Space fighter
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
A space fighter,[1] strike fighter,[2][3] or simply fighter,[2][3][4] known by the Covenant as Strikecraft[5][6] and to the UNSC as an interceptor,[7][3] are small, versatile, and maneuverable spacecraft, primarily used for exoatmospheric interception, interdiction, or space-supremacy operations.
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
These ships are unable to enter slipspace by themselves, and need to be launched from planetary bases, orbiting space stations, or capital ships to conduct strike-operations against enemy warships, intercept fighters, and provide escort for warships and dropships.[8][9] Their size varies from a few meters to well over 50 meters. Most known space fighters are spaceplanes, capable of operating in both atmospheric/exoatmospheric (A/X)[10] and suborbital/orbital (S/O) environments. The Forerunner Warrior-Servants often used space fighters in combat. Some space fighters, called weapon-ships, could be remotely-controlled at a ratio of up to a million ships per warrior.[11]
Usage[edit]
Warships primarily designed to transport and maintain fighter-squadrons are commonly known as carriers.[12] In the UNSC Navy, starfighters were deployed from all warships larger than a corvette, as corvettes were too small to carry anything larger than a shuttle.[13] Marathon-class heavy cruisers are capable of reconfiguring themselves as light carriers by sacrificing weapons installations and cargo bays for increased fighter capacity.[14] UNSC doctrine typically dictates the launching of a fighter assault against an enemy fleet employing wolf-pack tactics before it can swarm a capital ship.[15] Packs of fighters in service to the UNSC are called Squadrons.[16][17]
During the Battle of Biko, Nizat 'Kvarosee deployed his fighters in a tight "shell" around their motherships, ensuring that any attempt to board his vessels would be met with failure, considered an unusual deployment tactic by the UNSC.[15] This differed from usual Covenant deployment tactics, which would see fighters deploy straight to attack the enemy, leaving their capital ships relatively undefended.[18]
Types[edit]
Covenant[edit]
- Elsedda-pattern Banshee - An exoatmospheric variant of the Type-26 Banshee,[19] it was the standard interceptor support craft of the Covenant fleet.[20]
- Seraph - Seraph is the name of several different space fighters.[21]
- Kai-pattern - An older Seraph variant.[22]
- Morsam-pattern - A newer Seraph variant.[22]
- Keljiric-pattern Tarasque - The Tarasque heavy fighter was an older space fighter.[23]
- N'weo-pattern Gigas - The Gigas fighter-bomber was an older craft.[23] Though it still saw deployment as late as 2526 from the Fleet of Swift Justice.[24]
- Dovotaa Workshop Griever - A large craft employed by the Banished.[25]
The Type-27 Space Banshee.
The Morsam-pattern.
The Kai-pattern.
The Tarasque.
The Gigas.
The Griever.
Human[edit]
- GA-TL1 Longsword - The primary fighter of the UNSC fleet.[26] Numerous variants exist for the Longsword which range from the C708[27] to the C718.[28]
- F-29 Nandao - The Nandao fighter was a type of fighter used by the UNSC as early as 2526.[29]