Electronic warfare: Difference between revisions

[[Covenant]] vessels such as the [[Covenant stealth ship|an unidentified class]] of stealth vessel possess electronic countermeasures to counter the [[guidance lock]]s on [[Archer missile]]s. One of these vessels used these countermeasures to disrupt missiles fired by the {{UNSCShip|Iroquois}} during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]]. This class also features active camouflage technologies to render the ship virtually invisible,{{Ref/Novel|Id=FoR195|HTFoR|Page=195-196}} a trait also shared by the Covenant [[intrusion corvette]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS12|HSS|Chapter=12}} and {{Pattern|Akton|escort}}.{{Ref/Tabletop|Id=HFBADP|HFB|Detail=ADP-class escort in-game unit}} In the case of the intrusion corvette, it has been recorded that their stealth systems require consistent maintenance. If optimal maintenance practices are not met, the effectiveness of the intrusion corvette's stealth systems decreases dramatically.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HO5|Oblv|Chapter=5}} The {{Pattern|Makar|light corvette}} and {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}} are both equipped with ''Ushab''-pattern stealth generators, utilizing powerful distortion screens and a multispectral hypersink that renders the ships practically invisible to both human and Covenant long-range passive sensors. The ''Ceudar'' pattern also notably features a high-tier [[auspex array]], utilizing the electromagnetic spectrum to examine [[slipstream space]] for approaching ships or probe vast distances in realspace to instantly map local planetary systems. These systems can also detect the subtle changes in planetary or ship atmospheres, which indicates the presence of [[Flood]] contamination.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P376|Enc22|Page=376}} Much larger ships, such as the {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}} ''[[Incorruptible]]'', also possess electronic countermeasures for countering enemy [[Plasma turret|plasma torpedoes]], as well as counter-countermeasures.{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoO193|GoO|Page=193-194}} Several classes of Covenant warships—such as the {{pattern|Hekar Taa|blockade runner}} and {{Pattern|Mutan Et|storm cutter}}—feature [[hyperscanner]]s.{{Ref/Book|Id=WF18|HWF|Page=18}}{{Ref/Site|Id=Season5intel|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/reckoning-intel|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Halo Infinite|Page=Reckoning Intel|D=01|M=01|Y=2024|LocalArchive=Halo Infinite Story & Intel#Season 5}} Hyperscanners provide extremely-detailed information on any object in range, including internal scans and structural composition. The sheer volume of data available generally overwhelm biological Covenant crews, and as a result their workstations typically filter anything not of immediate tactical significance.{{Ref/Reuse|WF18}} Several classes of warships—particularly [[Covenant cruiser|cruiser]]s—prominently feature external protrusions called [[sensor vane]]s, which either contain some or all of the ship's sensor equipment, or otherwise assist in their function.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFCalm|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/calm-in-the-storm|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Calm in the Storm|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/calm-in-the-storm.html|D=04|M=08|Y=2021|Quote=No, although the sensor vane layout is often a way of helping to differentiate between different patterns. For example, if you look closely most of the battlecruisers you see in Halo 3 are actually different from than the Ket-pattern Truth and Reconciliation described in Halo: Warfleet (pp. 62-63), despite their similar fin arrangement.|Quotee=Kenneth Peters}}

The Forerunner utilized artificial intelligences—called [[ancilla]]—on a scale far surpassing humanity. Ancilla were a standard component of Forerunner [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]], interfacing directly with the wearer's mind. The ancilla stored and collated information recorded by the armor and the wearer's own sensory data, allowing both to be accessed later.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SilP41|Sil|Page=41}} In addition to their own stores of knowledge, a personal ancilla could connect to a network—such as that of a starship—and provide information for the wearer at will.{{Ref/Novel|Id=Cry107|Cry|Page=107}} However, the Forerunners' use of ancilla did not stop there. Across their [[ecumene]], trillions of sapient ancilla maintained innumerable aspects of Forerunner society. With few exceptions, every Forerunner was accompanied by a personal ancilla throughout their life. These ancilla served as advisors, teachers, recorders, and mediators to all Forerunner Information systems and the [[Domain]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P325|Enc22|Page=325}} The most notable classes of ancilla are [[monitor]]s: administrators, assistants, guards, and caretakers created to govern large facilities and oversee their processes,{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P371|Enc22|Page=371}} and [[Metarch-class ancilla|Metarch]]: hyper-advanced ancilla created to serve the [[Ecumene Council]], with the purpose of managing large swaths of the ecumene's operations,{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/the-new-halo-encyclopedia-is-out-today|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=The New Halo Encyclopedia is Out Today|D=11|M=03|Y=2023}} with some even tasked with coordinating entire war efforts.{{Ref/Novel|Id=p190|Pri|Page=190-192}}