Editing GA-TL1 Longsword

{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:TFoR AS - Longsword Squadron Delta.jpg|thumb|350px|A squadron of Longswords during a [[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==
===Design details===
[[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}}]]
The GA-TL1 Longsword is designed primarily as a fighter, though it can also be used for interception, suppression, bombing, or direct attack.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} There are a number of variants of the craft, with some variants measuring 64 meters (210 feet) long and 75 meters (246 feet) wide.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}<ref name="enc">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''' ''(2009)'', ''page 251''</ref><br> Their crew sizes can vary between two and four individuals; the crew may be assisted by an onboard [[artificial intelligence]].

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 Longsword can be remotely piloted, as was performed during the [[Battle of Chi Ceti]] in [[2525]].{{Ref/Reuse|remote}} The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Aviator]] helmet is recommended for use by [[Spartan Operations|Spartans]] acting as Longsword crew members.{{Ref/Book|[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]|Page=147}}

===Armament===
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}}

==Variants==
There are multiple variants of the GA-TL1 Longsword that are designed to perform specific functions, such as the C708, the C709, and the C712.<ref name="HCEALibrary">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', [[Library (feature)|Library]]</ref> However, these variations are not static; Longswords can be modified on a craft-by-craft basis to fit the needs of a given mission.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}

*'''[[C708 Longsword]]''' - A variant of the Longsword.{{Ref/Reuse|HCEALibrary}}
*'''[[C709 Longsword]]''' - Designed to apply force in exoatmospheric engagements. It is armed with a 110mm rotary cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} Despite its focus on exoatmospheric combat, the C709 features large air intakes and a non-polarized canopy.<ref name="CE">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'''</ref><ref name="H2">'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref>
*'''[[C712 Longsword]]''' - Designated [[Hull classification symbol|SS-110]] by the [[UNSC Air Force]],<ref>'''Halo: Warfleet''' ''page 17''</ref> specialized in short-range atmospheric/exoatmospheric (A/X) strike runs. It can carry an assortment of missile and mine delivery systems. The C712 features a large, polarized canopy and integrated air intakes.{{Ref/Reuse|Origins}}<ref name="H3">'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref><ref name="Reach">'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref>
*'''[[C718 Longsword]]''' - Introduced following the [[The Reclamation|rise]] of the [[Created]] in late 2558. It carries a particularly lethal arsenal and also incorporates advanced stealth technologies.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P160}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFMasterClass|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/master-class|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Master Class|D=12|M=7|Y=2021}}
<gallery class=center>
File:Enc22 SoTP C709Longsword.png|A [[C709 Longsword]].
File:H2A_-_Longsword_model.jpg|A [[C712 Longsword]].
File:Enc22 C718LongswordFront.png|A [[C718 Longsword]].
</gallery>

==Ships of the line==
*''[[Knife 26]]'' – Stationed aboard the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, presumably destroyed during the [[Fall of Reach]].
;C712 Longswords
*[[Longsword 91-002]] – Crash-landed on a [[Halo Array|Halo installation]].

==Service history==
===Origin and early service===
[[File:H3 E3 Longsword 3.jpg|thumb|250px|Three Longswords assaulting the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] in the [[Battle of Voi]].{{Ref/Reuse|storm}}]]
The Longsword, manufactured by [[Misriah Armory]], was designed during the 25th century by [[Gov Aukland]] and [[Thomas Levesque]], whose names inspired the GA-TL1 designation.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} Longswords saw service during the [[Insurrection]].<ref name="Origins">'''Halo Legends''', ''Origins''</ref> 

===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}}

Famously, the C709 Longsword was used by [[John-117]] to escape the destruction of the UNSC ''Pillar of Autumn'' and [[Installation 04]] during the [[Battle of Installation 04]].{{Ref/Game|HCE|campaign}}

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]]}}

===Post-war===
On [[2557#July|July 26, 2557]], Spartan [[Blue Team]] used a Longsword to reach Halo [[Installation 03]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue 8''</ref> On [[2558#March|March 11, 2558]], several Longswords defended {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} when she was attacked by [[New Colonial Alliance|insurgent]] aerospace craft after the freighter ''[[Pilgrims' Pride]]'' was pulled into ''Infinity's'' primary docking bay.<ref name="HE4">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''Issue #4''</ref>

During [[Operation: WHISTLE STOP]] on May 8, 2558, ''Infinity'' deployed three Longswords to escort two [[D77H-TCI Pelican]]s to rescue Spartans [[Naiya Ray]] and [[Gabriel Thorne]] from the [[pirate]]s inhabiting the [[Ven III|planet]]. One of the fighters deployed [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]s, destroying the pirate base.<ref name="Escalation12">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 12|Issue #12]]''</ref> At least one Longsword was deployed during the [[Battle of Oban]] on July 16, where it destroyed two Covenant [[Phantom]] dropships.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]''</ref> A few days later, three Longswords from ''Infinity'' escorted two [[D79-TC Pelican]]s to the surface of [[Aktis IV]] during a [[Battle of Aktis IV|battle on the planet]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]''</ref>

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}}

==Gameplay==
===''Halo: Fleet Battles''===
====UNSC Longsword Bomber Flights====
*Flight slots: 1
*Movement: 16"
*Damage track: 2
*Systems loadout: None
*Weapons: vs. wing targets
**Range: Contact
**Dice: 1
*Weapons: vs. element targets
**Range: Contact
**Dice: 2

==Trivia==
*Like the [[FSS-1000 Sabre]], the [[S-14 Baselard]], the [[F-41 Broadsword]], and the [[B-65 Shortsword]], the Longsword is named after a [[Wikipedia:Longsword|bladed weapon]].
*The C709's cabin is nearly as long as that of an [[Wikipedia:Airbus A230|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>
*The SS-110's featured in ''Halo: Reach'' are only half as large as their original ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' appearance, likely because they are meant to be seen only from a great distance and for a short period of time. The craft seen on the multiplayer map "[[Tempest]]" is, like the crashed Pelican on the map "[[Highlands]]", too small to accommodate a single Spartan.<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=1069666 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Re: Updated Halo vehicles scale vs. real life" - Stephen Loftus'']</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Longswords}}
<gallery>
File:HCE Longsword Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Longsword for ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:H2-LongswordFighter-Views.png|Dorsal and ventral view renders of the Longsword from ''Halo 2''.
File:H3-GATL1LongswordFighterSide.png|A side preview of the GATL1 Longsword Fighter in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3-GATL1LongswordFighter.png|An angled preview of the GATL1 Longsword Fighter-Interceptor in ''Halo 3''.
File:Longsword7.jpg|A Longsword crashing on [[Installation 00]].
File:Ark longsword crash.jpg|The wreckage of a crashed Longsword on Installation 00
File:Longsword down.jpg|A frontal view of the C712 Longsword.
File:Voilongsword.jpg|An angled view of the Longsword (notice the 7-89 tag on it).
File:H3 E3 Shootdown.jpg|A Longsword being shot by a Covenant {{Pattern|Skar'wa|Mantis}}.
File:HaloLegends-Origins-Longswords.png|A squadron of Longswords bombing a city in ''[[Halo Legends]]: [[Origins]]''.
File:Longsword Escalation 4.png|A group of Longswords defending the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} in ''[[Halo: Escalation]] #4''.
File:Escalation - GammaHalo Longsword.png|A Longsword being used by Blue Team in ''Halo: Escalation #8''.
File:H2A - Longswords bomb carrier.jpg|A pair of Longswords bomb [[Day of Jubilation|an assault carrier]] ahead of the Master Chief's attack during the Battle for Earth in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:HTFORAS_Longsword_Turnaround.jpg|Turnaround of the Longsword fighter in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''.
File:HTV-Unbound-Longswords.jpg|Soren-066 heads to steal a Longsword in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]'' 
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{C|Poster only}}
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Unbound]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]''
{{Col-end}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}

{{Human aircraft}}
{{Human Ships}}

[[Category:Space fighter classes]]
[[Category:Longsword variants| ]]