Heavy orbital insertion pod

The heavy orbital insertion pod is a larger variant of the Covenant's standard single-occupant orbital insertion pod, which deploys troops in the pod from ships low orbit into the battle zone. It operates similarly to the standard orbital insertion pod, but has the capacity to drop at least four Covenant warriors into battle.

The Covenant remnant makes use of at least two different varieties of heavy orbital insertion pod; the first is a four-occupant pod similar in size to the variant used by the original Covenant, whereas the second is a much larger, reusable variant which drops numerous troops from low altitude before flying back to the host vessel.

Overview

The heavy orbital insertion pod has a pyramidal shape, with a large hatch on each of the three sides. The pod most likely drops from ships, and freefalls through the atmosphere the same way the standard version does. It appears that when the heavy orbital insertion pod is nearing the ground, it fires three engines which are in the corners on the bottom of the pod to slow it down. The engines continue to slow the pod, until it reaches the ground. The hatches on the three sides of the pod start to open when the pod is several meters above ground. This variant is used by the Covenant to get troops, and possibly small vehicles, to the ground faster and in greater numbers. It was first sighted during the Fall of Reach, but possibly used in other battles.

There are several glowing emitters on the floor of the pod; it is likely that these produce a stasis field to protect its occupants.

Trivia

• It is possible to be killed by the heavy orbital insertion pod. It is also possible to get stuck at the top of the pod as the doors open.
• One can also get trapped inside the pod through a glitch.
• The pod is referred to as a "teleportation drop pod" in the Halo: Reach Official Strategy Guide; it does not appear to demonstrate teleportation abilities in-game.

List of appearances

• Halo: Reach (First appearance)
• Halo 4