M80 missile launcher
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
M80 Multiple Rocket Launch System | |
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An M80B model, consisting of twin rocket pods mounted onto a portable turret stand. | |
Production overview | |
Manufacturer: |
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Type: |
Missile launcher |
Variants: |
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Specifications | |
Length: |
207 centimeters (81.5 in)[2] |
Ammunition type: |
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Capacity: |
3 missiles per-pod[2] |
Salvo fire (3 tubes)[2] | |
Optics: |
None; smart-link-compatible[2] |
Service history | |
In service: |
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The M80 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M80 MLRS), known simply as the Rocket pod turret is a portable turret in use by the United Nations Space Command armed forces after the Human-Covenant War.[1][2]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
The M80 consists of a tripodal launcher, in which three rocket tubes are oriented around the launcher's central axis. The weapon assembly is formed of three main modules - a central fire control system with an integrated sensor package, and two of the aforementioned detachable launcher pods. Each of the individual rocket cells features an internal reloading mechanism and anti-blast safety features to mitigate injury to the user in the event of damage to the rockets contained within.[1]
The M80 is relatively light and self-contained, and is compatible to be fitted on any vehicle or structure compatible with its war-era predecessor, the M79 MLRS.[1] They may be deployed as a turret mounting on the back of an M12R Rocket Warthog (or other vehicle), or deployed atop a standalone tripod for site defence. If necessary, the individual pods can be taken off of their stand and wielded by a Spartan.[4]
Ammunition[edit]
Unlike the 65mm Argent V missiles employed by the M80's predecessor, the M79, the M80 fires 40mm M5100 low trajectory missiles (LTMs). Each rocket cell can stock one missile, with the launcher able to fire salvos of three missiles at ground or air targets.[2] The M5100s are not the only munition fired from the launcher, with a number of other variable munitions also used.[1]
Variants[edit]
- M80 - standard model fitted onto the M12R Rocket Warthog as a turret option.[5][6]
- M80B - initially deployed exclusively to elite Unified Ground Command (UNICOM) units assigned to Earth, the M80B integrates additional smart-link functionality and datalinks, including the latest specialized protocols used by the Office of Naval Intelligence and NAVSPECWAR.[1]
- ONI Rocket Pod Turret: A variant used by the Office of Naval Intelligence. This variant can lock on to vehicles and aircraft. It also fires 6 rockets at once, though now it only has 4 shots.[7][8]
- Vespin rocket pod: A variant with faster rockets and reload.[9][10]
Operational history[edit]
M80 MLRS' were introduced to replace the aging M79 MLRS systems of the Human-Covenant War. As of 2558, the M80B model had entered service with several distinct upgrades over the standard M80. They were initially fielded exclusively to elite UNICOM military units stationed on Earth, though have slowly begun to replace the M79 in wider usage.[1][2] Thanks to political corruption, even corporate entities such as the Liang-Dortmund Corporation were able to begin fielding M80-equipped Rocket Warthogs under the pretense of security measures against threats on the frontier.[11]
In October of that year, they were fielded by forces of the UNSC during the Cortana Event - the beginning of the Created uprising.[4] As of 2560, they are among the most common of MLRS systems in use in the UNSC, and have yet to fully supplant the M79s.[2]
In-game information[edit]
Halo 5: Guardians[edit]
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Carrying the turret decreases the player's speed and maneuverability. When ripped off its stand, it has an ammo capacity of 24 rockets.
Gallery[edit]
Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
Render of the detached M80B rocket pod turret in Halo 5: Guardians.
Jameson Locke using an M80B during the Battle of Meridian.
A Void Dancer-clad Spartan-IV wielding the detached rocket pod turret on Pegasus.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo 5: Guardians (First appearance)
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Waypoint, Missile Launcher (Retrieved on Jan 23, 2016) [archive]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 180
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Rocket Pod Turret "Multirole missile launcher."
- ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians, Rocket Pod Turret in-game weapon
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide, page 271
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 137
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: ONI Rocket Pod Turret "When It's time to go loud, ONI accepts no substitutes. Fires missiles with both surface to air and surface to surface engagement profiles."
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: ONI Rocket Warthog "ONI Rocket Warthogs use multi-role missiles that can lock on to both ground and air targets. Advanced Rocket Warthog with heavy armor and upgraded missile launcher pods."
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Vespin Rocket Warthog "UNSC forces allied with the Arbiter have access to his artisan-armorers and technologies unearthed from Sanghelios' past. Improved Warthog with high-acceleration rockets and faster reload time."
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Driving Force (Retrieved on Mar 28, 2017) [archive]
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Corp Rocket Warthog "A few credits in the right hands and even a missile platform can be ruled to have a legitimate use by corporate entities. Rugged Rocket Warthog with extra armor."