Editing Elsedda-pattern Banshee

|name=''Elsedda''-pattern Banshee

|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]<ref name="vis">''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', p. 19 (Banshee Fighter)</ref>

|model=Type-27

|length={{Convert|10.9|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}

|width={{Convert|8.6|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}

|height={{Convert|3.5|m|ft}}<ref>''[[Halo: Reach]]'', 3D Model Data</ref>

|mass=

|slipspace speed=N/A

|shield gen=None

|armament=

*[[Heavy plasma cannon]] (2)<ref name="manual">''Halo: Reach'', manual</ref>

*[[Class-2 Projectile cannon]] (1){{Ref/Reuse|manual}}

|crew=Pilot (1){{Ref/Reuse|vis}}

|firstsight=[[2527]]

|affiliation=[[Covenant]]<br>[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]

 

The '''''Elsedda''-pattern Strike Fighter''' {{Type|27|Exoatmospheric Multirole Fighter}},<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/ ''Halo Waypoint'': The Universe - Tech]</ref> informally known as the '''Space Banshee''',{{Ref/Reuse|Stats}} the '''Banshee Fighter''',{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}} and the '''Banshee Interceptor''',{{Ref/Reuse|Stats}} is the [[Covenant]] standard space interceptor support craft of the defunct [[Covenant fleet]].<ref name="Stats">''Halo: Reach'', game stats</ref> It is a vacuum-sealed variant of the  {{Pattern|Is'belox|Banshee}} that is designed exclusively for exoatmospheric operations,<ref name="solace">''Halo: Reach'', campaign level, [[Long Night of Solace]]</ref><ref name="Waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/banshee-fighter/82613d70-17cc-4652-8ab1-a1f16e29c516 ''Halo Waypoint:'' Banshee Fighter] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20110420171841/http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/banshee-fighter/82613d70-17cc-4652-8ab1-a1f16e29c516 Archive.org])</ref> though it is capable of operating in-atmosphere.<ref name="HE2">''[[Halo: Escalation]]'', [[Halo: Escalation Issue 2|Issue 2]]</ref>

The Type-27 XMF is similar in appearance and design to the Type-26 ''Banshee'' ground support aircraft, although it boasts several unique features. The Type-27 XMF's canards are swept forward, with the impulse engine placement making the craft more maneuverable in zero-G space. The craft sports two [[heavy plasma cannon]]s, which are elongated in comparison with those of the Type-26's [[Class-2 Energy Gun|standard model]], providing greatly increased range and firepower. A [[Class-2 Projectile cannon|fuel rod cannon]] is mounted at the front of the fuselage.{{Ref/Reuse|manual}} The canopy also includes an integrated antenna for communications.{{Ref/Reuse|HSSC20}} The craft features an extended tail stabilizer, which helps dampen turbulence during transitions in and out of atmosphere while docking. Unlike the standard ''Banshee'' model, the Type-27 XMF sports an enclosed vacuum-sealed cockpit.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}} These craft can be mounted on the [[hangar bay]] walls of Covenant warships<ref>''Halo: Reach'', [[Firefight]] map, [[Corvette (map)|Corvette]]</ref> and on the undersides of vessels' hulls.{{Ref/Reuse|solace}} Unfortunately, the Banshee is highly vulnerable to the electromagnetic pulses of human nuclear weapons, where the fighter would be left dead in space with no way to call for help.{{Ref/Reuse|HSSC20}}

Inside the cockpit, the pilot has access to a wide-angle viewscreen for sight. An instrument console comes complete with holographic readout panels that monitor the fighter's various systems, with at least one referencing the impulse engines. On either side of the viewscreen are control grips for piloting the Banshee. The user laid on a cushioned bed, and was held to the fighter via a stability harness that ran across their flanks and hips.{{Ref/Reuse|HSSC20}}

The Type-27 XMF is effective against stationary weapon emplacement and [[Extra-vehicular activity|EVA-equipped]] infantry, as well as in reconnaissance pickets. However, the craft is most effective when used in high-volume deployments. Deployment in great numbers can allow the Type-27 XMF to overwhelm heavier fighters such as the [[GA-TL1 Longsword|GA-TL1 ''Longsword'' interceptor]], as well as escort ships, such as [[cruiser]]s and [[UNSC frigate|frigates]]. Though the Seraph is used as the Covenant's primary fighter in single ship combat, the Type-27 ''Banshee'' provides invaluable screens and support, tipping many battles in the Covenant's favor.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}

The Type-27 Banshee was first observed by the UNSC at some point prior to [[2526#March|March 5, 2526]], when the [[SPARTAN-II]]s captured five of the fighters from the [[Covenant frigate|frigate]] ''[[Radiant Arrow]]''.<ref name="HSSC3">'''Halo: Silent Storm''', ''Chapter 3''</ref> Before [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]] had a chance to properly inspect and document them, these same five fighters would be used by [[Blue Team]] during [[Battle over Etalan|a mission]] to destroy [[Covenant]] [[Bladder ship|munition carrier]]s above [[Etalan]]. At the same battle, the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]] would deploy more Type-27 Banshees in defense of their logistics fleet.<ref name="HSSC20">'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''', ''Chapter 20''</ref>

Numerous Type-27 XMFs assisted the Covenant in attacking the [[Epsilon Eridani Fleet|UNSC Epsilon Eridani Fleet]] and orbital stations over [[Reach]] during the [[Fall of Reach|invasion]], particularly during [[Operation: UPPER CUT]]. During this engagement, numerous squadrons of Type-27 XMFs were used in conjunction with many of the Covenant's more powerful [[Type-31 Seraph]] to attack the UNSC [[refit station]] ''[[Anchor 9]]'' and later to defend the [[Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette|corvette]] ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' from UNSC boarders.{{Ref/Reuse|solace}}

During the [[Battle over Installation 04|opening stages]] of the [[Battle of Installation 04|Battle of]] [[Installation 04]], as the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} was boarded by [[Covenant]] [[Covenant military|forces]] of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], Type-27 XMFs, as well as Type-31 Seraphs were deployed to attack the UNSC cruiser. The [[ODSTs]] of [[Fireteam Raven]] managed to activate the vessel's [[M910 Rampart point defense network]], inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking Type-27 XMFs and Seraphs.<ref>'''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''': ''campaign mission - [[Escape (Halo: Fireteam Raven level)|Escape]]''</ref>

By [[2558]] numerous Type-27 Banshees were fielded by [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]] during the [[Battle of Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Reuse|HE2}}

File:HR Banshee Concept 1.jpg|Initial concept sketches for the Banshee.

File:T27xmf_ref.jpg|A turnaround reference of the Space Banshee.

File:Space Banshee Patterns.png|Type-27 Banshee patterns in ''Halo Reach''.

File:HReach-T27BansheeXMF.png|An in-game profile view of the Space Banshee Fighter.

File:SpaceBansheeSide.jpg|A Space Banshee above [[Reach]].

File:SpaceBansheeFront.jpg|A view of a Space Banshee from the front.

File:2 banshee types Esc 2.png|A [[Type-26 Banshee|Type-26C Banshee]] and Type-27 Banshee Fighter piloted by [[Thomas Lasky|Captain Thomas Lasky]] and [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan]] [[Naiya Ray]] during the [[Battle of Ealen IV]].

File:H2A-pavel-belov-cairo-external.jpg|T-27 Banshees in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' concept art.