Canon

Upisa'weri-pattern Shrike

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Revision as of 18:10, April 29, 2022 by SpyglassUnitBeta (talk | contribs) (Link cleanup, replaced: Type-56 Shrike → Upisa'weri-pattern Shrike (3))
Upisa'weri-pattern Sky Striker
H5G-T56Shrike-AAST.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Local keep forges[1]
Various others[2]

Type:

Anti-aircraft weapon[2]

Specifications

Length:

13.3 meters (43.6 ft)[2]

Width:

10.3 meters (33.7 ft)[2]

Height:

9.6 meters (31.4 ft)[2]

Weight:

34.8 tons[1]

Ammunition type:

Superheated plasma[2]

Feed system:

Effectively unlimited capacity[2]

Service history

In service:

Post-Covenant War conflicts[2]

 

The Upisa'weri-pattern Sky Striker[1] or Type-56 Anti-Aerospace Turret (T-56 AAT), more commonly known as the Shrike turret, is an automated anti-aerospace weapon emplacement system utilized at sites of significant strategic importance. Produced by numerous manufacturers, Shrikes are used by the Swords of Sanghelios and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant.[2]

Specifications

The Type-56 Anti-Aerospace Turret is an anti-aircraft weapon system that is armed with two high-power plasma cannons. In contrast of the point-defense emplacements used by the Covenant, the Shrike turret is fully automated and operated by "semi-feral" associated intelligences. These long-abandoned constructs are capable of communication, though modern Sangheili are unable to understand them. As a result, the constructs must be carefully monitored and locked down prior to activation due to their inability to understand modern IFF systems and codeword usage by both the Swords of Sanghelios and Jul's Covenant. Regardless, the Shrike's combination of firepower and preternatural reaction times make them valuable military assets.[2]

Operational history

The Upisa'weri-pattern Shrike was first encountered in 2556. The weapon emplacements were used by both the Swords of Sanghelios and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant throughout the Blooding Years.[2]

In October 2558, several Upisa'weri-pattern Shrikes were utilized by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant during the Battle of Sunaion as defensive emplacements against the invading Swords of Sanghelios. The UNSC's Fireteam Osiris managed to shut down the turrets on their way to the Guardian near the city, effectively wiping out the Covenant's aerospace defense and allowing the Swords of Sanghelios' fleet to aid the ground forces.[3]

Trivia

A shrike is a family of birds that are renown for impaling their prey on sharp objects to allow them to easily tear apart the flesh into smaller fragments.

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 305
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo Waypoint, Shrike Turret (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  3. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Battle of Sunaion