Editing B-65 Shortsword

{{Era|HCW|Post}}

{{Vehicle Infobox

|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]<ref name="vis"/>

|length={{Convert|27.3|m|ft}}<ref name="vis"/>

|width={{Convert|35.3|m|ft}}<ref name="vis"/>

|mass=

*[[Machine-linked autocannon#M955 ASW/AC 30mm|M955 ASW/AC 30mm MLA]]<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 176''</ref>

*[[Maastricht/Raleigh Ordnance Delivery-Application System|M/RODAS delivery system]]<ref name="vis"/>

**[[Carpet bombing|Unguided bomb]]

**[[GBU-1105 bomb]]

**[[XGBU-302 bomb]]

|crew=1 pilot, 1 copilot, 1 system technician<ref name="vis"/>

[[UNSC Air Force]] <small>(primary operator as of [[2557]])</small>

The '''B-65 Suborbital Long-Range Bomber''',<ref name="vis"/> commonly known as the '''Shortsword''', is an atmospheric [[Wikipedia:strategic bomber|strategic bomber]] produced by [[Misriah Armory]]. It is fielded by [[UNSC Air Force]] reserve units and was formerly operated by the [[UNSC Navy|Navy]].<ref name="Bulletin"/>

==Specifications==

The Shortsword is similar in design to [[Misriah Armory]]'s [[GA-TL1 Longsword]] interceptor, though its airframe is less angular. The bomber features elongated primary wings as well as smaller winglets attached to a large boom apparatus at the rear of the fuselage. A large air intake is mounted on the dorsal surface of each wing; pronged structures, possibly ailerons, are located at the rear tip of each wing. Though the B-65 is designed to provide suborbital air support, it is capable of at least rudimentary space flight; Shortswords are often deployed from parent vessels in low orbit.

The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Aviator]] helmet is recommended for use by Shortsword crew members.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 147''</ref> Following the [[Human-Covenant War]] the UNSC no longer required every available combat-worthy airframe to be used in service against the [[Covenant]]. Instead the remaining Shortswords were either transferred to [[UNSC Air Force]] reserve units or scrapped, depending on the condition of a given craft.<ref name="Bulletin">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-9-24-14 '''Halo Waypoint''': The Halo Bulletin: 9.24.14'']</ref> Some Shortswords were found on the [[Venezia]]n [[black market]] after the war.<ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 103''</ref>

The Shortsword is typically armed with conventional bombs for performing [[carpet bombing]] runs. When releasing its payload, the Shortsword "punches" its munitions into the ground; the munitions then explode a short time later. As the bombs detonate in the order in which they are dropped, carpet bombing runs carried out by the Shortsword resemble twentieth-century napalm strikes. Bombers equipped with the [[Maastricht/Raleigh Ordnance Delivery-Application System|M/RODAS delivery system]] can carry less conventional payloads such as the [[XGBU-302 bomb|XGBU-302 disruption bomb]] or the [[GBU-1105 bomb|GBU-1105 "cryo" bomb]]. Shortswords are additionally equipped with [[Machine-linked autocannon#M955 ASW/AC 30mm|M955 ASW/AC 30mm machine-linked autocannons]] that fires 30mm projectiles.<ref name="vis"/>

== Gameplay ==

The Shortsword is only ever seen during gameplay briefly, where it can be seen flying over the battlefield dropping ordnance wherever the player chooses. The use of the Shortsword differs depending on which leader character the player uses. [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] uses it to drop [[GBU-1105 bomb|cryo bomb]]s, a simple point-and-click power which can be used to effectively freeze a large area of the battlefield, as well as the units or buildings in it. [[John Forge|Sergeant John Forge]] uses it to perform [[carpet bombing]] runs, where the beginning of the bombing run must be selected, an arrow appears and can be rotated around the start point, setting the angle of the bombing run. Carpet bombing runs are useful for hitting a number of enemies in different formations. All UNSC leaders can call on a Shortsword to deliver [[XGBU-302 bomb|disruption bomb]]s which can be used to block enemy [[Halo Wars#Leader abilities|leader powers]].

The Shortsword cannot be attacked, or destroyed, in-game.

*A Shortsword is a reference to a number of weapons intermediate between the sword and the dagger, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming exoatmospheric vehicles like the [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] and the [[YSS-1000 Sabre|Sabre]] after bladed weapons.

*During the development of ''Halo Wars'', the Shortsword was originally to be a usable unit, docked at the [[UNSC airpad|airpad]]. In the concept art, its tail is retracted and its wings are angled up to make it more compact and allow docking, similar to modern-day carrier born aircraft, such as the [[Wikipedia:F-18 Hornet|F-/A-18 Hornet]].

File:HW 1920x1200 6.jpg|Finalized concept art of the Shortsword.

File:UNSC Shortsword.jpg|Early concept art image of the Shortsword bomber.

HW_Shortsword_view_02.png|Underside view of the Shortsword.

<references/>

{{UNSCDF Aircraft}}