Type-52 plasma launcher

The Type-52 Guided Munitions Launcher/Explosive (T52 GML/E), more commonly known as the Plasma Launcher , is a plasma-based explosive launcher used by the Covenant Empire during the Human-Covenant War.

Design Details
This shoulder-mounted weapon is capable of launching up to four large explosive plasma grenade-like bolts at a single target. How many shots are fired depends on the charging time. The wielder may release the trigger at any time to fire the charged shots, and the weapon will automatically fire after 4 bolts have been ready for 3 seconds. The bolts track vehicles and bipeds in a similar way to the Needler, although slightly differently- a red circle will appear around a target to indicate the Launcher is "locked on". The Plasma Launcher has a 2.5x zoom capability which enables the user to lock onto targets from farther away. The bolts will continue to track until they hit the target or another object, regardless of the death of the operator, being redirected by physical impulses or the target teleporting across vast distances. The bolts stick to the target on impact, like plasma grenades. The detonation time is dependent on the amount of bolts stuck to the target, which means that single shots often give kills from the grave. The bolts have an arcing trajectory when fired untracked over long distances. It has an appearance slightly similar to the Fuel Rod Gun, as they are both Covenant heavy weapons, though the Launcher is blue and the Fuel Rod Gun is brown/gold. The Plasma Launcher is carried in combat by high-ranking Grunts, Elites, and Brutes.

Trivia

 * The sound file for the plasma launcher was first released in the Bungie Weekly Update 1/29/10, with the title "Mystery Weapon", though it sounds subtly different in the final build of the game.
 * The plasma launcher can be considered the informal Covenant equivalent of the Spartan Laser, as it requires a charge-up before firing, and is highly effective on vehicles. However, according to Chris Carney on Game Trailers TV, it is "[...] the Covenant equivalent to the human grenade launcher, firing four plasma-like bolts which stick like plasma grenades." However, the concussion rifle's presence in the game renders this statement somewhat moot.
 * The plasma launcher can actually lock onto targets from incredible distances when using the 2.5X zoom capability; done right, it is fully capable of locking onto and hitting a slow moving vehicle from halfway across maps such as Hemorrhage.
 * If the player cancels the plasma launcher's charging sequence by swapping to their secondary weapon, any projectiles that have already been charged will be aborted. Unlike the plasma pistol, no loss in battery level is incurred.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach