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Marathon-class heavy cruiser: Difference between revisions

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|navigation=
|navigation=
|hull=191 cm of [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A battle plate]]<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 251'' (2010 edition); ''page 261'' (2011 edition)</ref>
|hull=191 cm of [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A battle plate]]<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 251'' (2010 edition); ''page 261'' (2011 edition)</ref>
|armament=*Two [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|49F9A1 MAC]]s{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|armament=*2 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|49F9A1 MAC]]s{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*70 [[Archer missile|M58 Archer missile pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*70 [[Archer missile|M58 Archer missile pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*6 [[Sentry autocannon|M66 Sentry autocannons]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*6 [[Sentry autocannon|M66 Sentry autocannons]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
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|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|introduced=[[2520]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Note|Id=service|Text=The [[2022]] ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)|Halo Encyclopedia]]'' established the ''Marathon'' as having been first launched in 2520, which, however, contradicts ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]] - [[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]'' Issue 1, as it depticted several ''Marathon''-class cruisers being present during the [[Operation: TREBUCHET]] in [[2513]] - rendering the comic panel ambigous.}}
|introduced=[[2520]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Note|Id=service|Text=The [[2022]] ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)|Halo Encyclopedia]]'' established the ''Marathon'' as having been first launched in 2520, which, however, contradicts ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]] - [[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]'' Issue 1, as it depicted several ''Marathon''-class cruisers being present during the [[Operation: TREBUCHET]] in [[2513]], rendering the comic panel depiction dubious.}}
|affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]
|affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]
}}
}}
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''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers feature a standard complement of one thousand personnel, and are typically commanded by a [[captain]] or [[Admiral|rear admiral]], often being reserved for [[admiral]]s to use as [[Flagship|command ships]] due to their characteristic durability and firepower.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}} They are also known to have the capacity to carry [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] contingents as well as accompanying [[dropship]] transportation.{{Ref/Reuse|TFoR23}}
''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers feature a standard complement of one thousand personnel, and are typically commanded by a [[captain]] or [[Admiral|rear admiral]], often being reserved for [[admiral]]s to use as [[Flagship|command ships]] due to their characteristic durability and firepower.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}} They are also known to have the capacity to carry [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] contingents as well as accompanying [[dropship]] transportation.{{Ref/Reuse|TFoR23}}


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/Reuse|ODST}} 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; despite this, ''Marathon''s can carry two dozen [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}{{Ref/Note|As this is a very large number of fighters, and it has been stated that UNSC cruisers specifically trade fighter-carrying capacity for armaments and armor, it is likely that this number represents the carrying capacity of the ''Marathon''-class when in its converted light carrier configuration instead of in its standard form.}}
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/Reuse|ODST}} 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; despite this, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers can carry two dozen [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}{{Ref/Note|As this is a very large number of fighters, and it has been stated that UNSC cruisers specifically trade fighter-carrying capacity for armaments and armor, it is likely that this number represents the carrying capacity of the ''Marathon''-class when in its converted light carrier configuration instead of in its standard form.}}


===Armaments===
===Armaments===
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*{{UNSCShip|Prophecy}} – Destroyed during the [[Harvest campaign]] in [[2531#February|February 2531]].{{Ref/Reuse|Genesis}}{{Ref/Reuse|Timeline}}
*{{UNSCShip|Prophecy}} – Destroyed during the [[Harvest campaign]] in [[2531#February|February 2531]].{{Ref/Reuse|Genesis}}{{Ref/Reuse|Timeline}}
*{{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} (CA-942) – Deployed [[ODSTs]] to board ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' as part of [[Operation: BUMRUSH]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]] on October 20, 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|ODST}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
*{{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} (CA-942) – Deployed [[ODSTs]] to board ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' as part of [[Operation: BUMRUSH]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]] on October 20, 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|ODST}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
*''[[C-322]]'' - Participated in the [[Defense of Concord]] in [[2551#December|December 2551]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Contention|Winter Contention}}
*''[[C-322]]'' - Participated in the [[Defense of Concord]] in [[2551#December|December 2551]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Contention|Halo: Winter Contention}}


==Service history==
==Service history==
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*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Winter Contention]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Winter Contention]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Solace (TV Series)|Solace]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''
**''[[Halo (TV Series)|Halo]]''
{{Col-end}}
{{Col-end}}


Revision as of 11:08, March 23, 2024

Marathon-class heavy cruiser
A render of the Marathon-class cruiser modelled by Jared Harris for the fan mod Sins of the Prophets - used in the 2022 Halo Encyclopedia.
Production information

Manufacturer:

SinoViet Heavy Machinery[1]

Class:

Cruiser[2]

Role:

Technical specifications

Length:

1,192 meters (3,910 ft)[3]

Width:

293 meters (960 ft)[3][5]

Height:

375 meters (1,230 ft)[5]

Mass:

12 million tonnes[1]

Engine(s):

Fusion drives[6][7]

Slipspace drive:

Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine[8]

Hull:

191 cm of Titanium-A battle plate[9]

Armament:

Complement:

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Introduced:

2520[1][Note 1]

Affiliation:

UNSC Navy

 

The Marathon-class heavy cruiser (hull classification symbol: CA)[6] is a classification of cruiser in service with the UNSC Navy. Built as a replacement for the Halcyon-class light cruiser, the Marathon-class is nearly 1.2 kilometers long, heavily armored, and equipped with two Magnetic Accelerator Cannons and an impressive arsenal of missiles.[9]

These vessels were most often deployed in attack and defense roles, serving as the backbone of UNSC fleets, though they were also popular among high-ranking UNSC officers for use as command ships,[3] and were even deployed in rare instances in a light carrier configuration.[4] They were primarily used during the Human-Covenant War, though their numbers were heavily diminished and only very few remain in service in the conflict's aftermath alongside their successor vessel, the Autumn-class heavy cruiser.[12]

Design details

Superstructure and hull

The UNSC Leviathan, Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth's flagship.

At 1,192 meters (3,910 ft) long,[3] Marathon-class heavy cruisers are more than twice the length of a typical frigate. Despite their size, Marathon-class cruisers are dwarfed by most Covenant cruiser classes.[9] As the successor to the Halcyon-class cruiser, these vessels have a similar profile, with a forward 'head' and large engine segment protected by armor cowlings, yet are not not identical and feature a streamlined inwards-slanted underside. The class also sports a thick 191-centimeter hull of Titanium-A armor, enabling it to withstand substantial amounts of fire even from plasma weaponry.[9] By 2552 the Marathon was considered to be one of the more powerful warships ever built by humanity,[13] outclassing its predecessor in virtually every respect.[9]

Like all warships of the UNSC Navy, Marathon-class heavy cruisers have a degree of operational flexibility that is achieved through the use of modular mission packages and reconfigurable hangar bays. Though a rare configuration, these cruisers could be modified and equipped to function as a light carrier, sacrificing missile pods and all of its cargo bays for additional hangar capacity.[4]

Crew and complement

Marathon-class heavy cruisers feature a standard complement of one thousand personnel, and are typically commanded by a captain or rear admiral, often being reserved for admirals to use as command ships due to their characteristic durability and firepower.[9] They are also known to have the capacity to carry Marine contingents as well as accompanying dropship transportation.[10]

Cruisers of the Marathon class are fitted with at least two hangar bays.[14][15] 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.[11] 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; despite this, Marathon-class heavy cruisers can carry two dozen GA-TL1 Longswords.[9][Note 2]

Armaments

Marathon-class heavy cruisers are mounted with two Magnetic Accelerator Cannons as their primary armament,[2][3] supplemented by a missile delivery system[2] with 1,800 Archer missiles and five fusion rockets.[9] In addition, the Marathon-class utilises a network of point-defense guns.[2]

Ships of the line

Service history

Preston Cole reviews the events of the Battle of Harvest.
Several Marathon-class heavy cruisers engaging the Rasus-pattern interdictor at Harvest.

The Marathon-class heavy cruiser was commissioned and built as a replacement for the Halcyon-class light cruiser,[9] a smaller and more lightly armed cruiser which suffered from excessive production costs and a lack of tactical viability.[3] After a brief era of service,[2] 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.[3]

Human-Covenant War

Main article: Human-Covenant War

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, Marathons continued to serve in Cole's Third Fleet. Several Marathons from the fleet, including UNSC Prophecy, participated in the Harvest campaign.[14][20] At least one Marathon-class heavy cruiser, UNSC Dresden, participated in the Battle of Biko, where it was destroyed by the Covenant.[8]

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.[23] As of July 2552, only 20 cruisers remained within the UNSC fleet, possibly at least among the FLEETCOM Sector One.[Note 3] Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth's flagship Leviathan of the Battle Group Leviathan was present at the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV in July 2552 and was severely damaged during the battle.[13][24] Numerous Marathon-class heavy cruisers participated in the Fall of Reach, many of which were destroyed, including Leviathan.[9][15][17]

At least eight Marathon-class cruisers (including UNSC Canberra[6] and Say My Name,[21] assigned to the Fifth Fleet, a part of the UNSC Home Fleet) were present at the onset of the Battle for Earth. Led by Fleet Admiral Joseph 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.[25] Admiral Carl Patterson's Battle Group Omicron, drawn from the Home Fleet, contained one Marathon-class heavy cruiser that participated in the Onyx Conflict, where she was destroyed with the rest of her battle group.[26] Several Marathon-class cruisers of the Home Fleet were presumably destroyed over the course of the Battle for Earth, particularly after the final wave of Covenant reinforcements arrived.[27]

Post-war

Most remaining Marathon-class heavy cruisers were decommissioned after the Autumn-class heavy cruiser was introduced, with only a handful staying in service.[12] The Autumn class became slated to serve as the core of the reconstituted UNSC Navy's fleet, a role the Marathon class had previously fulfilled.[2] A Marathon-class heavy cruiser served as the flagship of Admiral Graselyn Tuwa during 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 corvettes.[28]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances

Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp

Several Marathon-class heavy cruisers participated in the Operation: TREBUCHET over Eridanus II against the Insurrectionists in 2513 during the Insurrection.[29][Note 1] One of these cruisers threatened the URF vessel Gateway, which experienced difficulties with its slipspace drive, until it was later ripped apart by Robert Watts using towing cables on his Charon-class light frigate, Iliad, and he sent the cruiser's debris into a collision course with another UNSC vessel, destroying both ships, alongside a Halcyon-class cruiser.[29]

Halo: Fleet Battles

UNSC Marathon Heavy Cruiser

This element includes a single Marathon-class heavy cruiser.

UNSC Marathon Heavy Cruiser Capital Ship, Medium (95 PTS)
The Marathon-class cruiser. Movement 8" Systems Loadout
Damage Track 6 • 6 • 3

Hard Burn (2")
Missile Barrage*
Point Defence (3)
Titanium Armour (3)

Build Rating 2
Hangars 2
Boarding Craft 2
Security Detail 3
Primary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Heavy MAC 16/32" MAC (2) Forward 7


Secondary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Missile Batteries 12/24" Missiles Forward* or Port + Starboard 6




UNSC Supported Marathon Heavy Cruiser

This element includes a Marathon-class heavy cruiser and one Paris-class heavy frigate.

UNSC Marathon Heavy Cruiser Capital Ship, Medium (110 PTS)
The Supported Formation of Marathon-class cruisers. Movement 8" Systems Loadout
Damage Track 7 • 6 • 3

Hard Burn (2")
Missile Barrage*
Point Defence (4)
Titanium Armour (3)

Build Rating 3
Hangars 2
Boarding Craft 2
Security Detail 4
Primary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Heavy MAC 16/32" MAC (2) Forward 9


Secondary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Missile Batteries 12/24" Missiles Forward* or Port + Starboard 7



UNSC Reinforced Marathon Heavy Cruiser

This element includes a Marathon-class heavy cruiser and two Paris-class heavy frigates.

UNSC Marathon Heavy Cruiser Capital Ship, Medium (120 PTS)
The Reinforced Formation of Marathon-class cruisers. Movement 8" Systems Loadout
Damage Track 8 • 7 • 4

Hard Burn (2")
Missile Barrage*
Point Defence (5)
Titanium Armour (4)

Build Rating 4
Hangars 2
Boarding Craft 2
Security Detail 4
Primary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Heavy MAC 16/32" MAC (3) Forward 11


Secondary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Missile Batteries 12/24" Missiles Forward* or Port + Starboard 9



UNSC Paired Marathon Heavy Cruisers

This element features two Marathon-class heavy cruisers.

UNSC Marathon Heavy Cruiser Capital Ship, Medium (220 PTS)
The Paired Formation of Marathon-class cruisers. Movement 8" Systems Loadout
Damage Track 10 • 10 • 5

Hard Burn (2")
Missile Barrage*
Point Defence (7)
Titanium Armour (7)

Build Rating 6
Hangars 4
Boarding Craft 4
Security Detail 6
Primary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Heavy MAC 16/32" MAC (4) Forward 16


Secondary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Missile Batteries 12/24" Missiles Forward* or Port + Starboard 12



Trivia

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

Gallery

Illustrations

Renders

  • The Marathon-class model developed by Blur for Halo 2: Anniversary.

    The Marathon-class model developed by Blur for Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • Detail of the rear engines of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser.

    Detail of the rear engines of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser.

  • Comparison of the fore and aft of the Marathon.

    Comparison of the fore and aft of the Marathon.

  • 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.

  • The starboard profile of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser.

    The starboard profile of a Marathon-class heavy cruiser.

Screenshots

  • A Marathon-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth.

    A Marathon-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth.

  • 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 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.

List of appearances

Notes

  1. ^ a b The 2022 Halo Encyclopedia established the Marathon as having been first launched in 2520, which, however, contradicts Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp Issue 1, as it depicted several Marathon-class cruisers being present during the Operation: TREBUCHET in 2513, rendering the comic panel depiction dubious.
  2. ^ As this is a very large number of fighters, and it has been stated that UNSC cruisers specifically trade fighter-carrying capacity for armaments and armor, it is likely that this number represents the carrying capacity of the Marathon-class when in its converted light carrier configuration instead of in its standard form.
  3. ^ See here by regarding the number of remaining cruisers as of July 2552

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 119
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Waypoint: UNSC Cruiser
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 42
  4. ^ a b c Halo: Fleet Battles, Core Rulebook - page 125
  5. ^ a b 3D model data from Halo 2
  6. ^ a b c d Halo 2: Anniversary, campaign level Cairo Station
  7. ^ Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo, page 33
  8. ^ a b c Halo: First Strike, "Tug o' War", page 413 (2010)
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 251 (2010 edition); page 261 (2011 edition)
  10. ^ a b c Halo: The Fall of Reach, Chapter 23 (2019)
  11. ^ a b c d Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Prepare to Drop
  12. ^ a b Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, UNSC Cruiser, page 191
  13. ^ a b Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 188 (2010)
  14. ^ a b c Halo Wars: Genesis
  15. ^ a b Halo: Fleet Battles, Stats
  16. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Fifty Caliber
  17. ^ a b Halo: First Strike, page 168 (2003), page 206 (2010)
  18. ^ Halo Waypoint: Michael Stanforth
  19. ^ Stephen Loftus on the Autumn class' talk page
  20. ^ a b Halo Wars, Timeline
  21. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: UNSC Say My Name (defunct, backup on Archive.org)
  22. ^ Halo: Winter Contention
  23. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 162
  24. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 224 (2010)
  25. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  26. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 292, 333
  27. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Crow's Nest
  28. ^ Halo: Last Light, page 71
  29. ^ a b Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp, issue #1
  30. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder: In the Loop

v • d • e
 
Human ship classifications
Stealth craft
Heavy frigates Paris-class • Strident-class
Light frigates Anlace-class • Charon-class • Mulsanne-class • Stalwart-class
Heavy destroyers Able-class • Hillsborough-class
Light destroyers Diligence-class • Halberd-class • Unidentified
Heavy cruisers Autumn-class • Marathon-class • Valiant-class
Light cruisers Halcyon-class
Unclassified
By human faction: UEG (UNSC • CAA) • Insurrectionist
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