Gadulo-pattern needle rifle
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| Gadulo-pattern Needle Launcher | |
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 .png) Two variants of the needle rifle. | |
| Production overview | |
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Manufacturer: |
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Type: |
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| Specifications | |
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Length: |
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Width: |
24.1 centimeters (9.5 in)[4] |
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Height: |
37.4 centimeters (14.7 in)[4] |
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Weight: |
7.9 kilograms (17 lb)[4] |
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Ammunition type: |
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Feed system: |
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Firing mode: |
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Optics: |
2× magnification optics[3] |
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Effective range: |
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| Service history | |
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In service: |
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The Gadulo-pattern Needle Launcher (UNSC Type classification: Type-31 Needle Rifle)[1] also known as the needle rifle,[6] is an infantry weapon originally manufactured by the Covenant's Sacred Promissory, formerly in service with the Covenant military.[7] After the fall of High Charity in 2552, Maeleesh Bazaar took over the production of the needle rifle.[4]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
- Main article: Needle-based weaponry
As its name suggests, the Gadulo-pattern needle rifle is one of the many Covenant needle-based projectile weapons, and shares operational functionality with the ubiquitous needler, but notably features an electronic sighting optics system.[4] The needle rifle fires unconventional, long and razor sharp Subanese crystalline shards, which detonate several seconds after coming to rest in soft tissue.[4] The needles are stored within the midsection of the weapon, with several protruding from the shroud. The rear end of the weapon appears to be on a hinge, indicating it may be able to collapse into a more compact form. At least two variations of the design exist: a dark blue variant and a purple variant with a stock similar to that of the Vostu-pattern carbine.[8][9]
Similar to other needle-based weapons, the needle rifle's internal mechanism snaps off crystalline shards into individual charged projectiles, which are launched linearly at the intended target. However, unlike the needler, the needle rifle's projectiles are not designed to home in on a target.[2] Given that the needler uses an additional magnetic auger within the weapon to catalyze the shards so they can track heat signatures,[3] the needle rifle likely lacks a magnetic auger. However, the needle rifle's shards travel much faster than that of the needler, leaving the needle rifle's only destructive similarity to the needler being the individual/collected needle explosion.
The rifle's crystalline shards are held in an ammo cylinder. The reload process for the needle rifle is very similar to that of the Vostu-pattern carbine and Mosa-pattern carbine. The only difference between the reloads for the carbine and the needle rifle is that the canister for the carbine is not covered by any sort of hatch, which, in the case of the needle rifle, is the weapon's top module—also where the optics system is mounted. When reloading, the top module flips open to expose the ammo canister that ejects upon opening, allowing the user to insert a new canister. When the top module locks in place, the crystalline shards are splintered and then extrude from apertures on the weapon's shroud.[3]
Usage[edit]
Without the needles' tracking ability, the needle rifle must be fired like a marksman rifle.[2] The needle rifle is operated in a similar role to the Vostu-pattern carbine,[1] and was commonly employed by Skirmishers, Kig-Yar Snipers, and Sangheili during the Fall of Reach;[10][11][12] notably, Sangheili Field Marshal Orsu Lar 'Ahtalee used a needle rifle to kill Spartan-III Catherine-B320 with a headshot during the Siege of New Alexandria.[13] It was used in many engagements of the Human-Covenant War, including the Battle of Circinius IV,[14] Operation: METEORITE[15]