M57 Pilum
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| M57 Pilum | |
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| Production overview | |
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Manufacturer: |
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Type: |
Surface-to-surface rocket launcher[1] |
| Specifications | |
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Length: |
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Width: |
18 centimeters (0.6 ft)[1] |
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Height: |
34 centimeters (1.1 ft)[1] |
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Ammunition type: |
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Feed system: |
2-rocket magazine[1] |
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63 RPM (1 rocket / 0.95 sec)[3] | |
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42.67 m/s (140.0 ft/s; 95.45 mph)[3] | |
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Optics: |
2x smart-link magnification[2] |
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Effective range: |
Long to very long |
| Service history | |
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In service: |
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The M57 Pilum Assault Weapon (M57 PAW) is a shoulder-fired heavy weapon issued to personnel of the UNSC Army, UNSC Marine Corps, and the Spartan branch around October 2558.[1] It performs very similarly to the M41 SPNKR, its predecessor.[1]
Overview
Design details
Despite performing much the same as the M41 rocket launcher, the M57 rocket launcher is cheaper and substantially lighter. The M57 rocket launcher is also significantly different in design philosophy, featuring a single, reusable, fixed tube and detachable box magazines rather than dual, rotating, pre-loaded, disposable tubes.[1][2]
The weapon is fed by a two-round detachable box magazine on the upper left side, forward of the user. The magazine retracts into the weapon when chambering each round, similar to the Pez'tk-pattern fuel rod gun. A 2× magnification scope folds out from a module on the left side when activated. Its missiles are able to lock onto aircraft if the operator uses smart scope.[2] Standard warheads used by the rocket launcher are M29 50x130mm high-explosive multi-purpose, but specialist rounds are also available, including those with thermobaric fillers or dumb AI-driven "brilliant" guidance systems.[1]
Variants
A number of specialist variants of the Pilum are available.[2]
- Ad Victoriam: An improved M57 that fires three laser-guided missiles in a "V" formation, all equipped with an airburst proximity fuse. The operator can use smart scope in order to guide the missiles with the reticle, and doing so will fire the missiles in a cluster rather than a "V" formation.[4]
- High Five: This advanced M57 fires five MLRS-1 Hydra mini-missiles that will lock onto both ground and air targets. Unlike the base model and the Ad Victoriam, smart scope is not needed for the High Five's missiles to lock onto targets. Much like the Echidna variant of the Hydra MLRS, the High Five also features a 5× zoom mode that allows the weapon to seek out targets as far as 762 metres (2,500 ft).[5]
Ad Victoriam.
High Five.
Usage
The Pilum saw usage in the post-war era, issued to UNSC Army, UNSC Marine Corps, and Spartan Operations personnel with the goal of countering enemy vehicles and Promethean Knights.[1][6][7]
Gameplay
- Main article: Rocket Launcher
The M57 Pilum is featured as a usable weapon called the "Rocket Launcher", in Halo 5: Guardians. It is a power weapon, which fires slow-moving rockets that deal an incredible amount of damage upon detonation, with a wide area of effect. The Rocket Launcher is one of the most powerful weapons in the game, and to compensate, it has a small magazine size, slow reload speed and ammo is generally very rare.
Non-canon and dubious canon appearances
Silver Timeline
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This article contains information about the Silver Timeline, and is not a part of the established Halo canon. |
M57 Pilums are used by UNSC personnel in battles against the Covenant.[8]
Trivia
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See our gameplay information related to M57 Pilum on its gameplay page. |
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
- The M57 bears broad similarities to the anti-air rocket launcher cut from the original Halo: Combat Evolved and the G4H-DuSH cut from Halo 3.
- The weapon's color palette was changed between the multiplayer beta and final release, going from a more subdued green color to a more vivid green with yellow accents, possibly to increase visual recognition and alert players to its presence.
- The Pilum is named after the thrown javelin of the ancient Roman army.
Gallery
Screenshots
A Pre-Beta development image of the M57 Pilum for Halo 5: Guardians.
A Recon-clad Spartan-IV with the Pilum on Eden in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
First-person view of the M57 on Pegasus in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
Smart scope with the M57 in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
Jameson Locke using an M57 Pilum during the Battle of Meridian.
Frederic-104 with a Pilum on Genesis.
First-person view of the M57 by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.
Smart scope with the M57 by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.
First-person view of the M57 in Halo 5: Guardians.
Smart scope with the M57 in Halo 5: Guardians.
An M29 missile fired from the M57.
A Recruit-clad Spartan-IV (left) using a Pilum on Escape from ARC in Halo 5: Guardians.
An M57 Pilum in comparison to an M41 SPNKR in Halo 5: Guardians.
Halo 5: Guardians REQ cards
Rocket Launcher.
Ad Victoriam.
High Five.
Videos
List of appearances
- Halo 5: Guardians (First appearance)
- Halo: Shadows of Reach
- Halo: The Television Series
Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Halo Waypoint, Rocket Launcher (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]
- ^ a b c d e f g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 176
- ^ a b c d YouTube - Aozolai, Halo 5 - M57 Rocket Launchers Analysis
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Ad Victoriam description "There's nowhere to hide. Improved Rocket Launcher that fires two additional missiles in a "V" pattern with each shot. All three missiles can be laser-guided when using Smart-Link and feature an airburst proximity fuse."
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: High Five description "BOOM! Advanced Rocket Launcher loaded with experimental submunition ammo. Each shot unleashes five Hydra mini-missiles that will lock-on to ground and air targets."
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Locke & Load (Retrieved on Nov 8, 2020) [archive]
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Rocket Launcher description "Shoulder-fired heavy weapon widely issued to UNSC Army, Marine Corps, and Spartan infantry to counter enemy vehicles and Promethean Knights. Can fire two missiles per magazine. Lock-on to air targets using Smart-Link before firing."
- ^ YouTube - IGN, Halo TV Series: Bringing Master Chief's Weapons to Life (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2022)
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