Plasma Torpedo

The Plasma Torpedo is a fictional Covenant starship-mounted energy weapon in the fictional Halo universe. These torpedo tubes are often mounted on the lateral areas of a Covenant, and are used on most Covenant starships - frigates, destroyers, carriers, and certain classes of cruisers.

Plasma is heated in a pinched magnetic field by energy supplied from the ships reactors. The atoms that are on an appropriate trajectory between the Covenant starship and its target are then herded towards the mouth of the torpedo tube by magnetic pulses. Then, the plasma torpedo is fired, and is subsequently herded towards it target by a long-reaching magnetic field projected by the tube. They can track moving targets effectively even at long ranges. They are extraordinarily accurate. Upon impact, the torpedo penetrates the titanium armor of the target starship, burning through internal decks and structures and causing heavy damage on the target.

Some plasma torpedoes can miss their target and not reacquire them if the target is moving towards the launcher at an oblique angle. Even though they are considered very accurate, they can frequently be evaded by smaller starships, such as Pelican-class dropships.

Volleys of plasma torpedoes are frequently the first attacks launched by Covenant fleets when engaging enemy U.N.S.C. forces at long range. They often decimate enemy ranks upon impact. They emit visible radiation, giving them an amber color, but massive volleys can be visually akin to solar flares due to the massive number of torpedoes. A single volley can destroy a Super MAC platform.