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{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Title|''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Rename|Covenant assault carrier|Given the recent direction we've taken with Covenant ship classifications, i.e. "Covenant corvette", "Covenant destroyer", and "Covenant frigate", it seems appropriate. The current title is fairly ambiguous, as "Assault Carrier" could hypothetically refer to a UNSC ship classification.}}
{{Redirect|CAS-class assault carrier|other ships of a similar classification|Covenant assault carrier}}
{{Ship
{{Infobox/Ships
|name            = Covenant Assault Carrier
|name            = ''Kerel''-pattern
|image          = [[File:Assault Carrier 2.jpg|300px]]
|image          = [[File:H3 Assault Carrier render.png|300px]]
|manufacturer    = [[Covenant Empire]]
|caption        =  
|line            =
|modules        =  
|model          =
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|class          = [[Carrier]]
|hide-class          =  
|length          = {{Convert|5.346|km|ft}}<ref name="HBO">[[:File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|HBO image that demonstrates the size and scale of starships in the Halo Universe]]</ref><ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', page 264</ref>
|class identification = UNSC [[Three-letter ship classification system|Three-letter code]]: '''CAS'''{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}
|width          = Greater than {{Convert|862|m|ft}}<ref name="ENC"/>
|class operator       =  
|height          = Greater than {{Convert|700|m|ft}}<ref name="HBO"/>
*[[Covenant]]
|mass            =
*[[Covenant remnants]] {{C|See [[#Operators|operators]]}}
|max accel       =
|class manufacturer  =  
|max speed space =
|class architect      =  
|max speed air  =
|class built          =  
|engine          = [[Repulsor Engines]]
|class in service     =  
|slipspace drive = Equipped
|poweroutput    =
|power          =
|shield gen      = Yes
|hull            = Unknown Covenant material
|sensor          =
|target          =
|navigation      =
|avionics        =
|countermeasures =
|armament        =
*[[Pulse laser]] turrets
*[[Energy Projector]]s
*[[Plasma Torpedo]]s
|complement      = *[[Seraph-class Starfighter|''Seraph'']]-class starfighters
*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]]
*[[Type-25 Troop Carrier|Spirits]]
*[[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantoms]]
*[[Orbital Insertion Pod]]s
*[[Covenant Boarding Craft|Boarding craft]]
*[[Shadow]]s
*[[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarabs]]
|crew            =Several thousand
|skeleton        =
|passengers      =Several thousand troops
|capacity        = A few hundred vehicles/two [[UNSC Frigate|UNSC frigates]]
|launch bays    = At least two bays with measurements
*length          = At least {{Convert|500|m|ft}}
*width          = At least {{Convert|320|m|ft}}
*height          = At least {{Convert|120|m|ft}}
|consumables    =
|othersystems    =
|firstuse        =
|role            =*Carrier
*Troop transport
*Flagship
*Heavy warship
|era            = *[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Covenant Civil War]]
|affiliation     =*[[Covenant Empire]]
*[[Covenant Separatists]]
}}
}}
|hide-characteristics=
|nocollapse      = yes
|type            =
*[[Examiner (ship type)|Examiner]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=262}}
*[[Covenant carrier|Assault carrier]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|length          = {{Convert|5347|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPShadow|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Shadow of Intent|D=11|M=05|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPSong|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/song-of-retribution|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Song of Retribution|D=26|M=01|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=28}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=264}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=276}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG|H4EVG|Page=195}}
|width          = {{Convert|2118|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
|height          = {{Convert|746|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
|mass            = 2.7 billion tonnes{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|power          = [[Pinch fusion reactor]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|maneuver drive  = 3× ''Raphyus''-pattern [[repulsor engine]]s{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Mythos|HM|Page=151-152|Detail=While these pages visually depict a ''Syfon''-pattern carrier, the information itself describes ''Shadow of Intent'' - canonically a ''Kerel''-pattern vessel}}
|slipspace drive = ''Primus''-pattern [[borer]] {{C|CODEN Series VI equivalent}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|crew            =
*200 [[Superiors]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*10 [[Huragok|Engineers]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|complement      =
*3× [[Scarab]] platforms{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*44× [[Shadow]] transports{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*196× [[Wraith]] tanks{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*700× [[Ghost]] scouts{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|troops          = 40,000 warriors{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|hull            = [[Nanolaminate]] battleplate{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Site|Id=SoICatalog|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post #6|Quote=[frumentarii] threat dynamic analysis noted significant improvement in the vessels [dynamic capabilities] and alterations to [nanolaminate] hull plating}}
|shielding      = [[Energy shielding]]{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
|sensors        =
|ew              =
|armaments      =
*1× [[Excavation beam|''Infernus''-pattern superheavy excavation beam]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*2× [[Plasma lance|''Urpeon''-pattern superheavy plasma lances]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*8× [[Plasma beam emitter|''Luxor''-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*24× [[Plasma torpedo|''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*700× [[Pulse laser turret|''Ferriel''-pattern pulse lasers]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|aircraft        =
*250× [[Covenant drop pod|Insertion pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*44× [[Spirit]]/[[Phantom]] dropships{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*20× [[R'sisho-pattern Tick|Tick]] boarding craft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*600× [[Banshee]] flyers{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*192× {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}} strikecraft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*64× [[Seraph]] strikecraft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Ren]] shuttles{{Ref/Film|Id=Package|HLeg|Story=The Package (animated short)}}
|air facilities  = 8 [[hangar bay]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
}}
The '''''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier''' {{3Letter|CAS|assault carrier}} is a [[design pattern]] variation of [[assault carrier]] employed by the [[Covenant military|naval forces]] of the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The ''Kerel'' served the Covenant (and continues to serve its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]) as a rarer configuration of the design, complementing the much more common {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}}s. This modification is explicitly approved by the [[Hierarchs]].{{Ref/Book|Id=WF|HWF|Page=70-71}}


{{Quote|Look at the size of that thing!|[[Edward Buck]] after an Assault Carrier arrives over New Mombasa.}}
==Overview==
===Design details===
[[File:HWF Shadow of Intent.jpg|thumb|left|A cutaway of the carrier.]]
The ''Kerel''-pattern carrier can be primarily distinguished from the more common {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier|}} by its distinctive smooth hull and rear cowling, replacing the [[city]]-like structures present on the dorsal surfaces of the ''Syfon'' design. ''Kerel''-pattern vessels were rare [[Hierarch]]-approved variants of the ''Syfon''. The basic silhouette of the ship is otherwise similar to most other Covenant carriers, with a hooked prow, immense hangar segment and a thick neck section connecting them.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The rear cowling is shared with [[Unidentified Covenant assault carrier class|another unidentified]] carrier [[design pattern]]. The armoured hull is composed of [[nanolaminate]] battleplate,{{Ref/Reuse|SoICatalog}} with [[Energy shielding|energy shield]] emitters supporting it.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}  The ''Kerel'' has a length of {{Convert|5347|m|ft}}, a beam of {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}, and a height of {{Convert|746|m|ft}}.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} This makes it one of the largest warship classes employed by the [[Covenant fleet]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Although the carrier's keel length is inferior, its width and mass are more than twice as large as even the UNSC's prototype flagship {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the largest vessel in human history.


The [[bridge]] of the ''Kerel'' is located in an armored command pod in the center of the carrier's neck,{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} situated inside an armoured pod protected by multiple redunant energy shield generator systems and inertial compensators to provide the command crew with the utmost protection from attack.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} The [[blademaster]]'s yard runs along the outermost sides of the neck, and is used to train the ship's warrior complement in [[martial arts]]. The aft of the ship houses an elaborate shrine to the Forerunners known as the Nave of the Creators, which is kept in perfect condition by the ship's crew.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The top section of the ship is capable of separating from the lower-aft half thanks to the application of [[Modular Dispersal Technology]], which sees the ship constructed in a decentralised fashion as such as to ensure entire segments of the ship can be detached with a minimal loss of performance. When detached in this manner, the upper-front half of the ship retains its own [[repulsor engine]]s and [[Borer]] for [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] transportation. This feature is actually intended to be used in order to detach sections of the carrier that sustained extensive damage in order to increase the chances of saving what is left of the ship and its crew for future use.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/modular-dispersal-technology/e10ac7c3-932c-4b3a-91e5-3bf79c179b68?page=2|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Modular Dispersal Technology|D=14|M=03|Y=2011|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Technology#Modular Dispersal Technology}}{{Ref/Reuse|Package}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}


The '''Covenant Assault Carrier''' <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNuSuqTCIaU Youtube video at 1:05]</ref> is a [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[Capital Ship|capital ship]] classification of the [[Covenant Navy]].  
===Propulsion===
For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] [[pinch fusion reactor]]s, housed in cavernous chambers,{{Ref/Level|Id=Cairo|H2|Cairo Station}} which power the ship's vital systems. The reactor is located in the centre of the ship, inside the upper hull.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} As such, and when split into multiple components when Modularly Dispersed, the reactor is retained in the upper hull - leaving the lower component completely without power.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|Package}} as well as the three aft-mounted ''Raphyus''-pattern [[repulsor engine]]s that propel the ship, capable of operating in a vacuum or in an atmospheric environment. For superluminal travel, a ''Primus''-pattern [[borer]] (equivalent to a CODEN Series IV [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]) is installed.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}


== Function ==
The vessel is propelled by three massive engine units, and possess, like all Covenant vessels, the ability to make pinpoint slipspace jumps in atmosphere. As shown in the Battle of Earth, such slipspace jumps cause massive discharges of [[EMP]], rivaling those set off by nuclear devices.{{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Prepare to Drop}}
These ships possess an expansive hangar bay, capable of transporting large numbers of [[Seraph-class Starfighter|Seraph]] fighters, [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom]] dropships, boarding craft, and large fleets of [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]] and [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraiths]], along with one to two Scarabs, and - later - the UNSC frigates ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn]]'' and ''[[UNSC Aegis Fate|Aegis Fate]]'' would dock inside the vessel's launch bay, which shows the vastness of the ships.<ref name="Floodgate">'''[[Halo 3]]''', level ''[[Floodgate (Level)|Floodgate]]''</ref>


Assault Carriers are also used as [[Flagship]]s, leading [[Covenant Fleet]]s into battle. Though designed for planetary combat, they also excel at ship-to-ship combat, possessing multiple [[pulse laser]] batteries, [[plasma torpedo]] launchers and at least one [[energy projector]].<ref name="Cairo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[Cairo Station (Level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref>
===Armaments===
Not all assault carriers are created equally - while the ''Kerel''{{'}}s most common listed weapons configuration boasts an identical armament loadout to its more common ''Syfon'' counterpart, individual ships can nonetheless display a large variety in capabilities.{{Ref/Twitter|Halo|421820788539260929|Halo|Quote=And Jul's ship is certainly a powerful example of Covenant/former-Covenant Assault Carriers but there's quite a...|D=23|M=01|Y=2023}}{{Ref/Twitter|Halo|421820856642179072|Halo|Quote=bit of variety in that ship class. Not all Assault Carriers are created equally.|D=23|M=01|Y=2023}} The configuration of weapons employed by the ''Kerel''-pattern, ''Shadow of Intent'', is listed as the following:


== Background ==
The ship's primary weapon is an [[Excavation beam|''Infernus''-pattern excavation beam]], the same model of excavation beam as that fitted on the much smaller {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}s.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} This weapon is mounted on the vessel's prow, and is used for artifact excavation and military compliance operations.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} Augmenting this weapon are an additional two [[Plasma lance|''Urpeon''-pattern plasma lances]] for heavy anti-ship work.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The plasma lances are located on the dorsal surface of the ship, inside a teardrop-shaped emitter linked directly to the central pinch fusion reactor.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}}
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the Assault Carrier.]]


Assault Carriers are larger than {{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}s and standard [[Covenant Carrier|Carriers]]; they are more rare and more heavily armed than either of them. They are armed with at least two [[Energy Projector]]s<ref name="Cairo"/><ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', level ''[[Coastal Highway (Level)|Coastal Highway]]''</ref>, as well as plasma torpedo launchers<ref>'''Halo 3''', level ''[[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> and pulse-lasers.<ref>'''Halo 3''', level ''[[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]''</ref> They also possess [[gravity lifts]],<ref name="Metropolis">'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', level ''[[Uplift Reserve (Level)|Uplift Reserve]]''</ref> used for ferrying supplies, personnel, and vehicles from the ship and to the planet's surface. From their name, and actions in Halo 2, it would appear that an Assault Carrier is designed to fight through an enemy world's defenses and head right into the planet's atmosphere and drop off troops.
The class is additionally fitted with eight [[Plasma beam emitter|''Luxor''-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]] and twenty-four [[Plasma torpedo|''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo]] silos, alongside an array of 700 [[Pulse laser turret|''Ferriel''-pattern pulse laser]] turrets.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} Seven [[plasma cannon]]s line the horizontal trench running across the ship's prow. These weapons can be fired individually or combined to fire their energy in one devastating mass - though require the ship's shields to be disabled to fire.{{Ref/Reuse|SoI}} The plasma cannons are likely the ''Luxor'' plasma beams or, more likely, the ''Mictix'' plasma torpedo silos, based on their usage during the [[Ambush at Duraan]].{{Ref/Reuse|SoI}}


[[File:SOEIV Interface.png|thumb|left|200px|Regret's carrier over New Mombasa as seen from the Rookie's [[SOEIV]].]]
===Crew and complement===
[[File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|thumb|250px|A carrier discharging its assault aircraft over a human city.]]
''Kerel''-pattern carriers are capable of operation with a crew of as few as two hundred [[Superior]]s - even in dire circumstances such as those faced by the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] during the [[Blooding Years]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoI|HSoI}} The hooked prow's endmost section contains living and entertainment quarters for the ship's permanent crew. Recreational facilities include habitat domes and hunting preserves, similar in nature to those of the {{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}}.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}


Two such crafts led the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s [[Fleet]] to [[Earth]], where they engaged the [[UNSC Navy|UNSC]] [[Home Fleet]] in orbit above [[Africa]]. The first one, carrying the Prophet himself, managed to penetrate Earth's orbital defenses. The second attempted to follow, but was subsequently destroyed by the [[Master Chief]].  
When under ideal operating circumstances, a carrier can boast a troop complement of 40,000 warriors, with facilities such as the blademaster's yard for on-board training and recreation. Supplementing the troop complement is an armada of ground vehicles including three [[Scarab]] quadruped [[excavator]]s, 196 [[Wraith]] tanks and 700 [[Ghost]] scout bikes. 44 [[Shadow]] troop transports are additionally embarked aboard the carrier for groundside troop movement.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}


The Prophet's Assault Carrier fled to slipspace, as the UNSC forces were likely to recapture the city of [[New Mombasa]],&nbsp;with the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} following close behind in its slipspace wake, leading Human Forces to the [[Installation 05]]
Alongside the ground complement, ''Kerel''-pattern carriers house a massive air wing of both atmospheric and [[Space fighter|exoatmospheric strikecraft]]. Eight [[hangar bay]]s line the sides of the ship's lower section, flanking the [[gravity lift]]. These hangars have an additional large forward entrance,{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} and their cavernous nature is such that they are capable of housing whole smaller warships such as [[UNSC frigate]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Ark}} The ship's air and deployment wing includes 250 [[Covenant drop pod|drop pods]], 20 {{Pattern|R'sisho|Tick}}s and 44 [[Spirit]] or [[Phantom]] [[dropship]]s for transport - for use when the massive [[gravity lift]] on the ship is unavailable. Escorting these troop transports are 600 [[Banshee]] ground attack flyers, alongside 192 of their {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee|}} "space Banshee" cousins for exoatmospheric intercept. 64 [[Seraph]] fighters supplement this number for heavier intercept and limited anti-ship capability.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}


Another Assault Carrier was later repossessed by [[Rtas 'Vadum]] and the [[Sangheili]], and became the flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], leading it to Earth in pursuit of a surviving [[Flood Ship]], arriving in time to [[Glassing|glass]] the infected area of the planet. The ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' and its escorting Cruisers joined forces with the remnants of the [[UNSC Navy]] to launch a joint attack on the [[Covenant]] remnant at the [[Ark]], destroying their Fleet and providing a distraction while ground forces engaged the [[Loyalists]] that had landed. It later evacuated the UNSC and [[Sangheili]] personnel and returned to Earth for a short time before returning to [[Sanghelios]]. Only in Halo 2 is the destruction of this kind of ship witnessed; in the Cutscene "Return to the Sender" when Spartan-117 destroyed one of the two Assault Carriers of Prophet of Regret's Fleet with a Covenant Bomb.
In addition to their combat complements, carriers also stock a number of [[Ren]] transport shuttles for logistics and personnel transportation.{{Ref/Reuse|Package}}


== Armament ==  
===Usage===
[[File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A Carrier glassing [[New Mombasa]].]]
In the [[Covenant ship classification system|starship classification system]], the ''Kerel''-pattern is considered a part of the [[Examiner (ship type)|examiner]] category of vessels.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


As some of the larger ships in the Covenant Fleets are often used as fleet flagships, it is necessary for them to be heavily armed. Assault Carriers possess  [[energy projector]]s which are powerful enough to cut through UNSC capital ships<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', page ''??''</ref><ref name="Cairo"/> on its ventral and dorsal surfaces. They also possess multiple pulse-laser turrets<ref name="Ark">''Halo 3'', level ''[[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]''</ref> used for intercepting enemy missiles and fighters, and plasma torpedoes for engaging in ship-to-ship combat and assaulting planetary defenses.
Within the [[Three-letter ship classification system|hull classifications]] of Covenant ships undertaken by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], the ''Kerel'' is one of two warships designated the CAS-class assault carrier - alongside its more common cousin the {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier|}}.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} The "S", for ''Salvation'', denotes that the ''CAS''-class assault carrier is a dedicated [[warship]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Have S'moa|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Have S'moa|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}} Along with the Covenant's other [[Covenant assault carrier|assault carriers]] and [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarriers]], the ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier was designated a Class-Five flagship carrier by the [[United Nations Space Command]] due to their use as a [[flagship]] of Covenant fleets.{{Ref/Generic|Id=DD4|[[Data Drop|Data Drop 4]]}}


Assault Carriers are also equipped with at least one gravity lift, capable of dispatching troops, personnel, vehicles and equipment to the surface of a planet rather quickly. They also possess a large main hangar, capable of carrying multiple [[Seraph]]s<ref name="Metropolis"/> and [[Banshee]] fighter crafts, [[Phantom]] dropships and boarding crafts, or a UNSC Frigate.<ref name="Ark"/> In addition, Assault Carriers possess the ability to launch [[Covenant Drop Pod|Drop Pods]], tactically delivering Sangheili warriors into areas without resorting to bulky and obvious dropships.<ref name="Floodgate"/> These ships also carry the dreaded [[Scarab]] walkers in their holds for quick deployment. Thanks to these innovations, a single Assault Carrier can easily launch large-scale invasions quickly and effectively.
''Kerel''-pattern ships are considered effective when used in fleet command and offensive [[space warfare]] roles. This puts them in contrast with the {{Pattern|Ruma|light carrier}} and {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}}, which are both considered more useful in force deployment roles than in combat.They generally serve as the primary flagship of most fleets, working as the fleet command centre and the seat of the armada's [[fleetmaster]] or [[Supreme Commander]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}


== Characteristics ==
==Ships of the line==
[[File:1207838135 Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The bridge of an Assault Carrier.]]
*''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' – A carrier serving within [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]].
Assault Carriers, like the vast majority of other [[Covenant]] ships, are characterized by their bulbous, whale-like front, sleek silhouette and pale white/blue hull. However, they also tend to be characterized by their unique swollen and bulbous "hooked" bow section that is frequently characterized to be similar to the head of a whale and would (theoretically) be a massive weakness as the ship could be blown in half comparatively easily, given its shields were down. Rather than possessing multiple smaller hangar bays, like smaller cruisers, Assault Carriers use a single, gargantuan hangar bay for storage of fighters, dropships, boarding craft and small capital ships, at least 500 meters long, 320 meters wide and 120 meters high. In ''Halo 3'', however, there is a second hangar bay visible, near the stern of the cruiser, above the main engines. For propulsion, Assault Carriers rely on large [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] fusion reactors, housed in cavernous chambers,<ref name="Cairo"/> which power the ship's vital systems, as well as the three aft-mounted plasma drives that propel the ship, capable of operating in a vacuum or in an atmospheric environment. They also employ non-reactive gravity drives for standard maneuvering and hovering above the surface of a planet, resisting its gravity.
*''[[Resplendent Fervor]]'' - The flagship of the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]].
*''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' – The flagship of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].
*''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' – The flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]].
*''[[Song of Retribution]]'' – The personal flagship of [[Supreme Commander]] [[Jul 'Mdama]].


The Assault Carrier is also fitted with [[Modular Dispersal Technology]], giving it the ability to completely detach sections of its outer hull as well as whole corridors, as seen during the [[Battle of the Unnamed Star System]]. They can also separate into two distinct sections which leaves the rear section (with the main engines) behind and allows the fore-section to move away with previously hidden engines, the fore section (and likely the rear) are still slipspace capable. Unlike its unorthodox means of use by the [[Unnamed Fleet Master (The Package)|Fleet Master]] in an attempt to disperse the advancing [[Spartan]] forces, the dispersal feature is actually intended to be used in order to detach sections of the Carrier that sustained extensive damage in order to increase the chances of saving what is left of the ship and its crew for future use.
==Operational history==
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]
The ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier had entered service at least by circa [[2135]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}


The [[UNSC Frigate]] [[Forward Unto Dawn]] is small enough to fit into the Shadow of Intent's Hangar. Therefore, it would be plausible that the Assault Carrier could easily carry small Covenant ships, such as a [[Covenant light cruiser|light Cruiser]] although the advantages of this would be few.
During the [[Battle for Earth|deep and bloody siege of Earth]] that was still continuing, numerous assault carriers were assigned within multiple Covenant reinforcement fleets to complete the destruction of humanity's last and most important and defended stronghold.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI4|HU|Issue=4}} Near the end of the [[Battle of Mombasa]], at least three assault carriers that were part of a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae excavation fleet]] sent by the [[Prophet of Truth]] joined the remaining battlecruisers of the Fleet of Sacred Consecration in finishing the glassing of [[Mombasa]] and excavating the [[Portal at Voi]].{{Ref/Level|Id=Coastal Highway|ODST|Coastal Highway}} One, having exited slipspace nearby to begin glassing operations, nearly killed [[Alpha-Nine]] as they escaped in a hijacked [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]].{{Ref/Reuse|Coastal Highway}} Near the end of the Battle for Earth, at least a few of survived carriers retreated with [[Anodyne Spirit|Truth's ship]] and his fleet through the portal to the Ark.{{Ref/Level|Id=The Storm|H3|The Storm}}


== Known Assault Carriers ==
The assault carrier ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' later became the flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], which also includes another assault carrier.{{Ref/Level|Id=heretic|H3|Heretic}} The [[Special Operations Commander]] and [[Fleetmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], in command of the ship, led his fleet to Earth in pursuit of a surviving [[Flood]] [[Indulgence of Conviction|ship]], arriving in time to [[Glassing|glass]] the [[Voi|infected area]] of the planet.{{Ref/Level|H3|Floodgate}} ''Shadow of Intent'' and its escorting cruisers joined the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet's [[Seventh Fleet]] to launch a joint attack on the Covenant at [[Installation 00]], destroying their fleet and providing a distraction while ground forces engaged Truth's loyalists that had landed on the installation.{{Ref/Level|H3|The Covenant (level)|The Covenant}}{{Ref/Level|Id=Ark|H3|The Ark (level)|The Ark}} It later evacuated the UNSC and Sangheili personnel and returned to Earth for a short time before returning to [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Level|H3|Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo}} The ''Shadow of Intent'' later became embroiled in a conflict with [[Tem'Bhetek's faction]] which was seeking revenge against the Sangheili. After defeating the faction, Rtas decided to seek out the surviving [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Novel|SoI}}{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*''[[Clarity of Faith]]''
*''[[Shadow of Intent]]''
*[[Prophet of Regret]]'s [[Regret's Carrier|Carrier]]
*A second Carrier, possibly escorting Regret's Carrier, survived the Human defense when attacking Earth, but was destroyed by Master Chief using a Covenant bomb intended to destroy the [[Orbital Defense Platform]] [[Cairo Station (Platform)|Cairo]].
*The flagship from the Fleet of Particular Justice
*The Assault Carrier at the [[Battle of the Unnamed Star System]].


==Trivia==
By [[2554]], [[Jul 'Mdama]], a [[shipmaster]] and [[Supreme Commander]] of his [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|self-proclaimed Covenant]] commanded the assault carrier ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' during his attempts to enter the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Requiem]].{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}} [[2557|Three years later]], the ''Song of Retribution'' led a fleet of numerous {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s.{{Ref/Game|H4|Terminals (Halo 4)|Terminal 1}} After [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|rebelling]] against Jul, [[Sali 'Nyon]] stole away the assault carrier ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' from him.{{Ref/Reuse|Record}}
[[File:Carrier Hanger.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The supposed second hangar bay of an Assault Carrier.]]
 
*In an earlier plan of ''[[Halo 2]]'', there was supposed to be a level where the [[Master Chief]] boards an Assault Carrier and destroys it from the inside called [[Covenant ship]]. This level was also supposed to be the real introduction of Miranda Keyes. <ref>'''Halo 3''' - ''[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|Legendary Edition]]'', confirmed by Joseph Staten in commentary</ref>
Numerous assault carriers were present at the peace talks on [[Ealen IV]] under the command of the Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], and the Elder Jiralhanae Chieftain, [[Lydus]]. Many assault carriers were also used under the command of [[Vata 'Gajat]] during the [[Battle of Ealen IV|battle]] that ensued in an attempt to capture the delegates.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}
*In the [[Wikipedia:United States Navy|current US Navy]], the term "Assault Carrier" refers to the [[Wikipedia:Amphibious assault ship|Amphibious Assault Ship]], used to transport troops via water and offload them via hovercraft or helicopter.
 
*There appeared to be over 500 Assault Carriers and CCS-Class Battlecruisers seen jumping in over [[Delta Halo]] along with ''[[High Charity]]'' just before [[Spartan-117]] killed the [[Prophet of Regret]].
===Operators===
*Near the ship's midsection is a symbol similar to the large hologram found on the Halo 3 Multiplayer map [[Epitaph]].
{{Expand-section}}
* On the level [[The Storm (Level)|The Storm]], if you look out towards the [[Portal]], you will see Assault Carriers and [[CCS-class Battlecruiser]]s using their primary plasma weapons to unearth the Portal.
''Kerel''-pattern carriers were employed by the various [[Ministry|ministries]] of the [[Covenant]], during the empire's reign. Following the empire's dissolution, ''Kerel''-pattern carriers fell into the hands of the [[Covenant remnants|imperial remnant]] warlords.
*Although never confirmed, it is possible that the flagship ''Ascendant Justice'' was too an assault carrier leading the fleet investigating the destruction of [[Installation 04]].
====Covenant====
*One of the few noticeable changes between the carriers in [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]] would be that Regret's carrier had visible structures that could be seen on the surface above the engines. However, in Halo 3, the structures are not visible but rather hidden or replaced with what seems to be a second hangar bay.
*[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]
*In the final level of [[Halo 3: ODST]], it is possible to see an Assault Carrier preparing to fire its [[Energy Projector]]s at the [[New Mombasa]] skyline. In addition, this is probably the closest players will get to see a Covenant ship [[Glassing]] an area due to the Carrier being closer than the [[CCS-class Battlecruiser]]s seen on [[The Storm (Level)|The Storm]] in [[Halo 3]].
**''[[Seeker of Truth]]''
*In Halo: Reach, a Covenant Assault Carrier is repeatedly referred to as both a supercuiser and a supercarrier. It is possible that these three ships are in fact synonymous names for the Assault Carrier.
*[[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]]
**''[[Resplendent Fervor]]''
*[[Truth's fleet]]
**Dozens of ''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers.
*Due to their huge resource investment, nearly all ''Kerel''-pattern vessels were under the control of the Covenant prior to the empire's collapse. As such, all ships listed in the remnant listings below were likely a part of the Covenant fleet prior to its dissolution.
 
====Covenant remnants====
*[[Children of Oth Sonin]]
**At least two ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
**Multiple ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.
***''[[Shadow of Intent]]''
***2 to 3 carriers utilized during the [[Attack on Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE1|HE|Issue=1}}
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] {{C|defunct}}
**''[[Song of Retribution]]''
**''[[Breath of Annihilation]]''
*[[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]]
**At least one ''Kerel''-patern carrier, ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]''.{{Ref/Comic|Id=Record|HE|Issue=The Absolute Record}}
*[[Merg Vol's Covenant]]
**At least four ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Level|HSA|Operation A: Umbra}}
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
**At least four ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}
 
==Production notes==
''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers were first introduced into the series as the assault carrier design featured in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'' - then-known by the name of the CAS-class assault carrier. The design remained relatively consistent until the release of the ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' in [[2014]], with the [[Blur Studio]] cutscenes depicting ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' differently. The two designs were later canonised in [[2017]]'s ''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo]]'' as two individual [[design pattern]]s of Covenant carrier that serve alongside one another in the Covenant fleet.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="160" orientation="landscape" captionalign="left">
===Concept art===
File:Covenant Assault Carrier FanArt.jpg|An Assault Carrier entering slipspace.
<gallery>
File:Assault carrier.jpg|The Prophet of Regret's own Assault Carrier hangs ominously in the clouds over [[New Mombasa]].
File:H2_CAS_HighCharity_Concept.jpg|Concept art for [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2'', which would later become the carrier design.
File:AssaultCarrierOverNewMombasa.jpg|Numerous Assault Carriers are seen above the skies around the [[portal]] to the [[Ark]] in the [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer]].
File:H2_DeltaHalo_V1_Storyboard_Intro_17.jpg|An [[Halo 2 storyboards|early storyboard]] depicting an assault carrier engaging {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} in ''Halo 2''.
File:Image-Acuc.JPG|The ''Shadow of Intent'' seen from the front.
File:MDT.png|Concept art for ''[[Halo: Legends]]'': ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]'' of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.
File:ACFrigate.jpg|A UNSC Frigate flying under an Assault Carrier. Note the size of the Assault Carrier and its hangar.
File:ThePackage Corridor Concept.png|''The Package'' concept art for a CAS' interior corridors.
File:Assault-Carrier-Side upload.jpg|A side view of the Assault Carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.
File:ThePackage Confrontation Concept.png|''The Package'' concept art for a chamber on the CAS' interior.
File:Assault-Carrier-Top upload.jpg|A top-down view of the Assault Carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.
</gallery>
File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|Assault Carrier scale.
 
Clarity of Faith.png|The ''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' seen from the front.
===Screenshots===
File:Ark Secret Room.jpg|The bridge of the ''Shadow of Intent''.
<gallery>
File:Ark Secret Room3.jpg|Another image of an Assault Carrier's interior.
File:H2-CAS-AssaultCarrier-Side.png|A render of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier from ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Assault carrier.jpg|The ''Solemn Penance'' hangs ominously in the clouds over [[New Mombasa]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Covenant Pinch Fusion reactor.jpg|An assault carrier's [[pinch fusion reactor]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Firing Energy Projector.png|An assault carrier firing its dorsal energy projector at [[John-117]] during the [[Battle for Earth]].
File:AssaultCarrierOverNewMombasa.jpg|Numerous assault carriers around [[Portal at Voi|portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]] in the [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer|''Halo 3'' announcement trailer]].
File:Assault Carrier 2.jpg|An assault carrier being accompanied by several ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers.
File:H3-CAS-AssaultCarrier-Cruiser-Comparison.png|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier compared to a {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} in ''Halo 3''.
File:Overview - Covenant Assault Carrier.png|An overview of the Kerel pattern Assault Carrier.
File:Image-Acuc.JPG|A forward view of ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Ark3.jpg|A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the carrier's hangar.
File:Floodgate2.jpg|The interior of an assault carrier's hanger bay. Note the UNSC frigate and dropships of both Covenant and human design in dock.  
File:Assault-Carrier-Side upload.jpg|A side view of the assault carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.
File:Assault-Carrier-Top upload.jpg|A top-down view of the assault carrier ''Shadow of Intent''. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.
File:H3-AssaultCarrier-Underside.jpg|A full view of the carrier's underside.
File:Ark Secret Room.jpg|The bridge of ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Ark Secret Room3.jpg|An assault carrier's interior.
File:Carrier Hanger.jpg|The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.
File:Carrier vs Cruiser.png|An overhead view of an assault carrier and two ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers on ''[[Heretic]]''.
File:Heretic assault carrier.jpg|A carrier escorted by two battlecruisers.
File:SOEIV Interface.png|''Solemn Penance'' over New Mombasa as seen from the [[Rookie]]'s [[M8900 drop pod|SOEIV]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:Clarity of Faith.png|A forward view of ''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' in ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''.
File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|Assault carrier scale.
File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|A ''CAS''-class carrier in the '''[[Halo 4]]''' ''[[Prologue]]''.
File:H2A Terminals - Unggoy on Balaho.jpg|A ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier's [[gravity lift]] active on [[Balaho]] in [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals]].
File:H2A Terminals - BattleofMeridian.jpg|A triad of ''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers fly in formation after the [[Battle of Meridian]]; leading them is the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''.  
File:H2A Terminals - High Charity interior.jpg|A ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier holds position above the great city of ''High Charity'' alongside several ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers.  
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Appearances|Halo 2|Halo: Ghosts of Onyx|Halo: Uprising|Halo 3|Halo Wars|Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo 3: ODST|Halo: Reach}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[The Return]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
{{Col-end}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Covenant Ships}}
{{CovenantShips}}
 
[[de:Allianz Sturmträger]]
[[Category:Halo: Reach Vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 07:14, July 4, 2024

"CAS-class assault carrier" redirects here. For other ships of a similar classification, see Covenant assault carrier.
Kerel-pattern
H3 Assault Carrier render.png
Class attributes

Identification:

UNSC Three-letter code: CAS[1][2]

Operators:

General characteristics

Type:

Length:

5,347 meters (17,540 ft)[1][2][4][5][6][7]

Width:

2,118 meters (6,950 ft)[1][2][4][5][6][7]

Height:

746 meters (2,450 ft)[1][2][7]

Mass:

2.7 billion tonnes[8]

Power plant:

Pinch fusion reactor[8]

Maneuver drive:

3× Raphyus-pattern repulsor engines[8][9]

Slipspace drive:

Primus-pattern borer (CODEN Series VI equivalent)[8]

Crew:

Complement:

Troops:

40,000 warriors[8]

Hull:

Nanolaminate battleplate[9][10]

Shielding:

Energy shielding[9]

Armaments:

Air wing:

Air facilities:

8 hangar bays[9]

 

The Kerel-pattern assault carrier (UNSC three-letter classification: CAS-class assault carrier) is a design pattern variation of assault carrier employed by the naval forces of the Covenant.[8] The Kerel served the Covenant (and continues to serve its remnants) as a rarer configuration of the design, complementing the much more common Syfon-pattern assault carriers. This modification is explicitly approved by the Hierarchs.[8]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

A cutaway of the carrier.

The Kerel-pattern carrier can be primarily distinguished from the more common Syfon-pattern by its distinctive smooth hull and rear cowling, replacing the city-like structures present on the dorsal surfaces of the Syfon design. Kerel-pattern vessels were rare Hierarch-approved variants of the Syfon. The basic silhouette of the ship is otherwise similar to most other Covenant carriers, with a hooked prow, immense hangar segment and a thick neck section connecting them.[8] The rear cowling is shared with another unidentified carrier design pattern. The armoured hull is composed of nanolaminate battleplate,[10] with energy shield emitters supporting it.[9] The Kerel has a length of 5,347 metres (17,540 ft), a beam of 2,118 metres (6,950 ft), and a height of 746 metres (2,450 ft).[4][8] This makes it one of the largest warship classes employed by the Covenant fleet during the Human-Covenant War. Although the carrier's keel length is inferior, its width and mass are more than twice as large as even the UNSC's prototype flagship UNSC Infinity, the largest vessel in human history.

The bridge of the Kerel is located in an armored command pod in the center of the carrier's neck,[8] situated inside an armoured pod protected by multiple redunant energy shield generator systems and inertial compensators to provide the command crew with the utmost protection from attack.[9] The blademaster's yard runs along the outermost sides of the neck, and is used to train the ship's warrior complement in martial arts. The aft of the ship houses an elaborate shrine to the Forerunners known as the Nave of the Creators, which is kept in perfect condition by the ship's crew.[8] The top section of the ship is capable of separating from the lower-aft half thanks to the application of Modular Dispersal Technology, which sees the ship constructed in a decentralised fashion as such as to ensure entire segments of the ship can be detached with a minimal loss of performance. When detached in this manner, the upper-front half of the ship retains its own repulsor engines and Borer for slipspace transportation. This feature is actually intended to be used in order to detach sections of the carrier that sustained extensive damage in order to increase the chances of saving what is left of the ship and its crew for future use.[12][11][4]

Propulsion[edit]

For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large deuterium-tritium pinch fusion reactors, housed in cavernous chambers,[13] which power the ship's vital systems. The reactor is located in the centre of the ship, inside the upper hull.[8] As such, and when split into multiple components when Modularly Dispersed, the reactor is retained in the upper hull - leaving the lower component completely without power.[12][11] as well as the three aft-mounted Raphyus-pattern repulsor engines that propel the ship, capable of operating in a vacuum or in an atmospheric environment. For superluminal travel, a Primus-pattern borer (equivalent to a CODEN Series IV Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine) is installed.[8]

The vessel is propelled by three massive engine units, and possess, like all Covenant vessels, the ability to make pinpoint slipspace jumps in atmosphere. As shown in the Battle of Earth, such slipspace jumps cause massive discharges of EMP, rivaling those set off by nuclear devices.[14]

Armaments[edit]

Not all assault carriers are created equally - while the Kerel's most common listed weapons configuration boasts an identical armament loadout to its more common Syfon counterpart, individual ships can nonetheless display a large variety in capabilities.[15][16] The configuration of weapons employed by the Kerel-pattern, Shadow of Intent, is listed as the following:

The ship's primary weapon is an Infernus-pattern excavation beam, the same model of excavation beam as that fitted on the much smaller Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyers.[8] This weapon is mounted on the vessel's prow, and is used for artifact excavation and military compliance operations.[9] Augmenting this weapon are an additional two Urpeon-pattern plasma lances for heavy anti-ship work.[8] The plasma lances are located on the dorsal surface of the ship, inside a teardrop-shaped emitter linked directly to the central pinch fusion reactor.[9][13]

The class is additionally fitted with eight Luxor-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters and twenty-four Mictix-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos, alongside an array of 700 Ferriel-pattern pulse laser turrets.[8] Seven plasma cannons line the horizontal trench running across the ship's prow. These weapons can be fired individually or combined to fire their energy in one devastating mass - though require the ship's shields to be disabled to fire.[17] The plasma cannons are likely the Luxor plasma beams or, more likely, the Mictix plasma torpedo silos, based on their usage during the Ambush at Duraan.[17]

Crew and complement[edit]

A carrier discharging its assault aircraft over a human city.

Kerel-pattern carriers are capable of operation with a crew of as few as two hundred Superiors - even in dire circumstances such as those faced by the Swords of Sanghelios during the Blooding Years.[8][17] The hooked prow's endmost section contains living and entertainment quarters for the ship's permanent crew. Recreational facilities include habitat domes and hunting preserves, similar in nature to those of the Mjern-pattern agricultural support ship.[9]

When under ideal operating circumstances, a carrier can boast a troop complement of 40,000 warriors, with facilities such as the blademaster's yard for on-board training and recreation. Supplementing the troop complement is an armada of ground vehicles including three Scarab quadruped excavators, 196 Wraith tanks and 700 Ghost scout bikes. 44 Shadow troop transports are additionally embarked aboard the carrier for groundside troop movement.[8]

Alongside the ground complement, Kerel-pattern carriers house a massive air wing of both atmospheric and exoatmospheric strikecraft. Eight hangar bays line the sides of the ship's lower section, flanking the gravity lift. These hangars have an additional large forward entrance,[9] and their cavernous nature is such that they are capable of housing whole smaller warships such as UNSC frigates.[18] The ship's air and deployment wing includes 250 drop pods, 20 R'sisho-pattern Ticks and 44 Spirit or Phantom dropships for transport - for use when the massive gravity lift on the ship is unavailable. Escorting these troop transports are 600 Banshee ground attack flyers, alongside 192 of their Elsedda-pattern "space Banshee" cousins for exoatmospheric intercept. 64 Seraph fighters supplement this number for heavier intercept and limited anti-ship capability.[8]

In addition to their combat complements, carriers also stock a number of Ren transport shuttles for logistics and personnel transportation.[11]

Usage[edit]

In the starship classification system, the Kerel-pattern is considered a part of the examiner category of vessels.[3]

Within the hull classifications of Covenant ships undertaken by the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Kerel is one of two warships designated the CAS-class assault carrier - alongside its more common cousin the Syfon-pattern.[4] The "S", for Salvation, denotes that the CAS-class assault carrier is a dedicated warship.[19] Along with the Covenant's other assault carriers and supercarriers, the Kerel-pattern assault carrier was designated a Class-Five flagship carrier by the United Nations Space Command due to their use as a flagship of Covenant fleets.[20]

Kerel-pattern ships are considered effective when used in fleet command and offensive space warfare roles. This puts them in contrast with the Ruma-pattern light carrier and Sh'wada-pattern supercarrier, which are both considered more useful in force deployment roles than in combat.They generally serve as the primary flagship of most fleets, working as the fleet command centre and the seat of the armada's fleetmaster or Supreme Commander.[4]

Ships of the line[edit]

Operational history[edit]

The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.

The Kerel-pattern assault carrier had entered service at least by circa 2135.[8]

During the deep and bloody siege of Earth that was still continuing, numerous assault carriers were assigned within multiple Covenant reinforcement fleets to complete the destruction of humanity's last and most important and defended stronghold.[21] Near the end of the Battle of Mombasa, at least three assault carriers that were part of a large Jiralhanae excavation fleet sent by the Prophet of Truth joined the remaining battlecruisers of the Fleet of Sacred Consecration in finishing the glassing of Mombasa and excavating the Portal at Voi.[22] One, having exited slipspace nearby to begin glassing operations, nearly killed Alpha-Nine as they escaped in a hijacked Phantom.[22] Near the end of the Battle for Earth, at least a few of survived carriers retreated with Truth's ship and his fleet through the portal to the Ark.[23]

The assault carrier Shadow of Intent later became the flagship of the Fleet of Retribution, which also includes another assault carrier.[24] The Special Operations Commander and Fleetmaster Rtas 'Vadum, in command of the ship, led his fleet to Earth in pursuit of a surviving Flood ship, arriving in time to glass the infected area of the planet.[25] Shadow of Intent and its escorting cruisers joined the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet's Seventh Fleet to launch a joint attack on the Covenant at Installation 00, destroying their fleet and providing a distraction while ground forces engaged Truth's loyalists that had landed on the installation.[26][18] It later evacuated the UNSC and Sangheili personnel and returned to Earth for a short time before returning to Sanghelios.[27] The Shadow of Intent later became embroiled in a conflict with Tem'Bhetek's faction which was seeking revenge against the Sangheili. After defeating the faction, Rtas decided to seek out the surviving San'Shyuum.[28][9][8]

By 2554, Jul 'Mdama, a shipmaster and Supreme Commander of his self-proclaimed Covenant commanded the assault carrier Song of Retribution during his attempts to enter the Forerunner shield world Requiem.[7] Three years later, the Song of Retribution led a fleet of numerous Zanar-pattern light cruisers.[29] After rebelling against Jul, Sali 'Nyon stole away the assault carrier Breath of Annihilation from him.[30]

Numerous assault carriers were present at the peace talks on Ealen IV under the command of the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam, and the Elder Jiralhanae Chieftain, Lydus. Many assault carriers were also used under the command of Vata 'Gajat during the battle that ensued in an attempt to capture the delegates.[31]

Operators[edit]

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

Kerel-pattern carriers were employed by the various ministries of the Covenant, during the empire's reign. Following the empire's dissolution, Kerel-pattern carriers fell into the hands of the imperial remnant warlords.

Covenant[edit]

Covenant remnants[edit]

Production notes[edit]

Kerel-pattern assault carriers were first introduced into the series as the assault carrier design featured in Halo 2 and Halo 3 - then-known by the name of the CAS-class assault carrier. The design remained relatively consistent until the release of the Halo 2: Anniversary in 2014, with the Blur Studio cutscenes depicting Solemn Penance differently. The two designs were later canonised in 2017's Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo as two individual design patterns of Covenant carrier that serve alongside one another in the Covenant fleet.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

  • Concept art for High Charity in Halo 2, which would later become the carrier design.

    Concept art for High Charity in Halo 2, which would later become the carrier design.

  • An early storyboard depicting an assault carrier engaging UNSC In Amber Clad in Halo 2.

    An early storyboard depicting an assault carrier engaging UNSC In Amber Clad in Halo 2.

  • Concept art for Halo: Legends: The Package of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.

    Concept art for Halo: Legends: The Package of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.

  • The Package concept art for a CAS' interior corridors.

    The Package concept art for a CAS' interior corridors.

  • The Package concept art for a chamber on the CAS' interior.

    The Package concept art for a chamber on the CAS' interior.

Screenshots[edit]

  • A render of a CAS-class assault carrier from Halo 2.

    A render of a CAS-class assault carrier from Halo 2.

  • The Solemn Penance hangs ominously in the clouds over New Mombasa in Halo 2.

    The Solemn Penance hangs ominously in the clouds over New Mombasa in Halo 2.

  • An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor in Halo 2.

    An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor in Halo 2.

  • An assault carrier firing its dorsal energy projector at John-117 during the Battle for Earth.

    An assault carrier firing its dorsal energy projector at John-117 during the Battle for Earth.

  • Numerous assault carriers around portal to the Ark in the Halo 3 announcement trailer.

    Numerous assault carriers around portal to the Ark in the Halo 3 announcement trailer.

  • An assault carrier being accompanied by several Ket-pattern battlecruisers.

    An assault carrier being accompanied by several Ket-pattern battlecruisers.

  • A CAS-class assault carrier compared to a Ket-pattern battlecruiser in Halo 3.

    A CAS-class assault carrier compared to a Ket-pattern battlecruiser in Halo 3.

  • An overview of the Kerel pattern Assault Carrier.

    An overview of the Kerel pattern Assault Carrier.

  • A forward view of Shadow of Intent.

    A forward view of Shadow of Intent.

  • A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the carrier's hangar.

    A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the carrier's hangar.

  • The interior of an assault carrier's hanger bay. Note the UNSC frigate and dropships of both Covenant and human design in dock.

    The interior of an assault carrier's hanger bay. Note the UNSC frigate and dropships of both Covenant and human design in dock.

  • A side view of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.

    A side view of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.

  • A top-down view of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.

    A top-down view of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.

  • A full view of the carrier's underside.

    A full view of the carrier's underside.

  • The bridge of Shadow of Intent.

    The bridge of Shadow of Intent.

  • An assault carrier's interior.

    An assault carrier's interior.

  • The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.

    The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.

  • An overhead view of an assault carrier and two Ket-pattern battlecruisers on Heretic.

    An overhead view of an assault carrier and two Ket-pattern battlecruisers on Heretic.

  • A carrier escorted by two battlecruisers.

    A carrier escorted by two battlecruisers.

  • Solemn Penance over New Mombasa as seen from the Rookie's SOEIV in Halo 3: ODST.

    Solemn Penance over New Mombasa as seen from the Rookie's SOEIV in Halo 3: ODST.

  • A forward view of Clarity of Faith in Halo: Blood Line.

    A forward view of Clarity of Faith in Halo: Blood Line.

  • Assault carrier scale.

    Assault carrier scale.

  • A CAS-class carrier in the Halo 4 Prologue.

    A CAS-class carrier in the Halo 4 Prologue.

  • A Kerel-pattern assault carrier's gravity lift active on Balaho in Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals.

    A Kerel-pattern assault carrier's gravity lift active on Balaho in Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals.

  • A triad of Kerel-pattern assault carriers fly in formation after the Battle of Meridian; leading them is the Solemn Penance.

    A triad of Kerel-pattern assault carriers fly in formation after the Battle of Meridian; leading them is the Solemn Penance.

  • A Kerel-pattern assault carrier holds position above the great city of High Charity alongside several Ket-pattern battlecruisers.

    A Kerel-pattern assault carrier holds position above the great city of High Charity alongside several Ket-pattern battlecruisers.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Shadow of Intent (Retrieved on May 11, 2021) [archive]
  2. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Song of Retribution (Retrieved on Jan 26, 2021) [archive]
  3. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 262
  4. ^ a b c d e f Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 28
  5. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 264
  6. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 276
  7. ^ a b c d Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 195
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Halo: Warfleet, page 70-71
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo Mythos, page 151-152: While these pages visually depict a Syfon-pattern carrier, the information itself describes Shadow of Intent - canonically a Kerel-pattern vessel
  10. ^ a b Halo Waypoint Forums, Catalog Interaction: "[frumentarii] threat dynamic analysis noted significant improvement in the vessels [dynamic capabilities] and alterations to [nanolaminate] hull plating" (Retrieved on Oct 13, 2014) [local archive] [external archive]
  11. ^ a b c d Halo Legends - The Package (animated short)
  12. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Modular Dispersal Technology (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2011) [local archive] [external archive]
  13. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  14. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Prepare to Drop
  15. ^ Twitter, Halo (@Halo): "And Jul's ship is certainly a powerful example of Covenant/former-Covenant Assault Carriers but there's quite a..." (Retrieved on Jan 23, 2023) [archive]
  16. ^ Twitter, Halo (@Halo): "bit of variety in that ship class. Not all Assault Carriers are created equally." (Retrieved on Jan 23, 2023) [archive]
  17. ^ a b c Halo: Shadow of Intent
  18. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  19. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Have S'moa (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  20. ^ Data Drop 4
  21. ^ Halo: Uprising, issue 4
  22. ^ a b Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Coastal Highway
  23. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Storm
  24. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Heretic
  25. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  26. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  27. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  28. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent
  29. ^ Halo 4, Terminal 1
  30. ^ a b Halo: Escalation, issue The Absolute Record
  31. ^ a b c d Halo: Escalation, issue 1
  32. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, campaign level Operation A: Umbra

v • d • e
 
Ship classifications of the Covenant and its remnants
Light warships
Jiralhanae ships
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