GA-TL1 Longsword: Difference between revisions

The '''GA-TL1 Interceptor/Strike Fighter''', commonly known as the '''Longsword''', is the main [[starfighter]] in service with the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] and [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]].<ref name="Bulletin">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-9-24-14 '''Halo Waypoint''' - The Halo Bulletin: 9.24.14'']</ref> It is capable of filling a variety roles, exclusively or simultaneously.<ref name="EVG"/>

The GA-TL1 Longsword is designed primarily as a fighter, though it can also be used for interception, suppression, bombing, or direct attack.<ref name="EVG"/> There are a number of variants of the craft, with some variants measuring 64 meters (210 feet) long and 75 meters (246 feet) wide,<ref name="enc"/><ref name="EVG"/> though some are considerably smaller.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', multiplayer level ''[[Tempest]]''</ref> All Longswords feature a crew of four: a pilot, a copilot, a navigator, and a systems operator;<ref name="EVG"/> the crew may be assisted by an onboard [[artificial intelligence]].

While there are several noticeable external and presumably internal differences among variants, all Longswords share a common overall architecture. The craft features a wide, manta ray-like design with a rear-facing boom apparatus protruding from the center of the fuselage, similar to that of the [[B-65 Shortsword]]. The exhaust ports for the Longsword's twin fusion engines<ref name="enc"/> are also visible at the rear of the fuselage. The C709 variant features a large, diamond-shaped air intake underneath each wing,<ref name="CE">'''Halo: Combat Evolved'''</ref><ref name="H2">'''Halo 2'''</ref> though these are much smaller on the C712 and possibly other variants, instead fitting flush with the fuselage.<ref name="H3">'''Halo 3'''</ref><ref name="Reach">'''Halo: Reach'''</ref><ref name="Origins"/> Furthermore, the C709 possesses a traditional non-polarized glass canopy,<ref name="CE"/><ref name="H2"/> though other variants feature a much larger, black-polarized canopy.<ref name="H3"/><ref name="Reach"/>

Inside the Longsword is a small corridor leading to the rear, along with stairs and a higher corridor that lead to the cockpit.<ref name="Maw">'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[The Maw]]''</ref> In the two corridors, there are several equipment lockers, along with two secondary crew stations. The cockpit contains the pilot's and copilot's stations, which include control interfaces and information readouts, as well as an AI [[holotank]] if present.<ref name="FS37"/>

The standard armament of the GA-TL1 is the [[M9109 ASW/AC MLA|M9109 50mm cannon]].<ref name="EVG"/><ref>'''Halo: Reach''' manual </ref> Some variants are armed with [[110mm rotary cannon]]s<ref name="FS28"/> or a turreted [[120mm ventral gun]] that can be retracted into the hull,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 58''</ref> though the latter is likely a secondary weapon. The Longsword can also accommodate any of several of supplementary weapon systems, including four [[ASGM-10 missile]]s, a variety of bombs, [[Moray space mine]]s, or even a single {{Class|Shiva|nuclear missile}}; when remotely piloted, the Longsword itself can be used as a delivery system for the ''Shiva'' warhead.<ref name="remote">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 322-324''</ref>

The Longsword, manufactured by [[Misriah Armory]], was designed during the 25^th century by [[Gov Aukland]] and [[Thomas Levesque]], whose names inspired the GA-TL1 designation.<ref name="EVG"/> Longswords saw service during throughout the [[Insurrection]], such as during the nuclear bombing of [[Far Isle]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 183''</ref><ref name="Origins">'''Halo Legends''', ''Origins''</ref><!--The article assumes that the nuclear bombing shown during Origins is the bombing of Far Isle, as it is the only such event to have been referenced in canon.--> Later, Longswords were deployed on the front lines of nearly every major engagement of the [[Human-Covenant War]] under both the [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] and the [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]].<ref name="EVG"/> [[Longsword Squadron Delta]], assigned to the UNSC frigate [[UNSC Commonwealth|''Commonwealth'']], engaged [[Covenant]] forces during the [[Battle of Chi Ceti]], the first space battle of the war.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''' ''(2001)'', ''pages 112-113''</ref>

During the [[Fall of Reach]], the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} launched a remote-piloted Longsword equiped with a [[Shiva-class nuclear missile]] during its battle with an [[unidentified Covenant warship]]. After the ship's shields were taken down, [[Cortana]] crash-landed the Longsword on the ship and armed its nuke. The nuke detonated, destroying the Longsword and the enemy ship.

During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], a number of Longswords escorted the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}. Later, the [[John-117|Master Chief]] and [[Cortana]] used a Longsword to escape from the Installation before it was destroyed. They later linked up with a Pelican and [[Skirmish over Threshold|launched an attack]] on a Covenant [[flagship]], the ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', managing to use the Longsword to board it and destroying its [[Seraph]]s with the Longsword's [[Moray space mine]]s. During the [[Battle of Voi]], several Longswords attacked the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s ship to no effect along with a few frigates.

On [[2557#July|July 26, 2557]], [[Blue Team]] used a Longsword to reach [[Installation 03]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue 8''</ref> On March 11th, [[2558]] several Longswords defended the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} when it was attacked by [[AC-220 Vulture]]s and [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]s after the ''[[Pilgrims Pride]]'' was pulled into the ''Infinity's'' docking bay.<ref name="HE4">'''Halo: Escalation''' - ''Issue #4''</ref>

During the [[mission to Ven III]], three Longswords were deployed by the ''Infinity'' to escort two [[D77H-TCI Pelican]]s to rescue [[Naiya Ray]] and [[Gabriel Thorne]] from the [[pirate]]s inhabiting [[Ven III]]. One of the fighters deployed [[Havok]] nuclear missiles and destroyed the backup fleet stationed on the planet and the pirate's base.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 12|Issue #12]]''</ref> At least one Longsword was deployed during the [[battle of Oban]] and destroyed two [[Phantom]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 13|Issue #13]]''</ref> Three Longswords from ''Infinity'' escorted two [[D79-TC Pelican]]s to the surface of [[Aktis IV]] during the [[Battle of Aktis IV]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|Issue #14]]''</ref>

The C709 variant is designed to apply force in exoatmospheric engagements and is armed with a 110mm rotary cannon.<ref name="EVG"/> Despite its focus on exoatmospheric combat, the C709 features large air intakes and a non-polarized canopy.<ref name="CE"/><ref name="H2"/>

The C712 variant ([[Hull classification symbol|SS-110]]) in the [[UNSC]] [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]]<ref>'''Halo: Warfleet''' ''page 17''</ref>, specializes in short-range atmospheric/exoatmospheric (A/X) strike runs. It can carry an assortment of missile and mine delivery systems. The C712 features a large, polarized canopy and integrated air intakes.<ref name="H3"/><ref name="Reach"/><ref name="Origins"/>

*Like the [[YSS-1000 Sabre]], the [[F-41 Broadsword]] and the [[B-65 Shortsword]], the Longsword is named after a [[Wikipedia:Longsword|type of blade]].

*The Longswords in ''Halo: Reach'' are only half as large as their original ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' appearance, likely because they are meant to be seen only from a great distance and for a short period of time. The craft seen on the level ''Tempest'' is, like the crashed Pelican on Highlands, too small to accommodate a single Spartan.<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=1069666 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Re: Updated Halo vehicles scale vs. real life" - Stephen Loftus'']</ref>

*The Longsword's exterior appearance resembles the [[Wikipedia:Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit|Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit]] bomber.

File:HCE-LongswordFighter.png|In-game appearance of the Longsword in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', with Master Chief inside.