Type-52 Automatic Plasma Cannon

Overview
The Plasma Cannon is a portable, mounted weapon used by the Covenant that fires superheated plasma at a very high rate. It serves its purpose as a squad support weapon, used for suppressing enemies and defending Covenant positions. It is carried, deployed and crewed by green-armoured Gunner Grunts. It is carried and operated in a similar fashion to the M247 GPMG made by the UNSC. It has an approximate 65 degree turn radius and 50 degree pitch. It fires plasma bolts similar to those of the Covenant Plasma Rifle, and fires around 300 rounds per minute.

Operation
Used as a heavy support weapon in ground based combat. Providing a rapid stream of powerful plasma rounds to supress enemy movements and offensive actions. The cannon is basically a mobile support weapon and as such offers no protection for the operator. The gunner is completely exposed to enemy fire so a naturally well covered emplacement position would be desired. This separates it from the Shade and Shielded Plasma Cannon, as both these offer some measure of protection for their operator but are, however, not man-portable.

Plasma Cannon in Combat
Since the operator is completely exposed it is logical to kill the gunner, and not attempt to destroy the gun itself. The gunners are positioned low to the ground and as such can be difficult targets to hit. It is advised to attempt this from cover since the sheer volume of fire the cannon can lay down is not to be underestimated. Once the operator is down a well placed grenade or explosive should be used to put the cannon out of action temporarily (although fairly rare, another grunt will man the turret if the original gunner is killed).



Types

 * Portable (this version)
 * Mounted - The other variant of the plasma cannon is in a fixed position, it does more damage than the portable cannon but has a slower rate of fire. The difference in the plasma emitted from the two types of cannon may indicate that they are two separate types plasma cannon.
 * Vehicle Mounted - Mounted on Wraith. The two cannons are powerful tools against assaulting infantry.



Character Compatability

 * Grunts (most commonly found, usually a green armoured Gunner Grunt)
 * Elites
 * Brutes (not common, but have used these weapons occassionally)
 * Spartans



Speculation

 * This weapon, or a newer version of it, will be in Halo 3. The Arbiter can be seen wielding it and firing at a gold Brute Captain and a Grunt on the Scarab at 1:44 in the Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer. In the leaked EGM Scans it was shown as a support weapon being carried and fired by a Spartan.

Related Links

 * Shade
 * Shielded Plasma Cannon