Editing Nuclear weapon
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
| Latest revision | Your text | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{ | {{Era|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}} | ||
{{Wikipedia}} | {{Wikipedia}} | ||
[[File:Atomicblast.jpg|thumb|250px|An atomic blast.]] | [[File:Atomicblast.jpg|thumb|250px|An atomic blast.]] | ||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The UNSC uses nuclear weapons in space warfare to a great effect, increasing their explosive power by developing loads enhanced for vacuum use.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 35" ''page 326''</ref> Commonly, the casings of UNSC nuclear weapons such as the [[FENRIS nuclear warhead]]s are heavily reinforced, both to contain [[radiation]] and to boost the thermonuclear yield for containing the detonation for a split second longer.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 1", ''page 39''</ref> The hardened cases also protect the nukes inside and prevent them from going off accidentally - it was noted that detonating a bomb next to a FENRIS warhead would barely scratch the casing.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 23", ''page 209''</ref> There a various grades for the types of nuclear weapons. An example is the excavation-grade [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]. While presumably not as powerful as a military-grade weapon, a single warhead is described as being powerful enough to turn [[Ivanoff Station]] "into piñata" and was powerful enough to destroy ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'' and the [[Composer]] when detonated on the inside of the ship. | |||
Nuclear weapons are also sold commercially, and are commonly used in [[asteroid]] mining. In [[2513]], an Insurrectionist suicide bomber used one such commercial explosive in a [[terrorism|terrorist]] attack on the [[Haven arcology]] on [[Mamore]], killing two million and injuring over eight million more.<ref>'''[[Intersystem News]]''': ''HAVEN TERROR BOMBING KILLS TWO MILLION''</ref> | |||
Nuclear weapons are also sold commercially, and are commonly used in [[asteroid]] mining. In [[ | |||
An operational idiosyncrasy of nuclear weapons is the result of containing fissile material. Fissile materials, such as [[plutonium]], emit a readily detectable [[Čerenkov radiation]] signature upon exiting [[slipspace]] that negates stealth measures. As a result, if complete stealth is required, [[UNSC prowler|prowlers]] are forced to jettison any on-board nuclear weapons before transitioning back to normal space to avoid detection.<ref name="goo187">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 22", ''page 187''</ref> In addition, nukes launched from slipspace can easily be detected by enemy sensors, despite the use of [[Stealth ablative coating|stealth coatings]] or [[lead]] linings.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Prologue", ''page 15''</ref> | An operational idiosyncrasy of nuclear weapons is the result of containing fissile material. Fissile materials, such as [[plutonium]], emit a readily detectable [[Čerenkov radiation]] signature upon exiting [[slipspace]] that negates stealth measures. As a result, if complete stealth is required, [[UNSC prowler|prowlers]] are forced to jettison any on-board nuclear weapons before transitioning back to normal space to avoid detection.<ref name="goo187">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 22", ''page 187''</ref> In addition, nukes launched from slipspace can easily be detected by enemy sensors, despite the use of [[Stealth ablative coating|stealth coatings]] or [[lead]] linings.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Prologue", ''page 15''</ref> | ||
The [[energy shielding]] used in [[Covenant]] warships has been noted to dampen the [[electromagnetic pulse]] generated by the detonation of a nuke inside the ship. The [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] used this to their advantage when they destroyed a [[Covenant cruiser at Longhorn Valley|Covenant cruiser]] during the [[Fall of Reach]], without risking damaging the nearby [[orbital defense generator]]s.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', "Chapter 3", ''page 25''</ref> | The [[energy shielding]] used in [[Covenant]] warships has been noted to dampen the [[electromagnetic pulse]] generated by the detonation of a nuke inside the ship. The [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] used this to their advantage when they destroyed a [[Covenant cruiser at Longhorn Valley|Covenant cruiser]] during the [[Fall of Reach]], without risking damaging the nearby [[orbital defense generator]]s.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', "Chapter 3", ''page 25''</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The first space-borne nuclear weapons were used during the [[Interplanetary War]] in the 22nd century.<ref>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 74''</ref> However, they were not considered a viable weapon of space warfare for the next several hundred years; at the time of the start of the [[Insurrection]] in [[2494]] it was widely believed that fissile detonations in space were practically useless, as the vacuum of space severely reduces the explosive yield and the resulting [[electromagnetic pulse]]. As such, it came as a surprise to the UNSC when the [[Insurrectionist]]s used a nuclear device in a space battle following the [[Callisto Incident|''Callisto'' Incident]], having hidden it in an [[asteroid]] in advance. When detonated, the nuke shattered the asteroid to molten pieces, which in turn destroyed one UNSC ship and severely damaged two.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 445''</ref> | |||
The first space-borne nuclear weapons were used during the [[Interplanetary War]] in the 22nd century.<ref>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 74''</ref> However, they were not considered a viable weapon of space warfare for the next several hundred years; at the time of the start of the [[Insurrection]] in [[2494]] it was widely believed that fissile detonations in space were practically useless, as the vacuum of space severely reduces the explosive yield and the resulting [[electromagnetic pulse]]. As such, it came as a surprise to the UNSC when the [[Insurrectionist]]s used a nuclear device in a space battle following the [[Callisto Incident|''Callisto'' Incident]], having hidden it in an [[asteroid]] in advance. When detonated, the nuke shattered the asteroid to molten pieces, which in turn destroyed one UNSC ship and severely damaged two | |||
Engagements against the [[Covenant]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] | Engagements against the [[Covenant]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] constantly kept the UNSC's nuclear stockpiles near depletion. This occasionally forced them to resort to using obsolete nukes or [[Operation: UPPER CUT|unorthodox solutions]].<ref name="goo34">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 1", ''page 34''</ref><ref name="goo205">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 23", ''page 205''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''</ref> | ||
The Covenant did not generally use nuclear weapons, regarding them as "heretic" weapons. An exception to this were the [[Jiralhanae]], who had no qualms about using captured UNSC nukes or any other UNSC matériel.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 23", ''page 207''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> However, following the end of the war, [[Covenant remnants|remnant groups]] of the Covenant have adopted more liberal policies in regards to human weaponry for practical reasons. Human-made nuclear weapons have subsequently fallen into the hands of Covenant [[terrorism|terrorists]] and cultists.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Departure]]''</ref> | The Covenant did not generally use nuclear weapons, regarding them as "heretic" weapons. An exception to this were the [[Jiralhanae]], who had no qualms about using captured UNSC nukes or any other UNSC matériel.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 23", ''page 207''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> However, following the end of the war, [[Covenant remnants|remnant groups]] of the Covenant have adopted more liberal policies in regards to human weaponry for practical reasons. Human-made nuclear weapons have subsequently fallen into the hands of Covenant [[terrorism|terrorists]] and cultists.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[Departure]]''</ref> | ||
| Line 32: | Line 27: | ||
===FENRIS nuclear warhead=== | ===FENRIS nuclear warhead=== | ||
{{Main|FENRIS nuclear warhead}} | {{Main|FENRIS nuclear warhead}} | ||
The '''FENRIS''' is a type of low-yield thermonuclear device. They were slated for decommissioning but munition expenditures during the [[Human-Covenant War]] saw the survivors return to service. | The '''FENRIS''' is a type of low-yield thermonuclear device. They were slated for decommissioning but munition expenditures during the [[Human-Covenant War]] saw the survivors return to service.<ref name="goo34"/><ref name="goo205"/><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', "Chapter 24", ''page 215''</ref> | ||
===Fury tactical nuclear weapon=== | ===Fury tactical nuclear weapon=== | ||
| Line 40: | Line 35: | ||
===HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon=== | ===HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon=== | ||
{{Main|HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon}} | {{Main|HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon}} | ||
'''HAVOK''' is a | The '''HAVOK''' is a 30 megaton thermonuclear device. Some were delivered by ground forces during the Human-Covenant War.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 200''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 212''</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars: Genesis''', ''page 17''</ref> One was used to destroy the [[Composer]] and the ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'', stopping the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]]'s [[New Phoenix Incident|assault on Earth]]. | ||
===HORNET mine=== | ===HORNET mine=== | ||
{{Main|HORNET mine}} | {{Main|HORNET mine}} | ||
The '''HORNET''' is a 30 megaton space mine. The devices are designed to be more stealthy than an ordinary nuke and are carried aboard [[UNSC prowler]]s. Although like all nuclear weapons, they can be easily detected when exiting slipspace, | The '''HORNET''' is a 30 megaton space mine. The devices are designed to be more stealthy than an ordinary nuke and are carried aboard [[UNSC prowler]]s. Although like all nuclear weapons, they can be easily detected when exiting slipspace,<ref name="goo187"/> they can be rendered practically undetectable by cooling them to near-absolute zero temperatures, same as that of interstellar space, in their launch chambers.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 325''</ref> | ||
===NOVA bomb=== | ===NOVA bomb=== | ||
| Line 52: | Line 47: | ||
===Shiva-class nuclear missile=== | ===Shiva-class nuclear missile=== | ||
{{Main|Shiva-class nuclear missile}} | {{Main|Shiva-class nuclear missile}} | ||
The '''Shiva''' is a type of starship ordnance.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''pages 147, 322-324''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 82''</ref> They may also be carried by [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia | The '''Shiva''' is a type of starship ordnance.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''pages 147, 322-324''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 82''</ref> They may also be carried by [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia|Halo Encyclopedia (2011)]]''', ''page 320''</ref> | ||
===Rudra-class nuclear missile=== | ===Rudra-class nuclear missile=== | ||
| Line 60: | Line 55: | ||
===Hyperion-class nuclear missile=== | ===Hyperion-class nuclear missile=== | ||
{{Main|M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system}} | {{Main|M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system}} | ||
The Hyperion is a class of nuclear weapons shown to be carried by the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} that is capable of destroying a | The Hyperion is a class of nuclear weapons shown to be carried by the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} that is capable of destroying a [[CRS-class light cruiser]] in one hit if its shields are down. | ||
==List of appearances== | ==List of appearances== | ||
| Line 75: | Line 65: | ||
*''[[Halo 2]]'' | *''[[Halo 2]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' | *''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' | *''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
| Line 86: | Line 74: | ||
*''[[Remember Reach]]'' | *''[[Remember Reach]]'' | ||
**''[[Deliver Hope]]'' | **''[[Deliver Hope]]'' | ||
{{Col-2}} | |||
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'' | *''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'' | ||
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]'' | **''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' | *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' | ||
**''[[Terminal | **''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' | *''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'' | *''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'' | ||
| Line 98: | Line 86: | ||
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | *''[[Halo: Escalation]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' | *''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' | ||
{{Col-end}} | {{Col-end}} | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
{{ | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
[[Category:Nuclear weapons| ]] | [[Category:Nuclear weapons| ]] | ||
[[Category:Weapons]] | [[Category:Weapons]] | ||
