Kerel-pattern assault carrier: Difference between revisions

|length= {{Convert|5347|m|ft}} <ref name="visual">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 28''</ref><ref name="HBO">[[:File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|HBO image that demonstrates the size and scale of starships in the Halo Universe]]</ref><ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 264''</ref>

|width= {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}<ref name="shadow">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent ''Halo Waypoint'': Shadow of Intent]</ref>

|mass=2.7 billion tonnes<ref name="Warfleet">'''[[Halo: Warfleet]]''', ''page 70-71''</ref>

|power=[[Pinch fusion reactor]]

|navigation=[[Navigation computer]]

|hull=[[Nanolaminate hull plating]]

|armament=''Kerel''-pattern

*Multiple [[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon]]s<ref name="The Covenant">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant]]''</ref>

|complement=

|passengers=

|othersystems=

{{Quote|Look at the size of that thing!|[[Edward Buck]] after an assault carrier arrives over [[New Mombasa]].<ref name="Coastal Highway">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref>}}

==Specifications==

The ''CAS''-class has a length of {{Convert|5347|m|ft}}, a beam of {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}, and a height of {{Convert|746|m|ft}}. This makes it the second largest ship of the line the Covenant navy employed throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Although the ''CAS''-class carrier's keel length is inferior, its width and volume are in the realm of twice as large as even the UNSC's prototype flagship {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the largest vessel in human history.

Assault carriers can also carry large nature preserves on board. An example of this is the ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' which had a large nature preserve like those found on the {{Class|DSC|support ship}}s.<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 14]]''</ref>

[[File:Shadow_of_Intent_bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The bridge of an assault carrier.]]

The assault carrier is also fitted with [[Modular Dispersal Technology]], giving it the ability to completely detach sections of its outer hull as well as whole corridors, as seen during [[Operation: WARM BLANKET]]. They can also separate into two distinct sections which leaves the rear section (with the main engines) behind and allows the fore-section to move away with previously hidden engines, the fore section, and likely the rear, are still slipspace-capable. Unlike its unorthodox means of use by [[Luro 'Taralumee|the Fleetmaster]] in an attempt to disperse the advancing SPARTAN forces, the dispersal feature is actually intended to be used in order to detach sections of the carrier that sustained extensive damage in order to increase the chances of saving what is left of the ship and its crew for future use.

===Propulsion===

The vessel is propelled by three massive engine units, and possess, like all Covenant vessels, the ability to make pinpoint slipspace jumps in atmosphere. As shown in the Battle of Earth, such slipspace jumps cause massive discharges of [[EMP]], rivaling those set off by nuclear devices.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Prepare to Drop]]''</ref>

===Crew and complement===

Supplementing their considerable infantry detachments, each assault carrier holds large fleets of [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]] and [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraiths]], along with a number of [[Type-47B Scarab|Scarabs]]. In [[2552#November|November 2552]], the UNSC frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} docked inside the launch bay of ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', an assault carrier, demonstrating the immense size of the class.<ref name="Floodgate">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref> The class is also fitted with [[Covenant escape pod]]s.

Given the similar design and purpose of the ''CAS'' to the ''CSO''-class supercarrier it is possible that light cruisers may even be capable of using the ''CAS'' as a refueling depot in the absence of repair and resupply stations like ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. Like many vessels in the Covenant fleet the vessel was capable of rapidly deploying Covenant soldiers to the front with the use of [[Covenant drop pod|orbital insertion pods]]. Like most Covenant ships, they also possess [[gravity lift]]s, used for ferrying supplies, personnel, and vehicles from the ship and to a planet's surface.<ref name="Metropolis">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Uplift Reserve]]''</ref>

===Armament===

Throughout the war the ''CAS'' proved to be superior to human vessels in both durability and firepower, with the vessel being capable of easily destroying the much vaunted {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} with a single blast of its dorsal energy projector.

==Operational history==

[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]

Following the destruction of the {{Class|CSO|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' at least three such vessels led the Covenant reinforcement fleet sent by the [[Ministry of Resolution]] to assault the planet [[Reach]]. During the ensuing [[Fall of Reach]] these vessels alongside many others and hundreds of other warships that arrived later at the end of the campaign led by the ''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] would lead to the destruction of humanity's largest and most well defended colony. At least one assault carrier was present at the [[Battle of Tribute]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', multiplayer map, ''[[Landfall (level)|Landfall]]'' - evacuation alert messages</ref>

By [[2554]], [[Jul 'Mdama]], a [[shipmaster]] and [[Supreme Leader]] of his [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|self-proclaimed Covenant]] commanded the assault carrier ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' during his attempts to enter the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Requiem]].<ref name="H4EVG">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'''</ref> [[2557|Three years later]], the ''Song of Retribution'' led a fleet of numerous {{Class|CRS|light cruiser}}s.<ref name="terminal">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/halo-4-terminal-jul-mdama/0f378de5-e0e3-4f31-a1e1-2a363af4094d '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Halo 4 Terminal: Jul 'Mdama'']</ref> After rebelling against Jul, [[Sali 'Nyon]] stole away the assault carrier ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' from him.<ref name="Escalation">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]'''</ref>

Around [[2553#May|May 6, 2553]], [[Atriox]], leader of the [[Banished]], was able to sway the assault carrier ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'', commanded by [[Shipmaster]] [[Let 'Volir]], to his side with the vessel becoming his [[flagship]].<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''',  ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - ''Rise of Atriox III''</ref> ''Enduring Conviction'' transported the Banished to the Ark in the wake of the beginning of the [[Created conflict]].<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]'''</ref> During the [[Second Ark Conflict]], after forces from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} killed his second-in-command [[Decimus]], Atriox had the assault carrier directly attack the ''Spirit of Fire'' with the old {{Class|Phoenix|colony ship}} proving to be no match for the assault carrier. In response, [[smart AI]] [[Isabel]] devised a plan to destroy the assault carrier using the Ark's own defenses.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Lights Out]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Hold the Line]]''</ref> After Isabel boarded the ship alongside [[Spartan-II]] [[Jerome-092]], she fired ''Enduring Conviction's'' ventral [[energy projector]] at the Ark's surface, prompting the Ark's [[Sentinel]] defenses to assault ''Enduring Conviction'', ultimately cutting it in half and destroying the assault carrier. The ship's destruction left the Banished without both their greatest asset and the only ship they had capable of slipspace travel, stranding the Banished upon the Ark.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Under the Dark]]''</ref>