Class-2 directed energy cannon: Difference between revisions

{{Era|HCW}}

{{Weapon

|image           =[[File:C2wes.png|260px]]

|name           = Class-2 directed energy cannon

| manufacturer   = Covenant

| size          = Vehicle mounted

|damage per hit  = Medium 

|ammotype       = Superheated [[plasma]]

|rate of fire    = High

|accuracy        = Medium to high

|range           = Medium

|counterpart    = [[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]

|counterwep      = [[102mm High-Explosive Anti-Tank|102mm HEAT]] rockets

|affiliation     = [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]

'''Class-2 directed energy cannon''',<ref>Based on naming of the Class-1 at [http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/plasma-cannon/7e7f4e70-db67-4477-9ee9-3956d2155fcc '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Plasma Cannon'']</ref> also referred to as the '''Class-2 energy gun''',<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 331''</ref> or '''medium plasma cannon''',<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', [[Library (feature)|Library]]: ''Ghost''</ref> is a category of ubiquitous [[Covenant]] vehicle-mounted weapon systems, commonly used on the [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|"Ghost" RAVs]], [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|"Banshee" GSAs]] and [[Shade]] turrets.

The Class-2 directed energy cannon is a [[directed energy weapon]] that is mounted onto small Covenant craft and is a newer [[plasma]]-based projectile weapon system. The weapons power output is 100-250kW.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]] manual''', ''page 18''</ref> The design of the weapon does not differ much from standard Covenant plasma weapons, using a single collimator covered with a two-piece metal case. The class 2 weapon system is used for heavy combat situations and is employed for both anti-vehicle and ship-to-ship combat, but can be extremely effective in infantry support and suppressive roles. The class 2s role as a anti-vehicle weapon means that the firepower produced by this weapon is considerably high, able to punch through and melt multiple layers of armor until the target vehicles is destroyed, or inoperable. The class 2 energy weapon functions like most plasma based weapons used by the Covenant by rapidly cycling, loading, ignition, and release of plasma at high velocities. The plasma is contained and guided by a electromagnetic bottle which guides the plasma until it either travels too far away from the magnetic source and dissipates, or strikes its intended target.

Against infantry, the lethality of the Class-2 energy weapon is severe as injuries inflicted to infantry with light body armor are severe fourth-degree burns, this level of injury completely burns away all flesh, leaving only bone tissue. Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, and fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the rapid expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small steam explosions causing additional damage to the body. Near misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass, this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 19''</ref><ref name="reach">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 315''</ref> Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris both non-heated and heated that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 15''</ref> Damage to light armored vehicles is high as the plasma's high kinetic energy and extreme temperatures can punch through it with ease, more heavily armored vehicles can withstand a certain amount of fire before its armor can be penetrated. In the context of the Halo games, all plasma weapons' strength and lethality are compensated for both the sake of ESRB rating and gameplay.  

*The sound of the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' Class-2 energy gun firing is the same as the sound of a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]] firing. This also applies to the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Plasma Rifle]] and Banshee.

*''[[Halo Wars]]''

*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}

*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''

*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''

*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''

<references/>

{{Covenant Weapons}}

[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]