Editing GA-TL1 Longsword

[[File:TFoR AS - Longsword Squadron Delta.jpg|thumb|350px|A squadron of Longswords during [[space warfare]].]]

The '''GA-TL1 Interceptor/Strike Fighter''', or '''Longsword''', is the mainstay multi-mission platform in service with the [[UNSC Air Force]] and [[UNSC Navy]].<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 112''</ref><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> Longswords are capable of atmospheric and exoatmospheric (A/X) operation and can be fitted for myriad roles simultaneously. Among those roles, Longswords most often operate as fleet defense fighters, orbital defense and deep space interceptors, or as strike fighters, among other, more specialized tasks.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}

==Overview==

[[File:HWF longsword.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The various ordnance carried by a C712 Longsword.{{Ref/Book|Id=warfleet|[[Halo: Warfleet]]|Section=Armaments|Page=16-17}}]]

While there are several noticeable external and presumably internal differences among variants, all Longswords share a common overall architecture. Most Longswords feature a wide, manta ray-like design with a rear-facing boom apparatus protruding from the center of the fuselage. The exhaust ports for the Longsword's twin fusion engines are also visible at the rear of the fuselage.{{Ref/Reuse|enc}} The newer [[C718 Longsword]] differs in a few key areas. It shares the same general arrow-shaped fuselage, but with more stubby wings. The C718 also does away with the tail-like boom and incorporates four more engines than the [[C709 Longsword|C709]] and [[C712 Longsword|C712]] variants.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P160}}

The standard armament of the GA-TL1 Longsword is the [[M9109 ASW/AC MLA|M9109 50mm cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}<ref>'''Halo: Reach''' manual</ref> Some variants are armed with [[110mm rotary cannon]]s<ref name="FS28">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 28''</ref> or a turreted [[120mm ventral gun]] that can be retracted into the hull,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 58''</ref> though the latter is likely a secondary weapon. The Longsword can also accommodate any of several supplementary weapon systems, including four [[ASGM-10 missile]]s{{Ref/Novel|Id=SOR13|HSOR|Chapter=13}} or [[ASGM-15 missile]]s,{{Ref/Novel|Id=SOR19|HSOR|Chapter=19}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P160}} a variety of bombs including laser-guided [[M888 Octadart bomb]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|SOR19}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P160|Enc22|Page=160}} [[M1011 Moray space mine]]s, or even a single {{Class|Shiva|nuclear missile}};{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P160}} when remotely piloted, the Longsword itself can be used as a delivery system for the ''Shiva'' warhead.<ref name="remote">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 322-324''</ref> As well as Shiva nuclear missiles, Longswords are capable of deploying [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Escalation12}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P160}} Longswords are also capable of dropping and deploying certain variants of [[ordnance pod]]s to resupply troops on the ground.{{Ref/Game|[[Halo: Reach]]|[[Firefight]]}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P160}}

 

 

*''[[Knife 26]]'' – Stationed aboard the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, presumably destroyed during the [[Fall of Reach]].

==Service history==

===Origin and early service===

===Human-Covenant War===

Later, Longswords were deployed on the front lines of nearly every major engagement of the [[Human-Covenant War]] under the [[UNSC Navy]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} [[Longsword Squadron Delta]], assigned to the frigate {{UNSCShip|Commonwealth}}, engaged [[Covenant]] forces during the [[Battle of Chi Ceti]]. The Longswords were destroyed when the ''Commonwealth'' was forced to sacrifice them to get a shot on the ''[[Unrelenting]]'' with a ''Shiva''-class nuclear missile. The Longswords that survived the firefight were destroyed when the nuclear weapon detonated.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''' ''(2001)'', ''pages 112-113''</ref>

The C712 Longsword variant saw heavy use during the [[Fall of Reach]].{{Ref/Game|HR|[[campaign]]}} Later in the battle, the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} launched a remotely piloted Longsword equipped with a ''Shiva''-class nuclear missile during a battle with an {{Pattern|Kewu|battleship}}. After the ship's shields were taken down, the "smart" AI [[Cortana]] crash-landed the Longsword on the ship. The nuke's detonation destroyed the Covenant vessel.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Fall of Reach}}

During the [[Battle of Voi]], numerous C712 Longswords aided a number of frigates in attacking the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[Anodyne Spirit|ship]], once John-117 cleared the way by destroying an [[Skar'wa-pattern Mantis|anti-aircraft battery]]. However, the attack proved unsuccessful and [[Truth's fleet]] was able to evacuate through the [[Portal at Voi]] which they opened moments after the failed attack.{{Ref/Level|Id=storm|Halo 3|[[The Storm]]}} Longswords subsequently took part in the [[Battle of Installation 00]] after the [[Fleet of Retribution]] and the [[Seventh Fleet]] followed Truth through the portal to prevent the firing of the [[Halo Array]]. At least one was shot down during the battle and crashed on the Ark which was witnessed by the ground team led by John-117.{{Ref/Level|[[Halo 3]]|[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]}}

The C718 Longsword entered service within the UNSC in response to [[The Reclamation|the events]] of late 2558, incorporating decades of research and captured alien technology. A first within the GA-TL1 Longsword family, the C718 also includes cutting-edge stealth technology.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P160}}

In [[2559#October|October 2559]], several of the ''Infinity''{{'}}s Longswords took part in [[Operation: WOLFE]], fighting against [[Escharum]]'s [[intrusion corvette]] and the forces that it unleashed.{{Ref/Novel|SoR}}

*The C709's cabin is nearly as long as that of an [[Wikipedia:Airbus A320|Airbus A320]], a commercial airliner.<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=1069623 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Updated Halo vehicle scales + vs real life" - Bry'']</ref>

File:H3 E3 Shootdown.jpg|A Longsword being shot by a Covenant {{Pattern|Skar'wa|Mantis}}.

File:Waypoint Chief MemorialDay2018.png|Longswords in the 2018 Memorial Day art.

File:HINF - Emblem icon - Longsword Streak.png|The Longsword Streak emblem in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.

*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''

*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''

*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{C|Poster and emblem only}}