Point-defense gun: Difference between revisions

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|fire=
|fire=
|ammotype= Varies; typically 50mm high-explosive
|ammotype= Varies; typically 50mm high-explosive
|operation= Magnetic linear accelerator (MLA)<ref name="ENC"/>
|operation= Magnetic linear accelerator (MLA){{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
|rate of fire=
|rate of fire=
|accuracy=
|accuracy=
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==Design details==
==Design details==
===Functionality===
===Functionality===
The point-defense gun fills a role similar to the [[wikipedia:CIWS|CIWS]] designs created during the 20th century. Based around [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|magnetic linear accelerator]] technology,<ref name="ENC"/> it fires solid 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.  They are instead meant to intercept smaller threats like [[Type-31 Seraph]] fighters<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 272''</ref> or [[Covenant boarding craft|boarding craft]], and disrupt incoming plasma weaponry,<ref>'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''page 19''</ref> to reduce the damage inflicted to a warship's superstructure.
The point-defense gun fills a role similar to the [[wikipedia:CIWS|CIWS]] designs created during the 20th century. Based around [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|magnetic linear accelerator]] technology,{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}} it fires solid 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.  They are instead meant to intercept smaller threats like [[Type-31 Seraph]] fighters<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 272''</ref> or [[Covenant boarding craft|boarding craft]], and disrupt incoming plasma weaponry,<ref>'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''page 19''</ref> to reduce the damage inflicted to a warship's superstructure.


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">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 19''</ref> Nonetheless, in times of need, human operators are capable of manning the turrets when an AI is unable to.<ref name="HFREscape">'''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''', level ''[[Escape (Halo: Fireteam Raven level)|Escape]]''</reF>
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">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 19''</ref> Nonetheless, in times of need, human operators are capable of manning the turrets when an AI is unable to.<ref name="HFREscape">'''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''', level ''[[Escape (Halo: Fireteam Raven level)|Escape]]''</reF>
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Point-defense guns have been standard armament on UNSC vessels since the [[Insurrection]], a common model being the [[M810 Helix point defense gun|M810 Helix]]. Later, {{Class|Halcyon|cruiser}}s used a dual-barreled point-defense weapon system designated as the [[M910 Rampart point defense network]].<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf Data Drop 5]</ref>
Point-defense guns have been standard armament on UNSC vessels since the [[Insurrection]], a common model being the [[M810 Helix point defense gun|M810 Helix]]. Later, {{Class|Halcyon|cruiser}}s used a dual-barreled point-defense weapon system designated as the [[M910 Rampart point defense network]].<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf Data Drop 5]</ref>


During the opening stages of the [[Battle of Installation 04]], the ODSTs of [[Fireteam Raven]] were instructed by [[Wellsley]] to man the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s defensive guns to fend off several waves of Seraph and [[Type-27 Banshee|Banshee]] fighters.<ref name="HFREscape"/> During the later human occupation of [[Installation 04]], the [[ODSTs]] that recaptured and secured the wreckage of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} from the [[Covenant]] managed to scavenge several of the ship's 50mm turrets.<ref name="c137">'''Halo: The Flood''', Chapter 5, ''page 137'' (2003 paperback); ''page 153'' (2010 paperback)</ref> The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]].
During the opening stages of the [[Battle of Installation 04]], the ODSTs of [[Fireteam Raven]] were instructed by [[Wellsley]] to man the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s defensive guns to fend off several waves of Seraph and [[Type-27 Banshee|Banshee]] fighters.{{Ref/Reuse|HFREscape}} During the later human occupation of [[Installation 04]], the [[ODSTs]] that recaptured and secured the wreckage of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} from the [[Covenant]] managed to scavenge several of the ship's 50mm turrets.<ref name="c137">'''Halo: The Flood''', Chapter 5, ''page 137'' (2003 paperback); ''page 153'' (2010 paperback)</ref> The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]].


==Known types==
==Known types==