Editing Bridge

{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Disambig header|command center of a ship|the construction|Bridge (structure)}}
[[File:1208375401 Bridge-floorsign.gif|thumb|UNSC Bridge floor sign]]
The '''bridge'''<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]'', [[Jacob Keyes|Captain Keyes]]: "Bridge to Cryo 2, this is Captain Keyes. Send the Master Chief to the bridge immediately."</ref> is the command center of a ship. Normally, this is where the [[commanding officer]] resides while in command of the ship and where the bridge officers control the ship's vital functions, such as navigational work, weapons, communications, and monitoring the status of the ship's systems. Various screens and scanners are used to monitor the ship's surroundings; starships that do not possess viewports use external cameras to get a view of the space outside the ship. 

In the [[Covenant]], a bridge may also be referred to as a "control room".

==UNSC==
The [[UNSC Navy]]'s design guidelines for spacecraft emphasise that the command crew of a given ship require visibility of the surrounding area. This tradition dates back to the era of terrestrial naval warfare on [[Earth]].<ref name="warfleetdestroyer">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''p. 32-33''</ref> As such, the bridge of UNSC spacecraft is usually located at the ship's bow or else constructed on the ship's exterior as opposed to the Covenant tendency to build their control rooms in the armoured core of the ship. A ship's bridge is sometimes represented by a red star.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level, ''The Pillar of Autumn''</ref>

=== ''Halcyon''-class cuisers ===
[[File:Keyes1.jpg|thumb|right|The ''Pillar of Autumn'' 's bridge with [[Captain (Navy)|Captain ]] [[Jacob Keyes]] in the foreground.]]
The bridge of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} is an Omega-pattern bridge<ref name="warfleetPOA">'''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo|Halo: Warfleet]]''' - ''p. 24-25''</ref>, and consists of several consoles devoted to various functions. There is a large domed viewport at the front of the room which looks out into space. This was evidently meant to be armored before the ''Autumn'' 's mission but there hadn't been time. The navigation and helm control officers are suspended in this dome. There are six consoles which line the sides of the room, and two in the center. The Captain or Commander of the ship stands before a large tactical map which can provide a series of important pieces of information. The [[holotank]] for the ship's [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] is also located near the Captain's station. At the time of its arrival in the [[Soell]] system, the ''Autumn'' 's bridge was manned by fourteen officers.

As part of the ship's refits for [[Operation: RED FLAG]], the bridge of the ''Autumn'' recieved and upgrade to include a Tier-III datacore to hold the Smart AI [[Cortana]].<ref name="warfleetPOA"/>

;Helm Control
The ''Pillar of Autumn'' is piloted by two helm control officers which sit suspended in the ship's domed viewport. These officers are presumably responsible for steering the ship at sublight speeds and executing [[slipstream space|slipspace]] transitions.

;Lifepod Control
There is a console located at the front-left side of the Bridge marked 'LPOD'. The ship's lifepod operations are coordinated from this station.

;Tactical
The Pillar of Autumn has three tactical stations located in various positions. These consoles are responsible for controlling and maintaining the ship's weapon systems. Auto-cannons, [[Archer missile|Archer Missile]] Pods, the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]] and [[Shiva-class nuclear missile|Shiva]] nukes are launched and controlled by the two tactical officers.

;Engineering
There are two consoles in the ''Autumn''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bridge marked "ENG". They are probably the equivalent of operations consoles. The ship's nuclear fusion reactors and other engineering functions are maintained here.

;Communications
There exist two consoles marked "COM". The ship's communications systems are operated here.

=== UNSC frigates ===
[[File:CommanderMirandaKeyes.jpg|thumb|right|Miranda Keyes in the ''In Amber Clad''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bridge]]
The bridge of [[UNSC frigate]]s such as the [[Stalwart-class light frigate|''Stalwart'']] and [[Charon-class light frigate|''Charon'']] are is physically located at the top of the ship and have a viewport which looks into space. The commanding officer sits in a chair, in front of which are the tactical and navigation consoles. There are several other stations behind these three. The bridge of the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}}, and presumably other ''Stalwart''-class vessels, is equipped with an independent life-support system that is capable of functioning even if the rest of the ship is crippled.<ref name="warfleetfrigate">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''p. 36-37''</ref>

The post-war [[Strident-class heavy frigate|''Strident''-class heavy frigate]] features a state-of-the-art combat management system and a datacore capable of hosting a Smart AI. The ship's AI and automated systems are capable of handling target detection, threat evaluation, tracking and calculation of firing solutions. The crew sets priority and authorises weapons release.<ref name="warfleetstrident">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''p.38-29''</ref>

=== UNSC destroyers ===
By the late 25th century, the bridge of a [[UNSC destroyer]] such as the ''[[UNSC Las Vegas|Las Vegas]]'' had the navigation, operations, engineering, communications and weapons stations arranged in a narrow oval shape.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]", ''page 438''</ref> [[UNSC heavy destroyer]]s introduced in the late 25th century, such as the {{UNSCShip|Gorgon}}, had a raised center with a padded command chair.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 448''</ref> The {{Class|Halberd|destroyer}}'s bridge was fitted onto the top of the ship, overlooking the primary MAC array.<ref name="warfleetdestroyer"/>

===UNSC super-heavy cruisers===
[[File:HWG_UNSCEverest_Bridge.png|thumb|The bridge of the ''Everest''.]]
The [[Valiant-class super-heavy cruiser]] ''[[UNSC Everest|Everest]]'' possessed a large, cavernous bridge with two dozen bridge stations, used not only to control the ship and its systems, but also to coordinate the activities of the entire battle group. The bridge had massive view screens that stretched from the floor to the ceiling.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 462-463''</ref>

===Phoenix-class colony ships===
The bridge on [[Phoenix-class colony ship]]s, such as the refit {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, is located toward the fore and top of the ship. The bridge is moderately sized, with one main viewport and an elevated platform near the front and smaller windows over the bridge stations. In the center is a large [[Holotank|holographic table]] for displaying tactical information, accompanied by a smaller holo-pedestal reserved for the shipboard AI.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]'''</ref> Following the ship's disappearance in the [[Battle of the Etran Harborage]], the AI [[Serina]] upgraded the combat bridge's fire control matrix and trunk lines to provide an additional 50% bandwidth.<ref>'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data drop #4]]''</ref>

===Prowlers===
The bridge of the [[Winter-class prowler|''Winter''-class prowler]] has five crew stations, though only a single commander and navigator are required to function. On surveillance missions, the bridge can accomodate for an additional technician, tactical director and surveillance controller.<ref name="warfleetprowler">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''p. 46-47''</ref>

=== Orbital defense platforms ===
The bridge of the [[Cairo Station|Cairo orbital defense platform]] dwarfs the other two encountered. Its ceiling is covered by large windows allowing an unobstructed view of space. There are two raised platforms on either side which overlook the many consoles below. Like the ''Pillar of Autumn'', there is a tactical map located at one side where the station's CO stands. Its large size is presumably because it was designed not only to control the station's systems, but also to coordinate [[Battle of Earth|large-scale operations]].

==Covenant==
=== Covenant battlecruisers===
[[File:CCS bridge.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lat 'Ravamee]] on station in the Truth and Reconciliation's control room.]]
The control room of the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] cruiser ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' is far more cavernous than its human analogues and appears to require far less controlling crew. It consists of a large room, within which is an "aesthetically barren" raised platform which is surrounded by transparent holographic displays and two larger displays mounted on one of the walls. Only the [[Shipmaster]] was present on the platform when the John-117's incursion happened. Physically, it was located deep within the ship; a contrast to  the exposed bridges of many UNSC ships.

Due to their age, the bridges of [[ORS-class heavy cruiser]]s' controls and data feeds only display now-cryptic messages in early Sangheili dialects. Because of this, ORS bridge crews require special interpreters and scholars.<ref>'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''p. 64-65''</ref>

=== Covenant assault carriers ===
The command center of the [[Covenant assault carrier]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' is far larger than that of ''Truth and Reconciliation'', having two levels with multiple control stations. In the center lies a massive holotank. The bridge also has a hovering command chair for the ship's commander.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3''', ''Epilogue''</ref>

However, the bridge of the carrier ''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' appears to be near-identical to that of ''Truth and Reconciliation''.<ref>'''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''', ''[[Halo: Blood Line Issue 1|Issue 1]]''</ref>

=== Covenant corvettes ===
The bridge of a [[Covenant corvette]] is cavernous and mostly circular in general shape. Like the command centers of other Covenant vessels, the corvette's bridge has multiple stations from which the ship's various functions are controlled. In the center is a large, circular holotank. Noticeable features not shared by other Covenant vessels are the bridge's placement next to the dorsal exterior hull and its massive windows.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level, ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref>

=== Kig-Yar privateers ===
Small [[Kig-Yar]] [[Missionary ship|privateer ships]] such as ''[[Minor Transgression]]'', used as the [[Ministry of Tranquility]]'s [[missionary ship|missionary vessels]], possess a small, dimly lit bridge. Near the center is a large holotank, connected to the ship's [[Luminary]], and an elevated command chair. The [[door]] to the bridge is composed of two angled halves.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''pages 55-58''</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HCE TruthAndReconciliation Control Room.jpg|The bridge of the CCS-class battlecruiser ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''.
File:Hood.jpg|The bridge of Cairo Station with [[John-117]], [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and [[Terrence Hood|Admiral Hood]] in the foreground.
File:Ark Secret Room2.jpg|Bridge of the assault carrier ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Covenant Corvette Bridge.jpg|Bridge of the corvette ''[[Ardent Prayer]]''.
File:Legends-ONI-PRO-Bridge.jpg|Bridge of the stealth vessel designated ''[[ONI PRO-49776]]''.
File:H4-Infinity-Bridge.jpg|The bridge of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[i love bees]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''
**''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 4|Terminals]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
{{col-end}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Clear}}
{{Halcyon Locations}}
{{ODP Locations}}
[[Category:Spacecraft locations]]