Covenant Vehicular and Starship weaponry.

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Vehicle Mounted Weapons:

Class-2 Energy Gun:

The Class-2 Energy Guns, also referred as Twin Plasma Cannons, are the Covenant's vehicle mounted weapon systems, commonly used on the Ghost, and Banshee.

The class-2 energy weapon is a Directed Energy Weapon that is mounted onto small Covenant craft and is a newer Plasma-based projectile weapon system. The weapons power output is 100-250kW. It is powered by a small power source and uses Hydrogen Fluoride as a source of fuel. The design of the weapon doesn't differ much from standard Covenant weapons using a single collimator covered with a two piece metal case. The class 2 weapon system is used for heavy combat situations and is employed for both anti-vehicle and ship-to-ship combat, but can be extremely effective in infantry support and suppressive roles. The class 2s role as a anti-vehicle weapon means that the firepower produced by this weapon is considerably high, able to punch through and melt multiple layers of armor until the target vehicles is destroyed, or inoperable. The class 2 energy weapon functions like most plasma based weapons used by the Covenant by rapidly cycling, loading, ignition, and release of plasma at high velocities. The plasma is contained and guided by a electromagnetic bottle which guides the plasma until it either travels too far away from the magnetic source and dissipates, or strikes its intended target.

Against infantry, the lethality of the class-2 energy weapon is severe as injuries inflicted to infantry with light body armor are severe fourth-degree burns, this level of injury completely burns away all flesh, leaving only bone tissue. Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, and fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the rapid expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small steam explosions causing additional damage to the body. Near misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass, this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt. Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris both non-heated and heated that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect. Damage to light armored vehicles is high as the plasma's high kinetic energy and extreme temperatures can punch through it with ease, more heavily armored vehicles can withstand a certain amount of fire before its armor can be penetrated.

The class-2 energy weapon is a medium range weapon, and can inflict very high damage against armor and infantry — the weapon however excels at destroying light armored vehicles and is the primary reason a good number of Covenant vehicles use this weapon system. Vehicles equipped with class 2 weapon systems can halt enemy infantry advance with its ability to deliver harassing suppressive fire; this tactic is also reflected in the Covenant's combat doctrine: destroy enemy morale with harassing fire from distant or hidden snipers and intimate exposure to the alien-ness of their infantry. The weapons small power source coupled with the vehicles design allows prolonged continuous fire without overheating the weapon, excess heat is vented through small vents placed on the vehicle.

Although the class-2 energy weapon can strike a target at longer ranges, it is not suited for long range combat. The first is the rate of thermal expansion which is determined by the rate of the bloom of the bolt, blooming is the result of plasma breakdown in the air at energy densities of around a megajoule per cubic centimeter. This effect causes the plasma to defocus and disperse energy into the atmosphere. It can be more severe if there is fog, smoke, or dust in the air. As the bolt is accelerated away from the "barrel" of the weapon the plasma begins to decay as a result of the weakening magnetic field. Speed also factors in to this, the faster the bolt is accelerated, the farther the bolt will travel before the temperature of plasma begins to decay and the magnetic field becomes unstable and finally dissipates. As the bolt loses velocity it also loses kinetic damage as it travels longer distances. Each vehicle that uses the class-2 energy gun has their own disadvantages when equipped with this weapon system and as such can either be limited in firing angle or range.

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Light Plasma Mortar:

The Light Plasma Mortar is essentially a downscaled version of the plasma mortar mounted on the Covenant Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage. While charging, the plasma possesses a bluish tinge, though it is red when it is fired. The weapon has a less pronounced parabolic arc than its larger cousin.

The mortar can fire one round every two to three seconds, unless it is mounted on a Type-52 Troop Carrier or a Type-25 Troop Carrier in which its firing rate is improved to about one shot every second.

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Gravity Cannon:

The Gravity Cannon is a powerful energy weapon integrated into the Gravity Thrones of the Covenant High Prophets.

Similar to the modified Assault Cannon wielded by the Hunters. Only High Prophets can use this weapon. It is mounted on the front of the Prophet's Gravity Throne. There are two mounted in the front.

The cannon is quite similar to the beam armaments used by Sentinels. The Covenant are known for their effective adaptation of Forerunner technology, so it is thought that the gravity cannon not only resembles the Sentinel beam but also based upon the beam's design. Its beam is a reddish-gold rather than the green of the Hunters' Fuel Rod Cannon and is more powerful than conventional Fuel Rod technology.

The Gravity Cannon is very similar in form and color to a monitor's energy beam. The nature of Covenant weapons research suggests that the Cannon is hence a result of studies into Forerunner weaponry, but where they found the technology is unknown. They had no known contact with Sentinels or Monitors until the events of Halo, but they may have scavenged the technology elsewhere. It could also have come from studies into the Dreadnoughts' weaponary, because its arnament has been taken off of the dreadnought.

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Plasma Mortar

The Plasma Mortar is the primary weapon of the Wraith, and also of the Covenant Artillery.

The Plasma mortar fires huge bolts of superheated plasma which, when they hit, have a fairly large explosion radius. The weapon has a relatively slow rate of fire. It is extremely powerful, usually killing infantry in a single hit and can destroy just about anything on the battlefield in a minimal amount of shots. Its plasma projectile moves relatively slowly, making it more susceptible to gravity, causing it to fire in an arc, which allows for it to simply go over obstructions such as barricades and hills which can be effective in ambush attacks. The plasma bolt can be out maneuvered easily by a fast vehicle such as the Ghost or Mongoose. The mortar is very effective against dug in enemies, which can deplete the amount of resistance the Covenant ground troops are going to have to face in battle.

The Wraith's Plasma Mortar serves as an excellent long range bombardment style projectile. The arching projectiles allow the Wraith to stay at a particular position, without the worry of having to aim projectiles around and over terrain.

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Class-2 Projectile Cannon

The Class-2 Projectile Cannon, colloquially referred to as the Fuel Rod Cannon, is a Covenant direct-fire energy weapon and a larger, more powerful, vehicle mounted version of the Type-33 LAAW with anti-vehicle and anti-air applications. It is the secondary weapon of the Banshee,and the primary weapon of the Anti-Air Wraith and a variant of the Shade Turret.

The Class-2 Projectile Cannon is a rather powerful weapon, and vehicles equipped with them are not to be taken lightly. The Banshees often use the weapon to soften a target before finishing it with its Class-2 Energy Guns. These are especially lethal to light vehicles, such as a Ghost or Mongoose. The Banshee will generally use its Fuel Rod Cannon, sending the vehicle cart-wheeling into the air. The Fuel Rod Cannons found on Anti-Air Wraiths seem to have a higher degree of tracking.

The Anti-Air Wraith's Fuel Rod Cannons are extremely powerful and can bring down Hornets with relative ease.

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Type-26 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun

The Type-26 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun, abbreviated as Type-26 ASG and more commonly referred to as the Shade, is the Covenant's standard stationary gun turret and anti-infantry weapons platform.

The Shade is a Covenant stationary gun, commonly operated by Unggoy. The Shade gun fires two bolts of slow moving, high powered plasma encased in magnetic fields. The accuracy of a Shade's weapon is fairly low.

The Shade is effective against most infantry. However, due to their high intelligence, Sangheili will often find cover and escape the Shade's range of fire. On this same note, the bolts fired lack the required punch to damage Mgalekgolo, whose armor and combat shield can withstand most Covenant and UNSC small firearms, causing the plasma bolts to have little to no effect on them.

The Shade offers a wide field of fire and a 360 degree traversal mount. The Covenant use the Shade's field of fire to their advantage and place them at strategic points where they can do the most damage. It has shown good defense against light vehicles such as the Ghost, and in desperate situations, can serve as anti-aircraft defense, requiring only a few direct hits to destroy a Banshee.

As with its recognizable human counterpart, the Shade is very effective against both enemy ground forces and light vehicles. Some of its advantages over its human counterpart are that the plasma bolts are accurate and effective at longer distances and it is easier to see where shots are actually going than it is with the M41's rounds, although this might also effect the ability of the target to dodge them.

As with the human counterpart, the user is exposed to enemy fire. While it is useful against enemies in light vehicles, the Shade is not a weapon of choice when facing an enemy armored vehicle. Also, as is the case with the M41, users are unprotected from the rear. The Shade's rate of fire is much slower than that of the M41. Shade gunners must also lead their targets, as there is a significant travel time, in contrast to the M41's projectiles which hit their targets almost instantly. It also has the obvious disadvantage of being completely immobile.

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35mm Autocannon

The 35mm Auto cannons are the primary offensive asset of Brute Choppers, and each Brute Chopper is mounted with four linked forward-firing 35mm auto cannons. This cannon is surprisingly powerful, and its ammunition is a larger form of the Spiker round, fired at a slower speed.

The term "autocannon" is not entirely accurate when referring to the weapon. However, it is self-loading and fires explosive projectiles much like its human-made counterparts.

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Plasma beam

The term Plasma Beam is used to describe superheated Plasma fired in a concentrated form from a Covenant weapon, able to fire its energy in that state.

Typically the Covenant fire their Plasma in bolts, which is accomplished by forming a magnetic bubble around the superheated ionized gas - once fired, the magnetic bubble holding the Plasma is guided towards its destination. Plasma fired in a narrow, concentrated beam is accomplished by modifying the magnetic field so that the superheated Plasma is guided continuously in a straight line towards its destination. The Plasma Beam is used on specific Covenant weapons and are reserved for assault platforms like the Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform or the Locust. A Plasma Beam is used to take down large scale objects, that either may be in the way of infantry objectives, or as part of destroying a habitable area. If faced with a large military presence assault platforms can use their plasma beam to cut through armor and infantry with ease.

Locusts use their Charged Plasma Cannon to deal with structures that may be too small for a larger assault platform to destroy. Locusts may be able to perform hunter-killer roles, finding infantry and eliminating them. They can also fulfill an anti-armor role, capable of destroying heavy armor if needed.

Scarabs use their Front-Mounted Cannon to destroy large structures that may be blocking infantry objectives, or if a area must be effectively destroyed. Their main weapon can be used against vehicles if they are within the Scarab's line of sight. They cannot, however, be used in hunter-killer situations against single, or small groups of infantry.

Covenant capital ships also have a weapon that can fire a Plasma Beam and is used when a large ship is too close to a planetary surface to bombard it from orbit with its normal weaponry - Plasma Beams are fired from the belly of the ship right where the ship's central Gravity Lift is deployed when unloading troops and supplies.

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Heavy Needler

The Heavy Needler is a much larger and more powerful version of the Covenant Needler found on certain vehicles and turrets. The Heavy Needler's primary use is to assault ground troops, but it is also quite effective in taking out enemy aircraft as well. These three foot long needles, like the smaller version's, home on to enemy targets, embed themselves into that target, then detonate, causing devastating damage to the aircraft. Described as being like regular needles, but about 3 feet long.

The Heavy Needler is mainly used by the Covenant as an anti-aircraft weapon. Its projectiles are very effective against aircraft, homing on to the target, embedding itself, then detonating.

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Stasis cannon

The Stasis Cannon is a Covenant weapon found installed on the Vampire's frontal section. When fired, it disables the targeted enemy aircraft, rendering it unable to move or fire. The weapon not only stops its target, but also drains its energy regenerating the Vampire's shields itself and making the hostile crash onto the ground and explode.

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Starship Weapons:

Plasma charge

The Plasma Charge is a Covenant air-to-ground plasma weapon utilized by Seraph-class Starfighters for ground bombardment. They are initially focused pillars of superheated gas, but quickly lose integrity and billow out into destructive conflagrations that can overwhelm even SPARTAN-III battle armor, as seen in the tragic Battle of Pegasi Delta, where there was sustained usage of plasma charges which were sufficient to slaughter dozens of the commandos of Beta Company in the open. The only way for the SPARTAN-IIIs to survive the attack were for them to find cover. These seem to be the Covenant equivalent of unguided bombs or rockets, used in a similar manner and functioning in a similar capacity.

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Energy projector

The Energy Projector is a Covenant weapon used exclusively by large ships. It fires a thin beam of energized matter which has a very long range and is extremely accurate and destructive, capable of destroying ships effortlessly and "glassing" planets, systematically rendering them sterile and incapable of sustaining life.

The energy projector was first encountered during the Second Battle of Harvest, where it was used by a Covenant battleship. It was more frequently seen in later years, such as during the Harvest campaign and Operation: TORPEDO. Throughout the course of the Covenant invasion of Reach, the population centres suffered tremendous structural damage due to the Covenant's glassing of the planet. Similarly, several frigates fall prey to the energy projectors during the engagement.

The weapon fires a thin beam of extremely powerful and energetic particles. It is possible to predict when an energy projector is about to fire as it typically charges the beam before firing, creating a visible maelstrom of energy. The beam has an effective range of over 100,000 kilometers. They resemble pulse lasers but are tinged silver white, which is similar to the scintillation effect that is seen when a Covenant ship's energy shields are hit. The energy projector's beam is seen as only a needle-thin beam that travels at light speed. The energy projector's long range allows a ship armed with such weapons to 'snipe' targets during ship-to-ship combat. The weapon has been observed to gut UNSC ships from stem to stern, as happened to the frigate UNSC Gettysburg over Reach.

Against UNSC vessels, the weapon is able to pierce dozens of centimeters of Titanium-A armor with comparative ease, rendering any form of physical defense useless. Therefore, a single hit or perforation can potentially disable or destroy vital systems, such as the Magnetic Accelerator Cannon or engines, as seen during the Battle of Earth when a single pulse from an assault carrier's dorsal energy projector crippled a Marathon-class cruiser. If an energy projector strikes in a critical area, such as the reactors of a ship, it could destroy the ship completely. The energy projector's beam is also able to take down the shields of a Covenant frigate or destroyer with a single hit.

The beam is functionally similar to the infantry-issued particle beam rifle, albeit on a vastly larger scale. It is also speculated that the beam can be focused to varying degrees. In space, the beam can be focused to a smaller, more concentrated, and thus more powerful beam generally used to decimate enemy fleets from afar. It also seems to drain all or most of the energy in a Covenant ship for a brief period unless the ship is big enough to supply the power without too much of a drain.

When glassing a planet, the beam causes atmospheric and biospheric destruction by exciting the atoms in the air, thus scorching land and air life, and evaporating water with ease, suffocating aquatic life and destabilizing the planet's surface temperature. Therefore, merely firing it through the air would cause biospheric destruction on a planetary scale. In addition, the excitement of atoms could chemically alter the atmosphere or even blow it away.

Reverence-class cruisers, supercruisers, assault carriers, supercarriers and CCS-class battlecruisers are known to be equipped with energy projectors. Carriers are armed with one energy projector underneath the bow, one on their dorsal sides, and one near the gravity lift. CCS-class battlecruisers feature one under the bow and one near the gravity lift.

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Plasma torpedo

The Plasma Torpedo is a Covenant starship-launched, super-heated bolt of plasma. They are launched by plasma turrets mounted on almost all of their starships.

Plasma is heated in a pinched magnetic field by energy supplied from the ship's reactors. The atoms that are on an appropriate trajectory between the Covenant starship and its target are then herded towards the mouth of the turret by magnetic pulses. The plasma torpedo is then fired, and is guided towards its target by a long-reaching magnetic field projected by the emitter. They are extraordinarily accurate; one of the only ways for UNSC ships to even temporarily avoid them is to use emergency thrusters to "dodge" incoming torpedoes at the last moment.

Upon impact, the torpedo penetrates the target starship, burning through internal decks and structures, thus causing heavy damage on the target.

Volleys of plasma torpedoes are frequently the first attacks launched by Covenant Fleets when engaging enemy UNSC forces at long range. They often decimate enemy ranks upon impact. They emit visible radiation, giving them an amber color but volleys are visually akin to solar flares due to the sheer number of torpedoes launched. It has been said a single volley can destroy a ship from bow to stern.

The attacking ship must lower a section of its shield in order to fire the torpedo, otherwise it would detonate inside the protective barrier. John-117 used this weakness to temporarily blind a Covenant Cruiser with a Longsword and to penetrate a Covenant flagship's shields.

Occasionally, plasma torpedoes can miss their target and fail to reacquire them if the target is moving towards the launcher at an oblique angle and high speed, such as the offensive maneuver conducted by the Master Chief to evade the fire of the Covenant ships at Alpha Halo during the Skirmish over Threshold, or also if the movement of the craft is erratic such as the way Keyes evaded the torpedoes during the Keyes Loop by detonating the ship's emergency thrusters seconds before impact. Even though they are considered very accurate against capital ships and space stations, they can frequently be evaded by smaller craft, such as Pelican dropships and Longswords.

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Plasma turret (starship)

The Plasma turret is a Covenant starship weapon placed on most of their ships. Along with the pulse laser turret and energy projector, it is one of their primary ship-to-ship weapons.

The plasma turret fires magnetically contained bolts of plasma, referred to as plasma torpedoes, and can strike at almost any range. The torpedoes can be fired either guided or unguided, depending on the situation. Upon contact it causes severe damage to the target. The weapon can be used in conjunction with pulse laser turrets and energy projectors to decimate an entire human fleet, and can be used in ground assaults as well. Because of the sheer power of the weapon, Covenant fleets have usually won all space encounters against the UNSC Navy. The closest weapon that the UNSC has that is anywhere near as powerful as the plasma turret is the Magnetic Accelerator Cannon.

The turret itself is antenna-like in appearance and is located along the sides of the ship. The beam is red or blue and short with a ball-like head. The turrets, from afar, usually appear as short spikes on the sides, the upper sides, and the bow of the vessel. The size and power of the plasma turret depends on the vessel; the plasma turrets mounted on smaller ships such as corvettes are less powerful than those on larger vessels such as battlecruisers.

Before the weapon fires, it first has to charge. When the weapon charges, a ball of superheated plasma forms in front of the turret, then after about 3 seconds, it fires outward at its target. Inside the turret, gas is superheated by the ship's reactor to produce the charge of plasma. Magnetic coils shape and guide the plasma, acting as a sophisticated focusing lens. When the plasma charge impacts its target, it super heats the material which boils through shields and melts through armor.

The magnetic coils used in a MAC gun can be used to shape and guide the plasma fired by a Plasma Turret; this was seen before the Massacre at Eridanus Secundus, when the UNSC Gettysburg's magnetic coils were used to guide plasma generated by the Ascendant Justice's plasma turrets. Yet, when this happens the plasma is far denser than it would be if fired normally.

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Pulse laser turret

The pulse laser turret is a light Covenant ship-to-ship weapon system. These pulse weapons are known to have been mounted on most Covenant ships and starfighters.

The pulse laser turret is one of the Covenant's primary weapon system, often classified as a point-defense weapon and compared to the UNSC's point-defense guns. These pulse weapons are affixed to most Covenant ships, including artifact retrieval ships such as the Minor Transgression, and starfighters such as the Type-31 "Seraph"-class.

The pulse laser turret fires by means of laser. Before the weapon fires, it must first charge, during the charge a sphere of light energy forms around the charging weapon. After finishing charging, the weapon expels a cyan/purple beam of energy. The ship's shielding system must be dropped to allow the pulse weapons to fire completely.

Damages dealt by the pulse laser turrets are known to be serious threats to most, if not all UNSC ships; a pulse laser salvo is capable of melting through 45 cm of Titanium-A battleplate in a single shot. In one such instance, the UNSC Commonwealth, a frigate, received severe armor damage in sections three and four to a quarter the original width. As such, it is believed that UNSC ships with thicker armor would have to take multiple pulse laser salvos to show the same results.