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GA-TL1 Longsword

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GA-TL1 Interceptor/Strike Fighter
Longsword-class Interceptor.png
Production information

Manufacturer:

Role:

Multi-mission atmospheric/exoatmospheric fighter

Technical specifications

Length:

64.1 meters (210 ft)[1][2]

  • C712 variant: 33.5 meters (110 ft)[3]

Width:

75 meters (246 ft)[1][2]

Height:

12.9 meters (42.3 ft)

Mass:

C712 variant: 180 metric tons[3]

Engine(s):

Twin fusion reactors[2]

Hull:

Titanium-A battleplate[4]

Armament:

Varies

C712 variant

Other systems:

Cryo chambers (optional)[7]

Crew:

  • Pilot[1]
  • Co-pilot[1]
  • Navigator[1]
  • Systems operator[1]
  • Artificial intelligence (optional)
Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Affiliation:

UNSC

 

The GA-TL1 Interceptor/Strike Fighter, or Longsword, is the mainstay multi-mission platform in service with the UNSC Air Force and UNSC Navy.[1][8] Longswords are capable of atmospheric and exoatmospheric (A/X) operation and can be fitted for myriad roles simultaneously. Among those roles, Longswords most often operate as fleet defense fighters, orbital defense and deep space interceptors, or as strike fighters, among other, more specialized tasks.[1]

Specifications

Design details

 
The various ordnance carried by a C712 Longsword.[3]

The GA-TL1 Longsword is designed primarily as a fighter, though it can also be used for interception, suppression, bombing, or direct attack.[1] There are a number of variants of the craft, with some variants measuring 64 meters (210 feet) long and 75 meters (246 feet) wide.[1][2] Their crew sizes can vary between two and four individuals; the crew may be assisted by an onboard artificial intelligence.

While there are several noticeable external and presumably internal differences among variants, all Longswords share a common overall architecture. The craft features a wide, manta ray-like design with a rear-facing boom apparatus protruding from the center of the fuselage, similar to that of the B-65 Shortsword bomber. The exhaust ports for the Longsword's twin fusion engines[2] are also visible at the rear of the fuselage.

The Longsword can be remotely piloted, as was performed during the Battle of Chi Ceti in 2525.[9] The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Aviator helmet is recommended for use by Spartans acting as Longsword crew members.[10]

Armament

The standard armament of the GA-TL1 is the M9109 50mm cannon.[1][11] Some variants are armed with 110mm rotary cannons[5] or a turreted 120mm ventral gun that can be retracted into the hull,[12] though the latter is likely a secondary weapon. The Longsword can also accommodate any of several supplementary weapon systems, including four ASGM-10 missiles,[13] or ASGM-15 missiles[6] a variety of bombs including laser-guided Octadarts,[6] Moray space mines, or even a single Shiva-class nuclear missile; when remotely piloted, the Longsword itself can be used as a delivery system for the Shiva warhead.[9] As well as Shiva nuclear missiles, Longswords are capable of deploying HAVOK tactical nuclear weapons.[14] Longswords are also capable of dropping and deploying certain variants of ordnance pods to resupply troops on the ground.[15]

Operational history

 
Three Longswords assaulting the Forerunner Dreadnought in the Battle of Voi.[16]

The Longsword, manufactured by Misriah Armory, was designed during the 25th century by Gov Aukland and Thomas Levesque, whose names inspired the GA-TL1 designation.[1] Longswords saw service during the Insurrection.[17]

Human-Covenant war

Later, Longswords were deployed on the front lines of nearly every major engagement of the Human-Covenant War under the UNSC Navy.[1] Longsword Squadron Delta, assigned to the frigate UNSC Commonwealth, engaged Covenant forces during the Battle of Chi Ceti, the first space battle of the war. The Longswords were destroyed when the Commonwealth was forced to sacrifice them to get a shot on the Unrelenting with a Shiva-class nuclear missile. The Longswords that survived the firefight were destroyed when the nuclear weapon detonated.[18]

The C712 Longsword variant saw heavy use during the Fall of Reach.[19] Later in the battle, the Halcyon-class light cruiser UNSC Pillar of Autumn launched a remotely piloted Longsword equipped with a Shiva-class nuclear missile during a battle with an unidentified Covenant warship. After the ship's shields were taken down, the "smart" AI Cortana crash-landed the Longsword on the ship. The nuke's detonation destroyed the Covenant vessel.[20]

Famously, the C709 Longsword was used by John-117 to escape the destruction of the UNSC Pillar of Autumn and Installation 04 during the Battle of Installation 04.[21]

During the Battle of Voi, numerous Longswords aided a number of frigates in attacking the Prophet of Truth's ship, once John-117 cleared the way by destroying an anti-aircraft battery. However, the attack proved unsuccessful and Truth's fleet was able to evacuate through the Portal at Voi which they opened moments after the failed attack.[16] Longswords subsequently took part in the Battle of Installation 00 after the Fleet of Retribution and the Seventh Fleet followed Truth through the portal to prevent the firing of the Halo Array. At least one was shot down during the battle and crashed on the Ark which was witnessed by the ground team led by John-117.[22]

Post-war

On July 26, 2557, Spartan Blue Team used a Longsword to reach Halo Installation 03.[23] On March 11, 2558, several Longswords defended UNSC Infinity when she was attacked by insurgent aerospace craft after the freighter Pilgrims' Pride was pulled into Infinity's primary docking bay.[24]

During Operation: WHISTLE STOP on May 8, 2558, Infinity deployed three Longswords to escort two D77H-TCI Pelicans to rescue Spartans Naiya Ray and Gabriel Thorne from the pirates inhabiting the planet. One of the fighters deployed HAVOK tactical nuclear weapons, destroying the pirate base.[14] At least one Longsword was deployed during the Battle of Oban on July 16, where it destroyed two Covenant Phantom dropships.[25] A few days later, three Longswords from Infinity escorted two D79-TC Pelicans to the surface of Aktis IV during a battle on the planet.[26]

In October 2559, several of the Infinity's Longswords took part in Operation: WOLFE, fighting against Escharum's intrusion corvette and the forces that it unleashed.[27]

Variants

There are multiple variants of the GA-TL1 Longsword that are designed to perform specific functions, such as the C708, the C709, and the C712.[28] However, these variations are not static; Longswords can be modified on a craft-by-craft basis to fit the needs of a given mission.[1]

  • C709 Longsword - The C709 variant is designed to apply force in exoatmospheric engagements. It is armed with a 110mm rotary cannon.[1] Despite its focus on exoatmospheric combat, the C709 features large air intakes and a non-polarized canopy.[29][30]

  • The C709 Longsword.

  • The cockpit of a C709 Longsword.

  • C712 Longsword - The C712 variant (designated SS-110 by the UNSC Air Force),[31] specializes in short-range atmospheric/exoatmospheric (A/X) strike runs. It can carry an assortment of missile and mine delivery systems. The C712 features a large, polarized canopy and integrated air intakes.[17][32][33]

  • The C712 Longsword.

  • The C718.

Ships of the line

Gameplay

Halo: Fleet Battles

UNSC Longsword Bomber Flights

  • Flight slots: 1
  • Movement: 16"
  • Damage track: 2
  • Systems loadout: None
  • Weapons: vs. wing targets
    • Range: Contact
    • Dice: 1
  • Weapons: vs. element targets
    • Range: Contact
    • Dice: 2

Trivia

  • Like the YSS-1000 Sabre, the S-14 Baselard, the F-41 Broadsword, and the B-65 Shortsword, the Longsword is named after a bladed weapon.
  • The C709's cabin is nearly as long as that of an Airbus A320, a commercial airliner.[35]
  • The SS-110's featured in Halo: Reach are only half as large as their original Halo: Combat Evolved appearance, likely because they are meant to be seen only from a great distance and for a short period of time. The craft seen on the multiplayer map "Tempest" is, like the crashed Pelican on the map "Highlands", too small to accommodate a single Spartan.[36]

Gallery

  Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

  • Concept art of the Longsword for Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • Dorsal and ventral view renders of the Longsword from Halo 2.

  • A pair of Longswords bomb an assault carrier ahead of the Master Chief's attack during the Battle for Earth.

  • A side preview of the GATL1 Longsword Fighter in Halo 3.

  • An angled preview of the GATL1 Longsword Fighter-Interceptor in Halo 3.

  • A Longsword crashing on Installation 00.

  • The wreckage of a crashed Longsword on Installation 00

  • A frontal view of the C712 Longsword.

  • An angled view of the Longsword (notice the 7-89 tag on it).

  • A Longsword being shot by a Covenant Type-27 Mantis.

  • A squadron of Longswords bombing a city in Halo Legends: Origins.

  • A group of Longswords defending the UNSC Infinity in Halo: Escalation #4.

  • A Longsword being used by Blue Team in Halo: Escalation #8.

  • Turnaround of the Longsword fighter in Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 112
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition) (2009), page 251
  3. ^ a b c d e f Halo: Warfleet - Armaments, page 16-17
  4. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 40
  5. ^ a b c Halo: First Strike, page 28
  6. ^ a b c d Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 19
  7. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 37
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint - The Halo Bulletin: 9.24.14
  9. ^ a b Halo: The Fall of Reach, pages 322-324
  10. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 147
  11. ^ Halo: Reach manual
  12. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 58
  13. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 13
  14. ^ a b Halo: Escalation, Issue #12
  15. ^ Halo: Reach, Firefight
  16. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level The Storm
  17. ^ a b Halo Legends, Origins
  18. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach (2001), pages 112-113
  19. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign
  20. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach
  21. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign
  22. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  23. ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue 8
  24. ^ Halo: Escalation - Issue #4
  25. ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #13
  26. ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #14
  27. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach
  28. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library
  29. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved
  30. ^ Halo 2
  31. ^ Halo: Warfleet page 17
  32. ^ Halo 3
  33. ^ Halo: Reach
  34. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Master Class (Retrieved on Jul 12, 2021) [archive]
  35. ^ halo.bungie.org: Updated Halo vehicle scales + vs real life" - Bry
  36. ^ halo.bungie.org: Re: Updated Halo vehicles scale vs. real life" - Stephen Loftus

Human aerospace craft
Ground-support craft
Bombers
Strategic bomber B-65 Shortsword
Bomber/Interceptors GA-TL1 Longsword (C708 • C709 • C712 • C718)
Troop transports Pelican (D75 • D77 • D78 • D79 • Other variants) • D102 Owl • SLEIPNIR
Logistical transports Condor (D80 • D81 • Other variants) • D20 Heron • D82 Darter • D96 Albatross
Stealth and reconnaissance D75/r Pelican • D102 Owl • Subprowler (Black Cat-class • Chiroptera-class • U81 Condor) • Turaco
Shuttlecraft
Lifeboat classes (Class-3 • Class-5) • Command shuttle • RLT-85 Emergency Shuttlepod • SKT-series (SKT-9 • SKT-13 • SKT-21 • SKT-29) • Lacewing-II • Queen Bee • Shuttle pod
Human Entry Vehicle (HEV) M7650 • M8823
SOIEV M8900 • M9407
Other Equipment pod • Long Range Stealth • Escape pod
Other

Human ship classifications
Stealth craft
Heavy frigates Paris-class • Strident-class
Light frigates Anlace-class • Charon-class • Mulsanne-class • Stalwart-class
Heavy destroyers Able-class • Hillsborough-class
Light destroyers Diligence-class • Halberd-class • Unidentified
Heavy cruisers Autumn-class • Marathon-class • Valiant-class
Light cruisers Halcyon-class
Unclassified
By human faction: UEG (UNSC • CAA) • Insurrectionist

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