Editing NOVA bomb

{{Status|Canon}}

|manufacturer=[[UNSC]]

|type=Specialized [[nuclear weapon]]

|ammotype=Nuclear warheads encased in [[lithium triteride]]

|operation=Multiple [[nuclear fusion]] explosives amplified by hardened case

{{Quote|This is the prototype NOVA bomb, nine [[fusion]] warheads encased in [[lithium triteride]] armor. When detonated, it compresses its fissionable material to neutron-star density, boosting the thermonuclear yield a hundredfold. I am [[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]], temporarily in command of the [[UNSC]] military base [[Reach]]. To the Covenant uglies that might be listening, you have a few seconds to pray to your damned heathen gods. You all have a nice day in hell...|[[Vice Admiral]] [[Danforth Whitcomb]]'s recording on the NOVA bomb, right before it is activated in the space adjacent to the planet [[Joyous Exultation]].}}

The '''NOVA bomb''' is a [[nuclear weapon|nuclear explosive device]] used by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Described as "planet killers", NOVAs contain a very high-yield combination of nine nuclear fusion warheads, the explosive power of which is harnessed to compress additional [[Wikipedia:lithium|lithium]] triteride fusionable material to astronomical densities and magnify the overall blast to titanic proportions.{{Ref/Novel|Id=FS19|FS|Chapter=19}} It is quite possibly the most destructive weapon utilized by either side in the [[Human-Covenant War]].

==Background==

The NOVA bomb is a cluster of nine nuclear fusion warheads, each encased in [[Wikipedia:lithium|lithium]] triteride armor. The casing serves as additional fusionable material to the initial nine warheads. When the nine fusion warheads are detonated, the lithium triteride casings are forced together in the center of the combined blast and subjected to massive levels of pressure and superheating,{{Ref/Reuse|FS19}} achieving "neutron star density" according to Vice Admiral [[Danforth Whitcomb]]. It is because of the energy released by the nuclear fusion of the additional material that the resulting detonation's yield is magnified a hundredfold over that of the nine warheads alone.{{Ref/Novel|Id=GoO27|GoO|Chapter=27}} The NOVA bomb carries an unprecedented payload for its size; the bombs are considered "planet killers" due to their destructive potential.{{Ref/Reuse|FS19}}

Originally intended for use against the Covenant in space,{{Ref/Reuse|FS19}} the NOVA bomb has been used in two known engagements: in orbit over the planet Joyous Exultation,{{Ref/Reuse|GoO27}} and on the surface of the planet [[Glyke]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=Env|Env}} In both cases, the effects were extreme. When the bomb was detonated above Joyous Exultation, it heated the planet's atmosphere, scorched one quarter of its surface and shattered a [[Malhiem|nearby moon]].{{Ref/Reuse|GoO27}} When detonated directly on a planet's surface—as was the case on Glyke—the explosion's power was enough to disrupt the planet's structure and overcome the binding energy of its gravity, turning it into a vast cloud of debris and killing every living thing in, on, and around the planet almost instantly.{{Ref/Reuse|Env}}

It was intended for the NOVA bomb to be used in space against the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] during the [[Fall of Reach]]. The remaining NOVA bombs were left on [[Reach]] and "re-purposed" by [[Admiral Whitcomb]]. His reasoning was that "''either the Covenant pack those bombs up and take them home for study, a possibility that I hope to God happens. A bomb like that could crack their homeworld in two. Or, the bombs stay here and they'll stop the Covenant on Reach...''"{{Ref/Reuse|FS19}}

The first documented triggering of a NOVA bomb occurred when it was accidentally detonated by a group of [[Huragok]] stationed on the [[Covenant supercarrier]] ''[[Sublime Transcendence]]''. Immediately after [[Kwassass]], a fellow crew member, deciphered Admiral Whitcomb's message, the Huragok, through their curiosity and frenzied obsession, fixed the circuitry of the bomb, detonating it despite Kwassass's attempts to stop them. The Huragok completed the detonation timer's circuit, which promptly resulted in its activation. The resulting explosion occurred between a Covenant outpost planet [[Joyous Exultation]] and its moon, [[Malhiem]], scorching half of the planet and shattering the moon. The resulting winds on Joyous Exultation flattened cities and spawned tidal waves. Radiation flooded the planet and killed everything living on it, penetrating the surface of the planet to its core. Every ship within the NOVA bomb's range, save for those on the opposite side of the planet, boiled and vaporized in an instant. The explosion was described as though "a star ignited between Joyous Exultation and its moon."{{Ref/Reuse|GoO27}}

The NOVA bomb explosion completely destroyed three-fifths of the fleet that was there, totaling over 300 ships. Eighteen [[Covenant destroyer|destroyers]], two [[Covenant cruiser|cruisers]], one [[Covenant carrier|carrier]] and the flagship ''[[Incorruptible]]'' escaped the NOVA bomb explosion due to a [[Slipspace]] jump ''en masse'' just moments prior to the explosion.{{Ref/Reuse|GoO27}} Other ships arrived at [[Onyx]] to reinforce the ''Incorruptible'' from Joyous Exultation, suggesting that they escaped the bomb's detonation as a result of being positioned on the opposite side of the planet.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=38}}

During the [[Battle for Earth]], ONI initiated [[Operation: SUNSPEAR]] and forwarded a high priority message to the [[Spartan-II program|Spartans]] of [[Gray Team]], declaring "Condition: Endgame" under which they were to execute the detonation of a NOVA bomb on the surface of the Covenant colony world of [[Glyke]], a major military production center home to billions of [[Sangheili]]. Deploying from the {{UNSCShip|Vacuna}}, Gray Team made landfall and activated the warhead on the planet's surface. Once out of range the NOVA bomb was detonated, destroying the planet and all life on its surface. Gray Team was unaware that the war was over and [[Treaty of 2552|a tentative peace]] had been reached with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], making the action no longer necessary. During the [[Carrow Conflict]] in [[2558]], Gray Team were left worried about being charged as [[war criminal]]s for their actions, but ONI offered them a deal which included a pardon from [[Thel 'Vadam]] for Glyke's destruction.{{Ref/Reuse|Env}}

During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], and the subsequent quarantine of the Installation and [[High Charity]], [[Cortana]] requested that UNSC [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] deploy a NOVA bomb around [[Installation 05]], to stop the outbreak of the [[Flood]], and ''High Charity'', in order to destroy the Covenant holy capital.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=21}} However, it is apparent that this request was not granted, as High Charity was not bombed and later landed on [[Installation 00]].{{Ref/Level|H3|[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]}} In addition, Installation 05 was [[Glassing|glassed]] by [[Covenant separatists|separatist]] [[Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution|naval forces]] instead and had a research base established in orbit by July 2557.