LAU-65D/SGM-151 missile pod

Template:Weapon The LAU-65D/SGM-151,^[1] also known as the Missile Pod, is a portable United Nations Space Command infantry weapon. It is a missile-launching weapon, and holds up to eight small, highly explosive missiles when released from its tripod. The Missile Pod is capable of locking onto vehicle or turret position targets. ^[2]

Operation

The mounted version of the Missile Pod can be seen in the Campaign level The Storm in Halo 3, and again in NMPD Headquarters in Halo 3: ODST. When mounted, it has an infinite amount of ammo. The Missile Pod can carry eight rounds when detached, which are less powerful than the Rocket Launcher, but it can fire continuously without the need for reloading. In its mounted form, the Missile Pod is used by Marines as a rocket-powered mortar by firing its missiles vertically into the sky. This allows the missiles to hit targets from above, inflicting maximum damage and leaving less time for the target to avoid the strike; however, in its mounted form, it can't hit targets on the ground up close easily (it will just fire up into the air and do no damage).

Once the missile is fired, it will travel about five meters before becoming self-propelled. This, along with the pod's ability to maintain a lock even when there's an obstacle (such as a small hill in Valhalla) between the pod and the target, means the wielder can fire at an upward angle, giving the missile enough vertical clearance to fly over the hill and into the target.

It is also effective against foot-bound stationary targets (such as an enemy sniper); the missile's high speed means that even if the target hears the missile, he or she may not be able to react in time. This is most effective at short and medium range, mostly because it is harder to see an enemy at long ranges, much less determining if one is moving. One of the best anti-vehicle tactics is to lock on, aim up in the air, and fire; however, its low ammo capacity when unmounted means it should be used sparingly. Also, on Valhalla, a possible tactic is to carry the missile pod into the Man Cannon while firing at an enemy. The enemy will most likely not see one and will die confused, leaving one able to repeat the trick.

Tactics

Campaign

Due to its rarity in the campaign (it only appears on the level The Storm), not many tactics have appeared to support its usage in campaign. If picked up during that level, it can be used to take down the Scarab appearing in the level fairly easily, as its lock-on will automatically target its joints and the enemies on board. Presumably, an ambitious player could carry it to the anti-aircraft gun, but accidental usage could waste all of its ammunition. The player could also kill the Arbiter, then quickly drop the Pod next to him; missiles fired by the Arbiter will home in on enemy infantry, as well.

The missile pod also appears in the Halo 3: ODST campaign in the level NMPD HQ in the final area where Dutch and Mickey are holding out. There are two mounted missile pods, and numerous missile pods near the crashed Pelican and you can use them to take out the many Banshees and Phantoms that appear. As there are many flying enemy vehicles a good tactic would be to keep the missile pods mounted so you can utilize the infinite ammo, as there are other detached missile pods around the pelican which you can use.

Multiplayer

The Missile Pod can be a weak weapon against infantry. It typically takes a direct missile hit to kill an opponent with one shot. Quite unlike the Rocket Launcher, its splash damage is confined to a smaller area, making it challenging to use in a one-on-one mid-range fight. The pod is extremely deadly against vehicles, however.

It causes the wielder to fall victim to the high maneuverability of a Ghost, as the wielder is slow due to its' weight. On Valhalla, it is capable of destroying Banshees, Mongooses, Warthogs, and Heavy Machine Turrets. On Construct, the missile pod becomes a powerful infantry weapon because the map's architecture allows for quick kills, making it especially useful for killing the sword wielders or campers at the Gravity lifts.

It is noteworthy to use in a Big Team Slayer match next, as a few short missiles can take out a central threat, such as a Scorpion, Banshee, or Wraith antagonizing your opponents and getting kills for you and your team.

Using the missile pod against infantry can be deadly but must be a direct hit. When playing an objective game (capture the flag or bomb) bring the missile pod into a room and camp by the flag or bomb area. You can get many kills this way.

This weapon is fantastic against large teams. It's lock on is great against vehicles and, with continuous fire can take down Hornets, Warthogs and Banshees.

Trivia

On Heroic difficulty, it takes eight rounds of the LAU-65D/SGM-151 to destroy a Phantom; however, it only takes four missiles to the rear section to destroy it because the engines will go critical, which will end up destroying the rest.
The LAU-65D/SGM-151's missile is considerably weaker than the M41's ordnance, taking two missiles to destroy a Warthog.
The maximum magazine size of a Missile Pod can be changed in Forge. However, this has no effect on the weapon's actual ammo capacity, which is always 8. Similarly, you can't spawn missile pods mounted on turrets, probably for game balancing reasons, since a missile pod with infinite ammo is a tremendous defensive advantage.
The Missile Pod can be used to do the Halo 2 "Ring of Rockets" trick.
Too Close to the Sun is a Halo 3 achievement. It is awarded for destroying a Banshee in either campaign or a ranked multiplayer playlist with a Spartan Laser or Missile Pod. Unlocking this achievement will give you the Scout Body for Spartan Armor Customization. It is represented by a red ten-pointed star with a brown-winged white star.
In Multiplayer, if a vehicle is locked onto by a Missile Pod, the driver, gunner, or passenger, should hear a droning/buzzing/beeping noise from their HUD as a warning to get out of the vehicle.
This weapon is some-what similar to the modern-day Javelin, in that both lock-on and shoot their missiles upward and attack from a top-down strike.
The Missile Pod deals less damage that a Rocket Launcher but is far more effective due to its lock-on ability against Hornets and Banshees.

Gallery

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Concept art of various types of the Missile Pod, from the Art of Halo 3.
A Banshee being tracked by multiple missiles.
The missile launched from the pod.
The back view of the Missile Pod.
Profile view of the Missile Pod.
A Marine using a Missile Pod on its tripod.
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A SPARTAN pointing a Missile Pod upwards.
A Missile (top) compared to a HEAT (lower) rocket.
A first person view of the LAU-65D/SGM-151's targeting reticle as it appears in Halo 3: ODST — this reticle is the same as in Halo 3.
A LAU-65D/SGM-151 firing a missile in Halo 3:ODST.
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