HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon
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| HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon | |
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 The Mark 2556 excavation-grade HAVOK warhead.
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| Production overview | |
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Manufacturer: |
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Type: |
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| Specifications | |
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Length: |
13.8 inches (35 cm)[1] |
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Width: |
7.1 inches (18 cm)[1] |
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Height: |
7.5 inches (19 cm)[1] |
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Mvalth-DTPF 80-S | |
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Filler volume: |
31.4 pounds (14.2 kg) |
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Yield: |
30 megatons[3] |
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In service: |
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The HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon is a UNSC nuclear weapon produced by the Misriah Armory. It is classified as part of the Medium Fusion Destructive Device category.[1] HAVOK nuclear devices are also nicknamed Brightboys.[4][5]
Variants[edit]
Several variants of the HAVOK nuclear device have been developed for use in different tactical situations, from ordnance deployed by ground forces to missile-based delivery systems.
HAVOK nuclear mine[edit]
The HAVOK tactical nuclear mine[6] is one of the most powerful ground-based nuclear ordnance in the UNSC arsenal, and has a thermonuclear yield of 30 megatons. It is described as looking like a small black half sphere, and does not contain any external indicators; the device only contains a thin slot on the unit's face to allow the detonation key to be inserted. The bottom of the unit contains bonding strips that allows the HAVOK to be attached to any type of surface. The mine can only be detonated by a remote signal, and if the device is placed underneath thick concrete and steel, or other objects that may cause interference, a ground-return receiver must be set up to allow the signal to reach the device.[2]
The HAVOK mine is used in situations where the UNSC must eliminate enemy forces in an area already claimed by them, or to prevent an area from falling into their hands. However, there are situations where the UNSC will use a HAVOK to eliminate Covenant ships deploying infantry and equipment. Nuclear weapons like the HAVOK are employed often but not always, and are only used when all civilian and military populations have been either evacuated, or compromised in a target area.
Variant V[edit]
The Variant V HAVOK is designed to maximize the thermonuclear yield in the vacuum of space.[7] The Variant V HAVOK is a warhead that is attached to a missile and can be launched from either the ground or from a ship.[8]
Mark 2521 MFDD[edit]
The Mark 2521 Medium Fusion Destructive Device is an excavation-grade variant of the weapon. It can be carried on a Pelican and can be stuck on a surface.[9]
Mark 2550 MFDD[edit]
The Havok Bunker Buster 2550 Medium Fusion Destructive Device is an excavation-grade variant of the Havok tactical nuclear weapon that is deployed via airdrop. As a medium-yield nuclear device, the BB 2550 gives off a relatively small amount of radiation when compared to other nuclear weaponry.[10] The device can be armed with an adjustable set timer. After a Havok BB 2550 is airdropped from an aircraft, the nuclear device deploys three helical fins to stabilize its fall.[11] As a bunker-buster weapon, the Mark 2550 is designed to direct most of the energy of the blast downward to maximize damage to subterranean targets.[12]
Mark 2556 MFDD[edit]
The Mark 2556 Medium Fusion Destructive Device[1] is an excavation-grade variant of the weapon, presumably used for excavation purposes in locations where a nuclear blast is required. A single warhead of this variant is stated to be able to turn Ivanoff Station "into a piñata".[13] Despite being excavation-grade, it could be attached to an F-41 Broadsword fighter in the form of a missile for ship-killing purposes. A single warhead was capable of destroying both the Composer and the powerful Forerunner vessel Mantle's Approach when detonated inside of the ship.[14]
Tactical uses[edit]
In 2526, HAVOKs were used during Operation: SILENT STORM. Three were used as part of a successful attack on the Fleet of Inexorable Obedience's logistics train while the main part of the fleet was distracted glassing Biko. Later, they were used alongside octas during the attack on the planet Zhoist and the Ring of Mighty Abundance in orbit. During part of the attack, Spartan-II Blue Team used two HAVOKs to destroy the under-construction Covenant supercarrier Hammer of Faith. This was accomplished by John-117 and Kelly-087 arming the HAVOKs and then tossing them into a gravity lift leading into the ship from a hanger bay in one of its construction barns. Blue Team managed to escape the blast in a group of Banshees, though the Banshees were fried from the gamma effects of the blast and the Banshees own poor gamma shielding.[15]
In 2531, HAVOK Variant V nuclear missiles were carried on the UNSC Spirit of Fire. During the mission to the UNSC Prophecy, Captain James Cutter had the HAVOKs utilized against the Covenant forces along with the ship's MAC gun.[8]
On February 12, 2535, during the Battle of Jericho VII, UNSC NavSpecWep deployed three teams of SPARTAN-IIs on Jericho VII to combat Covenant forces invading the colony. At one point during the engagement Red Team was successfully able to plant a HAVOK near a Covenant rally point where a cruiser was to deploy ground forces while Blue Team was to clear out the rear guard of the Covenant forces so they could slip in. The plan was for the HAVOK to be detonated when the cruiser lowered its shields and landed to drop troops in order to take it out. Red Team succeeded in planting the device, but its unclear if the HAVOK ever destroyed a Covenant ship as the Spartans were recalled shortly thereafter and Jericho VII fell to the Covenant.[3]
In May 2545, the 53rd Armored Division of the UNSC Army detonated two HAVOKs to demolish three Covenant staging grounds during the Battle of Actium. The blasts wiped out much of the Covenant ground forces, but at the cost of no less than 12,000 Army personnel.[16] The battle ultimately ended in a Covenant victory, as Actium was glassed.
On July 17, 2552, during the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV, Blue Team detonated a HAVOK nuclear mine in the city of Côte d'Azur, during the battle taking place on the planet, destroying the city and all the Covenant in it.[17]
In October–November 2552, HAVOK nuclear weapons were used during the Battle for Earth. One notable use was when Blue Team was deployed to Mount Erebus in the Antarctic to destroy a Covenant excavation force using a HAVOK.[18]
In July 2553, in order to destroy a Forerunner installation located in the Montero Cave System on Gao, Blue Team dropped a Havok BB 2550 nuke into an opening in the caverns which detonated and destroyed the installation. The blast also destroyed a dozen MV-29 Wyverns that were above the Well of Echoes pursuing their D102 Owl UNSC Silent Claw. The nuclear blast turned the Well of Echoes into a kilometer-deep shaft of fused limestone with a pool of molten stone glowing for a time at the bottom of the crater. Rather than realizing that the HAVOK was intended to destroy the Forerunner base, President Arlo Casille believed it to be the Spartans way of making good their escape by destroying their pursuers. Rather than admit