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{{Title|''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier}}
{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{Redirect|CAS-class assault carrier|other ships of a similar classification|Covenant assault carrier}}
{{Ship Class Infobox
{{Infobox/Ships
|name= CAS-class assault carrier
|name           = ''Kerel''-pattern
|image= [[File:Assault Carrier 2.jpg|300px]]
|image           = [[File:H3 Assault Carrier render.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=
|caption        =  
|line=
|modules        =  
|model=
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|class=  
|hide-class           =  
|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>
|class identification = UNSC [[Three-letter ship classification system|Three-letter code]]: '''CAS'''{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}
|width= {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}
|class operator      =  
|height= {{Convert|700|m|ft}}
*[[Covenant]]
|mass=
*[[Covenant remnants]] {{C|See [[#Operators|operators]]}}
|max accel=
|class manufacturer  =  
|max speed space=
|class architect      =  
|max speed air=
|class built          =  
|engine= [[Repulsor engine]]s
|class in service    =  
|slipspace drive= Equipped
|poweroutput=
|power=
|shield gen= Yes
|hull= Unknown Covenant material
*Equipped with energy shields
|sensor=
|target=
|navigation=
|avionics=
|countermeasures=
|armament=
*[[Pulse laser turret]]s
*[[Energy projector]]s
*[[Plasma turret]]s
|complement=*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Type-26 ''Banshee'']]
*[[Type-28 Troop Carrier|Type-28 ''Spirit'']]
*[[Shadow|Type-29 ''Shadow'']]
*[[Type-31 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter|Type-31 ''Seraph'']]
*[[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Type-52 ''Phantom'']]
*[[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Type-47 ''Scarab'']]
*[[Orbital insertion pod|Orbital Insertion Pods]]
*[[Covenant boarding craft|Boarding craft]]
|crew= Several thousand
|skeleton=
|passengers=Several thousand troops
|capacity=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=
|role= *Ship-to-ship combat
*Atmospheric fire support
*Command and Control
|era=*[[Halopedia:Timeline|The Great War era]]
*[[Halopedia:Timeline|Post-war era]]
|affiliation=*[[Covenant Empire]]
*[[Covenant Separatists]]
}}
}}
|hide-characteristics=
|nocollapse      = yes
|type            =
*[[Examiner (ship type)|Examiner]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=262}}
*[[Covenant carrier|Assault carrier]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|length          = {{Convert|5347|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPShadow|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Shadow of Intent|D=11|M=05|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPSong|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/song-of-retribution|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Song of Retribution|D=26|M=01|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=28}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=264}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=276}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG|H4EVG|Page=195}}
|width          = {{Convert|2118|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
|height          = {{Convert|746|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
|mass            = 2.7 billion tonnes{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|power          = [[Pinch fusion reactor]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|maneuver drive  = 3× ''Raphyus''-pattern [[repulsor engine]]s{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Mythos|HM|Page=151-152|Detail=While these pages visually depict a ''Syfon''-pattern carrier, the information itself describes ''Shadow of Intent'' - canonically a ''Kerel''-pattern vessel}}
|slipspace drive = ''Primus''-pattern [[borer]] {{C|CODEN Series VI equivalent}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|crew            =
*200 [[Superiors]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*10 [[Huragok|Engineers]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|complement      =
*3× [[Scarab]] platforms{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*44× [[Shadow]] transports{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*196× [[Wraith]] tanks{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*700× [[Ghost]] scouts{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|troops          = 40,000 warriors{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|hull            = [[Nanolaminate]] battleplate{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Site|Id=SoICatalog|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post #6|Quote=[frumentarii] threat dynamic analysis noted significant improvement in the vessels [dynamic capabilities] and alterations to [nanolaminate] hull plating}}
|shielding      = [[Energy shielding]]{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
|sensors        =
|ew              =
|armaments      =
*1× [[Excavation beam|''Infernus''-pattern superheavy excavation beam]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*2× [[Plasma lance|''Urpeon''-pattern superheavy plasma lances]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*8× [[Plasma beam emitter|''Luxor''-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*24× [[Plasma torpedo|''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*700× [[Pulse laser turret|''Ferriel''-pattern pulse lasers]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|aircraft        =
*250× [[Covenant drop pod|Insertion pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*44× [[Spirit]]/[[Phantom]] dropships{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*20× [[R'sisho-pattern Tick|Tick]] boarding craft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*600× [[Banshee]] flyers{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*192× {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}} strikecraft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*64× [[Seraph]] strikecraft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Ren]] shuttles{{Ref/Film|Id=Package|HLeg|Story=The Package (animated short)}}
|air facilities  = 8 [[hangar bay]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
}}
The '''''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier''' {{3Letter|CAS|assault carrier}} is a [[design pattern]] variation of [[assault carrier]] employed by the [[Covenant military|naval forces]] of the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The ''Kerel'' served the Covenant (and continues to serve its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]) as a rarer configuration of the design, complementing the much more common {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}}s. This modification is explicitly approved by the [[Hierarchs]].{{Ref/Book|Id=WF|HWF|Page=70-71}}


==Overview==
{{Quote|Look at the size of that thing!|[[Edward Buck]] after an assault carrier arrives over New Mombasa.}}
===Design details===
[[File:HWF Shadow of Intent.jpg|thumb|left|A cutaway of the carrier.]]
The ''Kerel''-pattern carrier can be primarily distinguished from the more common {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier|}} by its distinctive smooth hull and rear cowling, replacing the [[city]]-like structures present on the dorsal surfaces of the ''Syfon'' design. ''Kerel''-pattern vessels were rare [[Hierarch]]-approved variants of the ''Syfon''. The basic silhouette of the ship is otherwise similar to most other Covenant carriers, with a hooked prow, immense hangar segment and a thick neck section connecting them.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The rear cowling is shared with [[Unidentified Covenant assault carrier class|another unidentified]] carrier [[design pattern]]. The armoured hull is composed of [[nanolaminate]] battleplate,{{Ref/Reuse|SoICatalog}} with [[Energy shielding|energy shield]] emitters supporting it.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}  The ''Kerel'' has a length of {{Convert|5347|m|ft}}, a beam of {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}, and a height of {{Convert|746|m|ft}}.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} This makes it one of the largest warship classes employed by the [[Covenant fleet]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Although the carrier's keel length is inferior, its width and mass are more than twice as large as even the UNSC's prototype flagship {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the largest vessel in human history.


The [[bridge]] of the ''Kerel'' is located in an armored command pod in the center of the carrier's neck,{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} situated inside an armoured pod protected by multiple redunant energy shield generator systems and inertial compensators to provide the command crew with the utmost protection from attack.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} The [[blademaster]]'s yard runs along the outermost sides of the neck, and is used to train the ship's warrior complement in [[martial arts]]. The aft of the ship houses an elaborate shrine to the Forerunners known as the Nave of the Creators, which is kept in perfect condition by the ship's crew.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The top section of the ship is capable of separating from the lower-aft half thanks to the application of [[Modular Dispersal Technology]], which sees the ship constructed in a decentralised fashion as such as to ensure entire segments of the ship can be detached with a minimal loss of performance. When detached in this manner, the upper-front half of the ship retains its own [[repulsor engine]]s and [[Borer]] for [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] transportation. This 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.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/modular-dispersal-technology/e10ac7c3-932c-4b3a-91e5-3bf79c179b68?page=2|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Modular Dispersal Technology|D=14|M=03|Y=2011|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Technology#Modular Dispersal Technology}}{{Ref/Reuse|Package}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
The '''CAS-class assault carrier''' <ref name="visual"/> is a large [[capital ship]] used by the [[Covenant]]. The ''CAS'' is designed for ship-to-ship combat, command and control of fleet operations, and support for ground occupation forces. Such vessels are typically deployed during invasions of worlds with high strategic value.<ref name="DD4">[http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/ONI/489872090930784032/93893-PRELIM.pdf '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Data Drop Four'']</ref>


===Propulsion===
==Function==
For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] [[pinch fusion reactor]]s, housed in cavernous chambers,{{Ref/Level|Id=Cairo|H2|Cairo Station}} which power the ship's vital systems. The reactor is located in the centre of the ship, inside the upper hull.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} As such, and when split into multiple components when Modularly Dispersed, the reactor is retained in the upper hull - leaving the lower component completely without power.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|Package}} as well as the three aft-mounted ''Raphyus''-pattern [[repulsor engine]]s that propel the ship, capable of operating in a vacuum or in an atmospheric environment. For superluminal travel, a ''Primus''-pattern [[borer]] (equivalent to a CODEN Series IV [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]) is installed.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
These ships possess an expansive hangar bay, capable of transporting large numbers of [[Type-31 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter|Seraph]] fighters, [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom]] dropships, boarding craft, and large fleets of [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]] and [[Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraiths]], along with one to two [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarabs]]. In [[2552#November|November 2552]], the UNSC frigates ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn]]'' and ''[[UNSC Aegis Fate|Aegis Fate]]'' 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 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/Level|H3ODST|Prepare to Drop}}
Assault carriers are often used as [[flagship]]s, leading [[Covenant fleet]]s into battle. Though designed for planetary combat, they also excel at ship-to-ship combat, possessing multiple [[pulse laser turret|pulse laser]] batteries, [[plasma turret|plasma torpedo]] launchers, and at least one [[energy projector]].<ref name="Cairo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref> Along with the larger ''CSO''-class supercarrier, the ''CAS'' is designated a "''Class-Five'' flagship carrier" by the UNSC due to its common use at the center of fleets.<ref name="DD4"/>


===Armaments===
==Background==
Not all assault carriers are created equally - while the ''Kerel''{{'}}s most common listed weapons configuration boasts an identical armament loadout to its more common ''Syfon'' counterpart, individual ships can nonetheless display a large variety in capabilities.{{Ref/Twitter|Halo|421820788539260929|Halo|Quote=And Jul's ship is certainly a powerful example of Covenant/former-Covenant Assault Carriers but there's quite a...|D=23|M=01|Y=2023}}{{Ref/Twitter|Halo|421820856642179072|Halo|Quote=bit of variety in that ship class. Not all Assault Carriers are created equally.|D=23|M=01|Y=2023}} The configuration of weapons employed by the ''Kerel''-pattern, ''Shadow of Intent'', is listed as the following:
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]
 
The ship's primary weapon is an [[Excavation beam|''Infernus''-pattern excavation beam]], the same model of excavation beam as that fitted on the much smaller {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}s.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} This weapon is mounted on the vessel's prow, and is used for artifact excavation and military compliance operations.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} Augmenting this weapon are an additional two [[Plasma lance|''Urpeon''-pattern plasma lances]] for heavy anti-ship work.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The plasma lances are located on the dorsal surface of the ship, inside a teardrop-shaped emitter linked directly to the central pinch fusion reactor.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}}
 
The class is additionally fitted with eight [[Plasma beam emitter|''Luxor''-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]] and twenty-four [[Plasma torpedo|''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo]] silos, alongside an array of 700 [[Pulse laser turret|''Ferriel''-pattern pulse laser]] turrets.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} Seven [[plasma cannon]]s line the horizontal trench running across the ship's prow. These weapons can be fired individually or combined to fire their energy in one devastating mass - though require the ship's shields to be disabled to fire.{{Ref/Reuse|SoI}} The plasma cannons are likely the ''Luxor'' plasma beams or, more likely, the ''Mictix'' plasma torpedo silos, based on their usage during the [[Ambush at Duraan]].{{Ref/Reuse|SoI}}


===Crew and complement===
Assault carriers are much larger than {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}s and standard {{Class|DDS|carrier}}s; they are more rare and more heavily armed than either of them. They are armed with at least two energy projectors<ref name="Cairo"/><ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref>, as well as plasma torpedo launchers<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> and pulse lasers.<ref name="Ark">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref> They also possess [[gravity lift]]s, used for ferrying supplies, personnel, and vehicles from the ship and to the planet's surface.<ref name="Metropolis">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Uplift Reserve (level)|Uplift Reserve]]''</ref>
[[File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|thumb|250px|A carrier discharging its assault aircraft over a human city.]]
''Kerel''-pattern carriers are capable of operation with a crew of as few as two hundred [[Superior]]s - even in dire circumstances such as those faced by the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] during the [[Blooding Years]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoI|HSoI}} The hooked prow's endmost section contains living and entertainment quarters for the ship's permanent crew. Recreational facilities include habitat domes and hunting preserves, similar in nature to those of the {{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}}.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}


When under ideal operating circumstances, a carrier can boast a troop complement of 40,000 warriors, with facilities such as the blademaster's yard for on-board training and recreation. Supplementing the troop complement is an armada of ground vehicles including three [[Scarab]] quadruped [[excavator]]s, 196 [[Wraith]] tanks and 700 [[Ghost]] scout bikes. 44 [[Shadow]] troop transports are additionally embarked aboard the carrier for groundside troop movement.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
[[File:SOEIV Interface.png|thumb|left|200px|''Solemn Penance'' over New Mombasa as seen from [[the Rookie]]'s [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]].]]


Alongside the ground complement, ''Kerel''-pattern carriers house a massive air wing of both atmospheric and [[Space fighter|exoatmospheric strikecraft]]. Eight [[hangar bay]]s line the sides of the ship's lower section, flanking the [[gravity lift]]. These hangars have an additional large forward entrance,{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} and their cavernous nature is such that they are capable of housing whole smaller warships such as [[UNSC frigate]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Ark}} The ship's air and deployment wing includes 250 [[Covenant drop pod|drop pods]], 20 {{Pattern|R'sisho|Tick}}s and 44 [[Spirit]] or [[Phantom]] [[dropship]]s for transport - for use when the massive [[gravity lift]] on the ship is unavailable. Escorting these troop transports are 600 [[Banshee]] ground attack flyers, alongside 192 of their {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee|}} "space Banshee" cousins for exoatmospheric intercept. 64 [[Seraph]] fighters supplement this number for heavier intercept and limited anti-ship capability.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
Two such vessels led the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]] to [[Earth]], where they engaged the [[UNSC Navy|UNSC]] [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]] in orbit above [[Africa]]. The first one, carrying the Prophet himself, managed to penetrate Earth's orbital defenses. The second attempted to follow, but was subsequently destroyed by [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] [[John-117]].  


In addition to their combat complements, carriers also stock a number of [[Ren]] transport shuttles for logistics and personnel transportation.{{Ref/Reuse|Package}}
The Prophet's assault carrier fled to slipspace, as the UNSC forces were likely to recapture the city of [[New Mombasa]] with the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} following close behind in its slipspace wake, leading human forces to [[Installation 05]].


===Usage===
Another assault carrier, ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', later became the flagship of the ''[[Fleet of Retribution]]''. 'Vadum, in command of the ship, led his fleet to Earth in pursuit of a surviving [[The Flood|Flood]] [[Unidentified Flood-captured battlecruiser|ship]], arriving in time to [[Glassing|glass]] the infected area of the planet. ''Shadow of Intent'' and its escorting cruisers joined the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet to launch a joint attack on the Covenant remnant at [[Installation 00]], destroying their fleet and providing a distraction while ground forces engaged the loyalists that had landed on the installation. It later evacuated the UNSC and Sangheili personnel and returned to Earth for a short time before returning to [[Sanghelios]].
In the [[Covenant ship classification system|starship classification system]], the ''Kerel''-pattern is considered a part of the [[Examiner (ship type)|examiner]] category of vessels.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


Within the [[Three-letter ship classification system|hull classifications]] of Covenant ships undertaken by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], the ''Kerel'' is one of two warships designated the CAS-class assault carrier - alongside its more common cousin the {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier|}}.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} The "S", for ''Salvation'', denotes that the ''CAS''-class assault carrier is a dedicated [[warship]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Have S'moa|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}} Along with the Covenant's other [[Covenant assault carrier|assault carriers]] and [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarriers]], the ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier was designated a Class-Five flagship carrier by the [[United Nations Space Command]] due to their use as a [[flagship]] of Covenant fleets.{{Ref/Generic|Id=DD4|[[Data Drop|Data Drop 4]]}}
==Armament==
[[File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A Carrier glassing [[New Mombasa]].]]


''Kerel''-pattern ships are considered effective when used in fleet command and offensive [[space warfare]] roles. This puts them in contrast with the {{Pattern|Ruma|light carrier}} and {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}}, which are both considered more useful in force deployment roles than in combat.They generally serve as the primary flagship of most fleets, working as the fleet command centre and the seat of the armada's [[fleetmaster]] or [[Supreme Commander]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
As some of the larger ships in the Covenant Fleets are often used as fleet flagships, it is necessary for them to be heavily armed. Assault carriers possess  [[energy projector]]s which are powerful enough to cut through UNSC capital ships on its ventral and dorsal surfaces.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page ??''</ref><ref name="Cairo"/> They also possess multiple [[pulse laser turret]]s, which are used for intercepting enemy missiles and fighters, and [[plasma turret|plasma torpedoes]] for engaging in ship-to-ship combat and assaulting planetary defenses.<ref name="Ark"/>


==Ships of the line==
Assault carriers are also equipped with at least one [[gravity lift]], capable of dispatching troops, personnel, vehicles and equipment to the surface of a planet rather quickly. They also possess a large main hangar, capable of carrying multiple [[type-31 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter|''Seraph''-class starfighters]], [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee attack craft]], [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom]] and [[Type-28 Troop Carrier|Spirit]] dropships, and [[Covenant boarding craft|boarding craft]], or a UNSC frigate.<ref name="Metropolis"/><ref name="Ark"/> In addition, Assault Carriers possess the ability to launch [[orbital insertion pod|drop pods]], tactically delivering Sangheili warriors into areas without resorting to bulky and obvious dropships.<ref name="Floodgate"/> These ships also carry the dreaded [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab]] walkers in their holds for quick deployment. Thanks to these innovations, a single Assault Carrier can easily launch large-scale invasions quickly and effectively.
*''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' – A carrier serving within [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]].
*''[[Resplendent Fervor]]'' - The flagship of the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]].
*''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' – The flagship of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].
*''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' – The flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]].
*''[[Song of Retribution]]'' – The personal flagship of [[Supreme Commander]] [[Jul 'Mdama]].


==Operational history==
==Characteristics==
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]
[[File:1207838135 Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The bridge of an Assault Carrier.]]
The ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier had entered service at least by circa [[2135]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
Assault carriers, like the majority of Covenant ships, are characterized by their bulbous, whale-like front, sleek silhouette and pale white-blue hull. However, they also tend to be characterized by their unique swollen and bulbous "hooked" bow section that is frequently characterized to be similar to the head of a whale and would (theoretically) be a massive weakness as the ship could be blown in half comparatively easily, given its shields were down. Rather than possessing multiple smaller hangar bays, like smaller cruisers, assault carriers use a single, gargantuan hangar bay for storage of fighters, dropships, boarding craft and small capital ships, at least 500 meters long, 320 meters wide and 120 meters high. In ''Halo 3'', however, there is a second hangar bay visible, near the stern of the cruiser, above the main engines. For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] fusion reactors, housed in cavernous chambers,<ref name="Cairo"/> which power the ship's vital systems, as well as the three aft-mounted plasma drives that propel the ship, capable of operating in a vacuum or in an atmospheric environment. They also employ non-reactive gravity drives for standard maneuvering and hovering above the surface of a planet, resisting its gravity.


During the [[Battle for Earth|deep and bloody siege of Earth]] that was still continuing, numerous assault carriers were assigned within multiple Covenant reinforcement fleets to complete the destruction of humanity's last and most important and defended stronghold.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI4|HU|Issue=4}} Near the end of the [[Battle of Mombasa]], at least three assault carriers that were part of a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae excavation fleet]] sent by the [[Prophet of Truth]] joined the remaining battlecruisers of the Fleet of Sacred Consecration in finishing the glassing of [[Mombasa]] and excavating the [[Portal at Voi]].{{Ref/Level|Id=Coastal Highway|ODST|Coastal Highway}} One, having exited slipspace nearby to begin glassing operations, nearly killed [[Alpha-Nine]] as they escaped in a hijacked [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]].{{Ref/Reuse|Coastal Highway}} Near the end of the Battle for Earth, at least a few of survived carriers retreated with [[Anodyne Spirit|Truth's ship]] and his fleet through the portal to the Ark.{{Ref/Level|Id=The Storm|H3|The Storm}}
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 the [[Raid on the Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence|Raid on the ''Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence'']]. 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 the [[Luro 'Taralumee|Fleet Master]] 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.


The assault carrier ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' later became the flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], which also includes another assault carrier.{{Ref/Level|Id=heretic|H3|Heretic}} The [[Special Operations Commander]] and [[Fleetmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], in command of the ship, led his fleet to Earth in pursuit of a surviving [[Flood]] [[Indulgence of Conviction|ship]], arriving in time to [[Glassing|glass]] the [[Voi|infected area]] of the planet.{{Ref/Level|H3|Floodgate}} ''Shadow of Intent'' and its escorting cruisers joined the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet's [[Seventh Fleet]] to launch a joint attack on the Covenant at [[Installation 00]], destroying their fleet and providing a distraction while ground forces engaged Truth's loyalists that had landed on the installation.{{Ref/Level|H3|The Covenant (level)|The Covenant}}{{Ref/Level|Id=Ark|H3|The Ark (level)|The Ark}} It later evacuated the UNSC and Sangheili personnel and returned to Earth for a short time before returning to [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Level|H3|Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo}} The ''Shadow of Intent'' later became embroiled in a conflict with [[Tem'Bhetek's faction]] which was seeking revenge against the Sangheili. After defeating the faction, Rtas decided to seek out the surviving [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Novel|SoI}}{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
The [[UNSC frigate]] ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn]]'' was small enough to fit inside ''Shadow of Intent'''s hangar. Therefore, it is possible that the assault carrier could carry small Covenant ships, such as a [[Covenant light cruiser|light cruiser]].


By [[2554]], [[Jul 'Mdama]], a [[shipmaster]] and [[Supreme Commander]] 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/Reuse|H4EVG}} [[2557|Three years later]], the ''Song of Retribution'' led a fleet of numerous {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s.{{Ref/Game|H4|Terminals (Halo 4)|Terminal 1}} After [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|rebelling]] against Jul, [[Sali 'Nyon]] stole away the assault carrier ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' from him.{{Ref/Reuse|Record}}
==Known assault carriers==
*''[[Clarity of Faith]]''
*''[[Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Resplendent Fervor]]'' - flagship of the ''[[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]]''
*''[[Solemn Penance]]'' - Personal flagship of the [[Prophet of Regret]]
*A second carrier, possibly escorting Regret's carrier, survived the human defense when attacking Earth, but was destroyed by the Master Chief using a Covenant bomb intended to destroy the [[Orbital defense platform|Orbital Defense Platform]] ''[[Cairo Station|Cairo]]''.


Numerous assault carriers were present at the peace talks on [[Ealen IV]] under the command of the Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], and the Elder Jiralhanae Chieftain, [[Lydus]]. Many assault carriers were also used under the command of [[Vata 'Gajat]] during the [[Battle of Ealen IV|battle]] that ensued in an attempt to capture the delegates.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}
==Trivia==
 
*An [[Early Halo 2 script|early draft]] of ''[[Halo 2]]'' was intended to feature a level tentatively called ''[[Covenant Ship|Covenant ship]]'', in which John-117 would board an assault carrier and destroy it from within.<ref>''[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition]]'' developer commentary</ref>
===Operators===
*In the [[Wikipedia:United States Navy|modern US Navy]], the term "assault carrier" refers to the [[Wikipedia:Amphibious assault ship|Amphibious Assault Ship]], which is used to transport troops over water and offload them via hovercraft or helicopter.
{{Expand-section}}
*In ''Halo 2'', Regret's carrier has visible structures on the surface above the engines. However, in ''Halo 3: ODST'', these structures are not visible, but are rather obscured or replaced by what seems to be a second hangar bay.
''Kerel''-pattern carriers were employed by the various [[Ministry|ministries]] of the [[Covenant]], during the empire's reign. Following the empire's dissolution, ''Kerel''-pattern carriers fell into the hands of the [[Covenant remnants|imperial remnant]] warlords.
*In ''Halo: Reach'', assault carriers and [[CSO-class supercarrier|supercarriers]] share the same model in order to save in-game resources. This is why the assault carriers appear to be colored purple in the ending [[cutscene]] of the campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''.
====Covenant====
*[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]
**''[[Seeker of Truth]]''
*[[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]]
**''[[Resplendent Fervor]]''
*[[Truth's fleet]]
**Dozens of ''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers.
*Due to their huge resource investment, nearly all ''Kerel''-pattern vessels were under the control of the Covenant prior to the empire's collapse. As such, all ships listed in the remnant listings below were likely a part of the Covenant fleet prior to its dissolution.
 
====Covenant remnants====
*[[Children of Oth Sonin]]
**At least two ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
**Multiple ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.
***''[[Shadow of Intent]]''
***2 to 3 carriers utilized during the [[Attack on Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE1|HE|Issue=1}}
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] {{C|defunct}}
**''[[Song of Retribution]]''
**''[[Breath of Annihilation]]''
*[[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]]
**At least one ''Kerel''-patern carrier, ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]''.{{Ref/Comic|Id=Record|HE|Issue=The Absolute Record}}
*[[Merg Vol's Covenant]]
**At least four ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Level|HSA|Operation A: Umbra}}
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
**At least four ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}
 
==Production notes==
''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers were first introduced into the series as the assault carrier design featured in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'' - then-known by the name of the CAS-class assault carrier. The design remained relatively consistent until the release of the ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' in [[2014]], with the [[Blur Studio]] cutscenes depicting ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' differently. The two designs were later canonised in [[2017]]'s ''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo]]'' as two individual [[design pattern]]s of Covenant carrier that serve alongside one another in the Covenant fleet.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Concept art===
<gallery widths="160" captionalign="left">
<gallery>
File:Overview - Covenant Assault Carrier.png|An overview of the assault carrier.
File:H2_CAS_HighCharity_Concept.jpg|Concept art for [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2'', which would later become the carrier design.
File:Covenant Assault Carrier FanArt.jpg|An assault carrier entering slipspace.
File:H2_DeltaHalo_V1_Storyboard_Intro_17.jpg|An [[Halo 2 storyboards|early storyboard]] depicting an assault carrier engaging {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} in ''Halo 2''.
File:Assault carrier.jpg|The Prophet of Regret's assault carrier hangs ominously in the clouds over [[New Mombasa]].
File:MDT.png|Concept art for ''[[Halo: Legends]]'': ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]'' of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.
File:AssaultCarrierOverNewMombasa.jpg|Numerous assault carriers around [[The Portal|portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]] in the [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer]].
File:ThePackage Corridor Concept.png|''The Package'' concept art for a CAS' interior corridors.
File:ThePackage Confrontation Concept.png|''The Package'' concept art for a chamber on the CAS' interior.
</gallery>
 
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:H2-CAS-AssaultCarrier-Side.png|A render of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier from ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Assault carrier.jpg|The ''Solemn Penance'' hangs ominously in the clouds over [[New Mombasa]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Covenant Pinch Fusion reactor.jpg|An assault carrier's [[pinch fusion reactor]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Firing Energy Projector.png|An assault carrier firing its dorsal energy projector at [[John-117]] during the [[Battle for Earth]].
File:AssaultCarrierOverNewMombasa.jpg|Numerous assault carriers around [[Portal at Voi|portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]] in the [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer|''Halo 3'' announcement trailer]].
File:Assault Carrier 2.jpg|An assault carrier being accompanied by several ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers.
File:H3-CAS-AssaultCarrier-Cruiser-Comparison.png|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier compared to a {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} in ''Halo 3''.
File:Overview - Covenant Assault Carrier.png|An overview of the Kerel pattern Assault Carrier.
File:Image-Acuc.JPG|A forward view of ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Image-Acuc.JPG|A forward view of ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Ark3.jpg|A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the carrier's hangar.
File:ACFrigate.jpg|A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the assault carrier and its hangar.
File:Floodgate2.jpg|The interior of an assault carrier's hanger bay. Note the UNSC frigate and dropships of both Covenant and human design in dock.  
File:Assault-Carrier-Side upload.jpg|A side view of the assault carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.
File:Assault-Carrier-Side upload.jpg|A side view of the assault carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.
File:Assault-Carrier-Top upload.jpg|A top-down view of the assault carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.
File:Assault-Carrier-Top upload.jpg|A top-down view of the assault carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.
File:H3-AssaultCarrier-Underside.jpg|A full view of the carrier's underside.  
File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|Assault carrier scale.
File:Clarity of Faith.png|A forward view of ''[[Clarity of Faith]]''.
File:Ark Secret Room.jpg|The bridge of ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Ark Secret Room.jpg|The bridge of ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Ark Secret Room3.jpg|An assault carrier's interior.
File:Ark Secret Room3.jpg|An assault carrier's interior.
File:Carrier Hanger.jpg|The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.
File:Carrier Hanger.jpg|The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.
File:Carrier vs Cruiser.png|An overhead view of an assault carrier and two ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers on ''[[Heretic]]''.
File:MDT.png|Concept art of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.
File:Heretic assault carrier.jpg|A carrier escorted by two battlecruisers.
File:SOEIV Interface.png|''Solemn Penance'' over New Mombasa as seen from the [[Rookie]]'s [[M8900 drop pod|SOEIV]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:Clarity of Faith.png|A forward view of ''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' in ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''.
File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|Assault carrier scale.
File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|A ''CAS''-class carrier in the '''[[Halo 4]]''' ''[[Prologue]]''.
File:H2A Terminals - Unggoy on Balaho.jpg|A ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier's [[gravity lift]] active on [[Balaho]] in [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals]].
File:H2A Terminals - BattleofMeridian.jpg|A triad of ''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers fly in formation after the [[Battle of Meridian]]; leading them is the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''.
File:H2A Terminals - High Charity interior.jpg|A ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier holds position above the great city of ''High Charity'' alongside several ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers.  
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[The Return]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
**''[[The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
{{Col-end}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
<references/>
{{Covenant Ships}}
 
{{CovenantShips}}
 
[[Category:Covenant Ship Classes]]

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