The plasma mortar, also known as energy mortar,[1] is a classification of plasma-based artillery weapon.[2]
The plasma mortar fires shaped blast of superheated plasma, which arc in a parabolic trajectory and explode violently upon impact.[3] As with any mortar weapon, the plasma mortar serves as an excellent long range bombardment style projectile. The arching projectiles allow the operator to stay at a particular position, without the worry of having to aim projectiles around or over terrain.
Known types
Class-2 medium plasma mortar
- Main article: Class-2 medium plasma mortar
The Class-2 medium plasma mortar is mounted on the rear of the Rizvum-pattern Revenant.[4][5] While charging, the plasma possesses a bluish tinge, though it is red when it is fired. The weapon has a less pronounced parabolic arc than its larger counterparts.[6]
Incendiary plasma mortar
Each N'weo-pattern Gigas craft is armed with two incendiary plasma mortars, which fire incendiary carpet bombs from the fighter-bomber.[7]
Infantry-deployed energy mortar
There is an infantry-deployed model of the energy mortar.[8] These models require at least a trio of Unggoy to assemble on-site, but once assembled, they can generate energy shielding for protection.[9]
Heavy plasma mortar
The heavy plasma mortar, also known as plasma mortar cannon,[10] is the primary armament of the Wraith.[11][12] It is attached to the rear of the Wraith, allowing the vehicle's propulsion drive to absorb almost all of its recoil.[10] The weapon is extremely powerful and is one of the most powerful ground-based application of Covenant energy weapon technology.[2] The plasma blast is typically a blue-white orb that is 0.91 metres (3.0 ft) in diameter,[2] which burns the air it passes.[13] The plasma blast travel rather slowly in the air, so it can be out-maneuvered easily by a fast vehicle, including Warthogs.[3] However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything—titanium battle plates, concrete, or flesh—within 20 metres (66 ft) at the point of impact,[1] all the while leaving large crater on ground in its wake.[3] The blast has a kill radius of 6.09 metres (20.0 ft), and damages any targets caught in a radius of 15.24 metres (50.0 ft).[2] The plasma mortar's main use lies in shelling and vehicular warfare,[2] as it can destroy heavily reinforced defenses from a long distance. However, it is also fairly effective in closer engagements in the hands of a skilled operator.[14] It is nicknamed PM, Comet, and Brimstone.[2] The United Nations Space Command's Office of Naval Intelligence has typically type-classified encountered heavy plasma mortars based on the type classifications of Wraiths:
| Type classification | Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Type-26 35cm Directed Energy Mortar (T-26 35m DEM) |
|
| Type-58 35cm Directed Energy Mortar (T-26 58m DEM) |
|
Infusion-modified plasma mortar
The Banished's Voridus modified the Terror Wraith with a mortar that launches a roiling torrent of infusion matter that leaves an uncontrollable firestorm of exotic energy in its wake.[15]
Plasma mortar
The seemingly standard variant of the plasma mortar fires medium-sized blasts of superheated plasma. While it was an optional armament on the Kewu Umppi'pa'-pattern citadel turret during the Human-Covenant War,[16] it is commonly mounted on Banished vehicles, including the Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder,[17] the Eklon'Dal Workshop Wraith, and the Bolroci Workshop Wraith.[18]
Scorch plasma mortar
Mounted primarily on the Ironclad Wraith, the scorch plasma mortar is a model of the plasma mortar that fires mortar rounds with residual energy that leaves boiling plasma on the ground after its detonation. The plasma creates a volatile and deadly crater fore within the enemy's line. The scorch plasma mortar can also be mounted on the Eklon'Dal Workshop Wraith Invader.[15]
Siege plasma mortar
The siege plasma mortar is mounted on the Covenant's stationary Emp'seam-pattern Antlion and its Banished successor, the Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion. The siege plasma mortar fires a devastating volley of plasma at astonishing range, turning enemy fortifications into glassy craters.[16] The Banished variant is heavily augmented and overclocked to increase its effectiveness and range.[19]
Ultra-heavy plasma mortar
The ultra-heavy plasma mortar is mounted on the Covenant's stationary Zo'op-pattern Weevil, which provides fire support over large segments of enemy-contest area.[16]
XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer
- Main article: XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer
The XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer is the closest equivalent to a plasma mortar employed by the United Nations Space Command. Reverse-engineered from Covenant technology, the weapon fires an artillery shell with fuel rod filler that unleashes a powerful barrage of plasma at its targets.[20] It is mounted on prototype M145D Rhinos, which were used in at least 2531, when five of these were used by Professor Ellen Anders to collapse a Covenant energy shield during the Battle of Arcadia.[21]
Production notes
- Plasma mortars may have been inspired by the Plasma Bugs in the film adaptation of Starship Troopers.
- The Covenant Air Artillery, a unit cut from Halo Wars, would have also used three plasma mortars.
Gallery
A blast from a Zurdo-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar moments before impact in Starry Night.
A purple blast from an Emp'seam-pattern Antlion's siege plasma mortar arcing through the air in Halo Wars.
Two Rizvum-pattern Revenants firing their medium plasma mortars at a M12G1 Gauss Warthog in Halo: Reach.
A Muz-pattern Wraith fire its heavy plasma mortar in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A blast of an Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder's plasma mortar hitting a Terror Wraith in Halo Wars 2.
The arc of a plasma blast from a Muz-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar from a Wraith in Halo: Fireteam Raven.
List of appearances
Sources
- ^ a b Halo: First Strike, chapter 12
- ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 347
- ^ a b c Halo: The Flood, chapter 6
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 154
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 275
- ^ Halo: Reach, Revenant in-game vehicle
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 289
- ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 38
- ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 39
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 257
- ^ a b c Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 117, 228
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 274
- ^ Halo: First Strike, chapter 35
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Wraith (Retrieved on May 11, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 469
- ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 305
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 464
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 468
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 481
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 141
- ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Dome of Light