Impulse drive
Impulse drives are a form of sublight propulsion system used by the Forerunners and later by the Covenant.[2] Forerunner monitors possess impulse drives for long-distance travel,[3] while Sentinels use an exotic form of the impulse drive to fly. Otherwise, both monitors and Sentinels use teleportation grids for transport.[4] The Covenant would later adapt this technology as a form of maneuver drive for their space-capable craft.[5]
Powered by a small pinch fusion reactor, the Covenant's impulse drives convert energy and a small amount of exotic matter into thrust. This process creates a vivid stream of virtual neutrons and protons as a byproduct. Power can be redirected from the craft's other systems to temporarily boost acceleration.[5] As craft fitted with impulse drives are capable of accelerating and decelerating at bone-crushing rates, the crafts require inertial dampers to keep occupants safe.[6]
The Covenant used impulse drives as propulsion systems on their Ren shuttles,[7] Elsedda-pattern Banshees,[1] R'sisho-pattern Ticks,[6] Bkowe'nei-pattern Vampires,[8] Phantom dropships, insertion pods, and Kmiro'sish-pattern Lichs.[9] Uztet'sKelln fighters, one of the earliest models of the Banshee, were equipped with twin impulse drives.[10] The Type-31 Seraphs are equipped with an impulse drive,[1] with the tail serving as a thrust vectoring system to direct the exhaust to increase maneuverability.[5]
List of appearancesEdit
SourcesEdit
- ^ a b c Halo: Reach, campaign level, "Long Night of Solace"
- ^ Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Terminal 7
- ^ Conversations from the Universe, "343 Guilty Spark's Log"
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, p. 133
- ^ a b c Halo: Warfleet, p. 59
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Tick
- ^ Halo: Envoy, Chapter 1
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - What Once Was Lost
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, p. 118-122
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Banshee