Prowler: Difference between revisions
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===Stealth systems=== | ===Stealth systems=== | ||
Prowlers avoid detection through the use of physical features designed for low observability, low-profile sensor systems, and an array of stealth systems intended to mask the ship from both visual and sensor detection. | Prowlers avoid detection through the use of physical features designed for low observability, low-profile sensor systems, and an array of stealth systems intended to mask the ship from both visual and sensor detection.{{Ref/Reuse|HUProwler}} The outer hull is coated with [[stealth ablative coating]], which hides the ship's [[radar]] signature and acts as a simple form of [[active camouflage]]. This camouflage is maintained by a system known as the [[texture buffer]].<ref name="goo291">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 291''</ref> Engine emissions are hidden via the use of heat sinks{{Ref/Reuse|HUProwler}} and systems known as ablative baffles and engine dampers, which enable the prowler to appear to sensors the same temperature as the surrounding space, thus avoiding detection by infrared-range sensors.<ref name="goo187">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 187, 43''</ref> Because prowlers inevitably release some emissions, their systems are designed distort their signatures to appear as wreckage, low-threat vessels, or even friendly craft.{{Ref/Reuse|HUProwler}} | ||
A prowler is able to stay in stealth mode for days or weeks,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 288''</ref> although they are not fully undetectable. | A prowler is able to stay in stealth mode for days or weeks,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 288''</ref> although they are not fully undetectable.{{Ref/Reuse|HUProwler}} Past fifteen minutes in a combat theater, detection by [[Covenant]] sensors is noted to grow at a geometric rate.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 289''</ref> Prowler captains receive extensive training in the use of astronomical objects to their advantage in hiding their presence, as well as the deployment of drone networks to maintain concealment during missions.{{Ref/Reuse|HUProwler}} There is also a tradeoff between speed and stealth, and prowler commanders are forced to walk a fine balance when optimizing their stealth systems and engine power.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 293''</ref> | ||
The active camouflage systems of Covenant War-era prowlers were crude in comparison to Covenant active camouflage, operating on a seemingly similar principle as the [[SPI armor]]'s [[photoreactive panel]]s. For example, the {{UNSCShip|Wink of an Eye}}'s stealth coating was fairly unstable, making the ship waver to and from visibility uncontrollably especially when exposed to rapidly changing backgrounds, such as the clouds of a gas giant.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 477''</ref> However, over the course of the war, research into Covenant technology allowed the UNSC to develop more effective forms of cloaking,<ref name="h4evg">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 190''</ref> namely a form of camouflage field which surrounds the ship similar to Covenant active camouflage.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Catherine]]''</ref> The reverse-engineering of active camouflage systems and limited integration of [[Forerunner]] [[baffler]] sensor distortion technology has enhanced the vessels' inherent stealth capabilities, allowing prowlers to avoid or defeat detection techniques that the Covenant had developed during the war.<ref name="HUProwler">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/oni-prowler '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Universe: ONI Prowler'']</ref> | The active camouflage systems of Covenant War-era prowlers were crude in comparison to Covenant active camouflage, operating on a seemingly similar principle as the [[SPI armor]]'s [[photoreactive panel]]s. For example, the {{UNSCShip|Wink of an Eye}}'s stealth coating was fairly unstable, making the ship waver to and from visibility uncontrollably especially when exposed to rapidly changing backgrounds, such as the clouds of a gas giant.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 477''</ref> However, over the course of the war, research into Covenant technology allowed the UNSC to develop more effective forms of cloaking,<ref name="h4evg">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 190''</ref> namely a form of camouflage field which surrounds the ship similar to Covenant active camouflage.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Catherine]]''</ref> The reverse-engineering of active camouflage systems and limited integration of [[Forerunner]] [[baffler]] sensor distortion technology has enhanced the vessels' inherent stealth capabilities, allowing prowlers to avoid or defeat detection techniques that the Covenant had developed during the war.<ref name="HUProwler">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/oni-prowler '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Universe: ONI Prowler'']</ref> | ||
===Sensors=== | ===Sensors=== | ||
Prowlers are equipped with a wide variety of sensor equipment and electronic warfare devices, many of them mounted in a sensor array located in the craft's nose.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 184''</ref> The ships possess an [[X-ELF radar system]],<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 290''</ref> a mass spectrometer,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 185''</ref> [[Wikipedia:Lidar|lidar]],<ref name="mdic290">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''pages 290-291''</ref> as well as EMP dampers which isolate the ship's electronics in the event of [[electromagnetic pulse]] strikes.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 328''</ref> The post-war prowler {{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}} was upgraded with a high-fidelity real-time [[Holography|holographic]] mapping suite which enables the generation of highly accurate images of a given area when working in concert with the prowler's subsidiary drones and other sensors. | Prowlers are equipped with a wide variety of sensor equipment and electronic warfare devices, many of them mounted in a sensor array located in the craft's nose.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 184''</ref> The ships possess an [[X-ELF radar system]],<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 290''</ref> a mass spectrometer,<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 185''</ref> [[Wikipedia:Lidar|lidar]],<ref name="mdic290">'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''pages 290-291''</ref> as well as EMP dampers which isolate the ship's electronics in the event of [[electromagnetic pulse]] strikes.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 328''</ref> The post-war prowler {{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}} was upgraded with a high-fidelity real-time [[Holography|holographic]] mapping suite which enables the generation of highly accurate images of a given area when working in concert with the prowler's subsidiary drones and other sensors.{{Ref/Reuse|mdic290}} | ||
Prowlers are equipped with a number of deployable [[BLACK WIDOW communications satellite]]s to provide sensor and communications coverage in a local operations theater.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 376''</ref> They can also be equipped with a complement of tactical drones for remotely monitoring other locations.<ref name="HSS14">'''Halo: Silent Storm''', ''Chapter 14''</ref> | Prowlers are equipped with a number of deployable [[BLACK WIDOW communications satellite]]s to provide sensor and communications coverage in a local operations theater.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 376''</ref> They can also be equipped with a complement of tactical drones for remotely monitoring other locations.<ref name="HSS14">'''Halo: Silent Storm''', ''Chapter 14''</ref> | ||
===Armament=== | ===Armament=== | ||
A prowler's primary offensive armament is an array of [[M441 Hornet Remote Explosive System|HORNET nuclear mines]] with vacuum-enhanced loads and a dedicated chamber to cool them down to the temperature of the vacuum of space.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 325-326, 329''</ref> However, it is impossible to maintain stealth when exiting slipspace with nuclear weapons onboard, as they emit a detectable [[Cherenkov radiation]] flare upon transmission from slipspace to normal space. As a result, prowlers are forced to jettison their nuclear mines into slipspace if a cloaked exit is necessary. | A prowler's primary offensive armament is an array of [[M441 Hornet Remote Explosive System|HORNET nuclear mines]] with vacuum-enhanced loads and a dedicated chamber to cool them down to the temperature of the vacuum of space.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 325-326, 329''</ref> However, it is impossible to maintain stealth when exiting slipspace with nuclear weapons onboard, as they emit a detectable [[Cherenkov radiation]] flare upon transmission from slipspace to normal space. As a result, prowlers are forced to jettison their nuclear mines into slipspace if a cloaked exit is necessary.{{Ref/Reuse|goo187}} | ||
Prowlers also possess a [[XEV9-Matos Nonlinear Pulse Cannon|pulse laser weapon]]<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 50''</ref> and can be equipped with more powerful weaponry, such as [[Shiva-class nuclear missile|Shiva]] or [[Rudra-class nuclear missile|Rudra]]-class nuclear warheads.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 320''</ref> | Prowlers also possess a [[XEV9-Matos Nonlinear Pulse Cannon|pulse laser weapon]]<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 50''</ref> and can be equipped with more powerful weaponry, such as [[Shiva-class nuclear missile|Shiva]] or [[Rudra-class nuclear missile|Rudra]]-class nuclear warheads.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 320''</ref> | ||
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===Subprowlers=== | ===Subprowlers=== | ||
"Subprowler" is an informal designation for stealth-capable smallcraft – often deployed by larger prowlers – that are used to infiltrate and exfiltrate personnel and cargo from planetary surfaces. Though designed with low-observable technologies, subprowlers also feature a series of [[electronic countermeasures]] and decoy capabilities that increase their survivability in the dangerous period when entering and exiting atmospheres, or when operating near advanced aerospace defenses. | "Subprowler" is an informal designation for stealth-capable smallcraft – often deployed by larger prowlers – that are used to infiltrate and exfiltrate personnel and cargo from planetary surfaces. Though designed with low-observable technologies, subprowlers also feature a series of [[electronic countermeasures]] and decoy capabilities that increase their survivability in the dangerous period when entering and exiting atmospheres, or when operating near advanced aerospace defenses.{{Ref/Reuse|HUProwler}} | ||
*{{Class|Black Cat|subprowler}} | *{{Class|Black Cat|subprowler}} | ||
