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{{Title|UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''}}
{{Title|UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''}}
{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
<center>'''''Forward Unto Dawn''' redirects here. For the web series, see [[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]; for the poem, see [[Forward Unto Dawn (poem)]].''</center>
{{Redirect|Forward Unto Dawn|the web series and the poem|Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn (poem)}}
{{Individual ship infobox
{{Infobox/Ships
|name           = UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''
|name= UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''
|image           = [[File:H3-UNSCForwardUntoDawnFrigate.png|350px]]
|image= [[File:H3-UNSCForwardUntoDawnFrigate.png|350px]]
|class           = {{Class|Charon|light frigate}}
|modules        =
|length         = {{Convert|490|m|ftin|sp=us}}<ref name="guide"/><ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12"/>
{{Infobox/Ships/Individual
|width           = {{Convert|155.2|m|ftin|sp=us}}
|country              = [[Unified Earth Government]]
|height         = {{Convert|139.2|m|ftin|sp=us}}
|country flag        = {{Icon|UEG}}
|engine          = [[Deuterium fusion reactor|Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR]]<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12"/><ref name="changes">[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn#Halo 4 redesign|See production notes.]]</ref>
|name                = ''Forward Unto Dawn''
|slipspace drive = [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Series IV CODEN/SFTE]]<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12"/>
|class= {{Class|Charon|light frigate}}<ref name="guide">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 74''</ref>
|hull           = 60 centimeters [[Titanium-A armor|titanium-A battleplate]]{{Citation needed}}
|identification      =
|armament        =
|operator            = [[UNSC Navy]]
*[[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3/MAC]] (1)<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12"/>
|manufacturer        = [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}
*[[M58 Archer missile]] pods (50)<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12"/>
|architect            =
**30 missiles/pod
|laid down            =
*[[M870 Rampart point defense gun|M870 Rampart 50mm point defense gun]]s (4x triple-linked)<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12'']</ref><ref name="changes"/>
|launched            =
*Unidentified secondary point defense guns (6x quad-linked)<ref>[[:File:H4fudback.jpg|''Forward Unto Dawn'''s starboard hull.]]</ref>
|commissioned        =
*Unidentified tertiary point defense guns<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn (level)|Dawn]]'' - Forward Unto Dawn status hologram</ref>
|fate = Split in half during the [[Battle of Installation 00]]
*[[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system]] (3 silos)<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12"/>
*[[2552#December|December 11, 2552]] {{c|forward half crashed in Indian Ocean}}
|capacity        = 782 maximum crew and complement<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 1''</ref>
*[[2557#July|July 21, 2557]] {{c|aft half crashed on [[Requiem]]}}
*[[M808 Main Battle Tank]]s (4+)
|status              =
*[[M12 Force Application Vehicle]]s (~12+)
|captains            = *[[Fleet Admiral|FADM]] [[Terrence Hood]]{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheStorm}} {{c|November 17, 2552}}
*[[AV-14 Hornet]]s
*[[Commander|CDR]] [[Miranda Keyes]]{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}} {{c|Post-November 17, 2552}}
*[[D77-TC Pelican]]s (7+)
|ai                  =
*[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s (12+)
|motto                =
*Escape pods (12)       
|badge                =
|consumables    = Food, ammunition, fuel
}}
|role            = Support for heavier ships, transport, command vessel <small>(after destruction of Home Fleet)</small>
|hide-characteristics =
|first sighting  =
|nocollapse          =
|destroyed      = 2552 - split in half, forward half crashed in Indian Ocean; [[2557]] - aft half crashed on [[Requiem]]
|type                = [[UNSC frigate|Frigate]]
|battles        =;[[Human-Covenant War]]
|length               = {{Convert|1606.65|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}<ref name="H3GameData">'''[[Halo 3]]''' ''3D game data''</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|guide}}{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
*[[Battle of Earth]]
|width               = {{Convert|510.42|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3GameData}}
**[[Battle of Voi]]
|height               = {{Convert|456.68|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3GameData}}
*[[Battle of Installation 00]]
|mass=0.65 million metric tons{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p123|Enc22|Page=123}}
*[[Raid on Installation 04B]]
|power                = [[Fusion reactor]]
;[[Human-Promethean war]]
|maneuver drive      = [[Deuterium fusion reactor|Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}<ref name="changes">[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn#Halo 4 redesign|See production notes.]]</ref>
*[[First Battle of Requiem]]
|slipspace drive     = [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Series IV CODEN/SFTE]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|affiliation    = [[UNSC Navy]]
|hull                 = 60 centimeters [[Titanium-A armor|titanium-A battleplate]]<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 259'' (2011)</ref>
|fleet          = [[Seventh Fleet]]<ref name="guide">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 74''</ref>
|armaments            = *1 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3/MAC]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|named crew      =
*50 [[M58 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|captains        =
*4 [[M870 Rampart point defense gun|M870 Rampart 50mm point defense gun]]s<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx '''Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20140730210813/https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-101012- Archive.org])</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|changes}}
*[[Commander (UNSC)|Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]]
*3 [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system]] silos{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
*[[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]
|complement          = *782{{Ref/Reuse|FUDP1}}
**[[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]]{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
***[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**3+ [[M808C Scorpion]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[M12 Warthog]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[AV-14 Hornet]]s
**7+ [[D77H-TCI Pelican]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[M8823 drop pod]]s
}}
}}


'''UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''''' ([[Hull classification symbol|FFG-201]]) was a {{Class|Charon|light frigate}} in the [[UNSC Navy]].<ref name="guide"/> Affectionately known by her crew as "The ''Dawn''",<ref>'''[[Halo 3: Official Strategy Guide]]''', ''page 109''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark]]''</ref> the ship's name is taken from [[Forward Unto Dawn (poem)|a poem]] about humanity's interstellar expansion. With a maximum complement of 782,<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 1''</ref> the ''Dawn'' participated in the final battles of the [[Human-Covenant War]].
The '''UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''''' ([[hull classification symbol]]: '''FFG-201''', UNSC REG: UNSC_REG // '''77263.000_A'''), was a {{Class|Charon|light frigate}} in the [[UNSC Navy]].{{Ref/Reuse|guide}} Affectionately known by her crew as "The ''Dawn''",{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}}<ref>'''[[Halo 3: Official Strategy Guide]]''', ''page 109''</ref> the ship's name is taken from [[Forward Unto Dawn (poem)|a poem]] about humanity's interstellar expansion. With a maximum complement of 782,<ref name="FUDP1">'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 1''</ref> the ''Dawn'' participated in the final battles of the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}}


==History==
== Service history ==
===Battle of Voi===
=== Human-Covenant War ===
==== Battle for Earth ====
{{Main|Battle of Voi}}
{{Main|Battle of Voi}}
In November [[2552]], ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was part of the UNSC's [[Seventh Fleet]]. The ''Dawn'' was recalled to reinforce the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] during the [[Battle of Earth]].<ref name="guide"/> The UNSC suffered heavy casualties during the Covenant's assault. By the time [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] arrived from [[Installation 05]] aboard the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was one of the few ships remaining under [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]'s command. Due to the lack of larger, more powerful vessels, Hood used the ''Dawn'' as his flagship during the Battle of Voi. He agreed to commit ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and two other frigates, (including [[UNSC Aegis Fate|''Aegis Fate'']]), against the grounded Dreadnought, which had begun interfacing with the [[Forerunner]] [[The Portal|structure]] the [[Covenant]] had unearthed between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]]. After the Spartan destroyed the Covenant's local anti-air defenses, the frigates and several [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s assaulted the Dreadnought.
As of [[2552#November|November 2552]], ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was part of the UNSC's [[Seventh Fleet]], which was part of the [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]] after [[2552#September|September 5, 2552]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=NRA|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 002 Doc 3.jpg|Naval Records Archives]]}} The ''Dawn'' was recalled to reinforce the Home Fleet during the [[Battle for Earth]] against the Covenant, now led by the [[Jiralhanae]] after turning against the [[Sangheili]] when the [[Great Schism]] began.{{Ref/Reuse|guide}} The UNSC suffered very heavy casualties from the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[Truth's fleet|massive Covenant combined fleet]] when it arrived in the later stages of the Battle for Earth.{{Ref/Site|Id=dreadnought|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/dreadnought|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Dreadnought|D=25|M=07|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=hbc286|Novel=[[Halo: Broken Circle]] (Google Books)|Page=286|Quote=He has taken what is left of the Covenant fleets and is heading for the human world, Earth. He is seeking the Ark.|Quotee=[[G'torik 'Klemmee]]}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3CN}} By the time [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] arrived from [[Installation 05]] aboard the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was one of the few ships remaining under [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]]'s command. Due to the lack of [[Capital ship|larger and more powerful vessels]], Hood used the ''Dawn'' as his flagship during the Battle of Voi. He agreed to commit ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and at least six other frigates of the [[Battle Group Victory]] against the grounded Dreadnought, which had begun interfacing with the [[Forerunner]] [[The Portal|structure]] the [[Covenant]] had unearthed between the cities of [[Mombasa]] and [[Voi]].{{Ref/Level|Id=H3CN|Game=Halo 3|Level=Crow's Nest}}  After the Spartan destroyed the Covenant's local anti-air defenses, the frigates and several [[C712 Longsword]]s assaulted the Dreadnought.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheStorm}}
 
Despite firing nearly a dozen MAC slugs at Truth's ship, the Dreadnought remained unharmed. Immediately afterward, a slipspace portal was activated and the Forerunner Dreadnought and [[Truth's fleet]] passed through it. Unbeknownst to the UNSC, who assumed that the excavated complex was itself the Ark, the real Ark, [[Installation 00]], lay beyond the portal.{{Ref/Level|Id=TheStorm|Game=Halo 3|Level=The Storm}}


Despite firing nearly a dozen MAC slugs at Truth's ship, the Dreadnought remained unharmed. Immediately afterward, a slipspace portal was activated and [[Truth's fleet]] passed through it. Unbeknownst to the UNSC, who assumed that the excavated complex was itself the Ark, the real Ark, [[Installation 00]], lay beyond the portal.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Storm (level)|The Storm]]''</ref>
The [[Flood]] arrived in Voi shortly after the opening of the slipspace portal; the parasite was pursued by a portion of [[Covenant separatists|Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by the [[assault carrier]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' and commanded by [[Fleetmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], supporting the UNSC to stop the Flood threat.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Floodgate}}  After the infection had been cleansed, the Sangheili and UNSC viewed a message from Cortana, warning them that the Gravemind itself was coming to Earth.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Floodgate}}  They further learned that there was a [[Installation 08|solution]] to the Flood on the other side of the Portal - one that did not require firing the remaining [[Halo Array|Halos]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Floodgate}} 


The [[Flood]] arrived in Voi shortly after the opening of the slipspace portal; the parasite was pursued by a [[Covenant separatists|Covenant separatist]] [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by the [[assault carrier]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''. The Flood threat forced the UNSC into an alliance with the [[Sangheili]]-led separatists, commanded by [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]. Both the humans and the Sangheili hoped to find a solution to the Flood beyond the portal. At least two UNSC vessels, ''Forward Unto Dawn'' and ''Aegis Fate'', were deployed alongside the Fleet of Retribution; elements of the [[11th Marine Force Reconnaissance/ODST]] were tasked with gathering intelligence on whatever lay beyond the portal. Hood gave [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] command of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' while he remained behind to coordinate Earth's remaining defenses; the ship was docked inside ''Shadow of Intent'''s massive hangar bay and the task force set off through the portal.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>
'Vadum insisted that Elites and humans both go through the Portal to deal with Truth and the Flood once and for all.  Though skeptical, Lord Hood agreed to commit some forces to the mission. To this end, the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' alongside a portion of the Seventh Fleet including {{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}} joined Sangheili forces of the Fleet of Retribution; elements of the [[11th Marine Force Reconnaissance/ODST]] were also tasked with gathering intelligence on whatever lay beyond the portal. Hood gave [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] command of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' while he remained behind to coordinate Earth's remaining defenses; the ship was docked inside ''Shadow of Intent''{{'}}s massive hangar bay and the task force set off through the portal.{{Ref/Level|Id=Floodgate|Game=Halo 3|Level=Floodgate}}


===Operation: BLIND FAITH===
==== Operation: BLIND FAITH ====
{{Main|Battle of Installation 00}}
{{Main|Battle of Installation 00}}
{{Quote|I'm giving the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] all I've got, but this is a heavy-weight fight! The Dawn's only got the tonnage to last a few rounds.|Commander Miranda Keyes during the battle over the Ark.}}
{{Quote|I'm giving the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] all I've got, but this is a heavy-weight fight! The ''Dawn''{{'}}s only got the tonnage to last a few rounds.|Commander Miranda Keyes during the battle over the Ark.}}
Once at the Ark, the opposing Covenant fleets engaged one another. The UNSC frigates were ill-equipped to fight against such large opponents, but were able to engage the enemy cruisers for a short time. ''Forward Unto Dawn'' deployed troops to the surface, with John-117's team disabling an [[Type-27 Anti-Aircraft Cannon|Mantis AA gun]]. Once a landing zone was cleared, ''Forward Unto Dawn'' set down near the [[Cartographer]] and directly offloaded several [[M808 Main Battle Tank]]s and [[M12 Force Application Vehicle]]s.
Once at the Ark, the UNSC-Sangheili allied fleet and Truth's numerically-superior massive Jiralhanae fleet engaged one another.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}} The ''Dawn'' was ill-equipped to fight against such large opponents, but was able to engage the enemy warships for a short time. At the same time, the ''Dawn'' deployed troops to the surface, with John-117's team disabling a [[Type-27 Anti-Aircraft Cannon|Mantis AA gun]] and a pair of [[Ogab'd-pattern anti-aircraft Wraith|Anti-Air Wraiths]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}} Once a landing zone was cleared, ''Forward Unto Dawn'' set down near the [[Cartographer]] and directly offloaded several [[M808C Scorpion]]s and [[M12 Warthog]]s.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3TheArk|Game=Halo 3|Level=The Ark}}


As the human-Sangheili alliance pushed toward the installation's control center, [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] was captured so that Truth could force him to activate the [[Halo Array]]. Around this time, the Flood arrived at the Ark via the now-infested [[High Charity]] and began attacking both sides. Commander Keyes attempted a daring rescue, though she was killed personally by the Prophet of Truth. Shortly thereafter, John-117, [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], and [[monitor]] [[343 Guilty Spark]] discovered that the Ark was manufacturing a [[Installation 04B|replacement]] for [[Installation 04]];<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant]]''</ref> it was then determined that igniting the ring could destroy both the Flood and the Covenant with a single, decisive blow. With the rest of ''Forward Unto Dawn'''s crew and complement dead or aboard the remaining separatist vessels, Johnson brought the ship a few kilometers from the incomplete ring's [[Control Room]] and closed the distance in a Warthog.<ref name="Halo">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref>
As the human-Sangheili alliance pushed toward the installation's [[Installation 00 Citadel|control center]], [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]] was captured so that Truth could force him to activate the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheCovenant}} Around this time, the Flood arrived at the Ark via the now-infested [[High Charity]] and began attacking both sides.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheCovenant}} Commander Keyes attempted a daring rescue, though she was killed personally by the Prophet of Truth.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheCovenant}} Nevertheless, the Chief and the Arbiter succeeded in killing Truth and stopping the Halo Array from being fired.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheCovenant}} Shortly thereafter, John-117, [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], and [[monitor]] [[343 Guilty Spark]] discovered that the Ark was manufacturing a [[Installation 08|replacement]] for [[Installation 04]];{{Ref/Level|Id=TheCovenant|Game=Halo 3|Level=[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]}} it was then determined that igniting the ring could destroy both the Flood and the Covenant with a single, decisive blow.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheCovenant}}


===Escape from Installation 00===
==== Raid on Installation 08 ====
{{Quote|Well, some of us made it.|Cortana, after escaping Installation 04B.}}  
{{Main|Raid on Installation 08}}
Ultimately, Johnson was betrayed and killed by Guilty Spark, who was in turn destroyed by the Spartan. With the ring was activated, John and the Arbiter raced to the now-deserted vessel. After crashing Johnson's Warthog into the ship's oversized cargo bay, 'Vadam headed for the bridge while the Spartan uploaded [[Cortana]] into the ship's mainframe to activate the engines.<ref name="Halo"/> The ship entered the slipspace portal, which collapsed as the ring's energy pulse hit. ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was cut in half as a result.
[[File:H3DawnOcean.png|thumb|left|200px|The front section of the ''Dawn'', crashed in an ocean of Earth.]]
{{Quote|Well, some of us made it.|Cortana, after escaping Installation 08.}}  
With the rest of ''Forward Unto Dawn''{{'}}s crew and complement dead or aboard the remaining Sangheili vessels, Johnson brought the ship a few kilometers from the incomplete ring's [[Control Room]] and closed the distance in a Warthog.{{Ref/Level|Id=Halo|Game=Halo 3|Level=[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]}} Ultimately, Johnson was betrayed and killed by Guilty Spark, who was in turn [[Eleventh Hour reports|apparently]] destroyed by the Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}}  The ring was activated, and John and the Arbiter raced to the now-deserted ''Dawn''.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} After crashing Johnson's Warthog into the ship's oversized cargo bay, 'Vadam headed for the bridge while the Spartan uploaded [[Cortana]] into the ship's mainframe to activate the engines.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} The ship entered the slipspace portal, which collapsed as the ring's energy pulse hit. ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was cut in half as a result.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}}


The forward section, containing the Arbiter, returned to [[Earth]] and crashed into the Indian Ocean. They were rescued from the wreckage by a UNSC recovery team.<ref name="Halo"/> The debris from the ship that landed on Earth was auctioned off sometime after the end of the Human-Covenant War.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike (2010)''', ''Adjunct''</ref>
The forward section, containing the Arbiter, returned to [[Earth]] and crashed into the Indian Ocean, and he was rescued from the wreckage by a UNSC recovery team.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} Data retrieved from the forward section's internal systems exhibited the Master Chief's interactions with several [[Z-9930 Information Vector Console|terminals]] on Installation 00. For humanity, this data shed light on the Forerunners' final days before the Halo Array's activation. ONI scientists discerned the terminal data was incomplete, but understood the significance the [[Librarian]], [[Ur-Didact]] and [[IsoDidact]] played in the Array's activation.<ref>'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 161''</ref>


===Adrift in space===
=== Post-war ===
[[File:H4fudback.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The ''Dawn'''s aft half drifting in space.]]
==== Adrift in space ====
The aft section emerged in unknown space, John and Cortana having survived the Halo's pulse. The Spartan and AI were left in a drifting hulk without working propulsion. After Cortana dropped a [[emergency locator beacon|distress beacon]], John entered a [[cryo chamber]] to wait for recovery.<ref name="Halo"/> During the years that followed, Cortana remained active and alert while the Spartan slept in cryo. In [[2556]], the AI compiled a history of the [[Forerunner]]s and humanity and shared it with the still-unconscious Spartan.<ref>'''Halo Legends''' - ''Origins''</ref> She later took the opportunity to overhaul and upgrade John's [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor]], making modifications to its layout using [[nanotechnology|nanomachines]] while also rewriting its firmware.<ref name="Dawn">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn (level)|Dawn]]''</ref>
[[File:H3 - FUD aft.jpg|thumb|300px|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s aft half drifting in space.]]
The aft section emerged in unknown space, John and Cortana having survived the Halo's pulse. The Spartan and AI were left in a drifting hulk without working propulsion. After Cortana dropped a [[emergency locator beacon|distress beacon]], John entered a [[cryo chamber]] to wait for recovery.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} During the years that followed, Cortana remained active and alert while the Spartan slept in cryo. In [[2556]], the AI compiled a history of the [[Forerunner]]s and humanity and shared it with the still-unconscious Spartan.<ref>'''Halo Legends''' - ''Origins''</ref> She later took the opportunity to overhaul and upgrade John's [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor]], making modifications to its layout using [[nanotechnology|nanomachines]] while also rewriting its firmware.<ref name="Dawn">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn]]''</ref>


===Arrival at Requiem===
==== Battle of Requiem ====
On [[2557|July 20th, 2557]],<ref name="Game Informer May 2012">'''Game Informer''': ''May 2012''</ref> precisely four years, seven months, and ten days after the Battle of Installation 00, Cortana noticed that the ship's intruder alarms had been activated and awakened John-117 from [[Cryonics|cryosleep]]. After being revived, John fought off the intruders, who turned out to be [[Sangheili]] and [[Unggoy]]. The Chief and Cortana soon realized that a [[Covenant remnant|Covenant fleet]] had surrounded the ''Forward Unto Dawn''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s remains while a group of [[Type-44 Troop Carrier|Phantoms]] unloaded more boarders onto the heavily damaged frigate. During the fight through the ship, the Master Chief managed to launch one of the ship's [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|''Hyperion'' nuclear missiles]] and destroy a nearby {{Class|CRS|light cruiser}}.<ref name="Dawn"/> Soon, John and Cortana crashed on the Forerunner [[shield world]] known as [[Requiem]]. The remnants of the ''Dawn'' did not survive atmospheric entry and the ship was torn to pieces, scattered over a kilometers-wide swath on the surface, along with the attacking Covenant vessels.<ref name="Requiem">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref>
{{Main|Battle of Requiem}}
On [[2557#July|July 20, 2557]],<ref name="Game Informer May 2012">'''Game Informer''': ''May 2012''</ref> precisely four years, seven months, and ten days after the Battle of Installation 00, Cortana noticed that the ship's intruder alarms had been activated and awakened John-117 from [[Cryonics|cryosleep]]. After being revived, John fought off the intruders, who turned out to be [[Sangheili]], [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Unggoy]]. The Chief and Cortana soon realized that a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant fleet]] had surrounded the ''Forward Unto Dawn's'' remains while a group of [[Type-44 Phantom|Phantoms]] unloaded more boarders onto the heavily damaged frigate. During the fight through the ship, the Master Chief managed to launch one of the ship's [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|''Hyperion'' nuclear missiles]] and destroy a nearby {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}} which was approaching to destroy the ship's remains with its ventral [[energy projector]] but did not bother to raise its shields. Shortly afterwards, the ''Dawn's'' remains were caught in the [[gravity well]] of the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] of [[Requiem]] and was drawn inside. Though John attempted to escape using one of the ''Dawn's'' escape pods, he was sucked into space before he could board one.{{Ref/Reuse|Dawn}} The remnants of the ''Dawn'' did not survive atmospheric entry and the ship was torn to pieces, scattered over a kilometers-wide swath on the surface, along with the attacking Covenant vessels.{{Ref/Level|Id=Requiem|H4|[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]}}


Fortunately, dozens of weapons and a handful of [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|M12 Warthog LRVs]] survived the crash, enabling John and Cortana to scout the surface of the shield world. Having discovered Cortana's distress beacon, the {{UNSCship|Infinity}} was deployed to recover the Dawn<nowiki>'</nowiki>s survivors.<ref name="Requiem"/> ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew, still following the beacon, attempted to find the Dawn<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crash site inside the installation. However, the ship's locator signal was being faked by the [[Forerunner]] supreme commander known as the [[Ur-Didact]], who attempted to draw the ''Infinity'' inside Requiem to enact his plan of vengeance upon humanity.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> The wreckage was presumably destroyed along with Requiem itself in [[2558|February 2558]].<ref>'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', [[S1/Exodus|S1E10 - ''Exodus'']]</ref>
Fortunately, dozens of weapons and a handful of [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|M12 Warthog LRVs]] survived the crash, enabling John and Cortana to scout the surface of the shield world. Having discovered Cortana's distress beacon, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} was deployed to recover the ''Dawn's'' survivors.{{Ref/Reuse|Requiem}} ''Infinity's'' crew, still following the beacon, attempted to find the ''Dawn's'' crash site inside the installation. However, the ship's locator signal was being faked by the [[Forerunner]] supreme commander known as the [[Ur-Didact]], who attempted to draw the ''Infinity'' inside Requiem to enact his plan of vengeance upon humanity.{{Ref/Level|Id=Forerunner|H4|[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]}} The wreckage was presumably destroyed along with Requiem itself in [[2558|February 2558]].<ref>''[[Spartan Ops]]'', [[S1/Exodus|S1E10 - ''Exodus'']]</ref>


== Production notes ==
== Production notes ==
Despite maintaining a [[:File:Infinity_fud_scale.jpg|similar profile]], the ''Charon'' class, most notably ''Forward Unto Dawn'', was redesigned in ''Halo 4''. The ship appears much larger, with more of the forward half remaining intact, though it is canonically still 490 meters long. This increase in scale was intended to create a more interesting playspace, much like the dramatic upscaling of the {{UNSCship|Pillar of Autumn}} in ''[[The Maw]]''; otherwise, the first level's playspace would have been cramped and required a great deal of backtracking. The scale is further confused by the Covenant cruisers encountered in the level; while the ''Dawn''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s aft half dwarfs what appears to be a colossal {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}, the enemy vessels are actually 300 meter-long ''CRS''-class light cruisers. The ship's cryotubes have also been remodeled and the cryo bay has been rearranged.
[[File:FUD H3-Hyperion H4-scaled2.jpg|thumb|250px|A scaled comparison between the ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 4'' depictions of the ship's aft section.]]
''Forward Unto Dawn'' underwent a major redesign in ''[[Halo 4]]'', though [[343 Industries]] writer [[Jeff Easterling]] has since confirmed that the ship's original appearance is considered canon.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Canon Fodder - Have S'moa'']</ref> A modified version of the design is used as the appearance of the {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}.
 
Despite maintaining a [[:File:Infinity fud scale.jpg|generally similar profile]], the ship appears much larger, with more of the forward half remaining intact. This increase in scale was intended to create a more interesting playspace, much like the dramatic upscaling of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} in ''[[The Maw]]''; otherwise, the first level's playspace would have been cramped and required a great deal of backtracking. The scale is further confused as the ''Dawn'' dwarfs the 300-meter {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s encountered in the level. The ship's cryotubes have also been remodeled and the cryo bay has been rearranged.


The enlarged cargo bay, (a defining feature of the ''Charon'' class), is greatly reduced in size, which creates an inconsistency with the final cutscene of the level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''. Rather than having two primary engines on the main hull and two secondaries on the "wings", there are only two primary engines with one secondary nestled between them. The port and starboard hangar bays have been reduced from five small bays on either side to one much larger bay on either side; they are moved much farther back, remaining with the aft section. The point defense guns have been retconned into three separate models, increased in number, and moved to different areas on the hull.
The enlarged cargo bay (a defining feature of the ''Charon'' class) is greatly reduced in size and moved farther forward, creating an inconsistency with ''Halo 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Halo (Halo 3 level)|final level]]. Rather than having two primary engines on the main hull and two secondaries on the "wings", there are only two primary engines with one secondary nestled between them. The port and starboard hangar bays have been reduced from five small bays on either side to one much larger bay on either side; they are moved much farther back, remaining with the aft section. The visual armament has been changed; rather than the four dual-barreled guns, six quad-barreled point defense guns and five triple-barreled turrets are mounted on the upper portion of the hull. These are similar in design to the [[M870 Rampart point defense gun|M870 Ramparts]] and [[Mark 55 Castor naval coilgun]]s found on the ''Strident''-class.<ref name="H4InGame">[[:File:H4fudback.jpg|''Forward Unto Dawn''{{'}}s starboard hull.]]</ref>


== Trivia ==
==Trivia==
*On the lower part of the bow there is a black "7" inside a yellow star with a yellow chevron under it, which shows the ship's assignment to the Seventh Fleet. This is one of [[Bungie]]'s myriad [[List of "seven" references in the Halo series|references to the number seven]].
{{Other languages
*All three frigates in the level ''The Storm'', (one of them being ''Aegis Fate''), use the same textures as ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
|fr=UNSC {{Tooltip|''Aube de l'Espérance''|Dawn of Hope}} in ''Halo 3''.<br>
*Like the main vessels of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', ([[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|''Pillar of Autumn'']] and ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]'', respectively), ''Forward Unto Dawn'' serves as the main vessel in ''[[Halo 3]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s campaign and is likewise destroyed near the end of the game.
UNSC {{Tooltip|''Forward Unto Dawn''|(Anglicism)}} in ''Halo 4''.
}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*On the lower part of the bow there is a black "7" inside a yellow star with a yellow chevron under it, which shows the ship's assignment to the Seventh Fleet. This is one of [[Bungie]]'s myriad references to the number [[seven]].
*All three frigates in the level ''The Storm'' use the same textures as ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
*Like the main vessels of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', ([[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|''Pillar of Autumn'']] and ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]'', respectively), ''Forward Unto Dawn'' serves as the main vessel in ''[[Halo 3]]''{{'}}s campaign and is likewise destroyed near the end of the game.
*''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' mistakenly lists the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' as appearing in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was confused with ''In Amber Clad''.
*Through the early levels of ''[[Halo 4]]'', the Master Chief and Cortana refer to themselves as being the Master Chief and Cortana of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' when attempting to communicate with ''Infinity'' and her forces. Master Chief later changes this to "UNSC Master Chief" when approaching [[Ivanoff Station]].
{{Clear}}


==Gallery==
== Gallery ==
===Profile===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H3-UNSCFUDSide.png|A side view of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:H3-ForwardUntoDawnSide.png|Profile view of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3-ForwardUntoDawnSide.png|A three-quarter side view of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:Infinity fud scale.jpg|Size comparison between the ''Infinity'' and ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:Mac.jpg|The ''Dawn'' fires its MAC on the Forerunner Dreadnought at the Battle of Voi.
File:Mac.jpg|The ''Dawn'' fires its MAC on the Forerunner Dreadnought at the Battle of Voi.
File:Forward into dawn.jpg|The ''Dawn'' arrives over Installation 00.
File:Ark3.jpg|The ''Dawn'' deploys its wing of Pelicans to the surface of Installation 00 while flying in formation with the ''Shadow of Intent''.  
File:Forward Unto Dawn.jpg|The ''Dawn'' hovers just above Installation 00's surface.
File:H3  Ark ForwardUntoDawn.jpg|The ''Dawn'' arrives over Installation 00.
File:DawnBase.jpg|The ''Dawn'' deploys ground forces onto Installation 00.
File:DawnBase.jpg|The ''Dawn'' deploys its ground forces onto the Ark via its lowering platforms.  
File:FUD-04-00.JPG|The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' hovering over the new Installation 04B with the Ark in the skyline.
File:FUD-04-00.JPG|The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' hovering over the new Installation 08 with the Ark in the skyline.
File:FUD Escaping The Ark.jpg|The ''Dawn'' escapes Installation 04B's activation.
File:FUD Escaping The Ark.jpg|The ''Dawn'' escapes Installation 08's activation.
File:Fud bridge.JPG|The interior of the ''Forward Unto Dawn's'' bridge.
File:Halo3.png|The front section of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' enters Earth's atmosphere.
File:Halo3.png|The front section of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' enters Earth's atmosphere.
File:Fud_cutaway.jpg|The aft section of the ''Dawn'' just after being severed.
File:Fud_cutaway.jpg|The aft section of the ''Dawn'' just after being severed.
File:H3 - FUD aft.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' adrift in space.
File:H3 - FUD aft.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' adrift in space.
File:FUD-Dawn-Adrift.jpg|The ''Dawn'''s remains, still drifting through uncharted space.
File:HW2-FFG-201.png|The UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''{{'}}s hull classification symbol appearing aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in an earlier build of ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:Storm fleet surrounding FUD.jpg|The Covenant remnant fleet converging around the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:HW2 Screenshot FuDWreckage.png|Part of the wreckage of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'', seen on Installation 00 in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:H4FUD Forward Unto Dawn.jpg|The ''Forward Unto Dawn'''s bridge.
File:HW2 Ark2.png|UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' at several dozens of thousands kilometers above Installation 00.
File:Planet 1.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' being pulled into Requiem in the [[Halo 4 announcement trailer|''Halo 4'' announcement trailer]].
File:Megabrand - Forward unto Dawn.jpg|An intact Halo 4-era ''Forward unto Dawn'' signature toy by [[MEGA Brands]].
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Interior===
=== Non-canonical depiction ===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Fud bridge.JPG|The interior of the ''Forward Unto Dawn's'' bridge.
File:Planet 1.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' being pulled into Requiem in the [[Halo 4 announcement trailer|''Halo 4'' announcement trailer]].
File:H4FUD Cryo-bay.jpg|The ''Dawn'''s cryo bay.
File:H4FUD Forward Unto Dawn.jpg|The ''Dawn'' in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
File:DawnInterior.jpg|Another view of the cryo bay.
File:H4 DawnCryoBay Preproduction Concept.jpg|Extremely early pre-production concept art for ''Forward Unto Dawn''s cryo bay in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-Dawn-OperationsRoom.jpg|The ''Dawn'''s operations room.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-1.jpg|Early concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' for ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:Dawn escape pods.jpg|One of the ship's escape pod bays.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-2.jpg|Profile design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
</gallery>
File:H4-Concept-Charon-Frigate.jpg|Finalized concept art of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' prior to being "halved".
 
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-3.jpg|Engine design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
===Concepts===
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-4.jpg|Engine design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
<gallery>
File:Infinity fud scale.jpg|Size comparison between the ''Infinity'' and ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-Concept-Charon-Frigate.jpg|Finalized concept art of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' prior to being "halved".
File:H4fudback.jpg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s aft half drifting in space in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-1.jpg|Profile design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:Dawn.jpeg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s cryobay.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-2.jpg|Engine design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:H4-Dawn-OperationsRoom.jpg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s operations room.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Approach.jpg|The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' approaching Requiem.
File:Covenant fleet surrounding FUD.jpg|Jul 'Mdama's fleet converging around the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''{{'}}s [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:Halo4conceptart3.jpg|The ''Dawn'' drifting in deep space.
File:Megabrand - Forward unto Dawn.jpg|An intact ''Halo 4'' ''Forward Unto Dawn'' signature toy by [[MEGA Brands]].
File:Halo4conceptart2.jpg|The ''Dawn'' entering Requiem's primary entrance portal.
File:H4 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn render.jpg|A side view of the model used in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Wreckage.jpg|The ''Dawn'''s remains after crashing on Requiem's surface.
File:H4 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn views-renders.jpg|Angled views of the model used in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Cryo.jpg|The ''Dawn'''s cryo bay.
File:H4TEVG-FUD-AftHalf-Side.png|Model as seen in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-EscapePod.jpg|One of the ''Dawn'''s escape pods.  
File:HE-DawnAft.png| The aft section of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' as seen in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' (2010) {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' (2010) {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{C|Wreckage only}}
*''[[Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{UNSC Frigate}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Unto Dawn}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forward Unto Dawn}}
[[Category:Human Ships]]
[[Category:Charon-class light frigates]]
[[Category:UNSC ships]]

Latest revision as of 14:59, July 4, 2024

"Forward Unto Dawn" redirects here. For the web series and the poem, see Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn and Forward Unto Dawn (poem).
UNSC Forward Unto Dawn
H3-UNSCForwardUntoDawnFrigate.png
Ship history
Unified Earth Government

Name:

Forward Unto Dawn

Class:

Charon-class light frigate[1]

Operator:

UNSC Navy

Manufacturer:

SinoViet Heavy Machinery[2]

Fate:

Split in half during the Battle of Installation 00

Captain(s):

General characteristics

Type:

Frigate

Length:

489.71 meters (1,606.65 ft)[5][1][6]

Width:

155.58 meters (510.42 ft)[5]

Height:

139.20 meters (456.68 ft)[5]

Mass:

0.65 million metric tons[2]

Power plant:

Fusion reactor

Maneuver drive:

Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR[6][7]

Slipspace drive:

Series IV CODEN/SFTE[6]

Complement:

Hull:

60 centimeters titanium-A battleplate[9]

Armaments:

 

The UNSC Forward Unto Dawn (hull classification symbol: FFG-201, UNSC REG: UNSC_REG // 77263.000_A), was a Charon-class light frigate in the UNSC Navy.[1] Affectionately known by her crew as "The Dawn",[4][10] the ship's name is taken from a poem about humanity's interstellar expansion. With a maximum complement of 782,[8] the Dawn participated in the final battles of the Human-Covenant War.[4]

Service history[edit]

Human-Covenant War[edit]

Battle for Earth[edit]

Main article: Battle of Voi

As of November 2552, Forward Unto Dawn was part of the UNSC's Seventh Fleet, which was part of the Home Fleet after September 5, 2552.[11] The Dawn was recalled to reinforce the Home Fleet during the Battle for Earth against the Covenant, now led by the Jiralhanae after turning against the Sangheili when the Great Schism began.[1] The UNSC suffered very heavy casualties from the Prophet of Truth's massive Covenant combined fleet when it arrived in the later stages of the Battle for Earth.[12][13][14] By the time Spartan John-117 arrived from Installation 05 aboard the Prophet of Truth's Forerunner Dreadnought, Forward Unto Dawn was one of the few ships remaining under Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood's command. Due to the lack of larger and more powerful vessels, Hood used the Dawn as his flagship during the Battle of Voi. He agreed to commit Forward Unto Dawn and at least six other frigates of the Battle Group Victory against the grounded Dreadnought, which had begun interfacing with the Forerunner structure the Covenant had unearthed between the cities of Mombasa and Voi.[14] After the Spartan destroyed the Covenant's local anti-air defenses, the frigates and several C712 Longswords assaulted the Dreadnought.[3]

Despite firing nearly a dozen MAC slugs at Truth's ship, the Dreadnought remained unharmed. Immediately afterward, a slipspace portal was activated and the Forerunner Dreadnought and Truth's fleet passed through it. Unbeknownst to the UNSC, who assumed that the excavated complex was itself the Ark, the real Ark, Installation 00, lay beyond the portal.[3]

The Flood arrived in Voi shortly after the opening of the slipspace portal; the parasite was pursued by a portion of Sangheili Fleet of Retribution, led by the assault carrier Shadow of Intent and commanded by Fleetmaster Rtas 'Vadum, supporting the UNSC to stop the Flood threat.[15] After the infection had been cleansed, the Sangheili and UNSC viewed a message from Cortana, warning them that the Gravemind itself was coming to Earth.[15] They further learned that there was a solution to the Flood on the other side of the Portal - one that did not require firing the remaining Halos.[15]

'Vadum insisted that Elites and humans both go through the Portal to deal with Truth and the Flood once and for all. Though skeptical, Lord Hood agreed to commit some forces to the mission. To this end, the Forward Unto Dawn alongside a portion of the Seventh Fleet including UNSC Aegis Fate joined Sangheili forces of the Fleet of Retribution; elements of the 11th Marine Force Reconnaissance/ODST were also tasked with gathering intelligence on whatever lay beyond the portal. Hood gave Commander Miranda Keyes command of Forward Unto Dawn while he remained behind to coordinate Earth's remaining defenses; the ship was docked inside Shadow of Intent's massive hangar bay and the task force set off through the portal.[15]

Operation: BLIND FAITH[edit]

Main article: Battle of Installation 00

"I'm giving the Brutes all I've got, but this is a heavy-weight fight! The Dawn's only got the tonnage to last a few rounds."
— Commander Miranda Keyes during the battle over the Ark.

Once at the Ark, the UNSC-Sangheili allied fleet and Truth's numerically-superior massive Jiralhanae fleet engaged one another.[4] The Dawn was ill-equipped to fight against such large opponents, but was able to engage the enemy warships for a short time. At the same time, the Dawn deployed troops to the surface, with John-117's team disabling a Mantis AA gun and a pair of Anti-Air Wraiths.[4] Once a landing zone was cleared, Forward Unto Dawn set down near the Cartographer and directly offloaded several M808C Scorpions and M12 Warthogs.[4]

As the human-Sangheili alliance pushed toward the installation's control center, Sergeant Major Avery Johnson was captured so that Truth could force him to activate the Halo Array.[16] Around this time, the Flood arrived at the Ark via the now-infested High Charity and began attacking both sides.[16] Commander Keyes attempted a daring rescue, though she was killed personally by the Prophet of Truth.[16] Nevertheless, the Chief and the Arbiter succeeded in killing Truth and stopping the Halo Array from being fired.[16] Shortly thereafter, John-117, Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, and monitor 343 Guilty Spark discovered that the Ark was manufacturing a replacement for Installation 04;[16] it was then determined that igniting the ring could destroy both the Flood and the Covenant with a single, decisive blow.[16]

Raid on Installation 08[edit]

Main article: Raid on Installation 08
The front section of the Dawn, crashed in an ocean of Earth.

"Well, some of us made it."
— Cortana, after escaping Installation 08.

With the rest of Forward Unto Dawn's crew and complement dead or aboard the remaining Sangheili vessels, Johnson brought the ship a few kilometers from the incomplete ring's Control Room and closed the distance in a Warthog.[17] Ultimately, Johnson was betrayed and killed by Guilty Spark, who was in turn apparently destroyed by the Spartan.[17] The ring was activated, and John and the Arbiter raced to the now-deserted Dawn.[17] After crashing Johnson's Warthog into the ship's oversized cargo bay, 'Vadam headed for the bridge while the Spartan uploaded Cortana into the ship's mainframe to activate the engines.[17] The ship entered the slipspace portal, which collapsed as the ring's energy pulse hit. Forward Unto Dawn was cut in half as a result.[17]

The forward section, containing the Arbiter, returned to Earth and crashed into the Indian Ocean, and he was rescued from the wreckage by a UNSC recovery team.[17] Data retrieved from the forward section's internal systems exhibited the Master Chief's interactions with several terminals on Installation 00. For humanity, this data shed light on the Forerunners' final days before the Halo Array's activation. ONI scientists discerned the terminal data was incomplete, but understood the significance the Librarian, Ur-Didact and IsoDidact played in the Array's activation.[18]

Post-war[edit]

Adrift in space[edit]

The Dawn's aft half drifting in space.

The aft section emerged in unknown space, John and Cortana having survived the Halo's pulse. The Spartan and AI were left in a drifting hulk without working propulsion. After Cortana dropped a distress beacon, John entered a cryo chamber to wait for recovery.[17] During the years that followed, Cortana remained active and alert while the Spartan slept in cryo. In 2556, the AI compiled a history of the Forerunners and humanity and shared it with the still-unconscious Spartan.[19] She later took the opportunity to overhaul and upgrade John's Mark VI MJOLNIR armor, making modifications to its layout using nanomachines while also rewriting its firmware.[20]

Battle of Requiem[edit]

Main article: Battle of Requiem

On July 20, 2557,[21] precisely four years, seven months, and ten days after the Battle of Installation 00, Cortana noticed that the ship's intruder alarms had been activated and awakened John-117 from cryosleep. After being revived, John fought off the intruders, who turned out to be Sangheili, Kig-Yar and Unggoy. The Chief and Cortana soon realized that a Covenant fleet had surrounded the Forward Unto Dawn's remains while a group of Phantoms unloaded more boarders onto the heavily damaged frigate. During the fight through the ship, the Master Chief managed to launch one of the ship's Hyperion nuclear missiles and destroy a nearby Zanar-pattern light cruiser which was approaching to destroy the ship's remains with its ventral energy projector but did not bother to raise its shields. Shortly afterwards, the Dawn's remains were caught in the gravity well of the Forerunner shield world of Requiem and was drawn inside. Though John attempted to escape using one of the Dawn's escape pods, he was sucked into space before he could board one.[20] The remnants of the Dawn did not survive atmospheric entry and the ship was torn to pieces, scattered over a kilometers-wide swath on the surface, along with the attacking Covenant vessels.[22]

Fortunately, dozens of weapons and a handful of M12 Warthog LRVs survived the crash, enabling John and Cortana to scout the surface of the shield world. Having discovered Cortana's distress beacon, the UNSC Infinity was deployed to recover the Dawn's survivors.[22] Infinity's crew, still following the beacon, attempted to find the Dawn's crash site inside the installation. However, the ship's locator signal was being faked by the Forerunner supreme commander known as the Ur-Didact, who attempted to draw the Infinity inside Requiem to enact his plan of vengeance upon humanity.[23] The wreckage was presumably destroyed along with Requiem itself in February 2558.[24]

Production notes[edit]

A scaled comparison between the Halo 3 and Halo 4 depictions of the ship's aft section.

Forward Unto Dawn underwent a major redesign in Halo 4, though 343 Industries writer Jeff Easterling has since confirmed that the ship's original appearance is considered canon.[25] A modified version of the design is used as the appearance of the Strident-class heavy frigate.

Despite maintaining a generally similar profile, the ship appears much larger, with more of the forward half remaining intact. This increase in scale was intended to create a more interesting playspace, much like the dramatic upscaling of the UNSC Pillar of Autumn in The Maw; otherwise, the first level's playspace would have been cramped and required a great deal of backtracking. The scale is further confused as the Dawn dwarfs the 300-meter Zanar-pattern light cruisers encountered in the level. The ship's cryotubes have also been remodeled and the cryo bay has been rearranged.

The enlarged cargo bay (a defining feature of the Charon class) is greatly reduced in size and moved farther forward, creating an inconsistency with Halo 3's final level. Rather than having two primary engines on the main hull and two secondaries on the "wings", there are only two primary engines with one secondary nestled between them. The port and starboard hangar bays have been reduced from five small bays on either side to one much larger bay on either side; they are moved much farther back, remaining with the aft section. The visual armament has been changed; rather than the four dual-barreled guns, six quad-barreled point defense guns and five triple-barreled turrets are mounted on the upper portion of the hull. These are similar in design to the M870 Ramparts and Mark 55 Castor naval coilguns found on the Strident-class.[26]

Trivia[edit]

Language Equivalent
Flag of France.png
French 		UNSC Aube de l'Espérance in Halo 3.

UNSC Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4.

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • On the lower part of the bow there is a black "7" inside a yellow star with a yellow chevron under it, which shows the ship's assignment to the Seventh Fleet. This is one of Bungie's myriad references to the number seven.
  • All three frigates in the level The Storm use the same textures as Forward Unto Dawn.
  • Like the main vessels of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, (Pillar of Autumn and In Amber Clad, respectively), Forward Unto Dawn serves as the main vessel in Halo 3's campaign and is likewise destroyed near the end of the game.
  • Halo: The Essential Visual Guide mistakenly lists the Forward Unto Dawn as appearing in Halo 3: ODST. Forward Unto Dawn was confused with In Amber Clad.
  • Through the early levels of Halo 4, the Master Chief and Cortana refer to themselves as being the Master Chief and Cortana of the Forward Unto Dawn when attempting to communicate with Infinity and her forces. Master Chief later changes this to "UNSC Master Chief" when approaching Ivanoff Station.

Gallery[edit]

  • Profile view of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 3.

    Profile view of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 3.

  • The Dawn fires its MAC on the Forerunner Dreadnought at the Battle of Voi.

    The Dawn fires its MAC on the Forerunner Dreadnought at the Battle of Voi.

  • The Dawn deploys its wing of Pelicans to the surface of Installation 00 while flying in formation with the Shadow of Intent.

    The Dawn deploys its wing of Pelicans to the surface of Installation 00 while flying in formation with the Shadow of Intent.

  • The Dawn arrives over Installation 00.

    The Dawn arrives over Installation 00.

  • The Dawn deploys its ground forces onto the Ark via its lowering platforms.

    The Dawn deploys its ground forces onto the Ark via its lowering platforms.

  • The Forward Unto Dawn hovering over the new Installation 08 with the Ark in the skyline.

    The Forward Unto Dawn hovering over the new Installation 08 with the Ark in the skyline.

  • The Dawn escapes Installation 08's activation.

    The Dawn escapes Installation 08's activation.

  • The interior of the Forward Unto Dawn's bridge.

    The interior of the Forward Unto Dawn's bridge.

  • The front section of Forward Unto Dawn enters Earth's atmosphere.

    The front section of Forward Unto Dawn enters Earth's atmosphere.

  • The aft section of the Dawn just after being severed.

    The aft section of the Dawn just after being severed.

  • The aft half of the Dawn adrift in space.

    The aft half of the Dawn adrift in space.

  • The UNSC Forward Unto Dawn's hull classification symbol appearing aboard the UNSC Spirit of Fire in an earlier build of Halo Wars 2.

    The UNSC Forward Unto Dawn's hull classification symbol appearing aboard the UNSC Spirit of Fire in an earlier build of Halo Wars 2.

  • Part of the wreckage of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, seen on Installation 00 in Halo Wars 2.

    Part of the wreckage of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, seen on Installation 00 in Halo Wars 2.

  • UNSC Forward Unto Dawn at several dozens of thousands kilometers above Installation 00.

    UNSC Forward Unto Dawn at several dozens of thousands kilometers above Installation 00.

Non-canonical depiction[edit]

  • The aft half of the Dawn being pulled into Requiem in the Halo 4 announcement trailer.

    The aft half of the Dawn being pulled into Requiem in the Halo 4 announcement trailer.

  • Extremely early pre-production concept art for Forward Unto Dawns cryo bay in Halo 4.

    Extremely early pre-production concept art for Forward Unto Dawns cryo bay in Halo 4.

  • Early concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn for Halo 4.

    Early concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn for Halo 4.

  • Profile design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

    Profile design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

  • Finalized concept art of the Forward Unto Dawn prior to being "halved".

    Finalized concept art of the Forward Unto Dawn prior to being "halved".

  • Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

    Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

  • Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

    Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

  • Size comparison between the Infinity and Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4.

    Size comparison between the Infinity and Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4.

  • The Dawn's aft half drifting in space in Halo 4.

    The Dawn's aft half drifting in space in Halo 4.

  • The Dawn's cryobay.

    The Dawn's cryobay.

  • The Dawn's operations room.

    The Dawn's operations room.

  • Jul 'Mdama's fleet converging around the Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4's terminals.

    Jul 'Mdama's fleet converging around the Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4's terminals.

  • An intact Halo 4 Forward Unto Dawn signature toy by MEGA Brands.

    An intact Halo 4 Forward Unto Dawn signature toy by MEGA Brands.

  • A side view of the model used in Halo 4.

    A side view of the model used in Halo 4.

  • Angled views of the model used in Halo 4.

    Angled views of the model used in Halo 4.

  • Model as seen in Halo 4.

    Model as seen in Halo 4.

  • The aft section of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn as seen in Halo: Escalation.

    The aft section of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn as seen in Halo: Escalation.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 74
  2. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 123
  3. ^ a b c Halo 3, campaign level The Storm
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  5. ^ a b c Halo 3 3D game data
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Waypoint: The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12 (defunct, backup on Archive.org)
  7. ^ a b See production notes.
  8. ^ a b Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, Part 1
  9. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 259 (2011)
  10. ^ Halo 3: Official Strategy Guide, page 109
  11. ^ Halo Legendary Crate - Data Drop #2: Naval Records Archives
  12. ^ Halo Waypoint, Dreadnought (Retrieved on Jul 25, 2021) [archive]
  13. ^ Halo: Broken Circle (Google Books), page 286: "He has taken what is left of the Covenant fleets and is heading for the human world, Earth. He is seeking the Ark." - G'torik 'Klemmee
  14. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level Crow's Nest
  15. ^ a b c d Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  16. ^ a b c d e f Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  18. ^ Halo Mythos, page 161
  19. ^ Halo Legends - Origins
  20. ^ a b Halo 4, campaign level Dawn
  21. ^ Game Informer: May 2012
  22. ^ a b Halo 4, campaign level Requiem
  23. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Forerunner
  24. ^ Spartan Ops, S1E10 - Exodus
  25. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Have S'moa
  26. ^ Forward Unto Dawn's starboard hull.
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