Fuel rod

A fuel rod in mid-flight.

Fuel rod is a colloquial name for a form of explosive munitions used in several Covenant weapon systems.

Overview

Fuel rods are caseless, transparent projectiles, containing a green, radioactive substance composed of energetic meta-materials and strained-bond lattices—an imperfect form of Forerunner infusion gel. 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 cannons. Fuel rods are most often used in an anti-armor or anti-air role, but are also devastatingly effective against infantry. They are essentially the Covenant equivalent to the UNSC's M19 surface-to-surface missiles.

At least two UNSC classifications of the Covenant's fuel rods are known.

Class-2

The Class-2 fuel rods are unguided, 38mm in diameter, and are used in the Fuel Rod Gun.

Class-3

The fuel rod cannons mounted on the Anti-Air Wraith, Seraph and the Banshee use the heavier Class-3 fuel rods, which have a greater range and a capability to track heat signatures. The Seraph is additionally equipped with four fuel rod cannons, which are capable of locking onto air targets.

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. 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.

Gallery

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  A Covenant Anti-air Wraith, with triple-barreled fuel rod cannons mounted.

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

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  A Type-33 fuel rod gun with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.

List of appearances

Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance) Halo: Combat Evolved Halo: The Flood Halo: First Strike Halo 2 Halo: Ghosts of Onyx Halo: Landfall Halo: Combat Halo: Last One Standing Halo: Uprising Halo 3 Halo Wars The Life Halo 3: ODST Halo Legends Origins Prototype The Babysitter

Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe Dirt The Return Halo: Blood Line Remember Reach Deliver Hope Halo: Reach Halo: Fall of Reach Covenant Invasion 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