Carpet bombing: Difference between revisions

{{Status|Canon}}

{{Wikipedia}}

[[File:Reach Bombing Run.jpg|thumb|300px|A squadron of Longswords carpet bomb a formation of Covenant Scarabs during the [[Fall of Reach]].]]

'''Carpet bombing''' is a form of aerial warfare, utilizing large numbers of unguided bombs, to attempt the complete destruction of a target region, either to destroy personnel and material, or as a means of demoralizing the enemy.

==Background==

The [[UNSC]] have utilised carpet bombing several times throughout the course of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. [[B-65 Shortsword]] bombers were utilised in [[2531]] to deliver munitions on concentrations of [[Covenant]] forces during the [[Harvest campaign]], [[Battle for Arcadia]] and [[Battle of Trove]].<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]'''</ref> In [[2552]], [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s were utilised in the [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge]] to carpet bomb a formation of [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarabs]], following the destruction of anti-air defenses by [[NOBLE Team]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level [[Tip of the Spear]]</ref> In [[2559]], the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} utilised its complement of [[Archer missile]]s and other unguided munitions during the [[Second Ark Conflict]].<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]'''</ref>

==Gameplay==

[[File:HWA EarlyCarpetBomb.jpg|thumb|200px|The Shortsword's ordnance explode on [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] forces in an early build of ''[[Halo Wars]]''.]]

In ''Halo Wars'', the player can call in a [[B-65 Shortsword|Shortsword bomber]] from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, which swoops across the battlefield and drops bombs. The player can orient the direction of the bombing run by rotating the left thumbstick. The bombs detonate a short time after impact with the ground. This ability requires Tech Level of one and costs 600 [[Resources|resource]] points.

In [[skirmish]] and multiplayer, the carpet bombing ability can only be used by [[Sergeant]] [[John Forge]]. The ability can be upgraded up three times inside a [[UNSC Field Armory|Field Armory]], to cover more ground and to deal more damage. This power is very effective against all ground units and buildings, and can also damage air units. However, a disadvantage is that the carpet bombing ability can damage allied units as well as enemies.

===''Halo Wars 2''===

In ''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', the carpet bomb has been largely replaced by an [[Orbital bombardment|orbital strike]] of Archer Missiles, available to Cutter. Similarly, Forge now has an ability called the "Scatter Bomb", that drops unguided munitions in a single area. Unlike its predecessor, neither ability in ''Halo Wars 2'' utilises the Shortsword bomber.

'''Scatter Bomb I:''' Drops a scattered salvo of bombs.

File:HWA_EarlyCarpetBombHUD.jpg|The direction of the carpet bomb can be manipulated by the player.

File:HWA_EarlyCarpetBombSelection.jpg|The carpet bombing ability in the circle menu.

File:HW_AlphaBaseBattle.jpg|A Shortsword initiates a carpet bombing run inside the grounds of [[Alpha Base (Harvest)|Alpha Base]].

File:HW AlphaBaseCarpetBomb.jpg|A Carpet Bomb's detonation inside Alpha Base.

File:HW_ShortswordBombingRun.png|A Shortsword initiating a bombing run.

File:HW_CarpetBomb_Ends.png|The bombing run finishes its destruction.

File:HW2_ScatterBomb.png|The Scatter Bomb unleashes destruction on a Banished force.

==List of appearances==

==Sources==

[[Category:UNSC air weapons]]

[[Category:Military tactics]]