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{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}  
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Weapon
{{Weapon infobox
| image=[[File:FoR - Archer missile.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:FoR - Archer missile.jpg|250px]]
| name=Archer missile
| name=Archer missile
| manufacturer=
| manufacturer=
| model=
| model=
| type=Ship-to-ship missile
| type=[[Missile delivery system|Anti-ship missile]]
| cost=
| cost=
| length=
| length=
| weight=
| weight=
| ammotype=High explosive
| ammotype=Varies{{Ref/Reuse|WF36}}
| operation=Tube-fired
| operation=Tube-fired
| rate=
| rate=
| range=Long
| range=Long{{Ref/Reuse|WF26}}
| service=*[[Insurrection]]  
| service=*[[Insurrection]]  
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
Line 20: Line 20:
}}
}}


The '''Archer missile''' is a ship-to-ship missile used by the [[UNSC Navy]].
The '''Archer missile''' is an anti-ship [[missile delivery system]] used by the [[CMA Navy]] and [[UNSC Navy]].


==Overview==
==Overview==
Warships usually carry large numbers of Archer missiles to complement their [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s. Archer pods usually carry around two dozen missiles each; [[UNSC frigate|frigates]] and [[UNSC destroyer|destroyers]] carry thirty pods, though larger ships carry more pods, sometimes hundreds. While individual Archers are vulnerable to point-defense weapons and have limited destructive potential, their sheer numbers make up for their lack of individual effectiveness. Their standard warheads are high-explosive.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'': "Archer missiles and magnetic accelerator cannons fired in a desperate counterstrike. The missiles detonated a fraction of a second along their flight paths, high explosives heated to the flashpoint."</ref> [[Covenant]] [[Energy shielding|shield technology]] can withstand large numbers of Archers, though unprotected ships can be destroyed by Archer missile strikes to the hull and superstructure. The small, "frigate-size"<ref>[[Halo: Silent Storm]]</ref> ship ''[[Unrelenting]]'' took ninety Archer missiles to its energy shields with no apparent strain.<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'': "The ''Commonwealth'' had twenty-six pods, each loaded with thirty Archer high-explosive missiles. On screen, pods A through F opened, and launched 180 plumes of rocket exhaust that traced a path from theCommonwealth to the alien ship. The enemy changed course, rotated so that the top of the ship faced the incoming missiles. It then moved straight up at an alarming speed. The Archer missiles altered their trajectory to track the ship, but half their number streaked past the target, clean misses. The others impacted. Fire covered the skin of the alien ship... The fire flared, then dimmed. The skin of the alien ship rippled like heat wavering off a hot road in the summer. It fluttered with a metallic silver sheen, then brilliant white—and the fire faded, revealing the ship beneath. It was completely undamaged."</ref>
Archers are relatively cheap anti-ship missiles, and considered highly-adaptable and long-ranged. They are used as generalist missiles for all purposes, and continued to see use as extremely capable armaments throughout the [[Insurrection]], [[Human-Covenant War]] and [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-encyclopedia-extravaganza|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Encyclopedia Extravaganza|D=01|M=06|Y=2022}} They are capable of being fitted with a number of warhead options.{{Ref/Reuse|WF36}}
 
Warships usually carry large numbers of Archer missiles to complement their [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s. While individual Archers are vulnerable to point-defense weapons and have limited destructive potential, their sheer numbers make up for their lack of individual effectiveness. [[Covenant]] [[Energy shielding|shield technology]] can withstand large numbers of Archers, though unprotected ships can be destroyed by Archer missile strikes to the hull and superstructure.


==Models==
==Models==
The pre-refit {{Class|Able|heavy destroyer}} is equipped with Archer missiles of an unknown model. An unidentified [[Unidentified UNSC carrier class| UNSC carrier class]] is also equipped with three hundred Archer missiles of an unspecified model.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=259}}
===M42 Archer===
===M42 Archer===
The {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} is armed with 350 pods of twenty-four M42 Archers for a total of 8,400 Archers. These are supplemented by 250 pods of thirty [[Rapier missile|M75 Rapier missile]]s for a total 7,500 missiles and 500 pods of twenty [[Howler missile|M96 Howlers]] for a total of 10,000 Howlers.<ref>[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12'']</ref>
The M42 Archer was employed as early as the mid-25th century, and was employed on vessels of the [[CMA Navy]] alongside the [[Ares missile]]s. Several CMA warships of the era including the gargantuan {{Class|Punic|supercarrier}}, {{Class|Mako|corvette}} and the UNSC's [[S-14 Baselard]] strike fighter equipped the M42 Archer, with the CMA predominantly stocking them alongside the [[Ares missile]] series for its warships.
 
The dawn of the 26th century brought more usage for the M42, with the {{Class|Point Blank|prowler}} employing it. Following the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|end of]] the [[Human-Covenant War]], the M42 gained prominence in the fleets of the rebuilding [[UNSC Navy]]. The {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}} and {{Class|Poseidon|light carrier}} are both armed with two M42 pods each. However, its most notable postwar usage would come in the form of a mass stocking on the ''Punic''{{'}}s spiritual successor, the {{Class|Infinity|supercarrier}}.
 
;Carriers
*{{Class|Infinity|supercarrier}} - 350x M42 Archer pods (24 missiles per-pod; 8400 Archers total){{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Carriers|Enc22|Page=126-127}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12|D=10|M=10|Y=2012}}
*{{Class|Punic|supercarrier}} - 100x M42 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Carriers}}
*{{Class|Phoenix|colony ship}} - N/A
**{{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} refit - 24x M42 Archer pods{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=48-49}}
*{{Class|Poseidon|light carrier}} - 2x M42 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Carriers}}
 
;Frigates
*{{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}} - 2x M42 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Frigates}}
 
;Corvettes
*{{Class|Mako|corvette}} - 2x M42 Archer pods{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Corvettes|Enc22|Page=128-129}}
 
;Prowlers
*{{Class|Point Blank|prowler}} - 80x M42 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Corvettes}}
 
;Strikecraft
*[[S-14 Baselard]] - Two M42 Archer missiles{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=159}}


===M58 Archer===
===M58 Archer===
The M58 Archer is the preferred model of missile for the UNSC Navy, with most models of [[UNSC frigate|frigates]] and at least two classes of [[Cruiser|cruisers]] mounting these as their supplemental anti-ship weapon system. The number of individual devices per pods varied: the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} was armed with twenty-four M58 Archers per pod as part of its refit for [[Operation: RED FLAG]],<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Data Drop 5'']</ref>, while the {{UNSCShip|Commonwealth}} had thirty missiles in each pod instead.<ref name="TFoR"/>
M58 Archers are considered long-ranged anti-ship missiles{{Ref/Book|Id=WF26|HWF|Page=26-27}}, and can be fitted with various warhead options{{Ref/Book|Id=WF36|HWF|Page=36-37}}. As a mainstay munition in the fleet, the M52 is mounted on the majority of warships designed for UNSC usage, starting in the late 25th century.
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Battleships
*{{Class|Vindication|light battleship}} - 50x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=125}}
 
;Carriers
*{{Class|Epoch|heavy carrier}} - 80x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Carriers}}
*{{Class|Orion|assault carrier}} - 70x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Carriers}}
 
;Cruisers
*{{Class|Valiant|super-heavy cruiser}} - 50x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Cruisers|Enc22|Page=118-119}}
*{{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} - 70x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Cruisers}}
*{{Class|Autumn|heavy cruiser}} - 32x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Cruisers}}
*{{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}} - 20x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Cruisers}}
**{{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} refit - 32x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=25}}
{{Col-2}}
;Destroyers
*{{Class|Able|heavy destroyer}} (2525 refit) - 20x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Site|Id=CFDigsite|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-digsite-dissection|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Digsite Dissection|D=28|M=07|Y=2023}}
*{{Class|Halberd|light destroyer}} - 26x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=124}}
 
;Frigates
*{{Class|Paris|heavy frigate}} - 26x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Frigates|Enc22|Page=120-123}}
*{{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}} - 20x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Frigates}}
*{{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}} - 16x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Frigates}}
*{{Class|Charon|light frigate}} - 10x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Note|While ''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' and the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]'' both use the ''[[Halo 4]]''-derived stats for the ''Charon''-class frigate of having 50 M58 Archer missile pods, the canon model for the ship as seen in ''[[Halo 3]]'' only has 10. See [[Charon-class light frigate#Production notes]] for further details.}}
 
;Corvettes
*{{Class|Gladius|heavy corvette}} - 2x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Corvettes}}
*{{Class|Scholte|missile corvette}} - 2x M58 Archer pods{{Ref/Site|Id=CFFoundations|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-foundations|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Foundations|D=12|M=01|Y=2022}}
{{Col-end}}
 
The number of individual devices per pod varies: the refit ''Halcyon''-class light cruiser ''Pillar of Autumn'' was armed with twenty-four M58 Archers per each of its thirty-two pods as part of its refit for [[Operation: RED FLAG]], a notable increase from the standard ''Halcyon'' loadout of twenty.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Data Drop 5|LocalArchive=Data Drop|D=27|M=10|Y=2011}} while the ''Paris''-class heavy frigate {{UNSCShip|Commonwealth}}, mounted thirty missiles in each pod instead.{{Ref/Reuse|TFoR}}


==Service history==
==Service history==
Prior to the [[Human-Covenant War]], the UNSC found the missiles to be effective against [[Insurrectionist]] combatant ships. A single Archer missile was capable of crippling all but the largest of UNSC ships.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest'''</ref> Against the Covenant, however, they realized that the defensive measures employed by the enemy ships such as energy shields and [[pulse laser turret|point defense lasers]] suddenly rendered Archer missiles near-obsolete - lasers were able to pick off up to half of the missiles launched, and those that hit were rarely enough to penetrate the shields.<ref name="TFoR">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach'''</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars: Genesis'''</ref> At least one Covenant ship class, the {{Class|DAV|light corvette}}, possesses [[Electronic countermeasures|jamming measures]] that interfere with the guidance systems. Tactics were developed to counter this, using the more devastating but slower-firing Magnetic Accelerator Cannons to break through the shields, rendering the hulls vulnerable, but on the whole Archers proved to be ineffective weapons against the Covenant. Smaller ships, such as [[Covenant boarding craft|boarding craft]] or fighters, are much easier targets,<ref name="TFoR"/> and Archers may be used in support of ground forces, launched from orbit to strike a ground-based target.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', ''level ???''</ref>
Prior to the [[Human-Covenant War]], the UNSC found the missiles to be effective against [[Insurrectionist]] combatant ships. with a single Archer missile considered capable of crippling all but the largest of UNSC ships.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest'''</ref> Against the Covenant, however, they realized that the defensive measures employed by the enemy ships such as energy shields and [[pulse laser turret|point defense lasers]] suddenly rendered Archer missiles near-obsolete - lasers were able to pick off up to half of the missiles launched, and those that hit were rarely enough to penetrate the shields.<ref name="TFoR">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach'''</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars: Genesis'''</ref> At least one Covenant ship class, the {{Pattern|Makar|light corvette}}, possesses [[Electronic countermeasures|jamming measures]] that interfere with the guidance systems. Tactics were developed to counter this, using the more devastating but slower-firing Magnetic Accelerator Cannons to break through the shields, rendering the hulls vulnerable, but on the whole Archers proved to be ineffective weapons against the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|TFoR}} Archers may be used in support of ground forces, launched from orbit to strike a ground-based target.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', ''level ???''</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 41: Line 97:
File:HW2-Archer.jpg|Archer missiles are ready for launch from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.
File:HW2-Archer.jpg|Archer missiles are ready for launch from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.
File:HW2-SOF-Archer.jpg|The ''Spirit of Fire'' launches Archer missiles.
File:HW2-SOF-Archer.jpg|The ''Spirit of Fire'' launches Archer missiles.
File:HINF Mulsanne M58Archer.png|Archer missile pods on a {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}.
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
Line 64: Line 121:
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
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{{UNSC ordnance}}
{{UNSC ordnance}}
[[Category:Missiles]]
[[Category:Missiles]]
[[Category:Starship weapons]]
[[Category:UNSC naval weapons]]
[[Category:UNSC naval weapons]]

Revision as of 05:26, June 7, 2024

Archer missile
FoR - Archer missile.jpg
Production overview

Type:

Anti-ship missile

Specifications

Ammunition type:

Varies[1]

Operation:

Tube-fired

Effective range:

Long[2]

Service history

In service:

 

The Archer missile is an anti-ship missile delivery system used by the CMA Navy and UNSC Navy.

Overview

Archers are relatively cheap anti-ship missiles, and considered highly-adaptable and long-ranged. They are used as generalist missiles for all purposes, and continued to see use as extremely capable armaments throughout the Insurrection, Human-Covenant War and Post-Covenant War conflicts.[3] They are capable of being fitted with a number of warhead options.[1]

Warships usually carry large numbers of Archer missiles to complement their Magnetic Accelerator Cannons. While individual Archers are vulnerable to point-defense weapons and have limited destructive potential, their sheer numbers make up for their lack of individual effectiveness. Covenant shield technology can withstand large numbers of Archers, though unprotected ships can be destroyed by Archer missile strikes to the hull and superstructure.

Models

The pre-refit Able-class heavy destroyer is equipped with Archer missiles of an unknown model. An unidentified UNSC carrier class is also equipped with three hundred Archer missiles of an unspecified model.[4]

M42 Archer

The M42 Archer was employed as early as the mid-25th century, and was employed on vessels of the CMA Navy alongside the Ares missiles. Several CMA warships of the era including the gargantuan Punic-class supercarrier, Mako-class corvette and the UNSC's S-14 Baselard strike fighter equipped the M42 Archer, with the CMA predominantly stocking them alongside the Ares missile series for its warships.

The dawn of the 26th century brought more usage for the M42, with the Point Blank-class prowler employing it. Following the end of the Human-Covenant War, the M42 gained prominence in the fleets of the rebuilding UNSC Navy. The Strident-class heavy frigate and Poseidon-class light carrier are both armed with two M42 pods each. However, its most notable postwar usage would come in the form of a mass stocking on the Punic's spiritual successor, the Infinity-class supercarrier.

Carriers
Frigates
Corvettes
Prowlers
Strikecraft

M58 Archer

M58 Archers are considered long-ranged anti-ship missiles[2], and can be fitted with various warhead options[1]. As a mainstay munition in the fleet, the M52 is mounted on the majority of warships designed for UNSC usage, starting in the late 25th century.

Battleships
Carriers
Cruisers
Destroyers
Frigates
Corvettes

The number of individual devices per pod varies: the refit Halcyon-class light cruiser Pillar of Autumn was armed with twenty-four M58 Archers per each of its thirty-two pods as part of its refit for Operation: RED FLAG, a notable increase from the standard Halcyon loadout of twenty.[17] while the Paris-class heavy frigate UNSC Commonwealth, mounted thirty missiles in each pod instead.[18]

Service history

Prior to the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC found the missiles to be effective against Insurrectionist combatant ships. with a single Archer missile considered capable of crippling all but the largest of UNSC ships.[19] Against the Covenant, however, they realized that the defensive measures employed by the enemy ships such as energy shields and point defense lasers suddenly rendered Archer missiles near-obsolete - lasers were able to pick off up to half of the missiles launched, and those that hit were rarely enough to penetrate the shields.[18][20] At least one Covenant ship class, the Makar-pattern light corvette, possesses jamming measures that interfere with the guidance systems. Tactics were developed to counter this, using the more devastating but slower-firing Magnetic Accelerator Cannons to break through the shields, rendering the hulls vulnerable, but on the whole Archers proved to be ineffective weapons against the Covenant.[18] Archers may be used in support of ground forces, launched from orbit to strike a ground-based target.[21]

Gallery

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

List of appearances

Notes

  1. ^ While Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide and the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) both use the Halo 4-derived stats for the Charon-class frigate of having 50 M58 Archer missile pods, the canon model for the ship as seen in Halo 3 only has 10. See Charon-class light frigate#Production notes for further details.

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo: Warfleet, page 36-37
  2. ^ a b Halo: Warfleet, page 26-27
  3. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Encyclopedia Extravaganza (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2022) [archive]
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 259
  5. ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 126-127
  6. ^ Halo Waypoint, The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12 (Retrieved on Oct 10, 2012) [archive]
  7. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 48-49
  8. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 120-123
  9. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 128-129
  10. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 159
  11. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 125
  12. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 118-119
  13. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 25
  14. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Digsite Dissection (Retrieved on Jul 28, 2023) [archive]
  15. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 124
  16. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Foundations (Retrieved on Jan 12, 2022) [archive]
  17. ^ Halo Waypoint, Data Drop 5 (Retrieved on Oct 27, 2011) [local archive] [external archive]
  18. ^ a b c Halo: The Fall of Reach
  19. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest
  20. ^ Halo Wars: Genesis
  21. ^ Halo Wars 2, level ???

v • d • e
 
Ordnance in UNSC service
Ground-launched Anaconda SAM • Argent V • ASRGAM-10X • Lancet • ASGM-7 • M5100 LTM
Air-launched AAM-50XR • AGM-79C • Anvil ASM (ANVIL-II • ANVIL-IV) • Argent V • ASGM-4 • ASGM-10 • ASGM-15 • MITV Pod • Phoenix missile • Scorpion missile • ST/Medusa missile
Ship-launched Archer • Ares • Bident • Fusion rocket • Harpoon • Howler • Hyperion • Longbow • Shrieker • Rapier • Rudra • Shiva (VE-3) • Streak
Launch systems
Explosives
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