Editing Pinch fusion reactor

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[[File:H2A-AssaultCarrierCore.jpg|300px|thumb|An [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]]'s pinch fusion reactor]]
'''Pinch fusion reactors''' are [[nuclear fusion]] reactors that served as a source of power generation used by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="wf61">''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 61</ref> Using [[deuterium]] and [[tritium]] as fuel,<ref name="fs">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', p. 193 (2003); p. 234 (2010)</ref> pinch fusion reactors replicate the conditions inside the core of a star to generate enormous amounts of [[plasma]] and power. These reactors power the weapons and engines of [[warship]]s,<ref name="wf61"/> the [[impulse drive]]s of smaller ships,<ref name="wf59">''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 59</ref> and even the [[Sangheili combat harness|combat harnesses]] of [[Sangheili]] warriors.<ref name="CU">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/community-update-the-finals-countdown '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Community Update (07/29/16): The Finals Countdown'']</ref>

The pinch fusion reactor serves as the primary source of power for Covenant warships, though a handful of classes were powered by [[shrine-core]]s, power plants extracted from [[Forerunner]] machinery.<ref>''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 65</ref>

==Description==
The reactors use focused [[artificial gravity]] generators to initiate and sustain a fusion reaction, replicating the conditions inside the core of stars. This process generates an enormous amount of power and [[plasma]].<ref name="wf61"/><ref name="wf91">''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 91</ref> Through [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] fusion, the plasma that is generated is compressed and heated by [[Wikipedia:Pinch (plasma physics)|pinched]] magnetic fields.<ref name="fs"/> Non-essential ship systems may be rendered inert or disconnected to divert the output of the reactors entirely to specific systems, such as armaments or propulsion.<ref>''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 71</ref> The reactors are surprisingly primitive for the Covenant,<ref name="fs"/> and are quite volatile.<ref name="wf91"/> If their cooling systems become disabled or their maximum heat loads are exceeded, they can often fail explosively<ref name="fs305">''Halo: First Strike'', p. 305 (2003)</ref>—the reactors can detonate with the power of a small [[supernova]] should containment efforts fail.<ref name="wf61"/> They provide 12 terawatts per reactor.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 305''</ref>

==Applications and usage==
Pinch fusion reactors are most notably used on Covenant [[warship]]s, powering the weapons and engines. The {{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}} has two pinch fusion reactors; the primary reactor powers the [[destroyer]]'s powerful [[Energy projector|superheavy excavation beam]], while the secondary reactors power the rest of the ship.<ref name="wf61"/> The largest pinch fusion reactor of the {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} provides the energy needed to ignite [[plasma torpedo]]es and charge its excavation beam.<ref>''Halo: Warfleet'', p. 62</ref> The [[impulse drive]]s fitted on [[Space fighter|fighters]], [[dropship]]s, and [[shuttle]]s are powered by a small pinch fusion reactor.<ref name="wf59"/> Scaled-down reactors are used to power the Covenant's [[Type-38 Tyrant|Type-38 "Tyrant" anti-air cannons]] and [[Sangheili]] [[Sangheili combat harness|combat harness]]es, with a modified version being incorporated into the Sangheili-designed [[HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir]].<ref name="CU"/> ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]'' was also powered by pinch fusion reactors.<ref name="fs305"/>

In order to obtain fuel for their pinch fusion reactors, the Covenant operate various groundside facilities on worlds rich in tritium and deuterium, including [[hydro-processing center]]s<ref>[http://majornelson.com/2011/08/26/news-from-halo-fest/ '''Xbox Live's Major Nelson''': ''News From Halo Fest'']</ref> and massive refineries such as that on [[Pegasi Delta]].<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p. 15</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Covenant_Pinch_Fusion_reactor.jpg|An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor in ''Halo 2''
File:T38 core.jpg|A Tyrant's pinch fusion reactor in ''Halo: Reach''
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''

==Sources==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Power generation]]