S-14 Baselard
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| S-14 Space Striker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Production information | |
Manufacturer: | |
| Technical specifications | |
Length: | 19.6 meters (64.3 ft)[1] |
Width: | 14 meters (47 ft)[1] |
Height: | 4.99 meters (16.37 ft)[1] |
Mass: | 49.6 tons (45 tonnes)[1] |
Engine(s): | |
Armament: | |
Crew: | |
Complement: | None[3] |
| Usage | |
Role(s): | Assault[3] |
Affiliation: | |
TheS-14 Space Striker, commonly known as theBaselard, is an assaultspace fighter utilized by theUnited Nations Space Command.[1][3]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
S-14 Baselards are small fighter craft, crewed by two individuals, though they may also be remotely piloted.[2][3] They are relatively wedge-shaped and have a tail and two-meter wide thrust nozzle pointing aft,[2] the site of a largerfusion ramjet engine.[1] They are capable of both atmospheric and exoatmospheric flight, allowing them a great deal of versatility in use.[4][3][2]
When not in use, Baselards rest on retractable struts and may be carried by aPoint Blank-class prowler.[2][3]
Armaments[edit]
A Baselard is armed with twoM42 Archer missiles and a pair of M2056 30mm rotary cannons which are effective at great distances.[1][2] On at least one occasion, the Archer missiles were replaced by pods full of chain-linked debris in order to camouflageextra-vehicular activity.[3]
Baselards, alongside theF-99 Wombat UCAV, are compatible with the wide array of targeting and surveillance features employed by theAKIS helmet developed for Spartan usage.[5] TheMariner helmet is additionally optimized for Baselard fighter pilot systems, as well as those of theSabre andNandao.[6]
Operational history[edit]
The Baselard was one of the most prolific UNSC fighters in the 25th century, and was introduced decades prior to the onset of theInsurrection in the 2490s. At this time, the Baselard was nearly unmatched against all colonial aerospace superiority measures - but ultimately found itself put to its test againstCovenant strikecraft in theHuman-Covenant War.[1][7] During the war, the Baselard found itself supplanting theF-23 Falcata inUNSC Air Force inventories, leaving the Falcata primarily consigned to a niche with planetary defence units.[8]
At least twenty-four S-14 Baselards were deployed from theUNSCVanishing Point onMarch 26, 2526, duringan action against theCovenant over therecently-glassed colony ofEtalan.[3][2] Four of the fighters were crewed by theSpartan-IIs ofGold andGreen Teams.[2][3] Baselards continued to see service throughout the war up until its end, with at least a dozen Baselards taking part in thedefense of Concord in2551. During the battle, the craft were used to bait CovenantBanshees andBkowe'nei-pattern Vampire aircraft into the range of ground-basedM9 Wolverine anti-air fire - albeit at the cost of the pilots' lives.[4]
By2531, Baselards were a part of the complement ofUNSCSpirit of Fire, and several craft were aboard the ship when it arrived atInstallation 00 in2559, and were put to work against theBanished during theSecond Ark Conflict. By this time, the Baselard was considered outdated.[9] Despite this, the Baselard is still employed by theUNSC Air Force andUNSC Navy in many contexts.[1]
In thepost-war era, the Air Force has begun to investigate the replacement of their aging Baselard fleet, tentatively acceptingSinoViet Heavy Machinery'sS-930 Pegasus as a successor model - with the retirement of the Baselard intended to be complete by2570. However, the onset of theCreated uprising has put a temporary halt to these plans.[10]
Trivia[edit]
Abaselard is a type of dagger or short sword primarily used inEurope during the LateMiddle Ages.
Gallery[edit]
Orthographic views of the Baselard.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo: Reach(Mentioned inHalo: The Master Chief Collection-only)
- Halo: Silent Storm(First appearance)
- Halo: Oblivion
- Halo: Divine Wind
- Halo: Winter Contention(Mentioned only)
Sources[edit]
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqHalo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 159
- ^abcdefghiHalo: Silent Storm, chapter 20
- ^abcdefghijHalo: Silent Storm, chapter 19
- ^abHalo: Winter Contention
- ^Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Pen Umbra(Retrieved on Oct 20, 2021)[archive]
- ^Halo: Reach,Armory: Mariner helmet description"Standard MARINER suite is optimised for Sabre, Baselard and Nandao flight systems."
- ^Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Encyclopedia Extravaganza(Retrieved on Jun 1, 2022)[archive]
- ^Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Fiction Festivities(Retrieved on Dec 20, 2023)[archive]
- ^Halo: Divine Wind, chapter 2
- ^Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Digsite Dissection(Retrieved on Jul 31, 2023)[archive]
