Point-defense gun: Difference between revisions
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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. They are 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. | 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. They are 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|" | 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=== | ||
Revision as of 18:44, November 29, 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. They are 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.
Known types
- M870 Rampart point defense gun — used on Charon-class light frigates and Strident-class heavy frigates.
- M910 point defense network — used on Paris-class heavy frigates and Autumn-class heavy cruisers.
- M965 Fortress point defense network — used on the UNSC Infinity.
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.
The UNSC Savannah using its point-defense guns against the Ardent Prayer in Operation: UPPER CUT.
List of appearances
- Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
- Halo: The Flood
- Halo 3
- Halo 3: ODST
- Halo Legends
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Halo: Reach
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
- Halo 4
Sources
