Editing Class-1 directed energy cannon

{{Era|HCW}}
<center>''For the other uses, see [[Plasma cannon (disambiguation)]].''</center>

'''Class-1 directed energy cannon''',<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/plasma-cannon/7e7f4e70-db67-4477-9ee9-3956d2155fcc '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Plasma Cannon'']</ref> colloquially referred to by the broad term '''plasma cannon''', is a category of manned automatic [[plasma]] turrets used by the [[Covenant]]. Several models have been identified, including the [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|Type-52 DESW]] and the [[Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon|Type-42 DESW]].

==Design details and operation==
Plasma cannons are generally found on tripod mounts, but can also be attached to certain vehicles. Some models can be detached from their mount and become man-portable, usually wielded by [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain]]s, [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]]s and [[Sangheili General]]s. Plasma cannons are often strategically placed, usually in locations where the much larger [[Shade]] cannot fit. The turrets usually have a very high rate of fire and most of them are used as anti-infantry weapons.

==Variants==
===Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon===
{{main|Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon}}
The Type-42 DESW is a tripod-mounted plasma cannon and is used as a heavy support weapon in ground-based combat and provides a rapid stream of powerful plasma rounds to suppress enemy movements and offensive actions. The turret is placed in strategic locations and can be operated by most Covenant infantry. The turret only has a 65 degree turn radius and 50 degree pitch and fires plasma bolts similar to that of the [[Plasma Rifle]].<ref>'''Halo 2'''</ref>

===Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon===
{{main|Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon}}
The Type-52 DESW is the universal replacement of the Type-42 DESW. The Type-52 DESW is very similar to the older version, having roughly the same rate of fire, the same damage per hit and the same range. If the T-52 is removed from its tripod mount in order to be used as a man-portable weapon, its ammunition capacity will be limited to 200 rounds.<ref name="h3">'''Halo 3'''</ref>

===Medium plasma cannon (Wraith)===
The [[Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage]], commonly identified as the Wraith, is equipped with a unique type of plasma turret classified as a medium plasma cannon.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 206''</ref> It is fixed on a ring mount on top of the vehicle. The turret is composed of a central bulb and two prongs on either side of it that produce the plasma. This version is nearly identical to the Type-52 DESW, but has a much greater turn radius and is primarily used to protect the vehicle from [[Boarding (gameplay mechanic)|boarding]]. The turret is mainly used by [[Unggoy Heavy|Heavy Grunts]], [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] and sometimes even [[Sangheili|Elites]].<ref name="h3"/>

===Medium plasma cannon (Shadow)===
The [[Type-29 Troop/Vehicle Transport]], colloquially known as the Shadow, is also equipped with a type of medium plasma cannon.<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 172''</ref> In outward appearance, the weapon is similar to the [[Type-29 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun]], although it fires plasma bolts similar to the [[Type-27 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun|T-27 variant]] and has a considerably greater rate of fire.<ref name="h2">'''Halo 2'''</ref>

===Light plasma cannon (Prowler)===
The [[Type-52 Infantry Support Vehicle]], more commonly known as the Prowler, is also outfitted with a unique version of the plasma cannon, classified as a light plasma cannon.<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 150''</ref> This version, like the one mounted on the Wraith, is situated in a ring mount on top of the vehicle and is mainly used to protect the vehicle from boarding. The turret is aesthetically different from the Wraith-mounted version, sharing the crude aesthetic characteristic of Jiralhanae-manufactured technology as opposed to the organic and sleek designs of most Covenant equipment. It possesses a long barrel inside a type of cylinder and bigger handles, but is otherwise identical to the Wraith turret, with the same firing rate, accuracy and damage. This version is almost always operated by a Brute.<ref name="h3"/>

===Light plasma cannon (Spectre)===
The [[Type-46 Infantry Support Vehicle]], also known as the Spectre, is also fitted with a light plasma cannon mounted at its rear with a 360 degree turn radius. In comparison with the Prowler, the Spectre's weapon is superior in terms of accuracy and rate of fire. <ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 184''</ref>

==Trivia==
*The first type of plasma cannon to appear in the games was the Type-42 DESW, which appeared in ''[[Halo 2]]''. Its replacement, the Type-52, first appeared in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and has filled the role of the primary Covenant plasma cannon in all subsequent games. Unlike the Type-42 DESW, the Type-52 DESW could now be detached from its tripod mount and become man-portable, at the cost of maneuverability and of limited ammunition (only 200 rounds).
*In ''Halo: Reach'', the plasma cannons overheat with prolonged use.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2 - T42 DESW profile.png|The Type-42 DESW.
File:HReach-T52DESW-PlasmaCannon-Profile.png|The Type-52 DESW in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Grunt Heavy on Turret.jpg|The Type-52 DESW operated by a Heavy Grunt.
File:TurretGrunt.jpg|The Wraith mounted plasma cannon operated by a Heavy Grunt.
File:ProwlerTurret.jpg|The Prowler mounted plasma cannon operated by a Brute.
File:H2-T29Shadow-PlasmaTurret.png|A medium plasma cannon on top of a Shadow.
File:H2_Spectre.jpg|An Elite fires a Spectre's light plasma cannon.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3]]'' 
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''

==Sources==
<references/>
{{Covenant Weapons}}
[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]
[[Category:Plasma weapons]]