Canon

F-41 Broadsword

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

F-41 Broadsword
An F-41 Broadsword on Mantle's Approach during the New Phoenix Incident. From Halo 4 campaign level Midnight.
H4 Broadsword profile.png
Production information

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1][2][3]

Role:

Exoatmospheric multirole strike fighter

Technical specifications

Length:

20.2 meters (66.3 ft)[2][3]

Width:

19.7 meters (64.5 ft)[2][3]

Height:

10.9 meters (35.7 ft)[2][3]

Mass:

35 metric tons (34 LT; 39 ST)[4][3]

Power plant:

Fusion reactor[4]

Engine(s):

  • Two primary
  • Two auxiliary

Slipspace drive:

Not equipped

Shielding:

Yes (F41E), not rated for slipspace [4]

Armament:

Crew:

1 pilot

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Human-Covenant War
Post-Covenant War conflicts

Introduced:

c. 2535[2]

Affiliation:

 

The F-41 Exoatmospheric Multirole Strike Fighter (F-41 EMSF), commonly known as the Broadsword, is a VTOL atmospheric/exoatmospheric (A/X) multirole strike fighter manufactured by Misriah Armory and used by the United Nations Space Command,[1] as well as planetary defense forces.[4] Like other UNSC A/X attack craft, the Broadsword is named after a bladed weapon.

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

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] The AVIATOR-class Mjolnir helmet is recommended for use by Broadsword crew members.[5]

The F-41E Broadsword was introduced in 2554, featuring an upgrade package including energy shielding derived from the FSS-1000 Sabre that covers the entire fighter and recharges when depleted, specifically conceived to withstand pulse laser turrets.[4][6][7] However, these shields are not rated for slipspace travel.[8] As well as shields, the F-41E features an advanced sensor and target designation suite that can process hundreds of targets, on top of reformulated Titanium-A armor panels. These upgrades were considered impossible to implement fleetwide under wartime conditions, and included a range of design improvements and deferred upgrades, such as reformulated Titanium-A panels and an upgraded fusion reactor to power the shields. However, the reactor failed to meet initial output projections, and as a result shielded F-41E Broadswords have a lower top speed and acceleration than earlier, unshielded variants. It is capable of transatmospheric operations, and can reach orbit under its own power using deuterium as a propellant [9]. While not as maneuverable as dedicated atmospheric interceptors, the F-41E is considered unequaled among human fighters in close-orbit dogfights. As with other modern Broadswords, its cockpit comes with a full cyberlink interface for augmented pilots, inertial compensators to mitigate the effects of high-G turns, and targeting software compatible with VISR interfaces. Like the previous F-41D, the F-41E can fold up its wings when landing in confined hangar bays.[4]

Armament[edit]

The Broadsword is equipped with two M1075 ASW/AC 35mm MLA cannons and two M6088 ST/MMP missile pods mounted underneath the wings. The pod's standard munition is the AIM-90E short-range dogfight missile.[4] The Broadsword has a Class-III hardpoint designed to carry AAM-50XR dogfight missiles or AGM-79C anti-ship missiles.[4] The hardpoint can also be used to carry an excavation-grade HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon.[4][10][11] It bestows the fighter a great effectiveness at ensuring the destruction of enemy capital ships.[7]

Operational history