M363 sticky detonator

M363 sticky detonator
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Chalybs Defense Solutions (Formerly) Acheron Security
Type:	PDW/Explosive launcher
Cost:	6950 cR
Specifications
Length:	20.8 inches (53 cm)
Width:	4.9 inches (12 cm)
Height:	9.9 inches (25 cm)
Weight:	6.8 kilograms (15 lb)
Ammunition type:	12cm M9030 HEI/RD
Feed system:	1 charge
Operation:	Manually-loaded
Rate of fire:	Single-shot
Effective range:	Short to medium
Service history
In service:	Human-Covenant War Post-Covenant War conflicts

The M363 Remote Projectile Detonator (M363 RPD), colloquially known as the "Sticky Detonator", is a single-shot handheld, remotely detonated, adhesive/explosive weapon. It is manufactured by Acheron Security and is used by the UNSC Armed Forces.

Specifications

The M363 RPD is a low-profile single-shot weapon that launches a magnetically latched explosive, which the operator can remotely detonate when at a safe distance. Although previously manufactured in low quantities, this weapon’s size and ease-of-transportability has made it ubiquitous in the years which followed the Human-Covenant War. The weapon has a fold-out screen on the left side which shows a motion tracker display from the view of the fired projectile. Once fired, the projectile activates a strobe light indicating its status.

Operational history

Sticky detonators were created by Saskia Nazari's parents who worked as weapons designers for Chalybs Defense Solutions.

In 2548, the Nazari's stored a sticky detonator prototype in a locked room of their house on Meridian along with prototypes of their other weapons. Due to her parents' ties to Insurrectionists who they often sold their weapons to, Saskia believed that the prototype weapons might not be totally legal. During the Battle of Meridian, Saskia eventually led Spartan-III Owen-B096, Victor Gallardo, Evie Rousseau and Dorian Nguyen to the room holding the prototype weapons which they began practicing with for their operation to rescue the survivors of Brume-sur-Mer. When the group set out, Evie chose to arm herself with the sticky detonator alongside a Covenant plasma pistol. Later, while rescuing Victor, Dorian and Owen on Brume Beach, Evie used the sticky detonator to take out part of a squad of Sangheili, firing the weapon one-handed out the window while driving Victor's car. As Victor and Dorian struggled to get Owen into the car, Evie reloaded and fired another shot into the heart of the advancing Covenant soldiers, blowing many of them up and allowing the four time to escape.

In July 2557, the Master Chief used a sticky detonator to help kill two Hunters during the Raid on Ivanoff Station.

Gameplay

The Sticky Detonator can be used as a highly effective tactical weapon. While it is not overly effective at straight on engagement, it can be fired onto the floor of heavily trafficked areas, or into vehicles, and then delay-detonated when an enemy appears. This strategy is best used with cloak, or with a faraway teammate (preferably a sniper) to spot when the targets arrive.

In the campaign, it is found only in the mission Composer. Using it in that mission to kill two Hunters unlocks the "Give Him the Stick" achievement.

Trivia

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

• The weapon first appeared in Halo 4's Awakening announcement trailer, in which John-117 grabs an RPD floating in zero gravity and uses it to blow a piece of debris out of his way while escaping the exploding wreckage of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn. It was originally believed to be a variant of the pistol due to its grip. The firing animation also had the rear of the weapon rise when the canister was launched, which the game version lacked.
• The sticky detonator has two melee animations: One is the standard "punch" animation used by similar pistol-like weapons. The other is a "backhand" smack.
• The weapon is referred to as the "Sticky Grenade Launcher" in the multiplayer carnage report.
• If motion tracker is disabled, the sticky detonator's will also be disabled.
• Interestingly, only a certain number of grenades can be attached to a single target. If any more than that number are attached, the first projectile attached will detonate. This is most commonly seen in Custom Games, as the number of attached grenades is practically impossible to achieve in matchmaking.
• The M363 may be inspired by the German World War II experiments with pistol fired grenades such Wurfkörper 361 grenade alongside the Kampfpistole and Sturmpistole, a series of flare pistols that were modified for use as a miniature grenade launcher. Both weapons resemble handguns with a bulbous warhead protruding from the barrel.
• The M363 RPD was the only Halo 4 weapon to not return in any form in Halo 5: Guardians.

Gallery

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  Concept art of the M363 Remote Projectile Detonator in Halo 4.

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  In-game left side view of the M363 RPD.

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  In-game right side view of the M363 RPD.

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  Detail of the weapon's magnetic explosive.

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  The sticky detonator in the Halo 4 teaser trailer.

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  A view of the weapon's overhead profile.

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  A series of stills depicting the M363's firing and operation.

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  John-117 reloads his M363 at the edge of the wreckage of the Forward Unto Dawn.

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  The weapon's reload animation.

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  First-person view of the sticky detonator by John-117 in the Halo 4 campaign.

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  First-person view of the sticky detonator. Note the screen showing the target's proximity to the projectile.

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  Reloading the M363 RPD.

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  The M363 RPD when empty.

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  First-person view of the loaded M363 RPD.

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  First-person view of the fired M363 RPD.

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  First-person view of the M363 RPD's fold-out screen.

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  Naiya Ray using an M363 RPD during the Battle of Aktis IV in Halo: Escalation.

List of appearances

• Halo 4 (First appearance)
  • Spartan Ops
  • Infinity Briefing Packet
• Halo: Escalation
• Halo: Battle Born