Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon

The Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon, otherwise known as the Plasma Cannon, is a manned automatic plasma turret in use by the Covenant.

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-armored Gunner Grunts, in addition to being wielded portably by some Brute Chieftains. 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. A battery or plasma core is built into the tripod which allows the gun to fire indefinitely. When removed from the tripod, the gun can only use the 200 units of power that the gun itself contains.

Operation
Used as a heavy support weapon in ground based combat. Providing a rapid stream of powerful plasma rounds to suppress 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 usually 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). High ranking Brutes have also been seen using the turret in its dismounted state. In Halo 3 Plasma Cannons are often mounted on Gravity Platforms, for a superior vantage point. Facing them in such situations, distance and/or firepower is key, and rushing such emplacements is not recommended.

On Legendary difficulty, they can be a serious threat to vehicles, simply blowing the platform up with a well placed explosive can easily disable the gun, gunner and other occupants.

Halo 2
On several missions, Gunner Grunts can sometimes be seen carrying a plasma turret over their shoulders as Marines do with the cut-down version of the M247 GP. The first time this is seen is on the mission Cairo Station (level) when you get to the second Commons B-01,and can also be found in Hangar A-02. On Outskirts, Three Heavy Grunts are found manning plasma cannons in the tunnel, and on Gravemind, two Gunners are deployed at the start of the level to take out the Master Chief.

While on The Arbiter (level), a Special Ops Grunt is seen carrying a plasma turret over his shoulders, then deploying it and fires on the Heretics.

Halo 3
In Halo 3, the Plasma Cannon was redesigned. It now looks less like the Plasma Rifle, and sports what appear to be shields or targeting displays on top of it. Also, it appears to be more bulky and not shaped like a straw. These could also be heat dissipation vanes; this is supported by the fact that the weapon cannot overheat even if the entire power supply is emptied non stop. The Halo 3 Plasma Cannon behaves exactly like the AIE-486H HMG in rate of fire, and has the same number of shots (200) when detached from the Gravity mount. Brutes can use the detached turret (though only seen used by Chieftans) in the same manner as the player but it has not been seen that a Brute will physically detach it. A version of the Type-52 DESW is also mounted on Scarab and Anti Air Wraith.



Character Compatibility

 * Grunts (most commonly found, usually a green armored Gunner Grunt)
 * Elites (not as much as chieftains or grunts)
 * Brutes (not common, but have been used by chieftains, and mainly lower ranks)
 * Spartans (they can detach it, too)

Trivia

 * The plasma cannon has what looks like three petite energy shield plates on its front, a vestige of the Large Plasma Turret on Halo 2.
 * The Brute Chieftain is the only known character to be able to melee with this weapon.
 * Unlike most other plasma weapons save the Energy Sword, this weapon will never overheat.
 * In Halo 3 you can blow a plasma turret off a Phantom by using explosives and then utilize it yourself. This can help in levels where it is it normally not found in certain locales.
 * A way of moving faster with the turret can be done by constantly dropping and picking up the turret. Pressing 'Y' to change guns while holding right bumper to pick the gun up again. This, while looking like your dribbling the gun, allows almost normal movement, though be careful around dropped guns though, as it might pick those up instead.
 * This is the only Covenant support weapon.
 * There are no Plasma Cannons on any level with the Flood. (With the exeption of the Covenant Level).
 * Three Plasma Cannons can be found on a Scarab.
 * Near the beginning The Ark when you have to fight the hunters, it is suggested that you go back to the scene of the last fight (on the other side of the tunnel), grab a plasma cannon, go back, and kill the hunters with it. This makes the fight a lot easier, as you can relentlessly pound them with heavy fire, and you can easily dodge their shots. On legendary, combined with sniper support, this is a great way to win the fight.
 * In the level The Covenant after you deactivate the second shield, go outside. There should be an allied phantom outside, and an elite operating the plasma cannon. kill him, and jump next to the turret and quickly press RB. you should be operating it, although if you jump on the phantom directly, you will fall off as if there were no phantom. You can rip off the turret and use it fighting the scarabs, if you kill the arbiter and give it to him.

Related Links

 * Shade