M810 Helix point defense gun
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| M810 Helix point defense gun | |
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| Production overview | |
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Manufacturer: |
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Type: |
Point-defense gun/autocannon |
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Computer/AI operated | |
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Rapid | |
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The M810 Helix point defense gun[1], also known as AAA Helix gun or Helix System, is a United Nations Space Command starship-mounted point defense weapon.[2] This autocannon can be found affixed to human capital ships during the Insurrection and the Human-Covenant War as late as the Battle of Psi Serpentis in 2543.[2]
Overview
The Helix is a point-system employed for shooting down inbound threats such as strikecraft and missiles. They are described as being "spun up and hot", indicating that they are rotary cannons.[2] As with most UNSC point-defence, they are likely automatically operated by an artificial intelligence.
Usage
Helix PDGs are primarily employed on the larger warships of the UNSC Navy, with their earliest known usage in 2473, with the introduction of the Epoch-class heavy carrier into service. They were employed on a handful of cruisers in the early 26th century, though have since yet to see any reintroduction on the newer fleets of the post-war era.
On at least the Halcyon-class light cruiser, the Helix can be interchangeably fitted with the M910 Rampart PDG.[3] It is unknown whether this capability extends to the rest of the fleet - if so, the Helix may be additionally capable of being employed on the warships listed here.
- Carriers
- Epoch-class heavy carrier - 20x M810 Helixes[4]
- Cruisers
- Valiant-class super-heavy cruiser - Unknown[2][Note 1]
- Marathon-class heavy cruiser - 12x M810 Helixes[3]
- Halcyon-class light cruiser - 40x M810 Helixes (optional; can be replaced with M910 Ramparts)[3]
- Destroyers
- Unidentified UNSC heavy destroyer - Unknown[2]
List of appearances
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole (First appearance)
Notes
- ^ The short story The Impossible Life and Possible Death of Preston J. Cole describes the UNSC Everest as being equipped with Helix PDGs, though the Valiant entry in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) does not mention these weapons for the ship class. It may be that the loadout of the standard Valiants versus the Everest's command refit brought with it a new suite of point-defense guns. Alternatively, as with the Halcyon-class, these weapons may simply be interchangeable with the listed stat of 50x M910 Ramparts.
Sources
- ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 40
- ^ a b c d e Halo: Evolutions - The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole
- ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 118-119
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 127
