Point-defense gun: Difference between revisions
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The point-defense gun fills a role similar to the [[wikipedia:CIWS|CIWS]] designs created during the 20th century. Based around [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|magnetic linear accelerator]] technology,<ref name="ENC"/> it fires solid projectiles. Unlike [[Archer missile]]s and the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] weapon systems mounted on capital ships, the point-defense guns are not used to engage Covenant capital ships. They are instead meant to intercept smaller threats like [[Type-31 Seraph]] fighters<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 272''</ref> or [[Covenant boarding craft|boarding craft]], and disrupt incoming plasma weaponry,<ref>'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''page 19''</ref> to reduce the damage inflicted to a warship's superstructure. | The point-defense gun fills a role similar to the [[wikipedia:CIWS|CIWS]] designs created during the 20th century. Based around [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|magnetic linear accelerator]] technology,<ref name="ENC"/> it fires solid projectiles. Unlike [[Archer missile]]s and the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] weapon systems mounted on capital ships, the point-defense guns are not used to engage Covenant capital ships. They are instead meant to intercept smaller threats like [[Type-31 Seraph]] fighters<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 272''</ref> or [[Covenant boarding craft|boarding craft]], and disrupt incoming plasma weaponry,<ref>'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''page 19''</ref> to reduce the damage inflicted to a warship's superstructure. | ||
Because [[human]] operators lack the reflexive responses necessary to operate the point-defense guns to maximum effect, the autocannons are computer controlled and, if an AI is available, control is diverted to it. [[Smart artificial intelligence|"Smart" AIs]] seem better able to operate the point-defense guns than standard computers and also lesser [[Dumb artificial intelligence|"dumb" AIs]].<ref name="nav">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 19''</ref> | Because [[human]] operators lack the reflexive responses necessary to operate the point-defense guns to maximum effect, the autocannons are computer controlled and, if an AI is available, control is diverted to it. [[Smart artificial intelligence|"Smart" AIs]] seem better able to operate the point-defense guns than standard computers and also lesser [[Dumb artificial intelligence|"dumb" AIs]].<ref name="nav">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 19''</ref> Nonetheless, in times of need, human operators are capable of manning the turrets when an AI is unable to.<ref name="HFREscape">'''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''', level ''[[Escape (Halo: Fireteam Raven level)|Escape]]''</reF> | ||
===Operational history=== | ===Operational history=== | ||
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Point-defense guns have been standard armament on UNSC vessels since the [[Insurrection]], a common model being the [[M810 Helix point defense gun|M810 Helix]]. Later, {{Class|Halcyon|cruiser}}s used a dual-barreled point-defense weapon system designated as the [[M910 Rampart point defense network]].<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf Data Drop 5]</ref> | Point-defense guns have been standard armament on UNSC vessels since the [[Insurrection]], a common model being the [[M810 Helix point defense gun|M810 Helix]]. Later, {{Class|Halcyon|cruiser}}s used a dual-barreled point-defense weapon system designated as the [[M910 Rampart point defense network]].<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf Data Drop 5]</ref> | ||
During the human occupation of [[Installation 04]], the [[ODSTs]] that recaptured and secured the wreckage of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} from the [[Covenant]] managed to scavenge several of the ship's 50mm turrets.<ref name="c137">'''Halo: The Flood''', Chapter 5, ''page 137'' (2003 paperback); ''page 153'' (2010 paperback)</ref> The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]]. | During the opening stages of the [[Battle of Installation 04]], the ODSTs of [[Fireteam Raven]] were instructed by [[Wellsley]] to man the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s defensive guns to fend off several waves of Seraph and [[Type-27 Banshee|Banshee]] fighters.<ref name="HFREscape"/> During the later human occupation of [[Installation 04]], the [[ODSTs]] that recaptured and secured the wreckage of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} from the [[Covenant]] managed to scavenge several of the ship's 50mm turrets.<ref name="c137">'''Halo: The Flood''', Chapter 5, ''page 137'' (2003 paperback); ''page 153'' (2010 paperback)</ref> The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]]. | ||
==Known types== | ==Known types== | ||
Revision as of 19:30, June 2, 2019
A point-defense gun is a type of United Nations Space Command starship-mounted magnetic accelerator weapon.[1] Though several models exist, the most common type of point-defense gun fires 50mm high-explosive projectiles.[2]
Design details
Functionality
The point-defense gun fills a role similar to the CIWS designs created during the 20th century. Based around magnetic linear accelerator technology,[1] it fires solid projectiles. Unlike Archer missiles and the MAC weapon systems mounted on capital ships, the point-defense guns are not used to engage Covenant capital ships. They are instead meant to intercept smaller threats like Type-31 Seraph fighters[3] or boarding craft, and disrupt incoming plasma weaponry,[4] to reduce the damage inflicted to a warship's superstructure.
Because human operators lack the reflexive responses necessary to operate the point-defense guns to maximum effect, the autocannons are computer controlled and, if an AI is available, control is diverted to it. "Smart" AIs seem better able to operate the point-defense guns than standard computers and also lesser "dumb" AIs.[5] Nonetheless, in times of need, human operators are capable of manning the turrets when an AI is unable to.[6]
Operational history
Point-defense guns have been standard armament on UNSC vessels since the Insurrection, a common model being the M810 Helix. Later, Halcyon-class cruisers used a dual-barreled point-defense weapon system designated as the M910 Rampart point defense network.[7]
During the opening stages of the Battle of Installation 04, the ODSTs of Fireteam Raven were instructed by Wellsley to man the UNSC Pillar of Autumn's defensive guns to fend off several waves of Seraph and Banshee fighters.[6] During the later human occupation of Installation 04, the ODSTs that recaptured and secured the wreckage of the UNSC Pillar of Autumn from the Covenant managed to scavenge several of the ship's 50mm turrets.[8] The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at Alpha Base.
Known types
Arena
Bulwark
Fortress
- M965 Fortress point defense network – Used on UNSC Infinity.
Goalkeeper
Helix
- M810 Helix point defense gun – Used on Valiant-class super-heavy cruisers, Epoch-class heavy carriers, and UNSC heavy destroyers.
Rampart
- M800 Rampart point defense gun – Used on refitted Phoenix-class colony ships.
- M870 Rampart point defense gun – Used on Gladius-class heavy corvettes, Charon-class light frigates, Stalwart-class light frigates, Strident-class heavy frigates, Halberd-class destroyers, and Epoch-class heavy carriers.
- M910 Rampart point defense network – Used on Paris-class heavy frigates, Halcyon-class light cruisers, and Autumn-class heavy cruisers.
Gallery
A close-up of a point-defense gun.
A close-up of one of the Pillar of Autumn's point-defense guns in Halo: Reach.
A Halcyon-class cruiser defending itself from Covenant boarding craft using its point defense guns.
Shot of the UNSC Savannah's point defense gun arrays.
The UNSC Savannah's point defense guns firing on the Covenant corvette Ardent Prayer.
Close-up of a UNSC frigate's point defense guns firing.
The UNSC Savannah using its point-defense guns against the Ardent Prayer in Operation: UPPER CUT.
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
List of appearances
- Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
- Halo: The Flood
- Halo 3
- Halo 3: ODST
- Halo Legends
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Halo: Reach
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
- Halo 4
- Halo: Fractures
- Halo: Envoy (Mentioned only)
Sources
