Elsedda-pattern Banshee

This article is about the space fighter variant. For the ground support variant, see Type-26 Banshee.

The Elsedda-pattern Strike Fighter, informally known as the Space Banshee, the Banshee Fighter, and the Banshee Interceptor, is the Covenant standard space interceptor support craft of the defunct Covenant fleet. It is a vacuum-sealed variant of the  that is designed for exoatmospheric operations,  though it is capable of operating in-atmosphere.

Design details
The Elsedda-pattern Banshee is similar in appearance and design to the Type-26 Banshee ground support aircraft, although it boasts several unique features. The Elsedda-pattern Banshee's canards are swept forward, with the impulse engine placement making the craft more maneuverable in zero-gravity environments. The craft features extended tail stabilizers, which help dampen turbulence during transitions in and out of atmosphere while docking. Unlike the standard Banshee model, the Elsedda-pattern sports an enclosed vacuum-sealed cockpit. The cockpit's canopy includes integrated antennas used for communications. Inside the cockpit, the pilot has access to a wide-angle viewscreen for sight. An instrument console comes with holographic readout panels that monitor the fighter's various systems, with at least one used to operate the impulse drive. On either side of the viewscreen are spherical control grips for piloting the Banshee. The pilot lays on a cushioned bed, and is held in place via a stability harness that runs across their flanks and hips.

When Elsedda-pattern Banshee's impulse drive is fully active, its control panel glows amber. With the drive active while the craft is in a landed position, the pilot can cause the Banshee to hover a meter off the ground by sliding their palms toward the front of the control grips. Pushing the control grips forward causes the craft to fly forward, while tapping the undersides of the grips will fire the Banshee's plasma cannons. Sliding ones hands to the back of the control grips results in the Banshee beginning to climb, dropping its tail stabilizers and lifting its nose. The Elsedda-pattern Banshee is highly vulnerable to the electromagnetic pulses of human nuclear weapons, where the fighter would be left dead in space with no way to call for help.

Armament
The Elsedda-pattern Banshee sports two heavy plasma cannons, which are elongated in comparison with those of the Type-26's standard model, providing greatly increased range and firepower. A fuel rod cannon is mounted at the front of the fuselage.



Usage
The Elsedda-pattern Banshee can be mounted on the hangar bay walls of Covenant warships and on the undersides of vessels' hulls. These craft are effective against stationary weapon emplacement and EVA-equipped infantry, as well as in reconnaissance pickets. However, they are most effective when used in high-volume deployments. Deployment in great numbers can allow Elsedda-pattern Banshees to overwhelm heavier fighters such as the GA-TL1 Longsword interceptor, as well as escort ships, such as cruisers and frigates. While the Seraph was used as the Covenant's primary fighter in single ship combat, the Elsedda-pattern Banshee provided invaluable screens and support, tipping many battles in the Covenant's favor.

Operational history
The Elsedda-pattern Banshee was first observed by the UNSC at some point prior to March 5, 2526, when the SPARTAN-IIs captured five of the fighters from the frigate Radiant Arrow. Before Dr. Catherine Halsey had a chance to properly inspect and document them, these same five fighters would be used by Blue Team during a mission to destroy Covenant munition carriers above Etalan. At the same battle, the Fleet of Inexorable Obedience would deploy more Elsedda-pattern Banshees in defense of their logistics fleet.

Numerous Elsedda-pattern Banshees assisted the Covenant in attacking the UNSC Epsilon Eridani Fleet and orbital stations over Reach during the invasion, particularly during Operation: UPPER CUT. During this engagement, numerous squadrons of Elsedda-pattern Banshees were used in conjunction with many of the Covenant's more powerful s to attack the UNSC refit station Anchor 9 and later to defend the corvette Ardent Prayer from UNSC boarders.

During the opening stages of the Battle of Installation 04, as the was boarded by Covenant forces of the Fleet of Particular Justice, Elsedda-pattern Banshees, as well as Morsam-pattern Seraphs were deployed to attack the UNSC cruiser. The ODSTs of Fireteam Raven managed to activate the vessel's M910 Rampart point defense network, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking Elsedda-pattern Banshees and Seraphs.

By 2558 numerous Elsedda-pattern Banshees were fielded by Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group during the Battle of Ealen IV.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * ''Halo: Fall of Reach
 * Invasion
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo: Fireteam Raven
 * Halo: Silent Storm
 * Halo: Oblivion