Editing Halberd-class light destroyer

{{Title|''Halberd''-class light destroyer}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Infobox/Ships
|name            = ''Halberd''-class
|image           = [[File:Enc22_SoTP_Halberd.png|350px]]
|caption         = 
|modules         = 
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|hide-class           = 
|class identification = [[Hull classification symbol]]: '''DD'''{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|class operator       = [[UNSC Navy]]{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}
|class manufacturer   = [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]]{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}
|class architect      = 
|class built          = 
|class in service     = [[2508]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}-present{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|HE10}}
}}
|hide-characteristics=
|nocollapse      = yes
|type            = [[UNSC destroyer|Destroyer]]{{Ref/Book|Id=wf32|HWF|Section=Destroyers|Page=32-33}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P124|Enc22|Page=124}}
|length          = {{Convert|485|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/unsc-the-heart-of-midlothian/a0711b9f-4241-4c5b-9e2d-2110775cafa2|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=UNSC The Heart of Midlothian|D=25|M=03|Y=2011}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}
|width           = 
|height          = 
|mass            = 1.8 million metric tons{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}
|power           = [[Fusion reactor]]
|maneuver drive  = 
*Four primary [[fusion drive]]s{{Ref/Book|Id=Mythos|HM|82-83}}
*Four secondary fusion drives{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
|slipspace drive = [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}
|crew            = 250 sailors{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}
|complement      = 
*2 [[F-29 Nandao]] [[squadron]]s {{C|optional}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=HOblv12|HOblv|Chapter=12}}
*2 [[Pelican]] dropships {{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=CP1|TCP|Chapter=1}}
|troops          = 50 [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] {{C|optional}}{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}
|hull            = {{Convert|2|m|ft}} [[Titanium-A armor]]{{Ref/Book|Id=enc09|Enc09|Page=248}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11|Enc11|Page=259}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR16|HTFoR|Chapter=16}}
|shielding       = 
|sensors         = 
|ew              = 
|armaments       = 
*1 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|14B11R2 MAC battery]]{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}
**Twin-linked  1170mm/647mm (46"/25.5") high-velocity coilguns{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}
*26 [[Archer missile#M58 Archer|M58 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}
*4 [[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]s{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}
*3 [[Shiva-class nuclear missile]]s{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}
|air facilities  = 1 [[hangar bay]] fitted with a [[gravitic]]/electromagnetic catapult launch/recovery system{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}
}}
The '''''Halberd''-class light destroyer''' is a class of [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]] in service with the [[UNSC Navy]] with a [[hull classification symbol]] of '''DD'''.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} Manufactured by [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]],{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}} the ''Halberd'' class was in service with the Navy during the [[Insurrection]], throughout, and [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|after]] the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Have S'moa|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}

As with other destroyer classes, the ''Halberd'' combines heavy armament with high speed and thick, high-quality armor. A relatively small class of [[warship]], these destroyers can use wolfpack tactics to engage more powerful [[Covenant]] warships with coordinated [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] fire and hit-and-run attacks to overwhelm their target's often superior defenses.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}

==Design details==
===Superstructure and hull===
[[File:TFoR AS - Pioneer.jpg|thumb|250px|left|UNSC ''Pioneer'' in the Eridanus system]]
The ''Halberd''-class destroyer features a distinctive "arrowhead" profile.{{Ref/Reuse|CP1}} The hull of the ''Halberd'' class is reinforced with approximately two meters of [[Titanium-A armor]],{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}} with parts of the hull featuring components made up of [[Vanadium steel]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR23|FoR|Chapter=23}} The hull is embedded with thermal superconducting radiators to more efficiently transfer the heat generated by the destroyers into space.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} At 485 meters in length, the class is only seven meters longer than a {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}}, yet it has almost double the mass at 1.8 million metric tons; this is due to the destroyer's thicker and higher-quality titanium hull that allows destroyers of this class to take a tremendous amount of damage.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}} Replacement armor plates can be quickly cut to shape and patched onto the ship at any naval depot, though any repairs to the destroyer's underlying structure often require the specialized care of a shipwright.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}} Fast and requiring only a small crew,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}} ''Halberd''-class destroyers do not have as much armor as larger [[warship]]s within the [[UNSC fleet]]. Though they lack general-purpose utility, the destroyers' heavy armaments compensate for this issue. The ''Halberd'' class has a modular design which allows them to be configured for different missions.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFGlassed|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-looking-glassed|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Looking Glassed|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}

''Halberds'' are also equipped with an advanced sensor array, the Mk. 45 long-range fire director.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} The destroyer class has a circular [[bridge]] with an array of display monitors for its crew.{{Ref/Reuse|CP1}} Like all warships of the [[UNSC Navy]], the bridges on ''Halberd'' destroyers give the ship's command crew visibility of surrounding space, as per naval design guidelines.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}} Later into the [[Human-Covenant War]], ''Halberd''-class destroyers were outfitted with an ε-pattern layout, providing an increased field of view.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} Each destroyer of the class has two [[Armory|armories]], each filled with an assortment of firearms and equipment.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=Midlothian|Evo|Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian}}

It took [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]] at least four months to build and launch a ''Halberd'' destroyer, given that construction on {{UNSCShip|Iroquois}} began sometime in [[2551]] and was launched in [[2552#April|April 2552]].{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}

===Propulsion===
[[File:Midnight - Destroyer slip engine.jpg|thumb|250px|The slipspace engine of a ''Halberd'' destroyer]]
''Halberd''-class destroyers are powered by high-thrust [[fusion drive]]s located at the aft, with four primary and four secondary drives.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} Powered by massive reactors, these fusion rockets generate both power and direct thrust with [[Deuterium]] and [[Helium|Helium-3]] fuel mixed with [[Hydrogen]] or [[water]] reaction mass. The superheated exhaust is then redirected with thrust-vectoring plates and magnetic fields to increase the destroyer's maneuverability.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}

The destroyer has six [[emergency thruster]] tanks strategically placed on hardened points of the hull.{{Ref/Novel|FoR|Chapter=17}} Translight power is provided by a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]], located in the destroyer's expansive engine room.{{Ref/Reuse|Midlothian}} The aft of the ''Halberd''-class has reinforced armored screens fitted to protect fusion drives and the [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] engine.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}

===Crew and complement===
''Halberd'' destroyers are only crewed by 250 sailors, a relatively small crew for a ship of its size. They also carry a small complement of 50 [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], enough for a single [[platoon]].{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}} The crew quarters are cramped with limited recreational facilities{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} and only basic kitchen facilities. Strictly utilitarian in design, each crew member is allocated a single sleeping pod, though some personnel may have to share the same pod with another when the ship carries additional personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}

The single [[hangar bay]] of the ''Halberd'' class is small and confined, with little maneuvering room for shuttlecraft.{{Ref/Reuse|CP1}} When the ''Halberd''-class destroyer was introduced, its hangar was considered state-of-the-art, featuring a specialized set of [[Gravitics|gravity generators]] that can decelerate incoming small craft,{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}} which can also be reconfigured to fit an electromagnetic catapult launch assist that can quickly deploy shuttlecraft.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} Traditional electromagnetic launch hooks and arrestor cables are still fitted, in case of emergencies.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}} This hangar can be used to host up to two [[Pelican]] dropships{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}{{Ref/Reuse|CP1}}, with ''Halberd''s such as {{UNSCShip|Iroquois}} typically not stocking any [[Space fighter|strikecraft]] escorts in their default complement.{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}} In "wolf-pack" task forces, ''Halberd'' destroyers carry no Marine complement and instead exchange it for extra strikecraft. For example, the destroyers comprising the [[Task Force Pantea]] traded their Marine detachments for two squadrons of [[F-29 Nandao]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=HOblv12}}

===Armaments===
Though these destroyers are not as heavily armored compared to other warships in the Navy's fleet, they are armed with enhanced weapons systems that make up for their relatively light defensive capabilities.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HFUN10|Site=Spartan Games|Page=UNSC Halberd Upgrade Box|D=03|M=01|Y=2017}} The ''Halberd''-class destroyer's primary armament is a spinal-mounted [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|14B11R2 MAC battery]], which is composed of twin-linked [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|1170mm/647mm (46"/25.5") high-velocity coilguns]].{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} The primary MAC is capable of firing all standard munition packages, ranging from hyper-dense kinetic slugs to semi-autonomous drone missiles. The secondary, smaller coilgun is only capable of firing kinetic rounds. The MAC battery is powered by capacitor cells that can quickly be swapped out if the cells become damaged or degraded.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}

The ''Halberd'' class is also armed with twenty-six oversized [[Archer missile#M58 Archer|M58 Archer missile pods]],{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}} capable of holding a total of over eight hundred individual Archer missiles.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The class may also hold a payload of three [[Shiva-class nuclear missile]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}} For defense against single ships, the destroyer class carries four twin-linked [[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}} One of the most heavily armed classes of UNSC vessels, a group of ''Halberd''-class destroyers is capable of engaging and inflicting heavy damage upon even the largest of [[Covenant]] ships.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}

===Usage===
Like most [[UNSC destroyer]]s, ''Halberd''s are primarily designed to work as specialised attackers,{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}} with a focus on firepower at the expense of general utility.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}} Early in the [[Human-Covenant War]], ''Halberd''s were deployed in specialised "wolf-pack" task forces with a life expectancy measured in weeks - expected to hunt down and harass Covenant capital ships behind enemy lines.{{Ref/Reuse|HOblv4}} One such [[UNSC Navy tactical formations|tactical formation]] commonly employed by the Navy in this era was the "Axe Formation", consisting of four ''Halberd''-class destroyers in a given squadron.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.spartangames.co.uk/wp/wp/wp-content/spartanimg/HFB%20UNSC%20Stats%20Compiled.pdf|Site=Spartan Games|Page=HFB UNSC Stats Compiled.pdf|D=25|M=08|Y=2017}}

As the war dragged on, the versatile nature of the ''Halberd'' saw them increasingly deployed with minimal crew counts and used as escorts and defensive screens for larger [[capital ship]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}

==Operational history==
===Insurrection and Human-Covenant War===
The ''Halberd''-class destroyer entered service in [[2508]] and was the most commonly deployed [[destroyer]] class during the later years of the [[Insurrection]] and throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}}{{Ref/Comic|FoRBC}} Although these destroyers can be configured for a variety of mission types, resource shortages during the war led to most ''Halberd''s being configured purely for escort duty, with entire subsystems left out to reduce construction time and crew requirements.{{Ref/Reuse|CFGlassed}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P124}} ''Halberd''-class destroyers engaged the [[Covenant]] as early as [[2525#December|December 2525]].{{Ref/Comic|HCD|Issue=2}}

''Halberd''-class destroyers were attached to [[Battle Group X-Ray]] in [[2526]]. Numerous destroyers from X-Ray were assigned to "wolf-pack" task forces. The operable life expectancy of the destroyers in these task forces was several weeks. One such task force, [[Task Force Pantea]], [[Battle of Netherop|fought the Covenant]] over [[Netherop]].{{Ref/Reuse|HOblv4}} At least one was destroyed in the battle.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HOblv19|HOblv|Chapter=19}} Despite their powerful armament and maneuverability, many fleet officers looked down upon destroyers, considering them too ineffective against Covenant ships. It was generally agreed that seven destroyers were an even match for four [[Covenant frigate]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|FOR16}}

At some point between [[2548]] and [[2552]], one destroyer of this class, {{UNSCShip|The Heart of Midlothian}}, participated in the [[Algolis Invasion]], where she destroyed five Covenant ships when the [[self-destruct]] fail-safe was initialized after she was [[Boarding|boarded]].{{Ref/Reuse|Midlothian}} Many ''Halberd''-class destroyers participated in the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]], most notably {{UNSCShip|Iroquois}}, which was captained by [[Commander]] [[Jacob Keyes]]. During the initial skirmish, ''Iroquois'' performed the daring [[Keyes Loop]], destroying three Covenant warships in the process.{{Ref/Novel|FoR|Chapter=18}} Several dozen destroyers later participated in the [[Fall of Reach]] as part of the [[Epsilon Eridani Fleet]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR36|FoR|Chapter=36}}

===Post-war service===
''Halberd''-class destroyers continue to be in service with the Navy by [[2557]], with some serving with the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] over [[Earth]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE10|HE|Issue=10}} In August [[2558]], a pair of Halberds served as escort for a cargo freighter in the [[Ephsu system]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HPoL8|HPoL|Chapter=8}}

==Ships of the line==
*{{UNSCShip|Chaco}} - Served as part of [[Task Force Pantea]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=HOblv4}}
*{{UNSCShip|Cibola}} - Served as part of [[Task Force Pantea]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=HOblv4}}
*{{UNSCShip|Halberd}} – The [[Wikipedia:Lead ship|lead ship]] of the class.{{Ref/Generic|[[Stephen Loftus]] on the [[Talk:Autumn-class heavy cruiser|''Autumn'' class' talk page]]}}
*{{UNSCShip|Herodotus}} – Destroyed during the [[Fall of Reach]].{{Ref/Reuse|FOR36}}
*{{UNSCShip|The Heart of Midlothian}} (DD-366) – Destroyed near [[Algolis]].{{Ref/Reuse|Midlothian}}
*{{UNSCShip|Iroquois}} (DD-906) – Heavily damaged during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]], last seen at [[Reach]].{{Ref/Reuse|FOR23}}
*{{UNSCShip|Kayenta}} - Served as the lead of [[Task Force Pantea]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=HOblv4}}
*{{UNSCShip|Mesa Verde}} - Served as part of [[Task Force Pantea]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=HOblv4}}
*{{UNSCShip|Pioneer}} – Served as a staging ship for [[Operation: TALON|an operation]] against the [[United Rebel Front]].{{Ref/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=9}}
*{{UNSCShip|Rio Grande}} - Served as part of [[Task Force Pantea]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HOblv4|Oblv|Chapter=4}}

==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
===Axe Formation===
This element includes four ''Halberd''-class destroyers.
{{Stats/FleetBattles/Ships
|Title=UNSC Halberd Destroyer (Axe Formation)
|ShipType=Small Ship
|Size=
|PTS=50
|Image=
|Movement=10
|DamageTrack1=4
|DamageTrack2=4
|DamageTrack3=4
|SysLoadout1= Elusive
|SysLoadout1Stat=
|SysLoadout2= Hard Burn
|SysLoadout2Stat= 3
|SysLoadout3= Missile Barrage*
|SysLoadout3Stat= 
|SysLoadout4= Point Defence
|SysLoadout4Stat= 3
|SysLoadout5= Titanium Armour
|SysLoadout5Stat= 3
|BuildRating=2
|Hangars=0
|BoardingCraft=1
|SecurityDetail=1
|PrimaryWeaponName=Light MACs
|PrimaryWeaponRangeMin=10
|PrimaryWeaponRangeMax=20
|PrimaryWeaponLoadouts=MAC
|PrimaryWeaponCount=2
|PrimaryWeaponArc=Forward
|PrimaryWeaponDice=8
|SecondaryWeaponName=Missile Batteries
|SecondaryWeaponRangeMin=12
|SecondaryWeaponRangeMax=24
|SecondaryWeaponLoadouts=Missiles
|SecondaryWeaponCount=
|SecondaryWeaponArc=Forward or Port + Starboard
|SecondaryWeaponDice=3
}}

==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
===Silver Timeline===
{{Main|Silver Timeline}}
''Halberd''-class destroyers are used by the UNSC Navy at [[WHITE TOWER]].{{Ref/YouTube|Id=HTVOT|5KZ3MKraNKY|Paramount+|Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer|Y=2022|M=1|D=30}}

==Production notes==
The destroyer class was likely named after the [[Wikipedia:Halberd|halberd]], a two-handed pole weapon used during the 14th and 15th centuries. A [[Halo Waypoint]] article for {{UNSCShip|The Heart of Midlothian}} claimed that the ''Halberd'' destroyer has a mass of 7,900 metric tons,{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} a rather unrealistic weight significantly lighter than many modern auxiliary ships. This was later amended in ''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', giving the destroyer a mass of 1.8 million metric tons.{{Ref/Reuse|wf32}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Concept - UNSC_Destroyer.png|Concept art of the UNSC ''The Heart of Midlothian'' for ''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''.
File:The Heart of Midlothian 2.png|The destroyer ''The Heart of Midlothian''.
File:UNSCDestroyer-HeartOfMidlothian-Views.png|Various views of the Halberd-class.
File:Heart of the Midlothian Schematic.jpg|A schematic of ''The Heart of Midlothian''.
File:Midnight - Destroyer bridge.jpg|The bridge of the class, with Covenant troops aboard.
File:FoR UNSC Pioneer.png|The destroyer UNSC ''Pioneer'' in ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''.
File:HCD_-_AlphaCorviSpaceBattle.jpg|A ''Halberd''-class destroyer aflame and about to explode during the disastrous defense of Alpha Corvi II. 
File:Iroquois collision.jpg|The ''Iroquois'' collides with a [[Covenant stealth ship]].
File:Covenant-4.jpg|The UNSC ''Iroquois'' from its bow, unleashing a full volley of Archer missiles.
File:FoR UNSC Herodotus.png|The UNSC ''Herodotus'', being bisected by a Covenant plasma round during the Battle of Reach 
File:HEDestroyers.png|UNSC destroyers, with {{Class|Autumn|heavy cruiser}}s and {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, over Earth
File:HFB-Halberd&Epoch.png|A ''Halberd''-class destroyer with an {{Class|Epoch|heavy carrier}} in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''.
File:HFB-Halberd.jpg|Model of the ''Halberd'' for ''Halo: Fleet Battles''.
File:HM-Halberd.png|Profile of the ''Halberd'' in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
File:HTV-Reckoning Pionner.png|The UNSC ''Pioneer'' is destroyed over Eridanus II in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>
{{Clear}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Halberd-class destroyers}}

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Prototype]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''
*''[[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: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Unbound]]''
**''[[Reckoning]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}

{{Human Ships}}

[[Category:Halberd-class destroyers| ]]
[[Category:Destroyer classes]]
[[Category:UNSC ship classes]]