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Honey Bee launcher.

The Honey Bee was the codename for a top-secret American-made high-tech homing missile launcher that had been supplied to the Pakistani-originated Hamid faction of the Mujahideen rebel group via the CIA supplying it to the ISI as a means to shoot down the HP-48 Krokodils used by the Soviets. The Honey Bee was a cut above regular MANPADs, as its targeting system could detect both various infrared spectrums and even ultraviolet wavelengths as supplementary guidance, hence its codename (since its namesake required UV light for flight), which also made flares useless against the missile. However, after the Hamids, save for one who was mute, were wiped out under mysterious circumstances, the CIA was concerned with the Soviets potentially discovering the weapon system, and thus drastically altering the war in the Soviets' favor. As the CIA could not risk getting the weapon back themselves without exposing American involvement in the war, they instead hired the private force Diamond Dogs to retrieve it for them,[1] also specifically requesting that all of its ammunition remained intact.

The Diamond Dogs barely managed to succeed in their mission due to an unexpected encounter with XOF leader Skull Face, a walking giant, and the Parasite Unit at Da Smasei Laman, and proceeded to return the weapon to the CIA. However, before they did so, the Diamond Dogs' R&D Team illicitly analyzed the weapon, and did so with enough efficiency that after taking it apart and analyzing its components, they then put it back together in such a way that it seemed as though it was never even dismantled to begin with, thus allowing them to technically keep their word about giving it back to them intact. Miller and Ocelot later speculated that part of the reason the CIA wanted it back badly was not just the Soviets, who were the more immediate threat, but also the destabilization of the Middle East as a whole, which would have put American fighter jets at risk in the future even if the Soviets didn't discover the weapon, with Iran being listed as a possible threat. The research made to the weapon was ultimately responsible for the creation of the Killer Bee MANPADs system.[2]

Behind the scenes

The Honey Bee is the central weapon for the mission "Where Do the Bees Sleep." If the player fails to reach the Honey Bee in time, they will be treated to a cutscene where the Soviets are seen loading the Honey Bee container into a HP-48 Krokodil with it flying off, as Miller curses under his breath upon Snake seeing it being loaded before changing to the game over screen.[3]

The player can use the Honey Bee during the fight with the Skulls late into the mission, with Ocelot even suggesting that the player do so, although it will result in points being docked from the final mission score afterward. If the player chose to do so, Miller will call in and note in a slightly disappointed tone that they lost their chance at a bonus.

The Honey Bee, due to it only being necessary for the mission, cannot actually be accessed on the Mother Base R&D menu, although a description for the weapon was included while on the field with it during the mission.

It serves as a replacement for the FIM-92 Stinger of the previous games. Apart from the similar shape and performance, the Stinger had an analogous history to the Honey Bee during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Notes and references

  1. ^ Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Kojima Productions (2015).
    Benedict "Kazuhira" Miller: Part of the Mujahideen's arsenal against the Soviets is secretly supplied by the CIA, but the war continues to drag on with neither side gaining the advantage. Now, though, the CIA have started supplying the guerrillas with a new weapon. We don't know the details, but rumor has it that it could turn the tide of the war. The Soviets have heard of it, and it has them spooked. Now, the "Hamid" Mujahideen were issued this weapon, but then they were wiped out in no time. There's no trace of fighting at their fort, and all their supplies are just sitting there. Naturally, that screams biochemical weapons, but the Soviets deny using anything that would violate the BWC. Whatever happened, the Soviets have invaded the area and are searching for this Western weapon tech. This is the CIA's worst nightmare. If that weapon falls into Soviet hands, it'll drastically rewrite the history that's being made here. But "the Company" can't be seen entering the area. That's where we come in. Boss, head to the fort of Da Smasei Laman, find the weapon before the Soviets, and bring it back to base - fast. The new weapon is code-named "Honey Bee." To the U.S., it's a vital military secret.
  2. ^ Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Kojima Productions (2015).
    Benedict "Kazuhira" Miller: I had the R&D Team analyze the Honey Bee. // Revolver "Shalashaska" Ocelot: How? The CIA wanted it with everything intact. // Miller: They took it apart to look at it. Then they put it back together. Everything intact. // Ocelot: That's the R&D boys, all right. // Miller: Turns out, the Honey Bee's homing capabilities are a cut above previous MANPADS. It can detect a broad range of infrared wavelengths, and even ultraviolet for supplementary guidance. // Ocelot: Hence the name, huh? // Miller: Right. Honey bees rely on UV light to fly. With this device, flares don't do the target any good. // Ocelot: That's why the Soviets are losing so many gunships... // Miller: And why the CIA was so desperate to get it back. It wasn't just about preventing the Soviets from devising countermeasures. What if the likes of Iran got their hands on it? // Ocelot: American aircraft would be put at risk too... // Miller: We can use this tech to develop our own portable missile. That'll give us a huge advantage. It'll take a little time before the analysis results can be applied to actual implementation...But, we'll keep moving with the research.
  3. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA7vJHBOXOw&feature=youtu.be&t=20m24s
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