F-41 Broadsword

The F-41 Exoatmospheric Multirole Strike Fighter, commonly known as the Broadsword, is a VTOL atmospheric/exoatmospheric (A/X) multirole strike fighter manufactured by Misriah Armory and used by the UNSC Defense Force. Like other UNSC A/X attack craft, the Broadsword is named after a bladed weapon.

Overview
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.

Specifications
Like the YSS-1000 Sabre, the F-41 Broadsword has energy shielding that covers the entire fighter and recharges when depleted. However, these shields are not rated for slipspace travel. The Broadsword is equipped with two M1075 ASW/AC 35mm MLA cannons and two M6088 ST/MMP missile pods. It can also be equipped with an excavation-grade HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon. The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Aviator helmet is recommended for use by Broadsword crew members.

History
Broadswords were in service by February 2557, when several were present at the 's commissioning ceremony. It is possible that the Broadsword had been introduced earlier, at least as a prototype.

Ivanoff Station carried Broadsword fighters in its hangar bay, though they were not used during the Didact's attack on the station. Spartan John-117 armed one with a HAVOK nuclear warhead, intending to destroy the Didact's ship, Mantle's Approach, before he could unleash the Composer on Earth. John caught up with Mantle's Approach just before it entered slipspace, flying beneath its shields since the Broadsword's were inadequate for slipspace travel. After arriving at Earth, he used the Broadsword to destroy the ship's point-defense guns so that the Infinity could punch a hole through the ship. Flying the fighter inside the warship's hull, the walls closed around the Broadsword and crushed it, forcing the Spartan to carry the HAVOK the rest of the way to the Composer.

In February 2558, six months after the skirmish at Earth, Infinity returned to the Didact's shield world, Requiem. Immediately after emerging from slipspace, the ship and her complement engaged the Covenant remnant fleet orbiting Requiem. At least one flight of Broadswords was launched from Infinity's hangars, shooting down many Type-31 Seraphs and providing cover for the Pelican dropships landing troops on the shield world.

List of appearances

 * The Commissioning
 * Halo 4