The Mark II Hanley-Messer DFR is a type of human-manufactured fusion drive. Halcyon-class light cruisers such as the UNSC Pillar of Autumn were equipped with three Mark II reactors.[1] The Mark II engines were obsolete by 2552, providing only a tenth of the power generated by modern reactors at the time.[2] In order to fit the demands of Operation: RED FLAG, the Autumn was later refit with a significantly more efficient experimental reactor set.[3]
Trivia
Though unconfirmed, "DFR" may be short for "deuterium fusion reactor", as UNSC starship reactors are known to use deuterium for fuel.[4] This may suggest the drive utilizes deuterium-deuterium nuclear fusion reactions for power generation.
Sources
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Data Drop 5
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 238
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 274
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 275