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{{Era|Covenant|HCW}}
{{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> Fuel rods are caseless, transparent projectiles,<ref name="vis"/> containing green, radioactive material.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3fuelrod '''Bungie.net''' - ''Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon'']</ref> Once they strike the target, the radioactive materials contained in the projectile detonate.
{{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}}


Fuel rods come in several types, including Class-2 and Class-3. The Class-2 fuel rods are unguided, 38mm in diameter, and are used in the [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon]].<ref name="vis"/> The [[fuel rod cannon]]s mounted on the [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery|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 rounds fired by the [[Type-51 Carbine]] are similar to fuel rods, on a smaller scale and without their explosive effects.
==Overview==
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}}


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 [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]'s [[M19 surface-to-surface missile]]s.
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}}


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>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3carbine '''Bungie.net''' - ''Type-51 Carbine'']</ref>
===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.


==Gallery==
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''' 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===
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==
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>
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 non-activated fuel rod.
File:H2A T33LAAW.png|A ''Korva''-pattern fuel rod gun with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[The Life]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Remember Reach]]''
**''[[Deliver Hope]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]
*''[[Halo: Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
{{Col-end}}
 
 


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{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]

  • A fuel rod without its radioactive gas. This happens in-game when the camera appears too close to the subject.

    A fuel rod without its radioactive gas. This happens in-game when the camera appears too close to the subject.

  • A Korva-pattern fuel rod gun with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.

    A Korva-pattern fuel rod gun with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.

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]

v • d • e
 
Ordnance in service of the Covenant and its remnants
Directed explosive weapons
Projectile weapons
Mines
Explosives
Grenades
Ammunition
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