Energy projector

The Energy Projector is a Covenant starship weapon.

Operations


The weapon fired a thin (compared to the ship) beam of extremely energetic particles. It was possible to determine when it was about to fire because it typically generates a rather detectable radiation spike before firing. The beam has an effective range of over 500,000 kilometres, longer even than that of a UNSC Super Orbital Magnetic Accelerator Cannon. The long range allowed a ship armed with this weapon to 'snipe' or 'glass' targets.

It also seems to be comprised of pure energy or very low-mass particles because they do not alter an object's trajectory as it was fired at a MAC round, and the kinetic energy remained unchanged. The weapon has been observed to gut UNSC ships from stem to stern, this happened to the Frigate Gettysburg over Reach.

Effects
The beam was able to take down the shields of a Covenant Frigate or Covenant Destroyer with a single hit.

Against UNSC Frigates, vessels, and ships, the weapon was able to pierce dozens of Titanium-A armour layers with comparative ease. Therefore, a single hit or perforation could potentially disable or destroy vital systems, such as MAC Cannon or engines, rendering the ship useless for combat.

The beam is similar to the Particle Beam Rifle in how and what it fires although on a much larger scale. It is also speculated that the beam can be focused to varying degrees. On Reach, it burned a hole through many meters of earth. However, in space, they can be focused to a smaller, therefore more powerful beam generally used to decimate enemy ships from afar. It also seems to drain all or most of the energy in a Covenant ship for a brief period unless the ship is massive enough to supply the power without too much of a drain. This weapon is also used for glassing enemy planets.

Distribution
According to Fred-104, only the "big ships have them." Ships of the, the Covenant Supercruiser, and the Assault Carrier were known to wield this weapon. Other large ship classes, such as the Covenant Supercarrier, may have it as well. The CCS Class Cruiser has them too, albeit they have only 2 projectors, as shown in the above picture, located under the ships bow (The Head), and under its middle. Covenant Battleships boast 12 energy projectors, enough firepower to decimate any UNSC fleet.