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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Newcontent|[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]}}
{{Redirect|Assault carrier|the UNSC carrier|Orion-class assault carrier}}
[[File:HR CAS assaultcarrier Render2.png|350px|thumb|A Covenant assault carrier]]
{{Quote|Look at the size of that thing!|[[Edward Buck]] after an assault carrier arrives over [[New Mombasa]].<ref name="Coastal Highway">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref>}}
'''Assault carrier''' is a large [[capital ship]] used by the [[Covenant]]. The ''CAS'' is designed for ship-to-ship combat, command and control of [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] operations, and close atmospheric support for ground occupation forces. Such vessels are typically deployed during invasions of worlds with high strategic value.<ref name="DD4">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/oni-files/reach-data-drops '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Data Drop Four'']</ref>

==Overview==
===Design details===
[[File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A carrier glassing [[New Mombasa]].]]
The ''CAS''-class has a length of {{Convert|5347|m|ft}}, a beam of {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}, and a height of {{Convert|746|m|ft}}. This makes it the second largest ship of the line the Covenant navy employed throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Although the ''CAS''-class 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 class' hull is comprised of nanolaminate plating; however, its greatest assets are its [[energy shielding|energy shields]], which are amongst the strongest in the [[Covenant fleet]]. During the opening hours of the [[Battle for Earth]], the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s [[flagship]] ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' was able to penetrate Earth's orbital defense grid in spite of ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'' focusing fire on it.{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}} Furthermore, [[Rtas 'Vadum]] employed the tactic of ramming {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s during the [[Battle of Installation 00]] with no visible damage being inflicted upon [[Shadow of Intent|his flagship]].{{Ref/Reuse|Ark}} A further testament to this vessel's survivability is that it was selected by the Covenant alongside the much larger {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} to serve as the [[Hierarchs]]' personal flagships when they were not aboard the also heavily shielded [[High Charity]].{{Ref/Reuse|DD4}} Like most Covenant vessels, the command deck of the ''CAS'' is buried deep within the vessel's deck, allowing it to function even with the vessel taking tremendous damage.

Assault carriers can also carry large nature preserves on board. An example of this is the ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' which had a large nature preserve like those found on the {{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}}s.<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 14]]''</ref>

[[File:Shadow of Intent bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The bridge of an assault carrier.]]
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. There is a second hangar bay visible, near the stern of the carrier, above the main engines.{{Ref/Reuse|Ark}}

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 [[Operation: WARM BLANKET]]. 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 [[Luro 'Taralumee|the Fleetmaster]] 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 "S", or Salvation, in the carrier's three-letter classification code, "CAS", indicates that the ''CAS''-class assault carrier is a dedicated warship.<ref name="canon fodder2">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder: Have S'moa'']</ref>

===Propulsion===
For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] [[pinch fusion reactor]]s, housed in cavernous chambers,{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}} which power the ship's vital systems, as well as the three aft-mounted [[repulsor engine]]s 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.

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>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Prepare to Drop]]''</ref>

===Crew and complement===
The ''CAS''-class' exact crew size and complement are unknown, however its size and combat records suggest a crew of thousands. The ship's living quarters which consisted of habitat domes, hunting grounds, and places of repose for the ship's permanent crew, is located in the lower bow section behind the [[energy projector]].<ref>'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 151''</ref> A single ''CAS''-class assault carrier is capable of deploying a military force sizable enough to secure an entire 26th century city.{{Ref/Reuse|Metropolis}} The class' cavernous main hangar has the capacity of carrying hundreds of [[Seraph|Seraph multirole fighters]], [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshee attack craft]], {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} and {{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}} dropships, and [[R'sisho-pattern Tick|boarding craft]].

Supplementing their considerable infantry detachments, each assault carrier holds large fleets of [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]] and [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraiths]], along with a number of [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarabs]]. In [[2552#November|November 2552]], the UNSC frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} 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 class is also fitted with [[Covenant escape pod]]s.

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]]s, and at least three [[energy projector]]s.<ref name="Cairo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign 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/Reuse|DD4}}

Given the similar design and purpose of the ''CAS'' to the ''CSO''-class supercarrier it is possible that light cruisers may even be capable of using the ''CAS'' as a refueling depot in the absence of repair and resupply stations like ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. Like many vessels in the Covenant fleet the vessel was capable of rapidly deploying Covenant soldiers to the front with the use of [[Covenant drop pod|orbital insertion pods]]. Like most Covenant ships, they also possess [[gravity lift]]s, used for ferrying supplies, personnel, and vehicles from the ship and to a planet's surface.<ref name="Metropolis">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Uplift Reserve]]''</ref>

===Armament===
As some of the largest ships in the Covenant fleet, the ''CAS''-class are favored as flagships by both Sangheili commanders and Prophet Hierarchs. As well as their exemplary shielding the vessel is also presumably amongst the most heavily armed in the Covenant. Assault carriers possess multiple [[energy projector]]s on its ventral and dorsal surfaces which are powerful enough to cut through UNSC capital ships.{{Ref/Reuse|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/Reuse|Ark}} There is also some variety within the assault carrier class; individual assault carriers sometimes possess differing capabilities in terms of defenses and armament.<ref>[https://twitter.com/HaloArchive/status/420738117885112321 '''Twitter''': ''@HaloWaypoint It's been said that...'']</ref>

Throughout the war the ''CAS'' proved to be superior to human vessels in both durability and firepower, with the vessel being capable of easily destroying the much vaunted {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} with a single blast of its dorsal energy projector.

==Classes==
*'''{{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}}''' –
*'''{{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}}''' – 
*'''Unnamed pattern (''Halo: Reach'')''' – 
<gallery class=center>
File:H3 Assault Carrier render.png|
File:Enc22_SyfonCASCarrier.png|
</gallery>

==Known assault carriers==
;''Kerel''-pattern
*''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' – A carrier serving within [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]].
*''[[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]].
;''Syfon''-pattern
*''[[Day of Jubilation]]'' – A carrier of the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], destroyed over [[Earth]] in [[2552]].<ref>[http://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HFCV05 '''Spartan Games''': ''Covenant Assault Carrier'']</ref>
*''[[Enduring Conviction]]'' – The flagship of the [[Banished]], destroyed over [[Installation 00]] by [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s.
*''[[Solemn Penance]]'' – The personal flagship of the [[Prophet of Regret]].
;Unnamed pattern (''Halo: Reach'')
*''[[Purveyor of Virtue]]'' - Employed by an unspecified remnant faction.
;Unknown pattern
The following ''CAS'' have no confirmation on what pattern they are:
*''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' – A carrier serving under the [[Ministry of Fortitude]].
*''[[Eternal Reward]]'' – Destroyed at [[Installation 05]] during the [[Great Schism]].
*''[[Pious Rampage]]'' - The flagship of the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS9|SS|Chapter=9}}
*''[[Resplendent Fervor]]'' – The flagship of the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]].

==Operational history==
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]
The [[Battle of Bliss|Battle of]] [[Bliss]] saw the first known deployment of the ''CAS''-class assault carrier during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Five of these vessels alongside the smaller but more numerous {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s and {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}s attacked and [[glassing|glassed]] the world.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''</ref> Subsequently, the assault carrier ''[[Pious Rampage]]'' was the flagship of the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]] which glassed at least seven [[human]] worlds.<ref>'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'''</ref> The ''Pious Rampage'' was one of the few vessels to survive the [[Attack on Zhoist]] which decimated the Fleet of Inexorable Obedience.<ref>'''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'''</ref> Over the next two decades of conflict the assault carrier would grow to be known as one of the most fearful inspiring vessels in the Covenant armada.{{citation needed}}

Following the destruction of the {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' at least three such vessels led the Covenant reinforcement fleet sent by the [[Ministry of Resolution]] to assault the planet [[Reach]]. During the ensuing [[Fall of Reach]] these vessels alongside many others and hundreds of other warships that arrived later at the end of the campaign would lead to the destruction of humanity's largest and most well defended colony. At least one assault carrier was present at the [[Battle of Tribute]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', multiplayer map, ''[[Landfall (level)|Landfall]]'' - evacuation alert messages</ref>

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|Comic=Halo: Uprising|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 4|4]]}} 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]]}}

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|Escalation}}

==Production notes==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of CAS-class assault carriers}}
*An [[Early Halo 2 script|early draft]] of ''[[Halo 2]]'' was intended to feature a level tentatively called ''[[Covenantship]]'', in which John-117 would board an assault carrier and destroy it from within.<ref>''[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition]]'' developer commentary</ref>
*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.

==Gallery==
<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:Ark3.jpg|A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the carrier's 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-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:Ark Secret Room.jpg|The bridge of ''Shadow of Intent''.
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 vs Cruiser.png|An overhead view of an assault carrier and two ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers on ''[[Heretic]]''.
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 [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
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: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.
File:Clarity of Faith.png|A forward view of ''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' in ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''.
File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|Assault carrier scale.
File:HR-CAS-Assaultcarrier-Render.png|A render of the assault carrier.
File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|A ''CAS''-class carrier in the '''[[Halo 4]]''' ''[[Prologue]]''.
File:Master Chief Collection - Carrier.png|The dorsal energy projector of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier in the [[The Hunter and the Hunted|''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' announcement trailer]]. 
File:H2A Cutscene EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|An assault carrier's energy projector piercing the hull of a {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A - Solemn Penance jumping.jpg|''Solemn Penance'' performs an in-atmosphere slipspace jump on [[Earth]].
File:H2A - Solemn Penance exiting slipspace.jpg|The ''Solemn Penance'' exiting slipspace.
File:H2A Terminals - Unggoy on Balaho.jpg|A ''CAS''-class 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 ''CAS''-class assault carriers fly in formation after the [[Battle of Meridian]]; leading them is the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''. 
File:H2A-CAS Passing Cairo.png|A detailed view of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier's underside as it files past ''Cairo Station'' during the Battle for Earth. 
File:H2A - BattleofEarth.png|Two ''CAS''-class assault carriers battle the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] during the disastrous initial assault of the [[Battle for Earth]]. 
File:H2A-AssaultCarrierCore.jpg|The internal [[pinch fusion reactor]] of an assault carrier in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A Terminals - High Charity interior.jpg|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier holds position above the great city of ''High Charity'' alongside several ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers. 
File:H2A Great Schism.png|Several ''CAS''-class assault carriers close in on [[High Charity]] to join the battle above Installation 05. 
File:HFB-CAS&CCS&SDV.jpg|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier leading a fleet in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''.
File:HFB-CAS&SDV.jpg|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier and {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}.
File:HFB-Lotsofships.png|Assault carrier to scale with other Covenant and UNSC vessels, outmassed only by the brigantine and the UNSC ''Infinity''. 
HW2-Trailer-Crashed assault carrier.png|The crashed assault carrier ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'' on Installation 00 in ''[[Know Your Enemy]]''.
File:HW3 Faceoff Concept.png|[[Halo Wars 3 (rejected pitch)|''Halo Wars 3'' pitch]] artwork depicting a ''Marathon''-class cruiser facing down a CAS-class carrier.
File:HINF Concept AssaultCarrier.jpg|Early concept art for ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier.
File:HINF Carrier.png|The ''[[Purveyor of Virtue]]'' in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HTV-Unbound-HighCharity.jpg|''CAS''-class assault carriers protecting High Charity in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[The Return]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Unbound]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
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