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Marathon-class heavy cruiser: Difference between revisions

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{{Title|''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser}}
{{Title|''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser}}
{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Ship Class Infobox
{{Ship class infobox
|name=''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
|name=''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
|image=[[File:H2A-MarathonHeavyCruiser.png|300px]]
|image=[[File:H2A-MarathonHeavyCruiser.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=
|manufacturer=
|class=[[Cruiser]]
|class=[[Cruiser]]<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/unsc-cruiser '''Halo Waypoint''': ''UNSC Cruiser'']</ref>
|role=Attack, defense, flagship
|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">'''[[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="model">3D model data</ref>
|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"/>
|height={{Convert|375|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="model"/>
|mass=100,000 tons<ref>'''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 [[Eric Nylund]].</ref>
|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>
|mass=
|power=
|power=
|engine=[[Fusion drive]]s
|engine=[[Fusion drive]]s<ref name="h2a">'''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref>
|slipspace drive=[[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]
|slipspace drive=[[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]<ref name="tug">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', "[[Tug o' War]]", ''page 413'' (2010)</ref>
|navigation=
|navigation=
|hull=191 cm [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A battle plate]]<ref name="ENC"/>
|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="ENC"/>
|armament=*Two [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s<ref name="EVG"/>
*Oversized [[M58 Archer missile]] pods<ref name="ENC"/>
*1,800 [[Archer missile]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*[[Point defense gun]]s
*[[Point-defense gun]]s<ref name="universe"/>
*Five [[fusion rocket]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*Five [[fusion rocket]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
|complement=*[[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] {{C|presumably battalion-strength}}<ref name="complement" group="note">This is based on the ''Halcyon''-class' ability to carry a battalion of Marines. Presumably, the ''Marathon'' could support a similarly sized complement.</ref>
|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">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 251''</ref>
*24 [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*At least 2 [[D77-TC Pelican]]s
*At least two [[D77-TC Pelican]]s<ref name="for242">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 242'' (2010)</ref>
|crew=
|crew=
|passengers=
|passengers=
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}}
}}


The '''''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser''' is a [[cruiser]] classification used by the [[UNSC Navy]] with a [[hull classification symbol]] of '''CA'''.<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 42''</ref> Built as a replacement for the aging {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}}, the ''Marathon'' class is nearly 1.2 kilometers in length, making it one of the largest warships used by the UNSC.<ref name="ENC"/> Due to their limited numbers, ''Marathon''-class cruisers are typically commanded by officers of the [[Rear Admiral]] rate or higher and are commonly used as [[flagship]]s.<ref name="ENC"/> The class is named for the historical [[Wikipedia:Battle of Marathon|Battle of Marathon]].
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"/>


==Overview==
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"/>
===Design===
At 1192 meters long, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers are approximately three times the length of a typical [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]. ''Marathon''s have 191cm-thick layers of Titanium-A armor, allowing them to sustain far greater damage than any frigate or [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]]. ''Marathon''-class cruisers sport two [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s and an unknown number of [[point defense gun]]s.<ref name="ENC"/> In addition to their integrated armament, the cruisers have dozens of oversized [[M58 Archer missile]] pods containing dozens of missiles each, as well as five [[fusion rocket]]s.<ref name="ENC"/>


''Marathon''-class vessels have a similar profile to their predecessors, the ''Halcyon''s, though their ventral surfaces are concave rather than flat. A large deployment bay containing [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s, known by [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s as "Hell's waiting room", is located amidships.<ref name="ODST">'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Prepare to Drop]]''</ref> ''Marathon''s can carry two dozen [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s<ref name="ENC"/> in addition to numerous [[D77-TC Pelican]]s and other ground and air vehicles. Vessels of the class can also carry large [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] complements, likely of battalion strength.<ref name="complement" group="note"/>
==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>


===Service history===
===Crew and complement===
Several ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers served in [[Battle Group X-Ray]] under [[Preston Jeremiah Cole|Vice Admiral Preston Cole]] during the [[Second 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 the {{UNSCship|Prophecy}}, participated in the [[Harvest campaign]].<ref name="Genesis">'''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]'''</ref><ref name="Timeline">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref> At least one ''Marathon'', {{UNSCShip|Dresden}}, participated in the [[Battle of Biko]], where it was destroyed by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="tug">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' (2010), ''[[Tug o' War]]''</ref>
''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"/>


As their numbers were diminished by the onslaught of the Covenant, many ''Marathon''s were reassigned to the defense of the [[Inner Colonies]] 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 the 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]] in [[2552#July|July 2552]], including [[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]]'s flagship [[UNSC Leviathan|''Leviathan'']], which was severely damaged during the battle. Numerous ''Marathon''-class cruisers participated in the [[Fall of Reach]].
Cruisers of the ''Marathon'' class are fitted with at least two [[hangar bay]]s.<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"/>


At least eight ''Marathon''-class cruisers assigned to the [[Fifth Fleet]], a part of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]], were present at the onset of the [[Battle of Earth]]. Led by [[J. Harper|Fleet Admiral J. Harper]] and supported by sixty-seven frigates, these ships formed a defensive perimeter around the [[orbital defense platform]] cluster over the Mediterranean.<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, was led by the {{UNSCShip|Stalingrad}} during the [[Battle of Onyx]]. 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>
===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"/>


Most remaining ''Marathon''-class 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>
==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.<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"/>


==Ships of the line==
==Ships of the line==
*{{UNSCShip|Canberra}} – Fleet Admiral J. Harper's flagship; led the [[Fifth Fleet]] against the Covenant during the Battle of Earth on October 20, 2552.  
*{{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}} – Destroyed over [[Biko]] in [[2525]] or [[2526]]. Carried a [[saddle box]] drive.<ref name="tug"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Dresden}} – Equipped with a [[saddle box]] drive. Destroyed during the [[Battle of Biko|Battle]] of [[Biko]] in [[2526]].<ref name="tug"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Prophecy}} – Destroyed during the Harvest campaign in February 2531.<ref name="Genesis"/><ref name="Timeline"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Hannibal}} – Destroyed during the [[Fall of Reach|Fall]] of [[Reach]].<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="fs206"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Leviathan}} – Vice Admiral H. M. Stanforth's flagship. Severely damaged during the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV in July 2552.
*{{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|Hannibal}} – Destroyed during the Fall of Reach on August 30, 2552.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 168''</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|Marathon}} – The lead ship of the class.  
*{{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]] on October 20, 2552.<ref name="ODST"/>
*{{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''==
==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
===UNSC Marathon Heavy Cruiser===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
===UNSC ''Marathon'' Heavy Cruiser===
*Cost: 95 points
*Cost: 95 points
*Movement: 8"
*Movement: 8"
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**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Dice: 7
**Dice: 7
===UNSC Supported Marathon Heavy Cruiser===
{{Col-2}}
 
===UNSC Supported ''Marathon'' Heavy Cruiser===
*Cost: 110 points
*Cost: 110 points
*Movement: 8"
*Movement: 8"
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**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Dice: 8
**Dice: 8
{{Col-end}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Marathon-class heavy cruisers}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Marathon-class heavy cruisers}}
*Though in-universe the class is 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'']].
*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>
*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==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Marathon-class Cruiser.JPG|A ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth.
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: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:Marathon-render-SLoftus.png|The starboard profile of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png|Several ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers engaging a [[Covenant super-destroyer]] at the Second Battle of Harvest.
File:UNSC Prophecy.png|UNSC ''Prophecy''
File:UNSC Prophecy.png|The 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: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:H3ODST PreparetoDropCinematic.jpg|ODSTs gathered around a [[Holotank|holo-table]] inside a ''Marathon''-class cruiser.
File:Invasion; Leviathan.png|UNSC ''Leviathan''
File:Invasion; Leviathan.png|The 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:Master Chief Collection - Cruiser destroyed.png|A ''Marathon'' class cruiser getting destroyed in the [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer]].
File:HomeFleetH2A.png|The back of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
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 - Cruiser over Cairo.jpg|A ''Marathon'' glides past ''Cairo Station'', flanked by squads of Longswords as they rally to Earth's defense.
File:H2A Cutscene EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|A ''Marathon'' hull being pierced by a {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}'s energy projector
File:Fifth Fleet - H2A.png|Numerous ''Marathon''s of the UNSC Home Fleet hold position above Earth.
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]]
File:H2A Cutscene EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|A Marathon's hull being pierced by a {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}'s energy projector.
File:UNSC Capital Vessels (Spartan Games).jpg|The Marathon's scale compared to that of the [[Epoch-class heavy carrier]] and the [[Paris-class heavy frigate]].
File:HFB-UNSCLeviathan.png|A rearside view of the UNSC ''Leviathan''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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**''[[Halo: Arms Race|Arms Race]]''
**''[[Halo: Arms Race|Arms Race]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{Mo}}
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==Sources==
==Sources==
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{{UNSC Ships}}
{{UNSC Ships}}

Revision as of 17:49, August 21, 2015

Marathon-class heavy cruiser
A cropped transparent render of the Marathon-class heavy cruiser for Blur Studio's cutscenes.
Production information

Class:

Cruiser[1]

Role:

Attack, command, defense[1][2]

Technical specifications

Length:

1,192 meters (3,910 ft)[2]

Width:

293 meters (960 ft)[2][3]

Height:

375 meters (1,230 ft)[3]

Mass:

100,000 tons[4][note 1]

Engine(s):

Fusion drives[5]

Slipspace drive:

Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine[6]

Hull:

191 cm of Titanium-A battle plate[7]

Armament:

Complement:

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Human-Covenant War

Affiliation:

UNSC Navy

 

The Marathon-class heavy cruiser is a cruiser classification in service with the UNSC Navy.[2] Ships of the Marathon class are designated with a hull classification symbol of CA,[5] indicating that vessels of the class are heavy cruisers. Marathon-class heavy cruisers are commonly reserved for use as command ships due to their durability and firepower,[1] and are often given attack and defense roles.[2] Rarely, these cruisers are deployed to assist forces of the United Nations Space Command in planetary invasion operations.[7]

Built as a replacement for the aging Halcyon-class light cruiser,[1] the Marathon class is nearly 1.2 kilometers in length, making it one of the largest warships 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 rate or higher.[7]

Specifications

Superstructure and hull

An image of UNSC Leviathan, used as the header on Michael Stanforth's old Waypoint article.
UNSC Leviathan, Michael Stanforth's flagship

At 1,192 meters (3,910 ft) long,[2] Marathon-class heavy cruisers are approximately three times the length of a typical frigate. Cruisers of the Marathon class were large vessels within the UNSC fleet, though they were dwarfed by their Covenant counterparts.[7] At 100,000 tons,[4] ships of the Marathon class have approximately three times the tonnage of their predecessors—the Halcyon-class light cruisers.[10] 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. Marathons have 191 centimeter-thick layers of Titanium-A armor, allowing them to sustain far greater damage than any frigate or destroyer.[7] Vessels of the Marathon class are renowned for their durability and extraordinary resilience.[1] Their ability to withstand massive amounts of damage, even from numerous blasts from plasma weaponry, made the Marathon class popular among UNSC officers.[7] By 2552, Marathons were considered to be the most powerful warship ever built by humanity.[11]

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 admirals to use as command ships. Although, they are occasionally commanded by a captain or a rear admiral.[7] Vessels of the class can also carry large UNSC Marine complements.[9]

Cruisers of the Marathon class are fitted with at least two hangar bays.[12][13] A large deployment bay containing numerous Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicles, referred to by Orbital Drop Shock Troopers as "Hell's waiting room", is located amidships.[8] Marathons can carry two dozen GA-TL1 Longswords; 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 fighters.[7] In addition, Marathon-class heavy cruisers can carry several D77-TC Pelican dropships and other ground and air vehicles.[9]

Armaments

Marathon-class heavy cruisers are equipped with two heavy Magnetic Accelerator Cannons as the primary armament of the class.[1][2] 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.[2] The secondary armament of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser is its missile delivery system[1] which consists of 1,800 Archer missiles, as well as five fusion rockets.[7] The tertiary armament of the heavy cruiser class is a network of point-defense guns.[1] The Marathon class' vastly superior and larger armaments allowed it to outclass the Halcyon class in every way in terms of weaponry.[7]

Operational history

File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png
Several Marathon-class heavy cruisers engaging the super-destroyer at Harvest

The Marathon-class heavy cruiser was commissioned and built as a replacement for the Halcyon-class light cruiser,[7] a smaller and lighter armed cruiser with excessive production costs.[2] After a brief era of service,[1] 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.[2] Several Marathon-class heavy cruisers served in Battle Group X-Ray under Vice Admiral Preston Cole during the Battle of Harvest. Throughout the early years of the Human-Covenant War, Cole continued to command Marathons as part of his Third Fleet. Several Marathons from the fleet, including UNSC Prophecy, participated in the Harvest campaign.[12][14] At least one Marathon-class heavy cruiser, UNSC Dresden, participated in the Battle of Biko, where it was destroyed by the Covenant.[6]

Numerous Marathons hold position over Earth

As their numbers were diminished by the onslaught of the Covenant, many Marathons were reassigned to the defense of the Inner Colonies and Earth during the later years of the Human-Covenant War.[15][note 2] Marathons were present at the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV in July 2552, including Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth's flagship Leviathan,[11] which was severely damaged during the battle.[16] Numerous Marathon-class heavy cruisers participated in the Fall of Reach, many of which were destroyed.[7][13][17]

At least eight Marathon-class cruisers—including UNSC Canberra[5] and Say My Name[18]—assigned to the Fifth Fleet, a part of the UNSC Home Fleet, were present at the onset of the Battle of Earth. Led by Fleet Admiral J. Harper aboard Canberra and supported by sixty-seven Stalwart-class light frigates, 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.[19] Admiral Carl Patterson's battle group, drawn from the Home Fleet, contained one Marathon-class heavy cruiser that participated at the Battle of Onyx, where it was destroyed with the rest of its battle group.[20] 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.[21]

Most remaining Marathon-class heavy cruisers were decommissioned after the Autumn-class heavy cruiser was introduced, with only a handful staying in service.[22] 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.[1]

Ships of the line

Halo: Fleet Battles

UNSC Marathon 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

  • 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

Trivia

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Gallery

  • A Marathon-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth

    A Marathon-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth

  • Marathon-class heavy cruisers on a video display of the Home Fleet

    Marathon-class heavy cruisers on a video display of the Home Fleet

  • The starboard profile of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser

    The starboard profile of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser

  • UNSC Prophecy.png

    UNSC Prophecy

  • The SOEIV drop bay aboard a Marathon; the SOEIV deployment rings can be seen above

    The SOEIV drop bay aboard a Marathon; the SOEIV deployment rings can be seen above

  • ODSTs gathered around a holo-table inside a Marathon-class cruiser

    ODSTs gathered around a holo-table inside a Marathon-class cruiser

  • UNSC Leviathan

    UNSC Leviathan

  • A Marathon class is destroyed in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer

    A Marathon class is destroyed in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer

  • The back of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser

    The back of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser

  • A Marathon glides past Cairo Station, flanked by squads of Longswords

    A Marathon glides past Cairo Station, flanked by squads of Longswords

  • A Marathon hull being pierced by a CAS-class assault carrier's energy projector

    A Marathon hull being pierced by a CAS-class assault carrier's energy projector

  • The Marathon's scale compared to that of the Epoch class and the Paris class

    The Marathon's scale compared to that of the Epoch class and the Paris class

List of appearances

Notes

  1. ^ 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 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.
  2. ^ 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.

Sources

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k Halo Waypoint: UNSC Cruiser
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 42
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b 3D model data from Halo 2
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 53
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Halo 2 Anniversary, campaign level Cairo Station
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c Halo: First Strike, "Tug o' War", page 413 (2010)
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Halo Encyclopedia, page 251 (2011)
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Prepare to Drop
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 242 (2010)
  10. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 270 (2010)
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 188 (2010)
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c Halo Wars: Genesis
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo: Fleet Battles, Stats
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo Wars, Timeline
  15. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 162
  16. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 224 (2010)
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo: First Strike, page 168 (2003), page 206 (2010)
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo Waypoint: UNSC Say My Name (defunct, backup on Archive.org)
  19. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  20. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 292, 333
  21. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Crow's Nest
  22. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 191
  23. ^ Halo Waypoint: Michael Stanforth
  24. ^ Stephen Loftus on the Autumn class' talk page
  25. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder: In the Loop

Template:UNSC Ships

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