The Fuel Rod Cannon is a Covenant direct-fire energy weapon with anti-vehicle and anti-air applications. It is featured in Halo Halo 2 and in Halo 3 as part of the arsenal of various Covenant vehicles. It is the secondary weapon of the Covenant Banshee and the primary weapon of the Anti-Air Wraith.
Description
The Fuel Rod Cannon is a Covenant heavy weapon used by their vehicles as a heavy weapon. Banshees, Anti-Air Wraiths, and Scarabs have all been seen using this weapon. It is a vehicle-mounted version of the infantry issue Fuel Rod Gun. The Banshee's version of the weapon can only fire one shot before reloading, but it makes up for this with its virtually unlimited ammunition. The Halo 3 Scarab has also been seen firing volleys of Fuel Rod shots as a defense mechanism.
Usage
The Fuel Rod Cannon is a powerful weapon, and vehicles equipped with it should never be taken lightly. The Covenant Banshee in Halo and Halo 3 often uses the weapon to soften you up before firing its plasma cannons, especially if you are using a LAAG or Shade. It is possible and desired to avoid the shot entirely, as they often fire it while they are still far away. This is harder in Halo 3, as the shots now partially home in. In Halo 2, campaign Banshees never use the weapon and the issue does not come up.