Type-55 Directed Energy Rifle/Advanced

The T-55 Directed Energy Rifle/Advanced, or Storm Rifle, is the evolution of the standard Plasma Rifle and served various infantry during the violent Sangheili civil conflicts that followed the Human-Covenant war. The weapon now includes a modular coil set, a high-mounted cooling shroud, and an extended barrel, all contributing to greater overall performance in the field than its predecessor the Plasma Rifle.

As the name might suggest, the fully automatic weapon unleashes a "storm" of projectiles upon firing - rapid and deadly at close to medium range. Unfortunately, it overheats within approximately 5 seconds of continual fire, yet this is still plenty of time to deplete shields and kill at least a couple of hostiles. It seems the Sangheili have traded the slow yet accurate and longer range weapons of the past for more aggressive variants, influenced by the Jiralhanae "brute force" tactics evident through such items as the Jiralhanae variant of the Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle. The weapon also appears to be similar to the Plasma Repeater.

Trivia

 * It was confirmed by 343 Industries that the Storm Rifle has replaced the Plasma Rifle in Halo 4, marking the first time that the Plasma Rifle had been replaced.
 * The Storm Rifle is the only Loadout weapon without a weapon skin design.
 * The Storm Rifle is the only new Covenant weapon that appears in Halo 4.
 * It has a strong resemblance to the Type-51 Carbine, with a different stock and blue coloring.
 * The Rifle has a heat display similar in location and appearance to the ammo counter on the MA5 family of firearms.
 * One battery unit will disappear when two plasma bolts are fired, meaning a fully-charged Storm Rifle can fire 200 bolts.
 * Kig-Yar Rangers have been seen yielding this weapon, the first time a blue plasma weapon has been in the hands of a Kig-Yar.

Appearances

 * Halo 4