M71 Scythe: Difference between revisions

{{Era|HCW}}

<center>''Were you looking for the ''[[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]'', which is sometimes called the Vulcan?''</center>

{{Weapon

|image=[[File:Unscaagun.jpg|300px]]

|name=M71 Scythe anti-aircraft gun

|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]

|type=Anti-aircraft turret

|size=

|damage per hit=Very high

|magazine=1,000 rounds

|maxammo=Unlimited

|fire=Automatic

|ammotype=

|operation=Electrically-powered

|rate of fire=

|accuracy=High

|range=Medium

|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]

|counterpart=

|counterwep=

|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]

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]].

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.

*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 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>

File:Vulcan_turret.jpg|A turnaround image 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.

<references/>

{{UNSC Heavy Weapons}}