Fury tactical nuclear weapon
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Template:Weapon The Fury tactical nuclear weapon, designated as Medium Fusion Destructive Device, or MFDD and nicknamed Tac-Nuke by UNSC personnel, is a nuclear weapon used by the United Nations Space Command. It has a yield of 63 terajoules, approximately 15 kilotons TNT equivalent,[1] and was manufactured by Misriah Armories.[2]
Background
The Fury tactical nuclear weapon is a battlefield nuclear weapon used by the UNSC, and has been described as the closest equivalent in the UNSC arsenal to "a nuclear grenade". It is the size and shape of an over inflated football. Its yield has been stated to be slightly less than one megaton, and the nuclear blast has been described as extremely clean and has a radius of about 1.3 km.[3] The Fury is relatively effective at destroying anything from a Covenant base to a Covenant cruiser, although the Fury would have to be inserted into the ship prior to detonation.
Operational history
Past use
An MFDD was used by Noble Team to destroy a CCS-class battlecruiser during the Battle of Fumirole during the Human-Covenant War.[4]
Fall of Reach
- Main article: Fall of Reach
During the attack on Reach, Spartans Frederic-104, Kelly-087, and Joshua-029, operating as Alpha Red Team, destroyed a Covenant cruiser by capturing a trio of Banshees and throwing a Fury into its gravity lift. This tactic used the Covenant cruiser's own shield to buffer most of the electromagnetic pulse given off by the warhead and essentially prevented damage to the nearby generators powering Reach's orbital MAC guns. Another reason for this tactic was that the Fury's explosion rebounded upon itself inside the cruiser, absolutely gutting the vessel and protecting the three Spartans flying away. Kelly-087 remarked that "It'll also turn that ship into the biggest fragmentation grenade in history".[5]
By destroying the Covenant cruiser, they halted an initial invasion force in the area, killing over ten thousand Covenant troops.[6]
Trivia
- The concept art of the MFDD shows framework attached to the underside of the device, while the prop in the trailer has this framework removed. This was for the purpose of making the prop easier to carry around during acting.[2]
- The MFDD was designed by Bungie's veteran concept artist Isaac Hannaford.[2]
- In a radio conversation heard on the map Glacier, one of the two ONI agents involved suggests killing Dr. Catherine Halsey with a MFDD to prevent her from interfering with their secret op, and to erase any recognizable remains.
Gallery
A concept art of the MFDD.
The Armed MFDD lying on its side in Deliver Hope.
Medium Fusion Destructive Device interface touch screen.
Medium Fusion Destructive Device interface armed.
- CCS ShieldColapsing.JPG
The effect of an MFDD on a CCS Battlecruiser.
List of appearances
- Halo: First Strike (First appearance)
- Halo: Reach (Mentioned only)
- Deliver Hope
Sources
- ^ WolframAlpha: 63 terajoules in tons TNT
- ^ a b c Bungie Weekly Update 08.27.10
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 20
- ^ Halo: Reach: Deliver Hope trailer
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 25
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 31
