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.
Since they can be mounted in a variety of emplacements or vehicles, plasma mortars are employed similarly in a variety of roles, including anti-personnel,[4] anti-vehicle, and shelling fortifications.[2]
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.[5][6] While charging, the plasma blast possesses a bluish tinge, though it is red when it is fired. The weapon has a less pronounced parabolic arc than its larger counterparts.[7]
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.[8]
Infantry-deployed energy mortar
There is a Covenant infantry-deployed energy mortar.[9] These mortars require at least a trio of Unggoy to assemble on-site, but once assembled, they can generate energy shielding for protection.[10]
Heavy plasma mortar
- Main article: Heavy plasma mortar
The heavy plasma mortar is the primary armament of the Wraith.[11][12] It launches a plasma blast is typically a blue-white orb that travels slowly in the air.[3] However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything at the point of impact,[1] all the while leaving a large crater on ground in its wake.[3] The plasma mortar's main use lies in shelling and vehicular warfare,[13] but it is also fairly effective in closer engagements.[14] The heavy plasma mortar has seen numerous variations, including, but not limited to, the scorch plasma mortar on Ironclad Wraiths and an infusion-modified variant on Terror Wraiths.[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 primarily mounted on the Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder.[17]
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.[18]
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-contested 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.[19][20] 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.[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 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 Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 347
- ^ a b c Halo: The Flood, chapter 6
- ^ Halo Wars, Covenant citadel base turret
- ^ 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
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 117, 228
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 274
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 257
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Wraith (Retrieved on May 11, 2021) [archive]
- ^ 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 481
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 155
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 141
- ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Dome of Light