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{{Status|Canon}}
'''Plasma cannons''' are a broad kind of heavy [[plasma weaponry]] commonly used by the [[Covenant]] empire and its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]. Plasma cannons are typically heavy ordnance, mounted aboard vehicles, aircraft, and [[Covenant starship|starships]] - or used as a mounted stationary weapon in various forms of crew-served and automated turret system.

==Overview==
Plasma cannons 

Can be "overclocked".{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=475}}

==Classifications==
In the [[Type classification system#Class designations|classification system]]s developed by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] for cataloguing Covenant materiel recovered during the [[Human-Covenant War]], plasma cannons are generally designated as '''Directed Energy Cannons'''. When catalogued in ONI records, the plasma cannon classes roughly correspond with the following:
* Class-1 directed energy cannons{{Ref/Site|Id=WPPC|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/plasma-cannon/7e7f4e70-db67-4477-9ee9-3956d2155fcc|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Plasma Cannon|D=01|M=11|Y=2011}} - Light plasma cannons
* Class-2 directed energy cannons{{Ref/Site|Id=WPGhost|URL=http://www.halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/ghost/2e9bd703-80fc-4742-90fb-a13d4d93f425|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Ghost|D=28|M=10|Y=2011}} - Medium plasma cannons{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Scouts|Enc22|Page=272}}
* Class-3 directed energy cannons - Heavy plasma cannons
* Class-4 directed energy cannons - Ultra-heavy plasma cannons

===Light plasma cannons===
Light plasma cannons, or '''Class-1 Directed Energy Cannons''', typically take the form of rapid-fire and infantry-portable weapon systems.{{Ref/Reuse|WPPC}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPT58PC|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-cannon|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Plasma Cannon|D=25|M=01|Y=2016}} These are the most common manifestation of plasma cannon, and are intended for use as a defensive weapon operated by personnel at chokepoints. They maintain an internal plasma generator that can power the weapon for an extended period before requiring a recharge - detaching the turret from its base mounting results in a security override being activated that limits the power generation capabilities.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22PCs|Enc22|Page=300-301}} In Covenant lexicon, these weapons may also be known as Sweeping Turrets.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22PCs}}

Although their use as infantry-carried and operated weapons is the most common application, light plasma cannons are often mounted as a secondary weapon among heavy vehicles and [[dropship]]s to serve as a light weapon for fending off infantry attacks and potential borders.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22PCs}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ List of light plasma cannons
|-
! Weapon !! UNSC classification !! Deployment(s)
|-
| {{Pattern|Shepsu|plasma cannon}} || '''Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon'''{{Ref/Reuse|WPPC}} || Deployable turret
|-
| {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}} || '''Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon'''{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=94}}<br>'''Type-26 Directed Energy Weapon Emplacement''' {{C|When mounted aboard a Type-26 Wraith}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVGWraith|H4EVG|Page=117}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H4Glossary|H4EVG|Page=228}} || Deployable turret<br>Vehicle-mounted<br>
:[[Wraith]]s ({{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith|}} and {{Pattern|Ogab'd|anti-aircraft Wraith|}}s){{Ref/Note|''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' pages 9 and 206 erroneously describes the Wraith and anti-air Wraith's armament as consisting of a medium plasma cannon. All subsequent sources have ignored this.}}, [[Scarab]]s ({{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab|}} and {{Pattern|Sumda'te|Scarab|}}),{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Scarab}} {{Pattern|Kmiro'sish|Lich}} and {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} secondary gun
|-
| {{Pattern|Shea'p|plasma cannon}} || '''Type-58 Directed Energy Support Weapon'''{{Ref/Reuse|WPT58PC}} || Deployable turret<br>Vehicle-mounted<br>
:Wraiths ({{Pattern|Kemu|Wraith|}} and {{Pattern|Muv'te|anti-aircraft Wraith|}}s), {{Pattern|Ekesan|Umbra}} and [[Phantom]]s ({{Pattern|Mikpramu|Phantom|}} and [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Phantom|Eklon'Dal]])
|-
|[[File:H2A-Spectre.jpg|x150px|center]]<br>Spectre light plasma cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Scouts}}{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=184}} || '''T-46 Directed Energy Weapon/Mounted'''{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/spectre|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Spectre|D=27|M=11|Y=2022}} || Mounted aboard the {{Pattern|Wuzum|Spectre}}
|-
|[[File:H4 Revenant Concept 2.jpg|x150px|center]]<br>Scout Revenant light plasma cannon || N/A || Mounted aboard the {{Pattern|Phelent|Revenant}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Scouts}}
|-
|[[File:ProwlerTurret.jpg|x150px|center]]<br>Prowler light plasma cannon{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=150}} || N/A || Mounted aboard the [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Scouts}}
|}

===Medium plasma cannons===
Medium plasma cannons, or '''Class-2 Directed Energy Cannons''',{{Ref/Reuse|WPGhost}} generally tend to be plasma cannons mounted on the vehicular fleet of the Covenant - both ground and airborne. As their naming suggests, they are generally heavier weapons in nature - though still exhibit broadly similar properties. Medium plasma cannons are, like their light brethren, rapid-fire, automatic weapons in nature though lack the man-portability element that characterises light plasma cannons.

Class-2-equipped vehicles include:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Ground vehicles
*[[Ghost]]s
**{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost|}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} - equipped with twin '''Type-32 Directed Energy Weapon/Linked''' medium plasma cannons.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=116}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4Glossary}}
**{{Pattern|Karo'wark|Ghost|}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*[[Wraith]]s
**{{Pattern|Muz|Wraith|}} - equipped with twin automated plasma cannons, operated by dummy modules.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22HeavyArmour}}
*[[Shadow]]s
**{{Pattern|Ruwaa|Shadow|}} - equipped with a single medium plasma cannon,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Occupation}} of notable similarity to the {{Pattern|Mamua'uda|Shade}} turret.
*[[Shade]] turrets
**{{Pattern|Bmur'resh|Shade|}} - equipped with twin medium plasma cannons.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Shade|Enc22|Page=302}}
**{{Pattern|Preksheda|Shade|}} - equipped with twin medium plasma cannons.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Shade}}
{{Col-2}}
*[[Phantom]]s
**{{Pattern|Kez'katu|Phantom|}} - equipped with three medium plasma cannons, directed by automated targeting sensors.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Phantoms|Enc22|Page=282-283}}
**{{Pattern|R'shwupa|Phantom|}} - equipped with a single medium plasma cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Phantoms}}
*[[Banshee]]s (all except Elsedda)
**{{Pattern|Is'Belox|Banshee}} - equipped with twin '''Type-26 Directed Energy Weapon/Linked''' medium plasma cannons.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=119}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4Glossary}}
**{{Pattern|Te'ved|Banshee}} - built upon the ''Is'belox'' airframe, and equipped with presumably-identical '''Type-26 DEW/L''' medium plasma cannons.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Banshee}}
*{{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}} - equipped with twin medium plasma cannons.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=289}}
{{Col-end}}

===Heavy plasma cannons===
Heavy plasma cannons have never been officially assigned a Class-designation, though given their position they are presumably '''Class-3 Directed Energy Cannons'''. Heavy plasma cannons are typically mounted on heavy aircraft, or used in the Covenant's [[sky striker]] artillery systems in both ground attack and air-defence roles. Heavy plasma cannons are comparable in scale to [[#Naval plasma cannons|starship-scale]] plasma cannons, with the [[Hesduros|Hesduron]] {{Pattern|Chwich|Saker}} taken of starship-grade plasma cannons stripped off aging [[Vestige]] hulls and repurposed as ground artillery.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Emplacement}}

*{{Pattern|Chwich|Saker}} - equipped with a single heavy plasma cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Emplacement}}
*{{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}} - equipped with variable numbers of heavy plasma cannons, depending on configuration.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=301}}
*{{Pattern|Upisa'weri|Shrike}} turret - equipped with twin rapid-fire heavy plasma cannons.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Emplacement|Enc22|Page=304-305}}
*{{Pattern|Brhi Xur|Leech}} - equipped with one ''Murien''-pattern heavy plasma cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spirit}}
*[[Spirit]]s{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Spirit|Enc22|Page=281}}
**{{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit|}} - equipped with one ''Murien''-pattern heavy plasma cannon{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=74-75}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spirit}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/Detail/spirit/1676cbba-efbb-44b8-9dd3-3f6f38b1320a|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Spirit|D=12|M=07|Y=2012|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Vehicles#Spirit}}{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=187}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=24584|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Spirit|D=07|M=02|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Game|HR|[[Halo: Reach manual|Manual]] - Page 9}}
**{{Pattern|Taaku Xur|Spirit|}} - equipped with one heavy plasma cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spirit}}
**{{Pattern|Nuro'k Xur|Spirit|}} - equipped with one heavy plasma cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spirit}}
*[[Gydrozka Workshop Blisterback]] - 2x heavy plasma cannons{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Walkers|Enc22|Page=466-467}}
*[[Barug'qel Workshop Trespasser]] - 6x twin heavy plasma cannons
*[[Eklon'Dal Workshop Lich]] - 1x heavy plasma cannon
*[[Ogoro Workshop Tronto]] - equipped 1x quad heavy plasma cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spirit}}
*[[Seraph]]s
**{{Pattern|Kai|Seraph|}} - equipped with four ''Tevaas Mu''-pattern heavy plasma cannons.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Fighters|Enc22|Page=288-289}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=58-59}}
**{{Pattern|Morsam|Seraph|}} - equipped with four ''Gle'mahn''-pattern heavy plasma cannons.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Fighters}}

===Ultra-heavy plasma cannons===
Ultra-heavy plasma cannons, or '''Class-4 Directed Energy Cannons''',{{Ref/Site|Id=WPScarab|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}} are the heaviest classification of plasma cannon used in [[planetary warfare]], and operate on a scale comparable to the plasma cannons mounted aboard full warships. They are most commonly seen used as part of [[anti-aircraft weapon]] systems designed for warding off warships from a given ground installation. The sole known exception to this is the ultra-heavy plasma cannon found on the ''Deutoros''-pattern Scarab, which instead operates as an automatic rapid-fire plasma cannon used for shooting down nearby hostile aircraft, and to a limited extent in ground attack missions.{{Ref/Film|HLeg|Origins}}

*{{Pattern|Skar'wa|Mantis}} - 1x ultra-heavy plasma cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Emplacement}}
*{{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}} - 1x ultra-heavy plasma cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Emplacement}}
*{{Pattern|Sumda'te|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy plasma cannon{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Scarab|Enc22|Page=278-279}}
*{{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy plasma cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Scarab}}
<gallery>
File:Covenant_Anti-Air_gun.jpg|The main ultra-heavy cannon on a Mantis firing during the [[Battle of Voi]].
File:T38_firing.jpg|The main ultra-heavy cannon on the Tyrant firing during the [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge]].
File:Enc22_T36Scarab.png|The main cannon on the dorsal surface of the ''Sumda'te''-pattern Scarab is rated as an ultra-heavy plasma cannon, and is considered analogous to that found on the Mantis AA platform.{{Ref/Reuse|WPScarab}}
File:H3 Storm Scarab.jpg|An automatic, rapid-fire ultra-heavy plasma cannon atop the ''Deutoros''-pattern Scarab.
</gallery>

===Other classifications===

*Charged plasma cannon = light focus beam (Enc22 Locust){{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Scarab}}
*Explosive plasma cannon (Reach AA Shade)


==Naval cannons==

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

==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}