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{{Title|''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser}}
{{Title|''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{Era|UNSC|HCW}}
{{Era|UNSC|HCW}}
{{Ship Class Infobox
{{Ship Class Infobox
|name=''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
|name=''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
|image=[[File:H2-MarathonHeavyCruiser.png|400px]]
|image=[[File:H2-MarathonHeavyCruiser.png|400px]]
|manufacturer=[[UNSC]]
|manufacturer=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|class=[[Cruiser]]
|class=[[Cruiser]]
|role=Attack, defense
|role=Attack, defense
|length={{Convert|1192|m|ft}} <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>
|width={{Convert|293|m|ft}} <ref name="EVG"/>
|width={{Convert|293|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/>
|height=
|height=
|engine=[[Fusion drive]]s
|engine=[[Fusion drive]]s
Line 16: Line 15:
|hull=
|hull=
;Hull
;Hull
*191cm [[Titanium-A armor|titanium-A battle plate]]
*191cm [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A battle plate]]
;Mass
;Mass
*100,000 tons (200,000,000 lbs)<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 53''</ref>
*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>
|armament=*2 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
|armament=*Two [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*[[Archer missile|Oversized Archer missile pods]] (60 missiles each)
*Oversized [[M58 Archer missile]] pods<ref name="ENC"/> (60 missiles each){{Citation needed}}
*[[Point-defense gun|50 mm Point-defense guns]]
*[[Point defense gun]]s (unknown number)
*5 [[Fusion rocket]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*Five [[fusion rocket]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
|complement=*24 [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword interceptors]]<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 251''</ref>
|complement=*24 [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 251''</ref>
*[[Pelican]] dropships
*[[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] (presumably battalion-strength)
*[[Marines]]
*Numerous ground and air vehicles
*[[ODST]]s
*[[D77-TC Pelican]]s
*[[HEV]]s
*[[Warthog]]s
*[[Scorpion]]s
*[[Hornet]]s
|era = [[Human-Covenant War]]
|era = [[Human-Covenant War]]
|affiliation = [[UNSC Navy]]
|affiliation = [[UNSC Navy]]
}}
}}
The '''''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser''' is a [[cruiser]] classification used by the [[UNSC Navy]].<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 42''</ref> At 1,190 meters,<ref name="ENC"/> they are some of the largest and most powerful warships ever utilized by [[human]]ity, built as a replacement for their aging {{Class|Halcyon|cruiser}}s. Their numbers are limited, and they are usually commanded by the highest ranking officers.
The '''''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser''' is a [[cruiser]] classification used by the [[UNSC Navy]].<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 1192 meters in length,<ref name="ENC"/> making it one of the largest warships used by the UNSC. Due to their limited numbers, ''Marathon''-class cruisers are typically commanded by officers of the [[Rear Admiral]] rate or higher and are used as [[flagship]]s for fleets.<ref name="ENC"/> It is named for the historical [[Wikipedia:Battle of Marathon|Battle of Marathon]].


==Description==
==Overview==
[[File:Marathon Cruiser Outline.JPG|left|thumb|150px|The silhouette of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser.]]
===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"/>


At 1190 meters long, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers are approximately three times the length of a [[UNSC frigate]]. They are equipped with thick layers of Titanium-A armor, and are able to sustain far greater damage than any UNSC frigate or [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]]. Due to their size, durability and firepower (2 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]]s as well as dozens of oversized [[Archer missile|Archer missile pods]]), these massive vessels are commanded by [[UNSC]] [[Admiral]]s and primarily serve as [[flagship]]s for UNSC fleets.<ref name="ENC"/>
''Marathon''-class vessels have a similar profile to their predecessors, the ''Halcyon''s, though they appear more skeletal. 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 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>


==Use==
===Service history===
Due to their diminishing numbers, and the onslaught of the genocidal [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], further numbers of these great cruisers were reassigned to the defense of the [[Inner Colonies]] in the latter years of the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name="page162">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 162''</ref> They were considered extremely valuable in terms of firepower and armor, and it was seen to by the UNSC admiralty that they were only used in the most dire and occasional of circumstances. ''Marathon''s were present at the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]] and the [[Fall of Reach]]. Twelve saw action at the [[Battle of Earth]] under [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Harper]] and another was part of [[Battle Group Stalingrad|Battle Group ''Stalingrad'']] during the [[Battle of Onyx]].
{{Expand-section}}
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'' in-game timeline</ref>
 
As their numbers were diminished by the onslaught of the [[Covenant Empire|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 ''Marathon''-class 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]] [[Hieronymus Michael Stanforth]]'s flagship [[UNSC Leviathan|''Leviathan'']], which was severely damaged during the battle. Numerous ''Marathon''-class cruisers participated in the [[Fall of Reach]]. Twelve were present at the onset of the [[Battle of Earth]] under [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Harper]]; supported by sixty-seven frigates, these ships formed a defensive perimeter around the planet's [[orbital defense platform]]s.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref> [[Carl Patterson|Admiral Carl Patterson's]] [[Patterson's battle group|battle group]] was led by the {{UNSCship|Stalingrad}} during the [[Battle of Onyx]].


==Ships of the line==
==Ships of the line==
*{{UNSCShip|Leviathan}} - Flagship of Admiral Hieronymus Michael Stanforth. Lost during the [[Fall of Reach]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'''</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Dresden}} - Destroyed over [[Biko]]. Carried a [[saddle box]] drive.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' (2010), ''Tug o' War''</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Hannibal}} - Destroyed in 2552.
*{{UNSCShip|Prophecy}} - Destroyed during the Harvest Campaign in 2531.<ref name="Genesis"/><ref name="Timeline"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Prophecy}} - Destroyed in 2531.
*{{UNSCShip|Leviathan}} - Vice Admiral H. M. Stanforth's flagship. Severely damaged during the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV and presumably destroyed during the Fall of Reach.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach'''</ref>{{Verify source}}
*{{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} - Present at the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref> It is unknown if it survived the battle.
*{{UNSCShip|Hannibal}} - Destroyed during the Fall of Reach.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 168''</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Dresden}} - Destroyed over [[Biko]]. Carried a [[saddle box]] drive.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} - Deployed ODSTs to board ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' during the [[Battle of Mombasa]].<ref name="ODST"/> Presumably destroyed.<ref group="note">As of November 17, 2552, [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Hood]] appeared to have only three {{Class|Charon|light frigate}}s under his command. If any larger ships had survived the initial attack on October 20, he presumably would have used one of those instead. Therefore, it is likely that ''Say My Name'' was destroyed.</ref>


==Trivia==
==Behind the scenes==
*In ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', the ''Marathon'' classification is erroneously identified as a [[UNSC carrier|carrier]].<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 212''</ref>
Though in-universe the class is named for the Battle of Marathon, in reality its name is a reference to [[Bungie]]'s ''[[Marathon]]'' series.
*The name 'Marathon' could possibly be a reference to the [[wikipedia:Battle of Marathon|Battle of Marathon]], fought in 490 BC where heavily outnumbered Athenians and Plataeans defeated an army of Persians who were trying to conquer [[Greece]]. This battle was also simulated by [[Wellsley]], [[Antonio Silva]]'s AI, while he was unoccupied in ''[[Halo: The Flood]]''. This battle also gave its name to [[Bungie]]'s previous [[Marathon (Video Game Series)|''Marathon'' game series]], and the name of this classification of ships may be a reference to the said series.
*In ''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', it is mentioned that the ''Leviathan'' was one of twenty UNSC cruisers left in the [[Fleet]], which were being slowly pulled back to protect the Inner Colonies.<ref name="page162"/> Eight of them were present in the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] in October 2552.<ref name="Cairo Station">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (Level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref>
*''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'' gives the ''Marathon''-class cruiser 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. It is unknown whether this seemingly erroneous mass is deliberate, perhaps a result of future technology or weight saving design, or an error by Eric Nylund, probably the latter.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Marathon-class Cruiser.JPG|A ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth.
File:Invasion; Leviathan.png|The UNSC ''Leviathan''.
File:Invasion; Leviathan.png|The UNSC ''Leviathan''.
File:UNSC Prophecy.png|The UNSC ''Prophecy''.
File:UNSC Prophecy.png|The UNSC ''Prophecy''.
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:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png|Several ''Marathon''-Class Heavy Cruisers under the command of [[Preston Jeremiah Cole|Admiral Cole]] take part in the assault on the mysterious [[Covenant]] warship in the [[Second Battle of Harvest]].
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:H3ODST PreparetoDropCinematic.jpg|ODST's gathered around a [[Holotank|holo-table]] inside a ''Marathon''-Class Heavy Cruiser.
File:Marathon Cruiser Outline.JPG|The silhouette of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser.
File:Say My Name dropbay open.png|A SOEIV Drop Bay aboard a ''Marathon''-Class Heavy Cruiser: 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:UNSC Say My Name.jpg|A view of the ''UNSC Say My Name'' via a glitch.
File:UNSC Say My Name.jpg|A view of the ''UNSC Say My Name'' via a glitch.
File:Marathon-class Cruiser.JPG|A ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth in ''Halo 2''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
**''[[Tug o' War]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
**''[[Tug o' War]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
**''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion]]''
 
==Note==
<references group="note"/>


==Sources==
==Sources==

Revision as of 12:12, September 14, 2012

Template:Ship Class Infobox The Marathon-class heavy cruiser is a cruiser classification used by the UNSC Navy.[1] Built as a replacement for the aging Halcyon-class light cruiser, the Marathon class is 1192 meters in length,[2] making it one of the largest warships used by the UNSC. Due to their limited numbers, Marathon-class cruisers are typically commanded by officers of the Rear Admiral rate or higher and are used as flagships for fleets.[2] It is named for the historical Battle of Marathon.

Overview

Design

At 1192 meters long, Marathon-class heavy cruisers are approximately three times the length of a typical frigate. Marathons have 191cm-thick layers of Titanium-A armor, allowing them to sustain far greater damage than any frigate or destroyer. Marathon-class cruisers sport two Magnetic Accelerator Cannons and an unknown number of point defense guns.[2] 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 rockets.[2]

Marathon-class vessels have a similar profile to their predecessors, the Halcyons, though they appear more skeletal. A large deployment bay containing Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicles, known by Orbital Drop Shock Troopers as "Hell's waiting room", is located amidships.[3] Marathons can carry two dozen GA-TL1 Longswords[2] in addition to numerous D77-TC Pelicans and other ground and air vehicles. Vessels of the class can also carry large Marine complements, likely of battalion strength.[note 1]

Service history

Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Several Marathon-class heavy cruisers served in Battle Group X-Ray under Vice Admiral Preston Cole during the Second 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 the Template:UNSCship, participated in the Harvest Campaign.[4][5]

As their numbers were diminished by the onslaught of the Covenant, many Marathons were reassigned to the defense of the Inner Colonies during the later years of the Human-Covenant War.[6][note 2] Marathons were present at the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV in July 2552, including Vice Admiral Hieronymus Michael Stanforth's flagship Leviathan, which was severely damaged during the battle. Numerous Marathon-class cruisers participated in the Fall of Reach. Twelve were present at the onset of the Battle of Earth under Fleet Admiral Harper; supported by sixty-seven frigates, these ships formed a defensive perimeter around the planet's orbital defense platforms.[7] Admiral Carl Patterson's battle group was led by the Template:UNSCship during the Battle of Onyx.

Ships of the line

Behind the scenes

Though in-universe the class is named for the Battle of Marathon, in reality its name is a reference to Bungie's Marathon series.

Gallery

  • A Marathon-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth.

    A Marathon-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth.

  • The UNSC Leviathan.

    The UNSC Leviathan.

  • UNSC Prophecy.png

    The UNSC Prophecy.

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

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

  • Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png

    Several Marathon-Class heavy cruisers engaging a Covenant super-destroyer at the Second Battle of Harvest.

  • Marathon Cruiser Outline.JPG

    The silhouette of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser.

  • 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.

  • A view of the UNSC Say My Name via a glitch.

    A view of the UNSC Say My Name via a glitch.

List of appearances

Note

  1. ^ This is based on the Halcyon-class' ability to carry a battalion of Marines. Presumably, the Marathon could support a similarly sized complement.
  2. ^ According to Halo: The Fall of Reach, as of July 2552 the Leviathan was one of twenty Marathon-class 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.
  3. ^ As of November 17, 2552, Fleet Admiral Hood appeared to have only three Charon-class light frigates under his command. If any larger ships had survived the initial attack on October 20, he presumably would have used one of those instead. Therefore, it is likely that Say My Name was destroyed.

Sources

  1. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 42
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ENC
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Prepare to Drop
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo Wars: Genesis
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Halo wars in-game timeline
  6. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 162
  7. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  8. ^ Halo: First Strike (2010), Tug o' War
  9. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach
  10. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 168

Template:UNSC Ships

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