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The Shiva-class nuclear missile is a UNSC ship-borne thermonuclear weapon, outfitted with a varying payload, with a unspecified explosive yield.
Background
The Shiva Nuclear Missile, is a nuclear ordnance often employed by the UNSC in ship to ship engagements with the Covenant. The use of nuclear weapons, such as the Shiva, are only used when both UNSC forces are outnumbered, or tactical situations that demand the use of such.
Uses
The Shiva missile is used on all warships[1] in the UNSC including Capital ships. The Shiva is stored in a ship's nuclear storage bay until it is time to be deployed. Once launched from the ship, its on board guidance system can guide the warhead to its intended target, however the warhead's course can be corrected mid-flight by the ship's navigation officer or A.I.
The warhead can also be fitted on C709 Longsword-class Interceptors[2] for a low-profile insertion. The Shiva can be detonated by two methods, radio transmission code sequence, or a proximity fuse, whatever method is most effective for the situation. Space based weapons are preferred in combat situations with the Covenant because of the massive Electromagnetic Pulse or EMP, release by such warheads like the Shiva, this is most effective for disabling electronics aboard nearby enemy ships.
Trivia
- Shiva is the name of the Hindu god of both disaster and peace, who would destroy the world in order for it to be recreated.
- It should be noted that Covenant Capital ship shields have enough power to absorb a full thermonuclear blast from far away, but not a direct hit. If the warhead detonates inside the shield, the effects of the blast is multiplied tremendously, due to the ship's shields containing the blast. This was demonstrated in the Battle of Reach by Captain Keyes while commanding the Pillar of Autumn[3]. However, it should also be noted that because of the varying payloads, a lighter warhead may not be able to eliminate a Covenant ship's shields even from close range.