Editing Pek-pattern plasma cannon

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Title|''Pek''-pattern plasma cannon}}
{{Weapon infobox
|name=''Pek''-pattern Sweeping Turret
|image=[[File:H4-T52DESW-PlasmaCannonSide.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=*[[Assembly Forges]]<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 140''</ref> {{C|formerly}}
*[[Achoem Weapons]]<ref name="H4VG">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 90''</ref>
|series=
|type=Portable plasma turret
|cost=
|variant=
|length={{Convert|153.2|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4VG}}
|width={{Convert|65.5|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4VG}}
|height={{Convert|85.9|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4VG}}
|weight={{Convert|30.39|kg|lb}}<ref name="enc344">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 344'' (2011)</ref>
|ammotype=[[Plasma|Superheated plasma]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc344}}
|capacity=
|feed=200 units {{C|dismounted}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc344}}
|operation=
|rate=Fully automatic
|velocity
|optics=
|range={{Convert|158.5|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc344}}
|service=*[[Human-Covenant War]] 
*[[Great Schism]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
}}

The '''''Pek''-pattern Sweeping Turret'''{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=300}} {{Type|52|Directed Energy Support Weapon|DESW}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc344}},<ref name="Silverlight">[http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/halo3.aspx '''Microsoft''': Halo 3 Guide] (defunct)</ref> commonly shortened to the '''plasma cannon''', is a manned automatic [[Class-1 directed energy cannon|Class-1]] [[plasma]] weapon used by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/plasma-cannon/7e7f4e70-db67-4477-9ee9-3956d2155fcc '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Plasma Cannon''] (defunct, backup link on [https://web.archive.org/web/20120424172353/http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/a/7e7f4e70-db67-4477-9ee9-3956d2155fcc Archive.org])</ref> In use as early as [[2544]],<ref>'''Halo Legends''' - ''The Package''</ref> though rarely encountered until [[2552]], the T52 DESW is a universal replacement for the older {{Pattern|Shepsu|plasma cannon}}.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=28443 '''Bungie.net''': Halo: Reach Ordnance - Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon]</ref> All post-[[2549]] {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}s possess a Type-52 DESW ring mount.<ref>'''Halo Waypoint:''' Halo: Reach Stats</ref>

==Overview==
===Design details===
The Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon is a stationary [[plasma]] emplacement and a type of [[Class-1 directed energy cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The Type-52 plasma cannon has three protective [[Energy shielding|energy shields]] mounted on its top, with the outer ones being angled to the respective side, providing protection from the hot plasma being shot.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} In addition, the cannon itself is mounted on a miniature [[gravity lift]] rather than the V-legged design of the older {{Pattern|Shepsu|plasma cannon}}, presumably making turning easier. Heat and excess plasma appears to be vented by four apertures on the weapon's sides during rapid fire; this presumably assists the cooling process. The cannon cannot overheat, which is due to two modular, copper-colored cooling units located on the side.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} These cooling units are the cannon's primary maintenance need, though they are easily repaired and replaced by their [[Unggoy]] operators.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}

==Variant==
*'''Banished Plasma Cannon''': This variant has three protective metal shields rather than the standard energy shields and fires red projectiles.<ref name="PL">''[[Halo Wars 2]], [[Phoenix Logs]] - "Omega Team"</ref>

==Operation==
Used as a heavy support [[weapon]] in ground based combat, it provides a rapid-fire stream of powerful plasma rounds to suppress enemy movements and offensive actions. The cannon was designed to allow the ease of transport, which results in little protection.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} Operators usually include [[Unggoy]] [[Unggoy Heavy|Heavies]] and [[Sangheili]] [[Sangheili General|Generals]], although it is also sometimes used by [[Jiralhanae]] [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftains]]. The gunner is completely exposed to enemy fire, so a well-covered emplacement position is desirable for prolonged use, especially if under fire. This separates it from the [[Shade|Shade ASGs]], which offer some measure of protection for their operator but are not man-portable.

It is carried and operated in a similar fashion to the UNSC's [[M247 machine gun]], with the obvious difference that while the M247's rounds hit almost instantly, the plasma cannon, as with all plasma weapons, has a slower moving plasma bolt. It has an approximate sixty-five degree turn radius and fifty degree pitch. It fires plasma bolts similar to those of the Covenant {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}, and fires around three-hundred rounds per minute. A battery or plasma core is built into the tripod which allows the gun to fire indefinitely. When removed from the tripod's power supply, the gun can only use the two hundred units of power (equal to two hundred shots) that the gun itself contains.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} Once the power supply has been depleted to 70 shots or lower, the ammunition counter in any compatible [[Heads-up display|HUD]] of the operator starts to flash as a warning signal.

===Tactics===
Since the operator is completely exposed, it is logical to kill the gunner and not attempt to destroy the gun itself. The gunners are usually positioned low to the ground and as such can be difficult targets to hit. It is advised to attempt this from cover, since the rapid rate of fire poses a serious challenge. Once the operator is down, a well placed grenade or other explosive should be used to destroy the cannon. This is to prevent other Grunts from operating the cannon, which is common after the original operator has been killed. Plasma Cannons are often mounted on [[deployable lookout tower]]s for a superior vantage point. Facing them in such situations, distance and/or firepower is key, and rushing such emplacements is not recommended on higher difficulties.

==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes}}
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain]]s and the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] are able to melee with this weapon while in their hand.
*In the ''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta]]'' game stats, the Type-52 DESW was misidentified as the Type-42 DESW. This was not fixed in the final game.
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', [[Sangheili General]]s are seen carrying this weapon, but when thrown in the air by a rocket or other explosives, they will put their arms at their sides and "glide" through the air. This is because they do not have the animation for jumping with the turret, an oversight by [[Bungie]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Turretoff.jpg|A Type-52 DESW being detached in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3-T52DESW-PlasmaCannon.png|The T52 DESW Plasma Cannon in ''Halo 3''.
File:1212466722 Plasma Cannon.gif|A render of the Type-52 DESW.
File:Grunt Heavy on Turret.jpg|A Plasma Cannon operated by an [[Unggoy Heavy]] in a [[Covenant watchtower]].
File:H3 Plasma Cannon with EVA spartan.jpg|A [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] with a plasma cannon.
File:halo_3_weapons_plasma_cannon.gif|A Type-52 DESW.
File:H3-T52HUD.png|HUD of the plasma cannon in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-T52HUDdetached.png|HUD of the plasma cannon while detached.
File:Plasma Cannon.jpg|A detached turret in ''Halo 3''.
File:Spartanoftheark T42-DESW.jpg|A Type-52 DESW in the ''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta]]''.
File:Reach 2473336 Full.jpg|The missing animation for Elites using the Plasma Cannon when airborne in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:HaloReach-PortablePlasmaCannon.png|A Type-52 DESW in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:T52_desw_ref.jpg|A turnaround reference of the Type-52 DESW.
File:TurretGrunt.jpg|An [[Unggoy Heavy]] using the {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} mounted Type-52 DESW.
File:H4-T52DESW-PlasmaCannonSide.png|The Type-52 DESW Plasma Cannon in ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:PlasmaCannon-HUD.png|HUD Icon of the Type-52 DESW in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-T52HUD.png|HUD of the plasma cannon in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-T52HUD1.png|Campaign third-person view of [[John-117]] with a detached plasma cannon in [[Ivanoff Station]].
File:H4-T52.png|A [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IV]] with a plasma cannon on [[Landfall]].
File:H4-T52detached.png|A Spartan-IV with a detached plasma cannon.
File:H4-SangheiliStormwithT52.png|A [[Sangheili Storm]] carrying a T-52 in ''[[Spartan Ops]]''.
File:HE22 Break-in.jpg|[[Ayit 'Sevi]] using a T-52 during [[Operation: ATHENA]] in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:HO-T52.jpg|A T-52 plasma cannon in ''[[Halo Online]]''.
File:HO-T52HUD.jpg|A Spartan-IV using a detached plasma cannon on [[Guardian (map)|Guardian]].
File:HW2 BanishedPlasmaCannon Concept.jpg|Concept art for a Banished Plasma Cannon.
File:HW2 Plasma Cannon.jpg|[[Robert-025|Robert]] holding the Banished Plasma Cannon.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Winter Contention]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Covenant heavy weapons}}
[[Category:Covenant weapons]]
[[Category:Plasma weapons]]