Point-defense gun: Difference between revisions
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Shazamikaze (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Era|UNSC|HCW}} | {{Era|UNSC|HCW}} | ||
<center>''Were you looking for the [[AAA Helix gun]]?''</center> | <center>''Were you looking for the [[AAA Helix gun]]?''</center> | ||
Line 29: | Line 28: | ||
==Design details== | ==Design details== | ||
===Functionality=== | ===Functionality=== | ||
The point-defense gun functions much like the [[wikipedia:CIWS|CIWS]] designs created during the 20th Century, firing 50mm projectiles. Unlike [[Archer | The point-defense gun functions much like the [[wikipedia:CIWS|CIWS]] designs created during the 20th Century, firing 50mm projectiles. Unlike [[Archer missile]]s and the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] weapon systems mounted on capital ships, the point-defense guns are not used to engage Covenant capital ships, instead meant to intercept smaller threats like [[Seraph]] fighters<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 272''</ref> or [[Covenant boarding craft|boarding craft]] to prevent (or at least lessen) the damage inflicted to a warship. | ||
Because [[human]] operators lack the reflexive responses necessary to operate the point-defense guns to maximum effect, the autocannons are computer controlled and, if an AI is available, control is diverted to it. "Smart" | Because [[human]] operators lack the reflexive responses necessary to operate the point-defense guns to maximum effect, the autocannons are computer controlled and, if an AI is available, control is diverted to it. [[Smart artificial intelligence|"Smart" AIs]] seem better able to operate the point-defense guns than standard computers and also lesser [[Dumb artificial intelligence|"dumb" AIs]].<ref name="nav"/> | ||
===Operational history=== | ===Operational history=== | ||
Line 40: | Line 39: | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Point Defence Gun.jpg|A close-up of a | File:Point Defence Gun.jpg|A close-up of a point-defense gun. | ||
File:Reach 3893592 Full-crop.jpg|A close-up of one of the ''Pillar of Autumn'''s | File:Reach 3893592 Full-crop.jpg|A close-up of one of the ''Pillar of Autumn'''s point-defense guns in ''Halo: Reach''. | ||
File:Origins - Defensive Measure.png|A [[Halcyon-class cruiser]] defending itself from the Covenant boarding crafts using its point defense guns. | File:Origins - Defensive Measure.png|A [[Halcyon-class cruiser]] defending itself from the Covenant boarding crafts using its point defense guns. | ||
File:Reach 9060575 Full.jpg|Shot of the UNSC ''Savannah'''s | File:Reach 9060575 Full.jpg|Shot of the UNSC ''Savannah'''s point defense gun arrays. | ||
File:Reach 3003793 Full.jpg|The UNSC ''Savannah'''s | File:Reach 3003793 Full.jpg|The UNSC ''Savannah'''s point defense guns firing on the [[Covenant]] [[SDV-class heavy corvette|corvette]] ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' | ||
File:Point guns firing.jpg|Close-up of a UNSC frigate's point defense guns firing. | File:Point guns firing.jpg|Close-up of a UNSC frigate's point defense guns firing. | ||
File:UNSC Savannah.jpg|The {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} using its point-defense guns against the | File:UNSC Savannah.jpg|The {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} using its point-defense guns against the ''Ardent Prayer'' in [[Operation: UPPER CUT]]. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Revision as of 04:17, September 8, 2011
A point-defense gun is a type of United Nations Space Command starship-mounted weapon. Though several models exist, the most common type of point-defense gun fires 50mm high-explosive projectiles.[1]
Design details
Functionality
The point-defense gun functions much like the CIWS designs created during the 20th Century, firing 50mm projectiles. Unlike Archer missiles and the MAC weapon systems mounted on capital ships, the point-defense guns are not used to engage Covenant capital ships, instead meant to intercept smaller threats like Seraph fighters[2] or boarding craft to prevent (or at least lessen) the damage inflicted to a warship.
Because human operators lack the reflexive responses necessary to operate the point-defense guns to maximum effect, the autocannons are computer controlled and, if an AI is available, control is diverted to it. "Smart" AIs seem better able to operate the point-defense guns than standard computers and also lesser "dumb" AIs.[3]
Operational history
Point-defense guns have been standard armament on UNSC vessels since the Insurrection, a common model being the AAA Helix gun.
During the human occupation of Installation 04, the ODSTs that recaptured and secured the wreckage of the UNSC Pillar of Autumn from the Covenant managed to scavenge[4] several dual barreled[1] 50mm turrets. The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at Alpha Base.
Gallery
A Halcyon-class cruiser defending itself from the Covenant boarding crafts using its point defense guns.
The UNSC Savannah's point defense guns firing on the Covenant corvette Ardent Prayer
- UNSC Savannah.jpg
The UNSC Savannah using its point-defense guns against the Ardent Prayer in Operation: UPPER CUT.
Sources
- ^ a b Halo: The Flood, page 215
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 272
- ^ Halo: The Flood, page 137