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[[File:H2A AntimatterCharge.png|thumb|350px|The antimatter charge.]]
[[File:H2A AntimatterCharge.png|thumb|350px|The antimatter charge.]]
The '''antimatter charge''' is a [[Covenant]] weapon utilizing [[antimatter]] as an explosive. Sizes and uses of antimatter charges vary, with some being a counterpart to the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]'s tactical [[nuclear weapon]]s.<ref name="HaloTheFloodCh1">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 27''</ref>
An '''antimatter charge''' is a [[Covenant]] weapon utilizing [[antimatter]] as an explosive. Sizes and uses of antimatter charges vary, with some being a counterpart to the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]'s tactical [[nuclear weapon]]s.<ref name="HaloTheFloodCh1">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 27''</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
Little is known of the smaller variant used by Covenant troops to breach UNSC vessels, though the larger variant has been seen close-up. The charge's appearance is that of a long bulbous shape with many spikes protruding from it. It has a central control hub located at the top of the bomb. It utilizes the annihilation of matter and antimatter to create an explosive. Nearly one hundred percent of the energy in the matter is released in a massive explosion, in contrast to the mere seven percent released by a UNSC nuclear fusion warhead.{{Citation needed}}
Little is known of the smaller variant used by Covenant troops to breach UNSC vessels, though a larger variant has been seen with more frequency. The charge's appearance is that of a long bulbous shape with many spikes protruding from it. It has a central control hub located at the top of the bomb. It utilizes the annihilation of matter and antimatter to create an explosive.


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
The bombs were used by the Covenant during an [[The Package|operation]] that was being conducted by the [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]]. One of the Spartans, [[Solomon-069]], was lured onto a Covenant [[CCS-class battlecruiser|Battlecruiser]] and subsequently killed when an anti-matter charge aboard was detonated.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Package]]''</ref>
Several antimatter charges were utilized by the Covenant during [[Operation: WARM BLANKET]], with charges being placed within a number of [[CCS-class battlecruiser]]s as decoys designed to vaporize the attacking [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan-IIs]]. One of the Spartans, [[Solomon-069]], was successfully lured onto one of the battlecruisers and subsequently killed by the antimatter charge onboard.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Package]]''</ref>


In another event, [[Cortana]] believed Covenant boarding parties used such a weapon to disable the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] during the opening of the [[Battle of Installation 04]].<ref name="HaloTheFloodCh1"/>
In another event, [[Cortana]] believed Covenant boarding parties used an antimatter charge to disable the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s [[Magnetic accelerator cannon]] during the opening stages of the [[Battle of Installation 04]].<ref name="HaloTheFloodCh1"/>


These weapons were used during the [[Battle of Earth]] to assault [[Earth]]'s [[Orbital defense platform|Orbital Defense Platforms]]. The boarding parties delivered the ordnance and destroyed [[Athens Station]] and [[Malta Station]]. The bomb that was on [[Cairo Station]] was secured by [[John-117]] and Cortana; John-117 later performed a micro-gravity maneuver to deliver the device to a Covenant {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} with shields down and a fresh 'hole' created by a pair of [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longswords]]. The Chief entered the hole and detonated the bomb in the core resulting in the destruction of the Carrier.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref>
A number of these weapons were used during the [[Battle of Earth]] to destroy [[Earth]]'s [[orbital defense platform]]s. Covenant boarding parties manually delivered the ordnance and detonated them from a safe distance, destroying both [[Athens Station|Athens]] and [[Malta Station|Malta]] stations. The bomb destined for [[Cairo Station]] was secured by [[John-117]] and Cortana. John-117 later performed a micro-gravity maneuver to deliver the device to a Covenant {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}, entering a breach in the ship's hull created by a pair of [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longswords]]. The charge was activated within the ship's reactor core, and John launched himself from the vessel shortly before its destruction.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref>


== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
*[[Jason Jones]] of [[Bungie]] referred to the bomb as the "Giant Covenant Space Pickle".<ref name="Commentary">'''[[Halo 3]] [[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|Legendary Edition]]''' - ''Essentials, Disc Two - [[Halo 2]] [[List of Halo 2 Cinematic Cutscenes|Cinematics]] Commentary''</ref>
*[[Jason Jones]] of [[Bungie]] referred to the antimatter charge as a "giant Covenant space pickle".<ref name="Commentary">'''[[Halo 3]] [[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|Legendary Edition]]''' - ''Essentials, Disc Two - [[Halo 2]] [[List of Halo 2 Cinematic Cutscenes|Cinematics]] Commentary''</ref>
*The bomb was not originally going to be included in ''Halo 2''. Instead there would be a level called [[Covenant Ship]], where the Master Chief would board the Covenant Assault Carrier and destroy it from within, but due to deadlines, the level was cut and Bungie decided to add the bomb.<ref name="Commentary"/>
*The antimatter charge was not originally going to be included in ''Halo 2''. Instead there was to be a level called [[Covenant Ship]], where the Master Chief would board the Covenant assault carrier and destroy it from within. Due to time constraints however, the level was cut and the antimatter charge was instead included as a means of destroying the carrier.<ref name="Commentary"/>
*It is not likely that the entire bomb was filled with antimatter as the explosion would be inconceivably large. It is more likely that the bomb is so bulky because the antimatter must be kept in a vacuum and kept from touching the walls via force field. Even with the Covenant's superior force field technology, it is understandable that they would add as many fail safes as possible due to antimatter's extremely volatile nature when it contacts real matter.
*It is unlikely that the entire charge is filled with antimatter, as such an explosion would be inconceivably large. It is more likely that the bomb's bulk is due to the fact that antimatter must be kept in a vacuum and prevented from coming in contact with ordinary matter, possibly through use of a force field. Even a small amount of antimatter would need to be safely contained in order to prevent a premature detonation.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==

Revision as of 15:39, July 25, 2015

"The Covenant must have brought something with them. A bomb."
Cortana
Antimatter charge cutout
The antimatter charge.

An antimatter charge is a Covenant weapon utilizing antimatter as an explosive. Sizes and uses of antimatter charges vary, with some being a counterpart to the UNSC's tactical nuclear weapons.[1]

Description

Little is known of the smaller variant used by Covenant troops to breach UNSC vessels, though a larger variant has been seen with more frequency. The charge's appearance is that of a long bulbous shape with many spikes protruding from it. It has a central control hub located at the top of the bomb. It utilizes the annihilation of matter and antimatter to create an explosive.

Operational history

Several antimatter charges were utilized by the Covenant during Operation: WARM BLANKET, with charges being placed within a number of CCS-class battlecruisers as decoys designed to vaporize the attacking Spartan-IIs. One of the Spartans, Solomon-069, was successfully lured onto one of the battlecruisers and subsequently killed by the antimatter charge onboard.[2]

In another event, Cortana believed Covenant boarding parties used an antimatter charge to disable the UNSC Pillar of Autumn's Magnetic accelerator cannon during the opening stages of the Battle of Installation 04.[1]

A number of these weapons were used during the Battle of Earth to destroy Earth's orbital defense platforms. Covenant boarding parties manually delivered the ordnance and detonated them from a safe distance, destroying both Athens and Malta stations. The bomb destined for Cairo Station was secured by John-117 and Cortana. John-117 later performed a micro-gravity maneuver to deliver the device to a Covenant CAS-class assault carrier, entering a breach in the ship's hull created by a pair of Longswords. The charge was activated within the ship's reactor core, and John launched himself from the vessel shortly before its destruction.[3]

Trivia

  • Jason Jones of Bungie referred to the antimatter charge as a "giant Covenant space pickle".[4]
  • The antimatter charge was not originally going to be included in Halo 2. Instead there was to be a level called Covenant Ship, where the Master Chief would board the Covenant assault carrier and destroy it from within. Due to time constraints however, the level was cut and the antimatter charge was instead included as a means of destroying the carrier.[4]
  • It is unlikely that the entire charge is filled with antimatter, as such an explosion would be inconceivably large. It is more likely that the bomb's bulk is due to the fact that antimatter must be kept in a vacuum and prevented from coming in contact with ordinary matter, possibly through use of a force field. Even a small amount of antimatter would need to be safely contained in order to prevent a premature detonation.

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b Halo: The Flood, page 27
  2. ^ Halo Legends, The Package
  3. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, Cairo Station
  4. ^ a b Halo 3 Legendary Edition - Essentials, Disc Two - Halo 2 Cinematics Commentary

Related Links

Internal

External

Template:Covenant Weapons