipspace bomb to the Covenant supercarrier Long Night of Solace. Before assaulting the corvette, the Sabres were used to defend Anchor 9 against several Banshee interceptors, Seraph starfighters, and Phantom gunboats.[6] SPARTAN-B312 and the other pilots were able to land on the corvette after disabling its engines and destroying its fighter escorts in order to use it and the slipspace drive to destroy the supercarrier.[6] The mission succeeded but the Sabres were destroyed, as the strike team was unable to return to them due to damage to the corvette and was thus forced to abandon them.[4][6][10]
Sabre production continued after the Fall of Reach.[7] Although the fighter never saw mass production (as it was an experimental craft) it remained in service at Office of Naval Intelligence facilities in the Sol system and other confidential locations following the Covenant War. However, upgrade packages inspired by the Sabre have been fitted to GA-TL1 Longswords and F-41 Broadswords,[11] notably including the energy shielding system applied to the latter.
Identified Sabres
Gameplay
The Sabre is usable only in the space combat segment of the level Long Night of Solace.
Like other vehicles in the Halo games, the Sabre is piloted from third-person view. The heads up display, located near the center of the screen, shows the weapon currently in use, thruster heat, as well as the hull and shield integrity of the Sabre. Enemy ships are identified by type and highlighted with a distance marker once the targeting reticle is moved on them. The HUD is slightly different depending on the weapon used at the time.
Pitch and direction change is controlled by the right thumbstick, while the left stick controls speed.[12] However, if the player holds down the Right Bumper, a few changes are made. The auto-level functionality is disabled and left and right on the left thumbstick give full control over roll.[13] This was a function that was initially always enabled and was cut during testing, only to be re-instated at the very last minute by holding the RB button down, and so is not mentioned in the manual, the official guide, or even within the game itself.[14] The Sabre also has a boost function, which uses its wing-mounted thrusters. This fills up the thruster heat bar,which needs to cool down after continuous usage. A variety of maneuvers such as aileron rolls - often misidentified as 'barrel rolls' - and Immelmann turns can be performed by using the left bumper.[15] The weapon in use can be switched between the machine guns and missiles with the Y button. The autocannons have an additional reticle leading the target, and the missiles can lock-on to enemy ships.[16]
In Halo: Reach, crucial aspects of astrodynamics are overlooked for the sake of gameplay. For example, when thrust is cut, the Sabre no longer maintains a constant velocity. In reality, a spacecraft's momentum would propel it forward indefinitely as friction is not present.
Trivia
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- Like the Longsword, Shortsword and Broadsword, the Sabre is name after a bladed weapon.
- Although Bungie experimented on implementing the Sabre into multiplayer, it only appears in the campaign due to balance issues.[16]
- Despite being highly classified and officially non-existent, some sources erroneously describe the Sabre as being the primary defense fighter of the Inner Colonies.[17][18]
- The Sabre launch sequence in Halo: Reach appears to have been inspired by NASA's Space Shuttle program, in both components and angles used for the cinematic. Several angles of the Sabre's launch sequence use similar camera angles seen during Space Shuttle launch, and the on-board cameras are used to examine foam loss on the external tank. The design of the Sabre's own external tank is somewhat based on that on the Shuttle, especially its orange color.
- The Sabre has a very similar overall shape to the F-99 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, including the position and shape of the vertical stabilizers.
- It is possible for the player to ram the Sabre into an enemy Seraph or Banshee and destroy it. This will award the player the Splatter Medal. Interestingly, colliding with or ramming a Covenant drop pod will destroy a fully-shielded Sabre and kill the player, despite the pod's small size. The death will register as "Collision Damage" and the player will receive a "Collision Damage" kill, but will not receive a splatter medal.
- Early in Halo 2 development a Strike Fighter was planned but ultimately cut. Concept art for the Strike Fighter bears strong resemblance to the Sabre, suggesting this concept art may have served as a starting point for the Sabre.
Gallery
Screenshots
The Sabre's port side M1024 cannon.
- SabrePod.jpg
The Sabre's port side Medusa missile launch pod.
- Insertion pod attack.jpg
A Sabre attacks Covenant drop pods during Operation: UPPER CUT.
Bravo 029 docking with Anchor 9.
A front view of the Sabre's cockpit, with SPARTAN-B312 piloting and Jorge-052 co-piloting.
A Sabre and the UNSC Savannah assaulting the Covenant corvette Ardent Prayer.
- Gamma repair bay.jpg
A Sabre in the repair bay of Gamma Station.
Concept art
- SabreConcept 1.jpg
An early concept of the Sabre.
- SabreConcept 2.jpg
Several early conceptual explorations of the Sabre.
- Ih sabre engine top and front01.jpeg
Conceptual views of the Sabre.
- Sabre design.jpg
A conceptual model of the Sabre.
- Sabre - MissileCompartment.png
Concept art showing an early version of the Medusa missile pod.
- SpaceBattleConcept.jpg
Concept art of a Sabre protecting Anchor 9.
- Strike fighter concept.png
A sketch of the scrapped Halo 2 "Strike Fighter", the Sabre's conceptual precursor.
List of appearances
- Halo: Reach (First appearance)
Sources
- ^ a b c Halo: Reach E3 Campaign Demo
- ^ a b Bungie.net: Halo: Reach E3 2010 Trailer
- ^ a b c d e f Halo Waypoint: Sabre
- ^ a b c d e f Cite error: Invalid
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- ^ Halo: Reach Official Strategy Guide, page 437
- ^ a b c d e f Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace
- ^ a b Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 147
- ^ Halo: Reach game manual
- ^ Halo: Reach, multiplayer level Anchor 9
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 7
- ^ Halo Waypoint: The Halo Bulletin: 9.24.14
- ^ GameTrailers: E3 2010: Campaign Walkthrough HD
- ^ HBO Forums: Sabre 'expert controls
- ^ HBO Forums: JonnyOThan of Bungie
- ^ 1up: E3 2010: Halo Reach Stage Video Demo
- ^ a b GameSpot: Halo: Reach E3 2010 Stage Demo: Halo: Reach
- ^ Bungie.net, Halo: Reach game stats
- ^ Halo: Reach Legendary Edition Guide, page 344