F-41 Broadsword

Template:Ship Class Infobox

The F-41 Exoatmospheric Multirole Strike Fighter, commonly known as the Broadsword, is a VTOL atmospheric/exoatmospheric (A/X) multirole strike fighter manufactured by Misriah Armory and used by the UNSC Armed Forces.^[1] Like other UNSC A/X attack craft, the Broadsword is named after a bladed weapon.

Specifications

Design details

The F-41 Broadsword is a versatile and well-armed A/X strike fighter typically used to engage equal or superior enemy craft in low- to zero-gravity conditions. As its kind has few equals within humanity's known arsenal, the Broadsword was designed to address the incredible speed and firepower displayed by a variety of Covenant fighters. It is most prominently used by the UNSC Air Force in suborbital dogfights.^[2]

Inspired by the YSS-1000 Sabre,^[3] the F-41 Broadsword has energy shielding that covers the entire fighter and recharges when depleted. It was specifically conceived to withstand pulse laser turrets of Covenant ships.^[4] However, these shields are not rated for slipspace travel.^[5] The AVIATOR-class Mjolnir helmet is recommended for use by Broadsword crew members.^[6]^[7]

Armament

The Broadsword is equipped with two M1075 ASW/AC 35mm MLA cannons and two M6088 ST/MMP missile pods mounted underneath the wings. It can also be equipped with an excavation-grade HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon.^[8] It bestows the fighter a great effectiveness at ensuring the destruction of enemy capital ships.^[4]

Operational history

Although the Broadsword has been in production since the mid-2530's, it was not adopted to widespread usage until toward the end of the Human-Covenant War.^[2] In August 2552, at least two Broadswords were deployed to assist civilian evacuation operations in Casbah, Tribute^[9] while entire squadrons were deployed with YSS-1000 Sabres during the Fall of Reach.^[10] Several were present at the UNSC Infinity's commissioning ceremony in February 2557.^[11]

After the Infinity crash landed on the shield world Requiem's inner surface, Broadswords were deployed to assault the Ur-Didact's Cryptum and the Covenant vessels besieging the ship, but not before Spartan John-117 had reactivated the ship's MAC defense turrets. Later, as Gypsy Company was sent on a mission to destroy Forerunner particle cannons, at least two Broadswords were deployed by the Infinity to assist.

Ivanoff Station had several Broadsword fighters in its hangar bay, though they were not used during the Didact's attack on the station. John-117 armed one with a HAVOK nuclear warhead, intending to destroy the Didact's ship, Mantle's Approach, before he could unleash the Composer on Earth. John caught up with Mantle's Approach just before it entered slipspace, flying beneath its shields since the Broadsword's were inadequate for slipspace travel. After arriving at Earth, he used the Broadsword to destroy the ship's point-defense guns so that the Infinity could punch a hole through the ship. Flying the fighter inside the warship's hull, the walls closed around the Broadsword and crushed it, forcing the Spartan to carry the HAVOK the rest of the way to the Composer. The fighter's remains were completely destroyed when John destroyed Mantle's Approach with the nuclear weapon.^[12]

In February 2558, six months after the skirmish at Earth, Infinity returned to the shield world, Requiem. Immediately after emerging from slipspace, the ship and her complement engaged the Covenant remnant fleet orbiting Requiem. At least one flight of Broadswords was launched from Infinity's hangars, shooting down many Type-31 Seraphs, clearing the path of and providing cover for the Pelican dropships landing troops on the shield world.^[13] Once Fireteam Crimson was sent on a mission to assassinate Sangheili terrorist Parg Vol at the Gate, the Spartans were overwhelmed by Covenant forces. Several Broadsword fighters were then sent by Infinity to destroy the Type-44 Phantom and ease Crimson's evacuation.^[14] Later, when Crimson was sent to investigate Fireteam Switchback's disappearance, three Broadswords were sent to survey the area and soften up the opposition.^[15] On March 11th, 2558 several Broadswords were used in an attempt to destroy several AC-220 Vultures and AV-22 Sparrowhawks belonging to the UNSC Spirit of Fire that had attacked the UNSC Infinity when the Pilgrims Pride was pulled into the Infinity's docking bay.^[16] Several Broadswords were used to counter the pirate fleet in space during the mission to Ven III.^[17] One Broadsword was used to escort a Pelican carrying the UNSC's half of the Janus Key during the Battle of Aktis IV, but was subsequently shot down.^[18]