Editing Marathon-class heavy cruiser

{{Title|''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser}}
{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Ship class infobox
|name=''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
|image=[[File:H2A-MarathonHeavyCruiser.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=
|class=[[Cruiser]]<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/unsc-cruiser '''Halo Waypoint''': ''UNSC Cruiser'']</ref>
|role=Attack, [[Flagship|command]], defense<ref name="universe"/><ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 42''</ref>
|length={{Convert|1192|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/>
|width={{Convert|293|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="model">3D model data from ''[[Halo 2]]''</ref>
|height={{Convert|375|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="model"/>
|mass=100,000 tons<ref name="goo53">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 53''</ref><ref group ="note">''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'' states that the ''Marathon''-class cruiser has a mass of 100,000 tons. However, given that the ''Marathon'' class is over 3.5 times longer than a modern [[Wikipedia:Nimitz-class aircraft carrier|''Nimitz''-class aircraft carrier]], which also has a mass of 100,000 tons, as well as being nearly four times wider and many times taller, this tonnage seems unrealistic. Though this mass figure is perhaps a result of future construction materials or weight-saving design, it is more likely an oversight by author [[Eric Nylund]].</ref>
|power=
|engine=[[Fusion drive]]s<ref name="h2a">'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref>
|slipspace drive=[[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]<ref name="tug">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', "[[Tug o' War]]", ''page 413'' (2010)</ref>
|navigation=
|hull=191 cm of [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A battle plate]]<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 251'' (2011)</ref>
|armament=*Two [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s<ref name="EVG"/>
*1,800 [[Archer missile]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*[[Point-defense gun]]s<ref name="universe"/>
*Five [[fusion rocket]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
|complement=*[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]<ref name="ODST">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Prepare to Drop]]''</ref>
*24 [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*At least two [[D77-TC Pelican]]s<ref name="for242">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 242'' (2010)</ref>
|crew=
|passengers=
|othersystems=
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|introduced=
|affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]
}}

The '''''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser''' is a [[cruiser]] classification in service with the [[UNSC Navy]].<ref name="EVG"/> Ships of the ''Marathon'' class are designated with a [[hull classification symbol]] of '''CA''',<ref name="h2a"/> indicating that vessels of the class are heavy cruisers. ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers are commonly reserved for use as [[Flagship|command ships]] due to their durability and firepower,<ref name="universe"/> and are often given attack and defense roles.<ref name="EVG"/> Rarely, these cruisers are deployed to assist forces of the [[United Nations Space Command]] in planetary invasion [[operation]]s.<ref name="ENC"/>

Built as a replacement for the aging {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}},<ref name="universe"/> the ''Marathon'' class is nearly 1.2 kilometers in length, making it one of the largest [[warship]]s used by the UNSC and often served as the backbone of a fleet. Due to their limited numbers, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers are typically commanded by officers of the [[Rear Admiral|rear admiral]] rate or higher.<ref name="ENC"/>

==Specifications==
===Superstructure and hull===
[[File:HFB-UNSCLeviathan.png|thumb|250px|left|{{UNSCShip|Leviathan}}, [[Michael Stanforth]]'s [[flagship]]]]
At {{Convert|1192|m|ft|sp=us}} long,<ref name="EVG"/> ''Marathon''-class heavy [[cruiser]]s are approximately three times the length of a typical [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]. Cruisers of the ''Marathon'' class were large vessels within the [[UNSC fleet]], though they were dwarfed by their [[Covenant]] [[Covenant cruiser|counterparts]].<ref name="ENC"/> At 100,000 tons,<ref name="goo53"/> ships of the ''Marathon'' class have approximately three times the tonnage of their predecessors—the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}}s.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 270'' (2010)</ref> ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers have a similar profile to most cruisers within the [[UNSC Navy]]. Unlike the ''Halcyon'' class, the ventral surfaces of a ''Marathon'' class are concave rather than flat. ''Marathon''s have 191 centimeter-thick layers of [[Titanium-A armor]], allowing them to sustain far greater damage than any frigate or [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]].<ref name="ENC"/> Vessels of the ''Marathon'' class are renowned for their durability and extraordinary resilience.<ref name="universe"/> Their ability to withstand massive amounts of damage, even from numerous blasts from [[plasma]] weaponry, made the ''Marathon'' class popular among [[UNSC]] officers.<ref name="ENC"/> By [[2552]], ''Marathon''s were considered to be the most powerful [[warship]] ever built by [[human]]ity.<ref name="for188">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 188'' (2010)</ref>

Like all warships of the UNSC Navy, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers have a degree of operational flexibility through the use of modular mission packages and reconfigurable [[hangar bay]]s. Though a rare configuration, cruisers of the ''Marathon'' class could be modified and equipped to function as a [[Carrier|light carrier]], sacrificing [[missile]] reloads and all of its cargo bays for additional hangar capacity.<ref name="fb125">'''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''', ''Core Rulebook - page 125''</ref>

===Crew and complement===
''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers feature a standard complement of one thousand personnel. Due to their durability and firepower, ships of the ''Marathon'' class are often reserved for [[admiral]]s to use as [[Flagship|command ship]]s. Although, they are occasionally commanded by a [[captain]] or a [[Rear Admiral|rear admiral]].<ref name="ENC"/> Vessels of the class can also carry large [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marine]] complements.<ref name="for242"/>

Cruisers of the ''Marathon'' class are fitted with at least two hangar bays.<ref name="Genesis">'''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]'''</ref><ref name="fb">'''Halo: Fleet Battles''', ''Stats''</ref> A large deployment bay containing numerous [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s, referred to by [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] as "Hell's waiting room", is located amidships.<ref name="ODST"/> ''Marathon''s can carry two dozen [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s; space aboard a ''Marathon'' is optimized to maximize the amount of heavy weapons and armor equipped on each ship, preventing the cruisers from carrying more [[space fighter]]s.<ref name="ENC"/> In addition, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers can carry several [[D77-TC Pelican]] [[dropship]]s and other ground and air vehicles.<ref name="for242"/>

===Armaments===
''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers are equipped with two heavy [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s as the primary armament of the class.<ref name="universe"/><ref name="EVG"/> In addition to the class' MAC weaponry, these heavy cruisers are armed with a variety of other weapons that were once considered to outmatch the armaments of any other ship in service with the UNSC Navy.<ref name="EVG"/> The secondary armament of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser is its missile delivery system<ref name="universe"/> which consists of 1,800 [[Archer missile]]s, as well as five [[fusion rocket]]s.<ref name="ENC"/> The tertiary armament of the heavy cruiser class is a network of [[point-defense gun]]s.<ref name="universe"/> The ''Marathon'' class' vastly superior and larger armaments allowed it to outclass the ''Halcyon'' class in every way in terms of weaponry.<ref name="ENC"/>

==Operational history==
[[File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png|thumb|250px|Several ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers engaging the [[Covenant super-destroyer|super-destroyer]] at Harvest]]
The ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser was commissioned and built as a replacement for the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}},<ref name="ENC"/> a smaller and lighter armed cruiser with excessive production costs.<ref name="EVG"/> After a brief era of service,<ref name="universe"/> most ships of the ''Halcyon'' class were decommissioned, which led to the ''Marathon'' class rising to prominence. By [[2525]], the ''Marathon'' class was the most popular line of [[cruiser]] in service with the Navy.<ref name="EVG"/> Several ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers served in [[Battle Group X-Ray]] under [[Preston Cole|Vice Admiral Preston Cole]] during the [[Battle of Harvest|Battle]] of [[Harvest]]. Throughout the early years of the [[Human-Covenant War]], Cole continued to command ''Marathon''s as part of his [[Third Fleet]]. Several ''Marathon''s from the fleet, including {{UNSCShip|Prophecy}}, participated in the [[Harvest campaign]].<ref name="Genesis"/><ref name="Timeline">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref> At least one ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser, {{UNSCShip|Dresden}}, participated in the [[Battle of Biko|Battle]] of [[Biko]], where it was destroyed by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="tug"/>

[[File:Fifth Fleet - H2A.png|thumb|250px|left|Numerous ''Marathon''s hold position over Earth]]
As their numbers were diminished by the onslaught of the Covenant, many ''Marathon''s were reassigned to the defense of the [[Inner Colonies]] and [[Earth]] during the later years of the Human-Covenant War.<ref name="page162">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 162''</ref><ref group="note">According to ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', as of July 2552, UNSC ''Leviathan'' was one of twenty cruisers left in the Fleet, presumably referring to the entire Navy. Even if one assumes that this refers only to [[FLEETCOM Sector One]], this number is clearly retconned in later media.</ref> ''Marathon''s were present at the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV|Battle]] of [[Sigma Octanus IV]] in [[2552#July|July 2552]], including [[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]]'s [[flagship]] [[UNSC Leviathan|''Leviathan'']],<ref name="for188"/> which was severely damaged during the battle.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 224'' (2010)</ref> Numerous ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers participated in the [[Fall of Reach|Fall]] of [[Reach]], many of which were destroyed, including Stanforth's ''Leviathan''.<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="fb"/><ref name="fs206">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 168'' (2003), ''page 206'' (2010)</ref>

At least eight ''Marathon''-class cruisers—including {{UNSCShip|Canberra}}<ref name="h2a"/> and [[UNSC Say My Name|''Say My Name'']]<ref name="waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/unsc-say-my-name/87da73b5-cede-44fd-906e-c3d1f57abf44 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''UNSC Say My Name''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20110424040357/http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/unsc-say-my-name/87da73b5-cede-44fd-906e-c3d1f57abf44 Archive.org])</ref>—assigned to the [[Fifth Fleet]], a part of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], were present at the onset of the [[Battle of Earth|Battle]] of [[Earth]]. Led by [[J. Harper|Fleet Admiral J. Harper]] aboard ''Canberra'' and supported by sixty-seven {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}}s, these ships formed a defensive perimeter around the [[orbital defense platform]] cluster over the Mediterranean to prevent the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]] from reaching Earth's surface.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref> [[Carl Patterson|Admiral Carl Patterson's]] [[Patterson's battle group|battle group]], drawn from the Home Fleet, contained one ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser that participated at the [[Battle of Onyx|Battle]] of [[Onyx]], where it was destroyed with the rest of its [[battle group]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 292, 333''</ref> Several ''Marathon''-class cruisers of the Home Fleet were supposedly destroyed over the course of the battle for Earth, particularly after the final wave of Covenant reinforcements arrived.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref>

Most remaining ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers were decommissioned after the {{Class|Autumn|heavy cruiser}} was introduced, with only a handful staying in service.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 191''</ref> The ''Autumn'' class became slated to serve as the core of the reconstituted UNSC Navy's fleet, a role that the ''Marathon'' class had previously fulfilled.<ref name="universe"/> A ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser served as the flagship of Admiral [[Tuwa]] during [[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE|an operation]] on [[Gao]] in [[2553]]. The presence of the cruiser prevented [[Minister of Protection]] [[Arlo Casille]] from taking naval action against the UNSC, realizing that the cruiser could easily decimate his entire fleet of [[patrol corvette]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo: Last Light]]''', ''page 71''</ref>

==Ships of the line==
*{{UNSCShip|Canberra}} – Fleet Admiral [[J. Harper]]'s [[flagship]]; led the [[Fifth Fleet]] against the [[Covenant]] during the [[Battle of Earth|Battle]] of [[Earth]] on [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]].<ref name="h2a"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Dresden}} – Equipped with a [[saddle box]] drive. Destroyed during the [[Battle of Biko|Battle]] of [[Biko]] in [[2526]].<ref name="tug"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Feeling Lucky}} – Part of the Fifth Fleet; destroyed during the Battle of Earth on October 20, 2552.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-fifty-caliber '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Fifty Caliber'']</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Hannibal}} – Destroyed during the [[Fall of Reach|Fall]] of [[Reach]].<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="fs206"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Leviathan}} – Vice Admiral [[Michael Stanforth]]'s flagship. Severely damaged during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV|Battle]] of [[Sigma Octanus IV]] in [[2552#July|July 2552]] and destroyed during the Fall of Reach.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/michael-stanforth '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Michael Stanforth'']</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Marathon}} – The [[Wikipedia:Lead ship|lead ship]] of the class.<ref>[[Stephen Loftus]] on the [[Talk:Autumn-class heavy cruiser|''Autumn'' class' talk page]]</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Prophecy}} – Destroyed during the [[Harvest]] [[Harvest campaign|campaign]] in [[2531|February 2531]].<ref name="Genesis"/><ref name="Timeline"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} – Deployed [[ODSTs]] to board ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' during the [[Battle of Mombasa|Battle]] of [[Mombasa]] on October 20, 2552.<ref name="ODST"/><ref name="waypoint"/>

==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
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===UNSC ''Marathon'' Heavy Cruiser===
This element includes a single ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser.
*Cost: 95 points
*Movement: 8"
*Damage Track: 6 • 6 • 3
*Build rating: 2
*Hangars: 2
*Boarding Craft: 2
*Security detail: 3
*System loadouts:
**Hard Burn (2")
**Missile barrage
**Point defense (4)
**Titanium armor (3)
*Primary weapon: Heavy MAC
**Range: 16/32"
**Weapon loadouts: MAC (2)
**Firing arc: Forward
**Dice: 8
*Secondary Weapon: Missile batteries
**Range: 12/24"
**Weapon loadouts: Missiles
**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Dice: 7

===UNSC Supported ''Marathon'' Heavy Cruiser===
This element includes a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser and one ''Paris''-class heavy frigate.
*Cost: 110 points
*Movement: 8"
*Damage Track: 7 • 6 • 3
*Build rating: 3
*Hangars: 2
*Boarding Craft: 2
*Security detail: 4
*System loadouts:
**Hard Burn (2")
**Missile barrage
**Point defense (4)
**Titanium armor (4)
*Primary weapon: Heavy MAC
**Range: 16/32"
**Weapon loadouts: MAC (2)
**Firing arc: Forward
**Dice: 10
*Secondary Weapon: Missile batteries
**Range: 12/24"
**Weapon loadouts: Missiles
**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Dice: 8
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===UNSC Reinforced ''Marathon'' Heavy Cruiser===
This element includes a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser and two ''Paris''-class heavy frigates.
*Cost: 120 points
*Movement: 8"
*Damage Track: 8 • 7 • 4
*Build rating: 4
*Hangars: 2
*Boarding Craft: 2
*Security detail: 4
*System loadouts:
**Hard Burn (2")
**Missile barrage
**Point defense (5)
**Titanium armor (5)
*Primary weapon: Heavy MAC
**Range: 16/32"
**Weapon loadouts: MAC (3)
**Firing arc: Forward
**Dice: 12
*Secondary Weapon: Missile batteries
**Range: 12/24"
**Weapon loadouts: Missiles
**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Dice: 10
===UNSC Paired ''Marathon'' Heavy Cruisers===
This element features two ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers.
*Cost: 220 points
*Movement: 8"
*Damage Track: 10 • 10 • 5
*Build rating: 6
*Hangars: 4
*Boarding Craft: 4
*Security detail: 6
*System loadouts:
**Hard Burn (2")
**Missile barrage
**Point defense (8)
**Titanium armor (6)
*Primary weapon: Heavy MAC
**Range: 16/32"
**Weapon loadouts: MAC (4)
**Firing arc: Forward
**Dice: 18
*Secondary Weapon: Missile batteries
**Range: 12/24"
**Weapon loadouts: Missiles
**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Dice: 14
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==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Marathon-class heavy cruisers}}
*Though in-universe the class is likely named for the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Marathon|Battle of Marathon]], in reality its name is a reference to [[Bungie]]'s ''[[Marathon]]'' trilogy and its eponymous ship, the [[w:c:marathongame:UESC Marathon|UESC ''Marathon'']].
*The ''Marathon'' class is featured in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''; although the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}} was originally intended to appear instead, it was decided that the latter's appearance would not be canonically possible. The design for the ''Marathon'' class in the game was noted to have been difficult to sculpt, although the models created by [[Blur Studio]] for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' aided in the process.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-in-the-loop '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder: In the Loop'']</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Marathon-class Cruiser.JPG|A ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth
File:Humanfleet.png|''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers on a video display of the Home Fleet
File:Marathon-render-SLoftus.png|The starboard profile of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
File:UNSC Prophecy.png|UNSC ''Prophecy''
File:Say My Name dropbay open.png|The SOEIV drop bay aboard a ''Marathon''; the SOEIV deployment rings can be seen above
File:H3ODST PreparetoDropCinematic.jpg|ODSTs gathered around a [[Holotank|holo-table]] inside a ''Marathon''-class cruiser
File:Invasion; Leviathan.png|UNSC ''Leviathan''
File:Master Chief Collection - Cruiser destroyed.png|A ''Marathon'' class is destroyed in the [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer|''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' announcement trailer]]
File:HomeFleetH2A.png|The back of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
File:H2A - Cruiser over Cairo.jpg|A ''Marathon'' glides past ''Cairo Station'', flanked by squads of Longswords
File:H2A Cutscene EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|A ''Marathon'' hull being pierced by a {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}'s energy projector
File:UNSC Capital Vessels (Spartan Games).jpg|The ''Marathon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s scale compared to that of the [[Epoch-class heavy carrier|''Epoch'' class]] and the [[Paris-class heavy frigate|''Paris'' class]]
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
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{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
**''[[Tug o' War]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Arms Race|Arms Race]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{Mo}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
*''[[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 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
{{Col-end}}

==Notes==
<references group="note"/>

==Sources==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{UNSC Ships}}