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{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|thumb|290px|Nanolaminate plating provides both the aesthetic and protective functions of the [[Covenant]].]]
[[File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|thumb|290px|Nanolaminate plating provides both aesthetic and protective functions for [[Covenant]] technology.]]
'''Nanolaminate hull plating''' is the most common form of battle plating found on the [[Covenant]]'s warships.<ref name="Catalog">[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'']</ref> It is typically purplish in color, although the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} has a pale white-blue hull and [[Kig-Yar]] vessels are generally bluish-black in color.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 26''</ref> Nanolaminate plating was noted for causing the hulls of Covenant vessels to possess an odd, opalescent-like shine.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 119''</ref> The plating is very strong and heat resistant, with the support of [[energy shielding]] allowing Covenant ships to take more damage.<ref name="fs79">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 79''</ref> The amount of nanolaminate plating applied to each ship depends on the class, though {{Class|CSO|supercarrier}}s have well over thirty meters of armor plating.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 266''</ref> As of [[2525]], nanolaminate plating is not used in any [[human]] construction.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 176''</ref>
'''Nanolaminate''' is a type of material used as battle plating for [[Covenant]] warships{{Ref/Site|Id=Catalog|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/catalog-interaction/4c3e1c6f-6519-4ee0-83a4-4bac13bf07a3/posts?page=14|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=21|M=10|Y=2018|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post_.236}} and [[Sangheili]] [[combat harness]]es.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFFinals|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/community-update-the-finals-countdown|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Community Update - The Finals Countdown|D=19|M=03|Y=2017}}{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/the-new-halo-encyclopedia-is-out-today|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=The New Halo Encyclopedia is Out Today|D=11|M=03|Y=2023}} Possessing a characteristic opalescent-like shine,<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 119''</ref> nanolaminate can range in color from purplish to white-blue or silver, while [[Kig-Yar]] vessels are generally bluish-black in color.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 26''</ref> The plating is very strong and heat resistant, with the support of [[energy shielding]] allowing Covenant ships to take more damage.<ref name="fs79">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 79''</ref> The amount of nanolaminate plating applied to each ship depends on the class, though {{Pattern|Ruma|light carrier}}s have well over thirty meters of armor plating.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 266''</ref> As of [[2525]], nanolaminate plating has not seen use in any [[human]] construction.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 176''</ref>
 
It is likely that Covenant [[dropship]]s, such as the [[Type-52 Phantom]], or assault platforms, such as the [[Type-47 Scarab]], are covered with nanolaminate hull plating.


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
===Defensive capabilities===
===Defensive capabilities===
[[File:ApexBattleImage.png|thumb|250px|A ''CPV''-class destroyer collides with the ''Spirit of Fire'', with the former vessel taking little damage.]]
[[File:ApexBattleImage.png|thumb|250px|A ''CPV''-class destroyer collides with the ''Spirit of Fire'', with the former vessel taking little damage.]]
The hull plating allows ships to be resilient to most [[UNSC]] weaponry. UNSC [[point-defense gun]]s are not powerful enough to do significant damage to the plating,<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 272''</ref> [[Archer missile]]s prove to be very effective against the unshielded hull of a Covenant vessel causing the ship to become very vulnerable following the resulting explosions of the missiles.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 179''</ref> [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]] are often used to disable and destroy Covenant vessels after the energy shielding fails, being powerful enough to pierce the nanolaminate hull plating of most ships with a single round.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 297''</ref> A single pack of [[C-12 shaped charge]]s can easily puncture a large hole through the hull of a [[Covenant cruiser]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Blunt Instruments]]", ''page 202''</ref> A Covenant cruiser is capable of taking a direct hit from a [[mass driver]] at near point-blank range with only minor structural damage done to the nanolaminate plating, but a second hit in the same spot was capable of piercing the vessel.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 342''</ref>
Nanolaminate hull plating allows ships to be resilient to most [[UNSC]] weaponry. UNSC [[point-defense gun]]s are not powerful enough to do significant damage to the plating,<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 272''</ref> [[Archer missile]]s prove to be very effective against the unshielded hull of a Covenant vessel, causing the ship to become very vulnerable following the resulting explosions of the missiles.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 179''</ref> [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s are often used to disable and destroy Covenant vessels after the energy shielding fails, being powerful enough to pierce the nanolaminate hull plating of most ships with a single round.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 297''</ref> A single pack of [[C-12 shaped charge]]s can easily puncture a large hole through the hull of a [[Covenant cruiser]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Blunt Instruments]]", ''page 202''</ref> Some Covenant cruisers are capable of taking a direct hit from a [[mass driver]] at near point-blank range with only minor structural damage done to the nanolaminate plating, but a second hit in the same spot will puncture the vessel.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 342''</ref>


However, Covenant weaponry is more effective against nanolaminate plating. The ''CSO''-class supercarrier ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', one of the most powerful vessels in the [[Covenant fleet]], was heavily damaged by a single [[plasma turret]] torpedo, with several layers of the armor plating boiling away.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 76''</ref>
However, Covenant weaponry is more effective against nanolaminate plating. The carrier ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'' was heavily damaged by a single [[plasma turret|plasma torpedo]], with several layers of the armor plating boiling away.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 76''</ref>


The nanolaminate plating is also durable against direct collisions with other vessels. [[Unidentified CPV-class heavy destroyer|A ''CPV''-class heavy destroyer]] took negligible damages after a direct collision with the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, with its energy shields seemingly not active.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', campaign level, ''[[Repairs (Level)|Repairs]]''</ref> Although during the [[Second Battle of Requiem]], a {{Class|RCS|armored cruiser}} equipped with energy shields, one of the former Covenant's most armored vessels, was obliterated after it endured a collision with the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, with seemingly no damage done to the ''Infinity''.<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', ''[[Departure]]''</ref>
The Sangheili continued to improve their ships' nanolaminate plating and other onboard technologies in the wake of the Human-Covenant War. Following a joint anti-[[piracy]] operation with the [[UNSC Navy]] in a [[Joint Occupation Zone]] in [[2557]], [[ONI]] analysis noted improvements to the hull plating of the assault carrier ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|Catalog}}


===Heat resilience===
===Heat resilience===
The nanolaminate plating is very heat resistant, allowing Covenant vessels to enter extreme atmospheres or absorb the long-range damage from [[human]] [[nuclear weapon]]s. Upon entering the gas giant [[Threshold]]'s atmosphere shield-less, the hull of ''Ascendant Justice'' heated to three hundred degrees Celsius, with no actual structural damage done to the ship.<ref name="fs79"/> Only when the ship reached temperatures of over seventeen hundred degrees Celsius did minor hull tearing and conduit melting occur.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 84''</ref> However, at such high temperatures, the superstructure of the vessel becomes considerably softened.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 223''</ref>
The nanolaminate plating is very heat resistant, allowing Covenant vessels to enter extreme atmospheres or absorb the long-range damage from [[human]] [[nuclear weapon]]s. Upon entering the gas giant [[Threshold]]'s atmosphere shield-less, the hull of ''Ascendant Justice'' heated to three hundred degrees Celsius, with no actual structural damage done to the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|fs79}} Only when the ship reached temperatures of over seventeen hundred degrees Celsius did minor hull tearing and conduit melting occur.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 84''</ref> However, at such high temperatures, the superstructure of the vessel becomes considerably softened.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 223''</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
The shield used by the [[Covenant]]'s [[Mgalekgolo]] soldiers appears to be made up of a similar alloy.
The shield used by the [[Covenant]]'s [[Mgalekgolo]] soldiers is made up of starship-grade nanolaminate alloy.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/lekgolo-mgalekgolo-hunter '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Lekgolo'']</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H4-Render-CRS.jpg|Renders of the ''CRS''-class light cruiser, with its hull quite visible.
File:H4-Render-CRS.jpg|Renders of the ''CRS''-class light cruiser, with its hull quite visible.
File:Reach - Supercarrier.png|A render of a ''CSO''-class supercarrier, armored with over 30 meters of nanolaminate plating.
File:HR CAS assaultcarrier Render2.png|A render of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier, whose hull is reinforced with nanolaminate.
File:InfinityRam.jpg|An ''RCS''-class armored cruiser is destroyed after the ''Infinity'' collides with it.
File:InfinityRam.jpg|An ''RCS''-class armored cruiser is destroyed after the ''Infinity'' collides with it.
File:DeliverHope - CCSBattlecruiser.png|The war-torn nanolaminate plating of a ''CCS''-class battlecruiser.
File:DeliverHope - CCSBattlecruiser.png|The war-torn nanolaminate plating of a ''CCS''-class battlecruiser.
File:Seraph reach.jpg|Covenant [[space fighter]]s, like the [[Type-31 Seraph|Seraph]], were armored with nanolaminate plating.
File:Seraph reach.jpg|Covenant [[space fighter]]s, like the [[Type-31 Seraph|Seraph]], are armored with nanolaminate plating.
File:Elite minor render.png|Sangheili combat harnesses featured nanolaminate plating.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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


[[Category:Armor]]
[[Category:Armor]]
[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Materials]]

Latest revision as of 08:07, August 7, 2024

Nanolaminate plating provides both aesthetic and protective functions for Covenant technology.

Nanolaminate is a type of material used as battle plating for Covenant warships[1] and Sangheili combat harnesses.[2][3] Possessing a characteristic opalescent-like shine,[4] nanolaminate can range in color from purplish to white-blue or silver, while Kig-Yar vessels are generally bluish-black in color.[5] The plating is very strong and heat resistant, with the support of energy shielding allowing Covenant ships to take more damage.[6] The amount of nanolaminate plating applied to each ship depends on the class, though Ruma-pattern light carriers have well over thirty meters of armor plating.[7] As of 2525, nanolaminate plating has not seen use in any human construction.[8]

Characteristics[edit]

Defensive capabilities[edit]

A CPV-class destroyer collides with the Spirit of Fire, with the former vessel taking little damage.

Nanolaminate hull plating allows ships to be resilient to most UNSC weaponry. UNSC point-defense guns are not powerful enough to do significant damage to the plating,[9] Archer missiles prove to be very effective against the unshielded hull of a Covenant vessel, causing the ship to become very vulnerable following the resulting explosions of the missiles.[10] Magnetic Accelerator Cannons are often used to disable and destroy Covenant vessels after the energy shielding fails, being powerful enough to pierce the nanolaminate hull plating of most ships with a single round.[11] A single pack of C-12 shaped charges can easily puncture a large hole through the hull of a Covenant cruiser.[12] Some Covenant cruisers are capable of taking a direct hit from a mass driver at near point-blank range with only minor structural damage done to the nanolaminate plating, but a second hit in the same spot will puncture the vessel.[13]

However, Covenant weaponry is more effective against nanolaminate plating. The carrier Ascendant Justice was heavily damaged by a single plasma torpedo, with several layers of the armor plating boiling away.[14]

The Sangheili continued to improve their ships' nanolaminate plating and other onboard technologies in the wake of the Human-Covenant War. Following a joint anti-piracy operation with the UNSC Navy in a Joint Occupation Zone in 2557, ONI analysis noted improvements to the hull plating of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent.[1]

Heat resilience[edit]

The nanolaminate plating is very heat resistant, allowing Covenant vessels to enter extreme atmospheres or absorb the long-range damage from human nuclear weapons. Upon entering the gas giant Threshold's atmosphere shield-less, the hull of Ascendant Justice heated to three hundred degrees Celsius, with no actual structural damage done to the ship.[6] Only when the ship reached temperatures of over seventeen hundred degrees Celsius did minor hull tearing and conduit melting occur.[15] However, at such high temperatures, the superstructure of the vessel becomes considerably softened.[16]

Trivia[edit]

The shield used by the Covenant's Mgalekgolo soldiers is made up of starship-grade nanolaminate alloy.[17]

Gallery[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo Waypoint Forums, Catalog Interaction (Retrieved on Oct 21, 2018) [local archive] [external archive]
  2. ^ Halo Waypoint, Community Update - The Finals Countdown (Retrieved on Mar 19, 2017) [archive]
  3. ^ Halo Waypoint, The New Halo Encyclopedia is Out Today (Retrieved on Mar 11, 2023) [archive]
  4. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 119
  5. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 26
  6. ^ a b Halo: First Strike, page 79
  7. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 266
  8. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 176
  9. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 272
  10. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 179
  11. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 297
  12. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "Blunt Instruments", page 202
  13. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 342
  14. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 76
  15. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 84
  16. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 223
  17. ^ Halo Waypoint: Lekgolo