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Point-defense gun: Difference between revisions

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A '''point-defense gun''' is a type of [[United Nations Space Command]] starship-mounted magnetic accelerator weapon.<ref name="ENC">'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 315'' (2011)</ref> Though several models exist, the most common type of point-defense gun fires 50 mm high-explosive projectiles.<ref name="Flood215">'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 215''</ref>
A '''point-defense gun''' is a type of [[United Nations Space Command]] starship-mounted magnetic accelerator weapon.<ref name="ENC">'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 315'' (2011)</ref> Though several models exist, the most common type of point-defense gun fires 50&nbsp;mm high-explosive projectiles.<ref name="Flood215">'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 215''</ref>


==Design details==
==Design details==
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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/Reuse|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 {{R'sisho-pattern Tick|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/Reuse|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 {{R'sisho-pattern Tick|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> 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>
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 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/Reuse|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 50 mm 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/Reuse|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 50&nbsp;mm 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==
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File:Origins - Defensive Measure.png|A [[Halcyon-class cruiser]] defending itself from Covenant boarding craft using its point defense guns.
File:Origins - Defensive Measure.png|A [[Halcyon-class cruiser]] defending itself from Covenant boarding craft using its point defense guns.
File:Reach 9060575 Full.jpg|Shot of the UNSC ''Savannah'''s point defense gun arrays.
File:Reach 9060575 Full.jpg|Shot of the UNSC ''Savannah'''s point defense gun arrays.
File:Reach 3003793 Full.jpg|The UNSC ''Savannah'''s point defense guns firing on the [[Covenant]] [[SDV-class heavy corvette|corvette]] ''[[Ardent Prayer]]''.
File:Reach 3003793 Full.jpg|The UNSC ''Savannah'''s point defense guns firing on the [[Covenant]] [[Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette|corvette]] ''[[Ardent Prayer]]''.
File:Point guns firing.jpg|Close-up of a UNSC frigate's point defense guns firing.
File:Point guns firing.jpg|Close-up of a UNSC frigate's point defense guns firing.
File:UNSC Savannah Firing.jpg|The {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} using its point-defense guns against the ''Ardent Prayer'' in [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].
File:UNSC Savannah Firing.jpg|The {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} using its point-defense guns against the ''Ardent Prayer'' in [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].

Revision as of 13:36, April 15, 2022

Point-defense gun
File:Halo3-PointDefenseGun.png
Production overview

Type:

Close-in weapon system

Specifications

Ammunition type:

Varies; typically 50 mm high-explosive

Operation:

Magnetic linear accelerator (MLA)[1]

Service history

In service:

26th Century[2]

 

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 50 mm high-explosive projectiles.[3]

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[4] or {{R'sisho-pattern Tick|boarding craft]], and disrupt incoming plasma weaponry,[5] 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.[6] Nonetheless, in times of need, human operators are capable of manning the turrets when an AI is unable to.[7]

Operational history

A screenshot of Alpha Base on the eponymous level.
One of the Pillar of Autumn's point-defense guns defending Alpha Base.

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.[8]

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.[7] 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 50 mm turrets.[9] The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at Alpha Base.

Known types

Arena

Bulwark

Fortress

Goalkeeper

Helix

Rampart

Gallery

  • A close-up of a point-defense gun.

    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 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.

    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.

    Shot of the UNSC Savannah's point defense gun arrays.

  • The UNSC Savannah's point defense guns firing on the Covenant corvette Ardent Prayer.

    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.

    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.

    The UNSC Savannah using its point-defense guns against the Ardent Prayer in Operation: UPPER CUT.

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia, page 315 (2011)
  2. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", page 475
  3. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 215
  4. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 272
  5. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 19
  6. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 19
  7. ^ a b Halo: Fireteam Raven, level Escape
  8. ^ Data Drop 5
  9. ^ Halo: The Flood, Chapter 5, page 137 (2003 paperback); page 153 (2010 paperback)

v • d • e
 
Heavy armaments of humanity
Artillery
Autocannons and mounted machine guns
Automated turrets
Ground installations M5 Talos base turret • Scythe (M71 • M85) • M3045 • M3063 • M8 Wolf Spider
Point-defense guns Arena (Mark 57) • Bulwark (M710) • Fortress (M965) • Goalkeeper (M606) • Helix (M810) • Rampart
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