Nuclear weapon



A nuclear weapon is a type of ordnance using nuclear fission and/or fusion as a source of energy. The yield of a Nuclear weapon is measured in the amount of tons of "TNT" needed to generate an explosion of similar proportions.

An operational idiosyncrasy of nuclear weapons was the result of containing fissile material. Fissile material emitted a readily detectable Čerenkov Radiation signature upon exiting slipspace that negated stealth measures.

UNSC Nuclear Ordnance
The UNSC employs a range of nuclear ordnance.

FENRIS Nuclear Warhead
The FENRIS is a type of low-yield thermonuclear device. They were slated for decommissioning but munition expenditures during the Human-Covenant War saw the survivors return to service.

Fury Tactical Nuclear Weapon
The Fury, formally designated as the Medium Fusion Destructive Device, is a rugby ball-sized device with a yield slightly less than a megaton. It is the "closest thing the UNSC has to a nuclear grenade".

HAVOK Nuclear Warhead
The HAVOK is a 30 megaton thermonuclear device. Some were delivered by ground forces during the Human-Covenant War.

HORNET Mine
The HORNET is a 30 megaton space mine. The devices are stealthy and carried aboard UNSC Prowlers.

NOVA Bomb
The NOVA is a strategic device, and undoubtedly humanity's most powerful weapon. It consists of 9 nuclear warheads encased in a lithium triteride shell, which is compressed during detonation, boosting the yield "a hundred-fold". A single NOVA has enough power to cause complete devastation on a planetary scale, and can destroy orbiting moons and Naval fleets.

Shiva-class nuclear missile
The Shiva is a type of starship ordnance. Its warhead may be removed and carried by a C709 Longsword-class Interceptor.

Harpoon nuclear missile
Harpoon missiles are a type of nuclear ordnance carried by starships such as frigates.