LAU-65D/SGM-151 missile pod

LAU-65D/SGM-151
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Ushuaia Armory
Type:	Missile launcher
Specifications
Length:	202 centimeters (79.7 in)
Ammunition type:	M5607 ASGM-4 missiles
Rate of fire:	Semi-automatic
Service history
In service:	Human-Covenant War Post-Covenant War conflicts

The Launcher Unit-65D/Self-Guided Missile-151 (LAU-65D/SGM-151), also known as the Missile Pod, is a stationary mounted missile launcher manufactured by Ushuaia Armory.

The weapon is employed in the United Nations Space Command, and has garnered the nickname of "The Noisemaker" among the personnel assigned to use it.

Overview

A Missile Pod detached from its stand.

Design details

The LAU-65D/SGM-151 missile pod is a predominantly mounted weapon, typically deployed mounted atop a small tripod. When mounted, the launcher faces up at a roughly 45 degree angle. The weapon is capable of being operated by interfacing with an operator's heads-up display, which can be used to select enemy ground and air vehicles for targeting. Once fired, the missile is launched into the air before engaging its automated guidance system and booster - which then track the target's heat signature and deliver the payload in a precision strike from above. This allows the weapon to act in a similar capacity to a more conventional mortar weapon.

Missile pods are typically fired from a stationary, fixed position, though are capable of being ripped off their stands and hip-fired by personnel strong enough to carry them (such as Spartans and Sangheili). When fired in this manner, the missile pod's projectiles fire directly into the path of their target, skipping the vertical-launch stage of their operation. They may also be mounted directly for defensive atop static walls, or as part of the armament on vehicles.

Without a suitable lock-on, the missile pod can be dumb-fired to limited effect. While mounted, this causes the missile to simply fly into the air, while firing it from the hip can allow the missile to be manually aimed at enemy targets.

Ammunition

The missile pod fires the M5607 Automatic Self-Guided Missile-4, a heat-seeking, armour-piercing, and self-guided high-explosive missile a part of the same series as other larger missiles such as the ASGM-7, ASGM-10 and ASGM-15. The internal magazines in the base of the launcher can hold eight such missiles, which can be rapid-fired in a short amount of time.

Operational history

A Marine using a Missile Pod on its tripod.

The missile pod was used by human military forces during the Battle for Earth in October-November 2552. Several such weapons were operated by the New Mombasa Police Department during the Covenant occupation of New Mombasa on October 20, with Alpha-Nine assisting NMPD personnel in fending off a Covenant air assault on their downed D77C-NMPD Pelican. They were later used by UNSC Marine Corps forces operating in Traxus Factory Complex 09, Voi, during the Battle of Voi on November 17. During the battle, several LAU-65Ds were installed around the factory complex and were used by a force led by John-117 to disable and destroy a Deutoros-pattern Scarab.

Members of the 717th Xeno-Materials Exploitation Battalion's Charlie Company used missile pods as part of their deployment into the city of Wendosa, Gao, during Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE.

During the Carrow Conflict in 2558, the Surakan Militia Volunteers used missile pods to defend their city against an attack by the Sharquoi unleashed by Hekabe. The creatures proved largely ignorant of the missiles fired at them and were able to shrug off most of the damage dealt.

In-game information

Using the missile pod in third-person view on Sandtrap in Halo 3.

Halo 3

The missile pod was introduced in Halo 3 as part of the new class of support weapons introduced into the game, alongside the AIE-486H machine gun, plasma cannon, and M7057 flamethrower. Accordingly, the weapon is used in a third-person view. In the campaign, the weapon appears solely in the level The Storm encountered twice in the level - the first as a dismounted weapon in the pier structure of the first lakebed next to a dead Marine. This weapon can be used against the Ogab'd-pattern anti-aircraft Wraith and Ghost vehicles encountered in that section of the level. The second encounter with missile pods comes in the second lakebed of The Storm, with two such weapons deployed by the Marines to help fight off the Scarab. These weapons are turret-mounted, and have an infinite amount of ammunition. They can be used to target the Scarab's legs, turret, and rear power core.

In multiplayer, the missile pod fulfils the role of a lock-on missile launcher, similar to the missile launcher cut from Halo: Combat Evolved or the standard M41 SPNKr's lock-on functionality in Halo 2. For Halo 3, the SPNKr's lock-on was taken away from the weapon and additionally considered for use in a separate missile launcher weapon which made it as far as alpha testing, though was ultimately scrapped in favour of the missile launcher concept. The missile pod only ever appears in its un-mounted (and thus, limited ammunition) configuration in multiplayer, with the mounted variant being unable to be spawned in Forge mode. In rare circumstances, the weapon can be used to recreate the "Ring of Rockets" trick similar to Halo 2's rocket launcher.

The missile pod can be used to unlock the Too Close to the Sun achievement in multiplayer, by killing a Banshee.

Halo 3: ODST

The missile pod appears in the Halo 3: ODST campaign level NMPD HQ in the final stage of the mission. Several such weapons are deployed (both mounted and detached) around the Pelican crash site. They have identical gameplay to their Halo 3 incarnation, and can be used to shoot down the incoming Banshees and Phantoms.

Gallery

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

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  Concept art of various types of the Missile Pod, from the Art of Halo 3.

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  A missile pod still on its tripod mount.

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  The back view of the Missile Pod.

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  Profile view of the Missile Pod.

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  A Marine operating a LAU-65D during the Battle of Voi.

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  A Marine firing a LAU-65D during the Battle of Voi.

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  A Spartan pointing a Missile Pod upwards.

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  An EVA-clad Spartan holding the missile pod.

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  A Soldier-clad Spartan holding the missile pod.

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  A Banshee being tracked by multiple missiles.

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  In-game preview of a rocket launched from the Missile Pod in Halo 3.

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  The missile launched from the pod.

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  A missile pod's ASGM-4 missile (top) compared with an M41 SPNKr's M19 missile (lower).

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  Dutch on a stationary a missile pod while Romeo is carrying a detached missile pod.

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  Romeo firing a Missile Pod from its tripod.

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  A HUD view of the LAU-65D/SGM-151 in Halo 3: ODST.

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  A detached LAU-65D/SGM-151 firing a missile in Halo 3: ODST.

List of appearances

• Halo 3 (First appearance)
• Halo 3: ODST
• Halo: Last Light (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Envoy