The plasma mortar, also known as energy mortar,[1] is a classification of plasma-based artillery weapon.[2]
The plasma mortar launches 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, allowing the fighter-bomber to deploy incendiary carpet bombs.[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 a 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, especially if 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 upon impact.[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 launches mortar rounds with residual energy that leaves boiling plasma on the ground after its detonation. The plasma creates a volatile and deadly crater behind 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 an 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 a 320mm artillery shell with fuel rod filler that unleashes a powerful barrage of plasma at its targets.[20][21] It is mounted on M145D Rhino prototypes, 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.[22]
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 used three plasma mortars.
Gallery
A blast from a Zurdo-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar moments before impact in Starry Night.
A blast from an Emp'seam-pattern Antlion's siege plasma mortar arcing through the air in Halo Wars.
Two Rizvum-pattern Revenants fire their medium plasma mortars at a M12G1 Gauss Warthog in Halo: Reach.
A Muz-pattern Wraith fires its heavy plasma mortar in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A blast from an Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder's plasma mortar impacts a Terror Wraith in Halo Wars 2.
The arc of a plasma blast from a Muz-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar 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: The Essential Visual Guide, page 155
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 141
- ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Dome of Light