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{{ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H1|H2|H3|H3R}}
[[File:1211317365 Fuel Rod.jpg|thumb|300px|A Class-2 fuel rod projectile in mid-flight.]]
[[Image:Anti-air Wraith.jpg|thumb|A Covenant Anti-Air Wraith, with triple-barreled fuel rod cannons mounted.]]
{{Quote|It’s so weird. I don’t know who first called it a fuel rod gun, but it’s kind’a funny. I suppose the projectile is reminiscent of how you might expect to see a nuclear fuel rod depicted in a gee eh cartoon—all glowing green and throwing off sparks.|Anonymous [[E2-BAG/1/7]] serviceman.{{Ref/Reuse|t33laaw}}}}
'''Fuel Rods''' are the ammunition of several different types of Covenant weaponry. Even though the size, capacity, and range of these weapons differ, their ammunition type does not.
'''Fuel rods''' ([[Sangheili (language)|Sangheili]]: '''''Ket-lambdatha''''') are a colloquial nickname given by [[human]] personnel for a form of explosive munition used in several [[Covenant]] weapon systems.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=298-299}}{{Ref/Book|Id=vis|EVG|Page=77}}


Essentially radioactive<ref>http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3fuelrod</ref> material encased in a magnetic field, fuel rods are used in [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Guns]], [[Type-51 Carbine|Covenant Carbines]], and the weapons mounted on the [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery]] Wraith and the [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee]]. These projectiles are guided to the target by their magnetic fields, with larger weapons capable of guiding their munitions to the target, while the Carbine's projectiles are faster and more accurate, but unguided. Once they strike the target, the magnetic field dissipates, and the radioactive materials detonate.
==Overview==
The ''ket-lambathda'' gained their human-given nicknames from their appearance, visually resembling popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.{{Ref/Site|Id=t33laaw|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3fuelrod|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|D=31|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present/Fuel rod gun}} Despite this, the technology has very little in common with nuclear technology. Fuel rods consist of caseless, transparent projectiles{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} containing [[incendiary gel]] - a radioactive substance composed of energetic meta-materials and strained-bond lattices—an imperfect form of [[Forerunner]] [[infusion gel]].{{Ref/Site|Id=II|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/infusion-invasion|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Community Update - Infusion Invasion|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
 
When the fuel rod weapon is fired, the radioactive chemical inside the fuel rod is ignited and launched from its containment shell, exploding on impact with a surface or once enough gas has been expelled from the projectile to reach environmental equilibrium.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
 
===Usage===
Fuel rods are primarily employed by the [[Covenant]] in anti-armor and anti-air roles, fired by their [[fuel rod gun]]s and [[fuel rod cannon]]s. The visibility of the fuel rod projectiles in flight give them a distinct psychological effect on enemy soldiers, which helps in their intimidation value.{{Ref/Reuse|t33laaw}} Fuel rods fired by vehicle-mounted cannons can be guided by remote lock-on, while those fired from infantry-mounted weapons typically fire with a pronounced arc allowing them to be used as an indirect-fire mortar.
 
The [[XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer|XM4600 ''Zeus'' plasma munition howitzer]] developed by the [[United Nations Space Command]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]] utilises fuel rods encased in a custom 320mm shell.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=141}}
 
==Variants==
At least two variants of fuel rod munition have been [[Type classification system#Class designations|catalogued]] by the UNSC;
 
===Class-2===
'''Class-2''' fuel rod projectiles are unguided and {{Convert|38|mm|in|sp=us}} in diameter.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}{{Ref/Reuse|t33laaw}}{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM|OSFM|Page=195}} They are the primary projectile fired by infantry-portable fuel rod guns including the {{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun|}}, {{Pattern|Korva|fuel rod gun|}}, {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun|}} and {{Pattern|Zasqi|fuel rod gun}}s, alongside some variants of [[assault cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
 
===Class-3===
The [[fuel rod cannon]]s mounted on the {{Pattern|Ogab'd|anti-aircraft Wraith| }} and {{Pattern|Muv'te|anti-aircraft Wraith}}s, alongside those of the [[Banshee]] use the heavier Class-3 fuel rods, which have a greater range and a capability to track heat signatures.{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=9}} The [[Morsam-pattern Seraph]] is additionally equipped with four fuel rod cannons, which are capable of locking onto air targets.{{Ref/Game|HR|Seraph in-game vehicle}}
 
==Etymology==
Though widely used among UNSC personnel, "fuel rod" is actually an informal term supposedly originating from common popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.{{Ref/Reuse|t33laaw}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Rumors surround fuel rods, with many UNSC Marines under the apparent belief that even carrying a weapon that uses them for ammunition can cause [[Boren's Syndrome]].{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3carbine|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-51 Carbine|D=16|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present/Carbine}} In practice, [[Spartan Operations]] personnel are advised to avoid handling fuel rod components without protective [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], due to the projectiles' radioactivity and toxicity.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM}}
 
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Fuel Rod Gun Ammo.jpg|A fuel rod without its radioactive gas. This happens in-game when the camera appears too close to the subject.
File:H2A T33LAAW.png|A ''Korva''-pattern fuel rod gun with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.
</gallery>
 
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[The Life]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Remember Reach]]''
**''[[Deliver Hope]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
{{Col-end}}


These ammunition types are most often used in an anti-armor or anti-air role. They are also used as anti-personal weapons. They are essentially the Covenant equivalent to the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]'s [[M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon|M41 SSR MAV/AW]] rocket launcher. Though the fuel rods are slower than the UNSC rockets, as well as dealing slightly less damage upon impact, they are better able to track their targets, and can fire rapidly, not to mention being able to store more of them.


[[Image:Fuelrodcannon.jpg|thumb|A [[Halo 3]] Covenant [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Gun]]]]
Rumors surround Fuel Rods, with many UNSC Marines under the apparent belief that even carrying a weapon that uses them for ammunition can cause [[Boren's Syndrome|Boren's Syndrome]].<ref>http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3carbine</ref>


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Covenant ordnance}}
[[Category:Ammunition]]
[[Category:Ammunition]]

Latest revision as of 23:55, October 19, 2023

A Class-2 fuel rod projectile in mid-flight.

"It’s so weird. I don’t know who first called it a fuel rod gun, but it’s kind’a funny. I suppose the projectile is reminiscent of how you might expect to see a nuclear fuel rod depicted in a gee eh cartoon—all glowing green and throwing off sparks."
— Anonymous E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman.[1]

Fuel rods (Sangheili: Ket-lambdatha) are a colloquial nickname given by human personnel for a form of explosive munition used in several Covenant weapon systems.[2][3]

Overview[edit]

The ket-lambathda gained their human-given nicknames from their appearance, visually resembling popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.[1] Despite this, the technology has very little in common with nuclear technology. Fuel rods consist of caseless, transparent projectiles[3] containing incendiary gel - a radioactive substance composed of energetic meta-materials and strained-bond lattices—an imperfect form of Forerunner infusion gel.[4][2]

When the fuel rod weapon is fired, the radioactive chemical inside the fuel rod is ignited and launched from its containment shell, exploding on impact with a surface or once enough gas has been expelled from the projectile to reach environmental equilibrium.[2]

Usage[edit]

Fuel rods are primarily employed by the Covenant in anti-armor and anti-air roles, fired by their fuel rod guns and fuel rod cannons. The visibility of the fuel rod projectiles in flight give them a distinct psychological effect on enemy soldiers, which helps in their intimidation value.[1] Fuel rods fired by vehicle-mounted cannons can be guided by remote lock-on, while those fired from infantry-mounted weapons typically fire with a pronounced arc allowing them to be used as an indirect-fire mortar.

The XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer developed by the United Nations Space Command during the Human-Covenant War utilises fuel rods encased in a custom 320mm shell.[5]

Variants[edit]

At least two variants of fuel rod munition have been catalogued by the UNSC;

Class-2[edit]

Class-2 fuel rod projectiles are unguided and 38 millimeters (1.5 in) in diameter.[3][1][6] They are the primary projectile fired by infantry-portable fuel rod guns including the Gespu-pattern, Korva-pattern, Pez'tk-pattern and Zasqi-pattern fuel rod guns, alongside some variants of assault cannon.[2]

Class-3[edit]

The fuel rod cannons mounted on the Ogab'd-pattern and Muv'te-pattern anti-aircraft Wraiths, alongside those of the Banshee use the heavier Class-3 fuel rods, which have a greater range and a capability to track heat signatures.[7] The Morsam-pattern Seraph is additionally equipped with four fuel rod cannons, which are capable of locking onto air targets.[8]

Etymology[edit]

Though widely used among UNSC personnel, "fuel rod" is actually an informal term supposedly originating from common popular culture depictions of nuclear fuel rods.[1][2] Rumors surround fuel rods, with many UNSC Marines under the apparent belief that even carrying a weapon that uses them for ammunition can cause Boren's Syndrome.[9] In practice, Spartan Operations personnel are advised to avoid handling fuel rod components without protective MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, due to the projectiles' radioactivity and toxicity.[6]

Gallery[edit]

  • A fuel rod without its radioactive gas. This happens in-game when the camera appears too close to the subject.

    A fuel rod without its radioactive gas. This happens in-game when the camera appears too close to the subject.

  • A Korva-pattern fuel rod gun with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.

    A Korva-pattern fuel rod gun with a top-loaded clip of primed fuel rods.

List of appearances[edit]


Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Bungie.net, Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (Retrieved on Jan 31, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 298-299
  3. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 77
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint, Community Update - Infusion Invasion (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  5. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 141
  6. ^ a b Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 195
  7. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 9
  8. ^ Halo: Reach, Seraph in-game vehicle
  9. ^ Bungie.net, Type-51 Carbine (Retrieved on Jan 16, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]

v • d • e
 
Ordnance in service of the Covenant and its remnants
Directed explosive weapons
Projectile weapons
Mines
Explosives
Grenades
Ammunition
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