Point-defense gun: Difference between revisions
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
m (replacing defunct template) |
(Acronym confirmed.) |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
|fire= | |fire= | ||
|ammotype= 50mm high-explosive | |ammotype= 50mm high-explosive | ||
|operation= | |operation= Magnetic linear accelerator (MLA)<ref name="ENC"/> | ||
|rate of fire= | |rate of fire= | ||
|accuracy= | |accuracy= | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
}} | }} | ||
A '''point-defense gun''' is a type of [[United Nations Space Command]] starship-mounted weapon | A '''point-defense gun''' is a type of [[United Nations Space Command]] starship-mounted magnetic accelerator weapon.<ref name="ENC">'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 315'' (2011)</ref> Though several models exist, the most common type of point-defense gun fires 50mm high-explosive projectiles.<ref name="Flood215">'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 215''</ref> | ||
==Design details== | ==Design details== | ||
===Functionality=== | ===Functionality=== | ||
The point-defense gun | 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="c137">'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 137''</ref><ref name="ENC"/> it fires 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 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"/> | 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> | ||
===Operational history=== | ===Operational history=== | ||
Point-defense guns have been standard armament on UNSC vessels since the [[Insurrection]], a common model being the [[AAA Helix gun]]. Later, {{Class|Halcyon|cruiser}}s used a dual-barreled point-defense weapon system designated as the [[M910 PDN]].<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 [[AAA Helix gun]]. Later, {{Class|Halcyon|cruiser}}s used a dual-barreled point-defense weapon system designated as the [[M910 PDN]].<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/577839090903298928/DDR-A340024-1115-08-27-52.pdf Data Drop 5]</ref> | ||
During the human occupation of [[Installation 04]], the [[ODSTs]] that recaptured and secured the wreckage of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} from the [[ | During the 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"/> The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]]. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
Revision as of 13:41, February 23, 2014
A point-defense gun is a type of United Nations Space Command starship-mounted magnetic accelerator weapon.[1] Though several models exist, the most common type of point-defense gun fires 50mm high-explosive projectiles.[2]
Design details
Functionality
The point-defense gun fills a role similar to the CIWS designs created during the 20th century. Based around magnetic linear accelerator technology,[3][1] it fires 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[4] 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.[5]
Operational history
Point-defense guns have been standard armament on UNSC vessels since the Insurrection, a common model being the AAA Helix gun. Later, Halcyon-class cruisers used a dual-barreled point-defense weapon system designated as the M910 PDN.[6]
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 several of the ship's 50mm turrets.[3] The ODSTs utilized the scavenged defense weapons and used them as anti-air defensive emplacements at Alpha Base.
Gallery
A close-up of a point-defense gun.
A close-up of one of the Pillar of Autumn's point-defense guns in Halo: Reach.
A Halcyon-class cruiser defending itself from the Covenant boarding crafts using its point defense guns.
Shot of the UNSC Savannah's point defense gun arrays.
The UNSC Savannah's point defense guns firing on the Covenant corvette Ardent Prayer
Close-up of a UNSC frigate's point defense guns firing.
- UNSC Savannah.jpg
The UNSC Savannah using its point-defense guns against the Ardent Prayer in Operation: UPPER CUT.
List of appearances
- Halo 3
- Halo: Reach
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
- Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
- Halo: The Flood
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Halo Legends
Sources
