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{{Era|Covenant|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:1211317365 Fuel Rod.jpg|thumb|250px|A fuel rod in mid-flight.]]
[[File:1211317365 Fuel Rod.jpg|thumb|300px|A Class-2 fuel rod projectile in mid-flight.]]
'''Fuel rod''' is a colloquial name for a form of explosive munitions used in several [[Covenant]] weapon systems.<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 77''</ref>
{{Quote|It’s so weird. I don’t know who first called it a fuel rod gun, but it’s kind’a funny. I suppose the projectile is reminiscent of how you might expect to see a nuclear fuel rod depicted in a gee eh cartoon—all glowing green and throwing off sparks.|Anonymous [[E2-BAG/1/7]] serviceman.{{Ref/Reuse|bnetfuelrodgun}}}}
'''Fuel rods''' ([[Sangheili (language)|Sangheili]]: '''''Ket-lambdatha''''') are a colloquial nickname given by [[human]] personnel for a form of explosive munition used in several [[Covenant]] weapon systems.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=298-299}}{{Ref/Book|Id=vis|EVG|Page=77}}


== Overview ==
==Overview==
Fuel rods are caseless, transparent projectiles,<ref name="vis"/> containing a green, radioactive substance composed of energetic meta-materials and strained-bond lattices—an imperfect form of [[Forerunner]] [[infusion gel]].<ref name="II">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/infusion-invasion '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Community Update: Infusion Invasion'']</ref> Once they strike the target, the radioactive materials contained in the projectile detonate. The contents and effects of the fuel rods are similar to the [[incendiary gel]] used in [[Mgalekgolo]]'s [[assault cannon]]s.<ref name="t33laaw">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3fuelrod '''Bungie.net''' - ''Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon'']</ref> Fuel rods are most often used in an anti-armor or anti-air role, but are also devastatingly effective against infantry.<ref name="vis"/> They are essentially the Covenant equivalent to the [[UNSC]]'s [[M19 surface-to-surface missile]]s.
The ''ket-lambathda'' gained their human-given nicknames from their appearance, visually resembling popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.{{Ref/Site|Id=bnetfuelrodgun|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3fuelrod|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|D=31|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present#Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon}} Despite this, the technology has very little in common with nuclear technology. Fuel rods consist of caseless, transparent projectiles{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} containing [[incendiary gel]] - a radioactive substance composed of energetic meta-materials and strained-bond lattices—an imperfect form of [[Forerunner]] [[infusion gel]].{{Ref/Site|Id=II|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/infusion-invasion|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Community Update - Infusion Invasion|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


At least two UNSC classifications of the Covenant's fuel rods are known.  
When the fuel rod weapon is fired, the radioactive chemical inside the fuel rod is ignited and launched from its containment shell, exploding on impact with a surface or once enough gas has been expelled from the projectile to reach environmental equilibrium.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
 
===Usage===
Fuel rods are primarily employed by the [[Covenant]] in anti-armor and anti-air roles, fired by their [[fuel rod gun]]s and [[fuel rod cannon]]s. The visibility of the fuel rod projectiles in flight give them a distinct psychological effect on enemy soldiers, which helps in their intimidation value.{{Ref/Reuse|bnetfuelrodgun}} Fuel rods fired by vehicle-mounted cannons can be guided by remote lock-on, while those fired from infantry-mounted weapons typically fire with a pronounced arc allowing them to be used as an indirect-fire mortar.
 
The [[XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer|XM4600 ''Zeus'' plasma munition howitzer]] developed by the [[United Nations Space Command]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] utilises fuel rods encased in a custom 320mm shell.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=141}}
 
==Variants==
At least two variants of fuel rod munition have been [[Type classification system#Class designations|catalogued]] by the UNSC;


===Class-2===
===Class-2===
The Class-2 fuel rods are unguided, 38mm in diameter, and are used in the [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Gun]].<ref name="vis"/>
'''Class-2''' fuel rod projectiles are unguided and {{Convert|38|mm|in|sp=us}} in diameter.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnetfuelrodgun}}{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM|OSFM|Page=195}} They are the primary projectile fired by infantry-portable fuel rod guns including the {{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun|}}, {{Pattern|Korva|fuel rod gun}}, {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}} and {{Pattern|Zasqi|fuel rod gun}}s, alongside some variants of [[assault cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


===Class-3===
===Class-3===
The [[fuel rod cannon]]s mounted on the [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Wraith|Anti-Air Wraith]] and the [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee]] use the heavier Class-3 fuel rods, which have a greater range and a capability to track heat signatures.<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 9''</ref>
The [[fuel rod cannon]]s mounted on the {{Pattern|Ogab'd|anti-aircraft Wraith}} and {{Pattern|Muv'te|anti-aircraft Wraith}}s, alongside those of the [[Banshee]] use the heavier Class-3 fuel rods, which have a greater range and a capability to track heat signatures.{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=9}} The [[Morsam-pattern Seraph]] is additionally equipped with four fuel rod cannons, which are capable of locking onto air targets.{{Ref/Game|HR|Seraph in-game vehicle}}


== Etymology ==
==Etymology==
Though widely used among UNSC personnel, "fuel rod" is actually an informal term supposedly originating from common popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.<ref name="t33laaw"/> Rumors surround fuel rods, with many UNSC Marines under the apparent belief that even carrying a weapon that uses them for ammunition can cause [[Boren's Syndrome]].<ref name="bnet">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3carbine '''Bungie.net''' - ''Type-51 Carbine'']</ref>
Though widely used among UNSC personnel, "fuel rod" is actually an informal term supposedly originating from common popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.{{Ref/Reuse|bnetfuelrodgun}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Rumors surround fuel rods, with many UNSC Marines under the apparent belief that even carrying a weapon that uses them for ammunition can cause [[Boren's Syndrome]].{{Ref/Site|Id=bnetcarbine|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3carbine|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-51 Carbine|D=16|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present#Type-51 Carbine}} In practice, [[Spartan Operations]] personnel are advised to avoid handling fuel rod components without protective [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], due to the projectiles' radioactivity and toxicity.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM}}


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Anti-air Wraith.jpg|A Covenant Anti-air Wraith, with triple-barreled fuel rod cannons mounted.
File:Fuel Rod Gun Ammo.jpg|A fuel rod without its radioactive gas. This happens in-game when the camera appears too close to the subject.
File:Fuel Rod Gun Ammo.jpg|A fuel rod without its radioactive gas. This happens in-game when the camera appears too close to the subject.
File:H2A T33LAAW.png|A [[Type-33 fuel rod gun]] with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.
File:H2A T33LAAW.png|A ''Korva''-pattern fuel rod gun with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
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*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
{{Col-end}}
{{Col-end}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Covenant ordnance}}
{{Covenant ordnance}}
[[Category:Ammunition]]
[[Category:Ammunition]]

Latest revision as of 04:23, July 19, 2024

A Class-2 fuel rod projectile in mid-flight.

"It’s so weird. I don’t know who first called it a fuel rod gun, but it’s kind’a funny. I suppose the projectile is reminiscent of how you might expect to see a nuclear fuel rod depicted in a gee eh cartoon—all glowing green and throwing off sparks."
— Anonymous E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman.[1]

Fuel rods (Sangheili: Ket-lambdatha) are a colloquial nickname given by human personnel for a form of explosive munition used in several Covenant weapon systems.[2][3]

Overview[edit]

The ket-lambathda gained their human-given nicknames from their appearance, visually resembling popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.[1] Despite this, the technology has very little in common with nuclear technology. Fuel rods consist of caseless, transparent projectiles[3] containing incendiary gel - a radioactive substance composed of energetic meta-materials and strained-bond lattices—an imperfect form of Forerunner infusion gel.[4][2]

When the fuel rod weapon is fired, the radioactive chemical inside the fuel rod is ignited and launched from its containment shell, exploding on impact with a surface or once enough gas has been expelled from the projectile to reach environmental equilibrium.[2]

Usage[edit]

Fuel rods are primarily employed by the Covenant in anti-armor and anti-air roles, fired by their fuel rod guns and fuel rod cannons. The visibility of the fuel rod projectiles in flight give them a distinct psychological effect on enemy soldiers, which helps in their intimidation value.[1] Fuel rods fired by vehicle-mounted cannons can be guided by remote lock-on, while those fired from infantry-mounted weapons typically fire with a pronounced arc allowing them to be used as an indirect-fire mortar.

The XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer developed by the United Nations Space Command during the Human-Covenant War utilises fuel rods encased in a custom 320mm shell.[5]

Variants[edit]

At least two variants of fuel rod munition have been catalogued by the UNSC;

Class-2[edit]

Class-2 fuel rod projectiles are unguided and 38 millimeters (1.5 in) in diameter.[3][1][6] They are the primary projectile fired by infantry-portable fuel rod guns including the Gespu-pattern, Korva-pattern fuel rod gun, Pez'tk-pattern fuel rod gun and Zasqi-pattern fuel rod guns, alongside some variants of assault cannon.[2]

Class-3[edit]

The fuel rod cannons mounted on the Ogab'd-pattern anti-aircraft Wraith and Muv'te-pattern anti-aircraft Wraiths, alongside those of the Banshee use the heavier Class-3 fuel rods, which have a greater range and a capability to track heat signatures.[7] The Morsam-pattern Seraph is additionally equipped with four fuel rod cannons, which are capable of locking onto air targets.[8]

Etymology[edit]

Though widely used among UNSC personnel, "fuel rod" is actually an informal term supposedly originating from common popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.[1][2] Rumors surround fuel rods, with many UNSC Marines under the apparent belief that even carrying a weapon that uses them for ammunition can cause Boren's Syndrome.[9] In practice, Spartan Operations personnel are advised to avoid handling fuel rod components without protective MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, due to the projectiles' radioactivity and toxicity.[6]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]


Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Bungie.net, Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (Retrieved on Jan 31, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 298-299
  3. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 77
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint, Community Update - Infusion Invasion (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  5. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 141
  6. ^ a b Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 195
  7. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 9
  8. ^ Halo: Reach, Seraph in-game vehicle
  9. ^ Bungie.net, Type-51 Carbine (Retrieved on Jan 16, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]