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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Title|''Ceudar''-pattern heavy corvette}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Seealso|Covenant Stealth Corvette}}
{{Infobox/Ships
{{Ship
|name            = ''Ceudar''-pattern
|image=[[File:Corvette.jpg|300px]]
|image           = [[File:HR-SDVHeavyCorvette-ArdentPrayer.png|300px]]
|name=Covenant corvette
|caption        =  
|manufacturer=
|modules        =  
|line=
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|model=
|hide-class          =  
|class=Corvette
|class identification = <!--The hull code of the class-->
|length=
|class operator      =  
|width=
*[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}
|height=
*[[Covenant remnants]]
|mass=
**[[Swords of Sanghelios]]<ref name="hitd134">'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''', p. 128</ref>
|max accel=
**[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]{{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=28|M=03|Y=2019}}
|max speed space=
**[[Banished]]{{Ref/Comic|Id=hp|TFS|Story=Hunting Party}}
|max speed air=
|class manufacturer  =  
|engine=[[Repulsor Engine]] (4)
*[[Forgemasters of Tanus]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|slipspace drive=Yes
*[[Gorgon Assembly Vault]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|slipspace speed=
|class architect      =  
|poweroutput=
*[[Master Shipwright]] [[Ckmu 'Raboree]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|power=
*[[Apprentice Hiveseeker]] [[Tek'ch]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|shield gen=No
|class built          = <!--How many ships of this class were constructed-->
|hull=
|class in service    = [[Ages of Discovery|Twentieth Age of Discovery]] - present{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|sensor=
|target=
|navigation=
|avionics=
|countermeasures=
|armament=
*[[Plasma Turret]]s
|complement=
*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Type-26 ''"Banshee"''-class interceptor]] (10+)
*[[Type-27 XMF|Type-27 ''"Banshee"''-class interceptor]] (10+)
*[[Type-31 XMF|Type-31 ''"Seraph"''-class starfighter]] (6+)
*[[Orbital Insertion Pod]] (10+)
|crew=
|skeleton=
|passengers=
|capacity=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=
|role=
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|affiliation=[[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], [[Covenant Navy]]
}}
}}
|hide-characteristics=<!--leave blank unless you want to hide the characteristics section header-->
|nocollapse      = yes
|type            = [[Covenant corvette|Corvette]]{{Ref/Book|Id=essential|EVG|Page=37}}{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/covenant-corvette|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Covenant Corvette|D=13|M=04|Y=2016}}
|length          = {{Convert|956|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Mythos|HM|Page=154-155}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Warfleet|HWF|Page=76-77}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=268}}
|width          = {{Convert|399|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|height          = {{Convert|175|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|mass            = 8 million tonnes{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|power          = [[Pinch fusion reactor]]
|maneuver drive  = 4 [[Repulsor engine|''Callipoas''-pattern repulsor engines]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|slipspace drive = [[Borer|''Tyros''-pattern borer]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|crew            =
*16 [[Superior]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*2 [[Huragok]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*20 [[Menial]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|complement      =
|troops          =
*50 [[Obedientiary|Obedientaries]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*50 [[Warrior]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*130 [[Thrall]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|hull            = [[Nanolaminate]] plating{{Ref/Book|Id=wf61|HWF|Page=61}}
|shielding      = [[Energy shielding|''Morelia''-pattern shield generator]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|sensors        = <!--Describes sensors and whatnot-->
|ew-title        = Other systems
|ew              =
*High-tier [[auspex array]]{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
*High-tier [[proselytization network]] uplinks{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
*[[Stealth shroud|''Ushab''-pattern stealth generator]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|armaments      =
*6 [[Plasma cannon (starship)|''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannons]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*16 [[Plasma bombardment mortar|''Carnax Nu''-pattern plasma bombardment mortars]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*11 [[Pulse laser turret|''Phot''-pattern pulse lasers]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|aircraft        =
*2 {{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}}s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*8 [[Type-26 Banshee]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*10 {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}}s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*8 [[Type-31 Seraph]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*104 [[Covenant drop pod|insertion pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|air facilities  =
*Dorsal landing pad
*Central [[hangar]] bay rated for heavy [[dropship]]s and medium [[Space fighter|strikecraft]]{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
}}
{{Quote|What the hell are those things?|Cadet Thomas Lasky, upon seeing ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes for the first time{{Ref/Film|Id=fud|FuD}}}}


A '''Covenant corvette'''<ref>'''''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''''', ''page 240''</ref> is a [[Light Capital Warship|light capital warship]] classification in the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[Covenant Navy|Navy]].
The '''''Ceudar''-pattern heavy corvette''' {{3Letter|SDV|heavy corvette}} is a class of [[corvette]], formerly in service with the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|fleet]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} and one of multiple [[design pattern]]s of ship under the SDV banner.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFConcert|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-concert-of-words|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Concert of Worlds|D=25|M=09|Y=2023}} Manufactured by both the [[Forgemasters of Tanus]] and the [[Gorgon Assembly Vault]],{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} these corvettes rarely engage in ship-to-ship combat (though if pressed, they are capable of taking on [[human]] [[frigate]]s on more-or-less even terms); instead, they typically escort [[capital ship]]s, deploy [[space fighter]]s in [[fleet]] engagements, and screen support ships from enemy fast-attack craft.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Although they typically serve as heavy escorts within a fleet, the ''Ceudar'' can operate independently of support for extended periods of time.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}


==Specifications==
Mass-assembled during the [[Ages of Discovery|Twentieth Age of Discovery]], ''Ceudar''-pattern heavy corvettes were originally commissioned for charting distant stars and dangerous [[slipspace]] routes, or aiding the Covenant navy in war.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} During the [[Human-Covenant War]], the ''Ceudar'' saw heavy use against humanity, most prominently during the [[Fall of Reach]].{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} With the collapse of the Covenant empire, these corvettes are now serviced by the Covenant's [[Covenant remnants|successors]].{{Ref/Reuse|Have S'moa}}
 
==Overview==
===Design details===
===Design details===
Larger than UNSC Frigates but relatively weak compared to most Covenant ships, corvettes are usually sent in advance of larger fleets. They are streamlined, with a vaguely oblong hull shape. Their "double-hull" assembly is unique among Covenant vessels encountered so far. Corvettes are also different from most known Covenant in that the bridge is located at the front of the ship instead of in the ship's center.  
{{Quote|Scans indicate a structural weakness surrounding a platform on top of the vessel.|Auntie Dot, referring to the ''SDV'' class{{Ref/Level|Id=LNoS|HR|Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace}}}}
[[File:HWF-ArdentPrayer.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A cutaway illustration of the ''Ardent Prayer'']]
''Ceudar''-pattern heavy corvettes are relatively small [[warship]]s once manufactured by the [[Covenant]],{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} with a length of {{Convert|3135|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}} and a mass of 8 million metric tons.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Like all Covenant vessels, these corvettes are armored with a lightweight, yet incredibly resilient, diamondoid and metal-matrix composite frame, covered by thin pieces of streamlined [[nanolaminate]] hull plating.{{Ref/Reuse|wf61}} Identifiable by their smooth oblong shape, the heavy corvettes are assembled with a selvage rim, a contoured extension of the hull for additional protection that is also capable of deploying combat carapaces. The rim is visually reminiscent of [[Suban]]'s [[qoerith slug]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} The corvettes have a dorsal landing platform at the top of the ship,{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} a noted structural weakness to the design of the corvette. Red and blue lights are used to distinguish the port and starboard sides of the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|LNoS}} Mass-assembled in large numbers by the Covenant, the ''SDV''-class heavy corvette has a highly flexible [[design pattern]] that can be modified for a number of specialized roles.{{Ref/Book|Id=fb121|Halo: Fleet Battles core rulebook|Page=125}}


Unlike larger Covenant vessels, Corvettes have no energy shields. This leaves them vulnerable to smaller [[UNSC]] weapons such as [[Point-defense gun]]s. A lack of shield also puts the ship at risk of being boarded, as seen during [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].
The cavernous war [[bridge]] of the ''SDV'' corvette is located in the bow of the ship, rather than the center.{{Ref/Reuse|LNoS}} Referred to as the command center,{{Ref/Book|Id=evg13|EVG|Page=13}} the bridge is comparatively large and composed of an encompassing perimeter platform that surrounds a number of control consoles, with a [[holo-tank]] in the center and a retractable conference table off to the side.{{Ref/Reuse|hitd134}} In addition to the bridge's high-tier [[auspex array]] and [[proselytization network]] interlinks,{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} the ''Ceudar'' is also equipped with a long-range communication system near the center of the ship for synchronizing orders and edicts.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} Located at the corvette's midsection is the ministerial cloister, an elevated access point and common terrace for dignitaries and commanders.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} ''Ceudar'' corvettes have a highly advanced [[automated surgery suite]] typically capable of tending to most injuries. As most [[Sangheili]] prefer to avoid the medical bay, the suite is frequented more by other species.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''p. 308''</ref> The corvettes additionally have a series of maintenance tunnels interwoven throughout the ship, with compact dimensions designed for the Covenant's smaller species to traverse.{{Ref/Game|Id=Covenant Escape|Halo: Outpost Discovery|Covenant Escape}}
{{SectStub}}
 
[[File:HOD SupplicationofPurity Interior 1.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The interior of a maintenance corridor of the ''Supplication of Purity''.]]
The ''Ceudar''-pattern corvette is outfitted with [[Energy shielding|''Morelia''-pattern dispersal field generators]],{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} which provide the corvettes with energy shielding.<ref name="Halo p. 145">'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''p. 145''</ref> The corvettes are also equipped with a [[Stealth shroud|''Ushab''-pattern stealth generator]], utilizing powerful distortion screens and a multispectral hypersink that renders the ships practically invisible to long-range passive sensors of both human and Covenant origin.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} A [[gravity lift]] near the center serves as a low-capacity utility lift for cargo transport.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}


===Armaments===
===Armaments===
The Covenant corvette is armed with multiple weapons for a variety of purposes. On either side of the ship are three plasma turrets which appear to be used primarily for engaging larger ships. Located in four slots, two on each side, with two in each, are eight plasma autocannons for use against fighter craft. On the underside of the corvette is a launch bay that can hold at least ten [[Type-27 XMF]]s for use in combat situations. The hangar bay also carries six [[Seraph|''Seraph''s]] and with additional room to carry one or more [[Phantom Gunboat|gunboats]] for additional combat support. The dorsal landing pad could also carry extra fighters, though it is not regularly outfitted for such a role. The "runner" ringing the underside of the ship is capable of launching [[Orbital Insertion Pod|Orbital Insertion Pods]].<ref name="lnos">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''</ref>
Armed with relatively light weaponry, ''Ceudar''-pattern corvettes rarely engage in ship-to-ship combat, often deploying fighters to engage enemies while the corvette escapes.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} However, they are capable of engaging [[human]] [[UNSC frigate|frigates]] on more-or-less even terms, if pressed.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The primary armament of the corvette is its array of six [[Plasma cannon (starship)|''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannons]],{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} with three on either side of the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} The plasma cannon array is capable of rapid fire, providing dynamic-range flank coverage.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
 
The ''SDV'' class is also armed with sixteen [[Plasma bombardment mortar|''Carnax Nu''-pattern plasma bombardment mortars]] designed for bombarding surface targets. For point defense, the corvettes possess eleven [[Pulse laser turret|''Phot''-pattern pulse lasers]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} Some corvettes are armed with low-yield [[antimatter mine]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo p. 145}}
 
===Crew and complement===
[[File:Corvette1.jpg|thumb|250px|The hangar of the ''SDV''-class heavy corvette]]
''SDV'' corvettes generally have a crew of thirty-eight,{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} though these vessels are highly automated and only require a crew of ten for most operations.<ref>'''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''p. 135''</ref> The crew consists of sixteen [[Superior]]s, twenty [[Menial]]s, and two [[Huragok]] serving as the ship's engineers.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes are favored for their infantry transport and deployment capabilities.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} They can carry fifty [[Obedientiary|Obedientaries]], another fifty [[Warrior]]s, and one hundred-and-thirty [[Thrall]]s. There are no long-term accommodations for the crew, except for those of the [[shipmaster]]. Instead, the crew use stimulants and [[dream-shaper]]s to stay alert for their tour, before being rotated with fresh personnel at the end of the mission.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
 
Corvettes of this class have a single multipurpose [[hangar bay]],{{Ref/Reuse|hitd134}}{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} rated to handle heavy [[dropship]]s and medium [[space fighter]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} These corvettes carry eight [[Seraph]] fighters,{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} locked onto the ceiling of its hangar bay.{{Ref/Reuse|evg13}} Seraph [[pilot]]s may be trained by a [[skymaster]]. In addition, ''SDV''-class corvettes carry ten {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}} strikecraft and eight regular [[Banshee]] support aircraft. The Banshees can be deployed from the primary hangar, or from a secondary deployment hangar on the ventral surface of the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|LNoS}}
 
Two {{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}} troop carriers are utilized by these corvettes to ferry troops to combat zones. The corvettes carry 104 [[Covenant drop pod|insertion pods and deployment carapaces]],{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} deployed from the lower ring.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} When launched, the drop pods benefit from a temporary signature reduction when passing through the ship's distortion screen.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
 
===Propulsion===
''SDV''-class corvettes are highly regarded for their maneuverability and swiftness, using a combination of speed and stealth to infiltrate planetary defenses, though they are not as nimble as the {{Pattern|Makar|light corvette}}s.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} The corvettes are fitted with four [[Repulsor engine|''Callipoas''-pattern repulsor engines]],{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} located at the aft of the ship.{{Ref/Reuse|LNoS}}{{Ref/Level|Id=Exodus|HR|Exodus}}{{Ref/Level|Id=Nightfall|HR|Nightfall}} Providing sublight travel, these repulsor engines are configured for swift and agile localized transit.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
 
For travel in [[slipstream space]], the ''SDV'' class is outfitted with a [[Borer|''Tyros''-pattern borer]]—approximately equivalent to a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine#CODEN series|CODEN Series VI Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
 
===Usage===
The "S" (for "Salvation") in the corvette's three-letter classification code indicates that the ''SDV''-class heavy corvette is a dedicated warship capable of cleansing enemies of the Covenant with "holy fire".{{Ref/Reuse|Have S'moa}}
 
==Ships of the line==
*''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' – Captained by [[Shipmaster]] [[Ardo 'Moretumee]] as part of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]]; hijacked by UNSC and used as a delivery system for slipspace bomb, destroyed during [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg13}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*''[[Elegy's Lament]]'' – Formerly in service with the [[Covenant fleet]]; captured by the [[Banished]].{{Ref/Reuse|hp}}
*''[[Mayhem]]'' – formerly ''Quester of Glory'' in Covenant service and captained by [[N'tho 'Sraom]] of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]; heavily damaged during [[Operation: FAR STORM]].{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-annual-achievements|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Annual Achievements|D=16|M=07|Y=2019}}
*''[[Supplication of Purity]]'' – Crashed into the surface of [[Tribute]].{{Ref/Reuse|Covenant Escape}}


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
Several Covenant corvettes were present during the [[Fall of Reach]]. On July 26, 2552, a corvette attacked [[Sword Base]], but retreated when its forces were driven off or destroyed. As it left, the corvette was blasted through the middle with a [[MAC]] round and sank in a nearby lake.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''' campaign level ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]''</ref> At least three corvettes were present in the Covenant staging area in the [[Viery Territory]].<ref>'''Halo: Reach''' campaign level ''[[Nightfall]]''</ref> These corvettes and the [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarrier]] ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' were part of a small advance force sent ahead to Reach.
===Early service===
The ''SDV''-class heavy corvette was mass-assembled in large numbers by the [[Forgemasters of Tanus]] and the [[Gorgon Assembly Vault]] during the [[Ages of Discovery|Twentieth Age of Discovery]], an earlier era of glorious exploration for the [[Covenant]]. The corvette was designed by [[Master Shipwright]] [[Ckmu 'Raboree]] and [[Apprentice Hiveseeker]] [[Tek'ch]]—[[Sangheili]] and [[Yanme'e]] naval architects, respectively. ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' was one of the corvettes assembled at this time, commissioned in around [[2070]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}


At least one corvette, ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'', was in the [[Reach|planet]]'s orbit when Operation: UPPER CUT commenced. As the vessel's communications were being jammed by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]], it was engaged by the {{UNSCship|Savannah}}, which was assisted by several [[Sabre]] fighters, including one piloted by [[SPARTAN-B312]] and [[Jorge-052]]. The corvette was destroyed by a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] used as a makeshift bomb and took the supercarrier ''Long Night of Solace'' with it thanks to the trap.<ref name="lnos"/>
The Covenant tasked the new ''SDV''-class with traveling to distant stars, charting dangerous routes in [[slipstream space]], and battling civilizations that resisted the empire's vision of a [[Great Journey]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} Others were tasked with surveying [[Forerunner]] reliquary sites and deploying small artifact-retrieval teams to evade any active defensive measures.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} However, such matters were often considered beneath the attention of true warriors; while these corvettes played vital roles in the [[Covenant fleet]], they possess no battle honors of note and are rarely mentioned in [[High Charity]]'s records.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} Nonetheless, the ''SDV'' was a popular warship in the fleet, with entire [[battle group]]s comprised of these corvettes.{{Ref/Reuse|fb121}}


Other Covenant corvettes took part in the ground battle on Reach. At least three such corvettes were present during the occupation and destruction of the city of [[New Alexandria]]. One took part in the destruction of civilian transports, but was heavily damaged by missile batteries, apparently disabling its weapons and allowing the other transports to escape.<ref name="exodus">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Exodus (level)|Exodus]]''</ref>
===Human-Covenant War===
[[File:CirciniusIV attacked1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|A corvette fires a pulse laser at the Corbulo Academy space elevator, destroying it.]]
During the [[Human-Covenant War]], ''Ceudar''-pattern heavy corvettes were utilized in front-line combat roles, as well as providing the Covenant fleet with long-range reconnaissance of potential naval staging areas and colonies.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} At least three ''Ceudar''-pattern corvettes were present during the Covenant's [[Battle of Circinius IV|attack]] on the [[human]] [[Human colonies|colony]] of [[Circinius IV]] in [[2526]]. During the battle, the three corvettes entered the planet's lower atmosphere over the [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]], where one of them fired on the school's [[space elevator]], causing it to collapse.{{Ref/Reuse|fud}} A lone corvette was present for the beginning of the [[Battle of Meridian]] in [[2548]], acting as the ship for a Covenant force working on excavating a Forerunner artifact in [[Brume-sur-Mer]]. The corvette attempted to shoot down [[Sundered Legion Prowler|a]] [[Prowler]] carrying escaping colonists, firing blind due to the ship being in stealth mode. However, [[Victor Gallardo]] returned fire with the Prowler's missiles, scoring several hits and forcing the corvette to retreat.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HBB4|HBatB|Chapter=4}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=HBB16|HBatB|Chapter=16}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=HBB24|HBatB|Chapter=24}} Several ''Ceudar'' heavy corvettes participated in the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]] in [[2552]], attached to the [[Second Fleet of Solemn Accord]].{{Ref/Book|HM|Page=80-81}}


==Trivia==
When the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] arrived over [[Reach]] later that summer, several attached ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes were present for the ensuring [[Fall of Reach]]. On [[2552#July|July 26, 2552]], a corvette [[Battle of Sword Base|attacked]] the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Sword Base]], but retreated when its forces were driven off. As it left, the corvette was struck amidships by a round from an [[orbital defense platform]]'s [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]] and sank in a nearby lake.{{Ref/Level|Id=ONI: SB|HR|ONI: Sword Base}} At least four corvettes were present in the Covenant staging area in the [[Viery Territory]] and were discovered by [[Recon Team Bravo]] during [[Mission to Szurdok Ridge|a reconnaissance mission]].{{Ref/Reuse|Nightfall}} Later in the battle, ''Ardent Prayer'' played a vital role in [[Operation: UPPER CUT]], when she was engaged by {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} while being [[Naval boarding|boarded]] by several [[FSS-1000 Sabre]] fighters, including one piloted by [[SPARTAN-B312]] and [[Jorge-052]]. The pilots hijacked the corvette and brought aboard ''Savannah''{{'}}s [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|slipspace drive]], which was used as a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine#Atypical uses|makeshift bomb]]. ''Ardent Prayer'' was sent towards the fleet [[flagship]] ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'', where Jorge-052 activated the drive and created a devasting [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] rift. The resulting loss of ''Ardent Prayer'' and ''Long Night of Solace'' effectively crippled the Fleet of Valiant Prudence, though the fleet's remnants were reinforced by the [[Ministry of Resolution]].{{Ref/Reuse|LNoS}}
*The Firefight map [[Corvette (level)|Corvette]], as well as the multiplayer map [[Zealot (level)|Zealot]], takes place within a Covenant corvette, named [[Ardent Prayer]].
 
Other ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes took part in later ground battles on Reach. At least three corvettes were present during the [[Siege of New Alexandria|siege of]] [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]]. One took up position over the city's starport, preventing civilian [[Egret Spaceliner|evacuation transports]] from escaping. When one took off in desperation, the corvette shot it down. As the situation grew dire for the transports, SPARTAN-B312 reactivated a [[M95 Lance|missile battery]] which he used to fire on the corvette. The corvette was badly damaged and retreated, allowing the remaining civilian transports with thousands of people on board to escape. The corvette was last seen descending at a steep angle, indicating it may have crashed from the damage it sustained.{{Ref/Reuse|Exodus}} Several of these corvettes also participated in the Covenant's [[Battle of Tribute|attack]] on [[Tribute]], with some assaulting its capital, [[Casbah]].{{Ref/Map|Id=landf|H4|Landfall (level)|Landfall}}
 
===Post-Covenant usage===
Following the [[Battle of the Citadel|collapse]] of the Covenant, ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes continued their service with newly formed [[Covenant remnants|successor factions]] of the fallen empire. [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]] had several ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes in its fleet.{{Ref/Reuse|Have S'moa}} The [[Swords of Sanghelios]] also operated at least one corvette of the ''SDV'' class—''[[Mayhem]]''. This corvette was deployed on [[Operation: FAR STORM]], delivering the joint forces of the Swords and [[United Nations Space Command]] to [[Installation 00]] via the [[Portal at Voi]].{{Ref/Reuse|hitd134}}
 
In [[2558#March|March 2558]], [[Shipmaster]] [[Vata 'Gajat]] was using an ''SDV''-class heavy corvette as the [[flagship]] of his [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenary faction]], although both corvette and shipmaster were destroyed during the [[Ambush at Oth Lodon|Oth Lodon incident]].{{Ref/Comic|HEsc|Issue=5}}  A [[Kig-Yar]] [[Kig-Yar pirate queen|pirate queen]] operating on [[Ven III]] used a ''Ceudar'' corvette as her personal flagship, until its destruction in [[Operation: WHISTLE STOP]].{{Ref/Comic|HEsc|Issue=12}} The [[Banished]] also maintained the heavy corvette ''[[Elegy's Lament]]'' in their fleet,{{Ref/Reuse|hp}} which was used by the faction to raid and harry in its formative years.{{Ref/Comic|HRoA|Issue=4}}
 
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
===Silver Timeline===
{{Main|Silver Timeline}}
{{Notice/Silver|category=no}}
Two [[Sangheili]] warriors who discovered [[Makee]] on [[Oban]] came from a Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette.{{Ref/Film|Id=Emergence|TV|Episode=[[Emergence]]}}
 
In [[2552]], Makee arrived in the [[23 Librae system]] in a heavy corvette that appeared to be dead in the water. Makee tricked the {{UNSCShip|Gladius}} into bringing her onboard with a [[Lekgolo]] colony in search of information on the [[Madrigal]] [[keystone]]. Following the failure to recover any data, Makee returned to her ship to continue on to Madrigal to continue their search for the keystone.{{Ref/Reuse|Emergence}}
 
==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Line formation
This element features two ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes.
{{Stats/FleetBattles/Ships
|Title=Covenant SDV Heavy Corvette (Line Formation)
|ShipType=Small Ships
|Size=
|PTS=40
|Image=[[File:HFB SDVCorvettes LineFormation.png|x150px]]
|Movement=9
|DamageTrack1=4
|DamageTrack2=4
|DamageTrack3=3
 
|SysLoadout1= Active camouflage
|SysLoadout1Stat=
|SysLoadout2= Defense array
|SysLoadout2Stat= 2
|SysLoadout3= Elusive
|SysLoadout3Stat=
|SysLoadout4= Glide
|SysLoadout4Stat= 5
|SysLoadout5= Point defence
|SysLoadout5Stat= 3
 
|BuildRating=1
|Hangars=1
|BoardingCraft=0
|SecurityDetail=2
 
|PrimaryWeaponName=[[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon arrays]]
|PrimaryWeaponRangeMin=10
|PrimaryWeaponRangeMax=20
|PrimaryWeaponLoadouts=[[Plasma]]
|PrimaryWeaponCount=
|PrimaryWeaponArc=Forward/Port/Starboard
|PrimaryWeaponDice= 3
 
<!--optional-->
|SecondaryWeaponName=[[Plasma torpedo]]s
|SecondaryWeaponRangeMin=10
|SecondaryWeaponRangeMax=24
|SecondaryWeaponLoadouts=Missiles/Plasma
|SecondaryWeaponCount=
|SecondaryWeaponArc=Forward
|SecondaryWeaponDice=4
}}
 
;Tri formation
This element features three ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes.
{{Stats/FleetBattles/Ships
|Title=Covenant SDV Heavy Corvette (Tri Formation)
|ShipType=Small Ships
|Size=
|PTS=60
|Image=[[File:HFB SDVCorvettes TriFormation.png|x150px]]
|Movement=9
|DamageTrack1=5
|DamageTrack2=4
|DamageTrack3=4
 
|SysLoadout1= Active camouflage
|SysLoadout1Stat=
|SysLoadout2= Defense array
|SysLoadout2Stat= 4
|SysLoadout3= Elusive
|SysLoadout3Stat=
|SysLoadout4= Glide
|SysLoadout4Stat= 5
|SysLoadout5= Point defence
|SysLoadout5Stat= 4
 
|BuildRating=2
|Hangars=2
|BoardingCraft=0
|SecurityDetail=3
 
|PrimaryWeaponName=[[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon arrays]]
|PrimaryWeaponRangeMin=10
|PrimaryWeaponRangeMax=20
|PrimaryWeaponLoadouts=[[Plasma]]
|PrimaryWeaponCount=
|PrimaryWeaponArc=Forward/Port/Starboard
|PrimaryWeaponDice= 6
 
<!--optional-->
|SecondaryWeaponName=[[Plasma torpedo]]s
|SecondaryWeaponRangeMin=10
|SecondaryWeaponRangeMax=24
|SecondaryWeaponLoadouts=Missiles/Plasma
|SecondaryWeaponCount=
|SecondaryWeaponArc=Forward
|SecondaryWeaponDice=6
}}
{{Col-2}}
;Oblique formation
This element features two ''SDV''-class heavy corvettes.
{{Stats/FleetBattles/Ships
|Title=Covenant SDV Heavy Corvette (Oblique Formation)
|ShipType=Small Ships
|Size=
|PTS=40
|Image=[[File:HFB SDVCorvettes ObliqueFormation.png|x150px]]
|Movement=9
|DamageTrack1=4
|DamageTrack2=3
|DamageTrack3=3
 
|SysLoadout1= Active camouflage
|SysLoadout1Stat=
|SysLoadout2= Defense array
|SysLoadout2Stat= 2
|SysLoadout3= Elusive
|SysLoadout3Stat=
|SysLoadout4= Glide
|SysLoadout4Stat= 5
|SysLoadout5= Point defence
|SysLoadout5Stat= 3
 
|BuildRating=1
|Hangars=1
|BoardingCraft=0
|SecurityDetail=2
 
|PrimaryWeaponName=[[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon arrays]]
|PrimaryWeaponRangeMin=10
|PrimaryWeaponRangeMax=20
|PrimaryWeaponLoadouts=[[Plasma]]
|PrimaryWeaponCount=
|PrimaryWeaponArc=Forward/Port/Starboard
|PrimaryWeaponDice= 4
 
<!--optional-->
|SecondaryWeaponName=[[Plasma torpedo]]s
|SecondaryWeaponRangeMin=10
|SecondaryWeaponRangeMax=24
|SecondaryWeaponLoadouts=Missiles/Plasma
|SecondaryWeaponCount=
|SecondaryWeaponArc=Forward
|SecondaryWeaponDice=3
}}
{{Col-end}}
 
==Production notes==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
{{Quote|For Reach's corvette, artist Glenn Israel created something new yet familiar using motiffs from the Covenant cruiser.|Frank O'Connor{{Ref/Book|Id=abw73|AoBW|Page=73}}}}
The Covenant heavy corvette made its visual debut in the [[2010]] game ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', playing an integral role in the [[campaign]] level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]'', as well as serving as the setting for the [[Firefight]] map ''[[Corvette (map)|Corvette]]'' and the multiplayer map ''[[Zealot (map)|Zealot]]''—both taking place aboard the corvette ''[[Ardent Prayer]]''. For the game, the corvette was conceptualized and designed by artist [[:Category:Images by Glenn Israel|Glenn Israel]], who attempted to create a new, yet familiar, ship class.{{Ref/Reuse|abw73}} One of the rejected concept sketches for the corvette was later given color and shading by [[:Category:Images by Salvatorre Yazzie|Salvatorre Yazzie]], and canonized as the {{Pattern|A'uzr|sword frigate}}.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFConcert|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-concert-of-words|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Concert of Worlds|D=25|M=09|Y=2023}} The corvette's design was partly inspired by the {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}, particularly ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' which had previously served as a setting for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. While the corvette's interior resembles that of the battlecruiser, the increased processing power of the [[Xbox 360]] allowed for significantly more detail.{{Ref/Reuse|abw73}} The model of the SDV-class corvette for ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]'' was created by [[Spartan Games]] without using the ''Halo: Reach'' model for reference. The {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}} (which was designed for the game) features a "runner" amidships in reference to the corvette.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-in-the-loop|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - In the Loop|D=15|M=10|Y=2018}}
 
In the campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]'', the player's [[Sabre]] is able to destroy a corvette's engines and laser turrets, encountering no resistance from shields.{{Ref/Reuse|LNoS}} A corvette in ''[[Exodus]]'' is also crippled with a single missile barrage, again without any prior attack to shields.{{Ref/Reuse|Exodus}} In addition, several missiles from [[Sundered Legion Prowler|a]] [[Prowler]] during the [[Battle of Meridian]] caused enough damage to force a corvette to retreat.{{Ref/Reuse|HBB24}} This stands in contrast to the {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} in the final level, whose shields render it immune to damage until it exposes a weak point. However, later media ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]'', and ''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'' all make reference to the ''SDV'' class being equipped with energy shielding.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" captionalign="left">
===Concept art===
File:HaloReach - CorvetteOverview.png|An overview of the Covenant corvette.
<gallery>
File:HaloReach - SabreCorvette.png|A comparison between the corvette and the Sabre.
File:HR CovenantCorvette Thumbnail Concept 1.jpg|Early thumbnail sketches for the corvette in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:Reach_468670_Full.jpg| A view of the Covenant corvette the [[Ardent Prayer]] from behind.
File:HR CovenantCorvette Thumbnail Concept 2.jpg|Early thumbnail sketches for the corvette in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:reach_596390_Medium.jpg|A comparison between the corvette and a UNSC frigate.
File:HR_CovenantCorvette_Sketches_Concept.jpg|Rough sketches for the corvette's design. The center right design was later modified to become the ''A'uzr'' sword frigate.
File:reach_468883_Full.jpg|A Corvette's gravity lift and Type-27 XMF ventral launch-bay.
File:HR_CovenantCorvette_Refinement_Concept.jpg|More finalised detail notes for the corvette.
File:reach_468790_Full.jpg|Close up of Type-27 XMF launch-bay.
File:HR_CovenantCorvette_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Covenant corvette for ''Halo: Reach''
File:reach_597419_Medium.jpg|Close-up of the Banshee storage area in the corvette's hangar bay.
File:HR_CovenantCorvetteHangar_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Corvette's hangar bay.
File:reach_468932_Full.jpg|Another view of a corvette.
File:HR_CovenantCorvette_Corridor_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of the Corvette's interior corridors.
File:reach_596815_Medium.jpg|Close-up of the corvette's [[Orbital Insertion Pod]] launchers.
File:HR_CovenantCorvette_Corridor_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of the Corvette's interior corridors.
File:reach_468930_Full.jpg|Three plasma cannons affixed to the corvette.
File:HR_CovenantCorvette_Corridor_Concept_3.jpg|Concept art of the Corvette's interior corridors.
File:reach_597386_Medium.jpg|An interior view of the control room for the corvette's plasma cannons.
File:HTV S2 CovenantCorvette Bridge Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Corvette's bridge for ''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''.
File:reach_468980_Full.jpg|View of the corvette's dorsal landing pad.
File:HTV S2 CovenantCorvette Corridor Concept.jpg|Concept art of a corridor on the corvette for ''Halo: The Television Series Season Two''.
File:reach_468847_Full.jpg|An external view of the corvette's hangar bay with the shutter closed.
File:HTV S2 CovenantCorvette Reactor Concept 1.jpg|''Television Series'' concept art of the corvette's [[pinch fusion reactor]].
File:Corvette1.jpg|View inside a corvette's hangar bay, with [[Seraph-class Starfighter|''Seraph''-class starfighters]] hanging from the ceiling.
File:HTV S2 CovenantCorvette Reactor Concept 2.jpg|''Television Series'' concept art of the corvette's pinch fusion reactor.
File:reach_596555_Medium.jpg|A corvette over Reach with an escort of ''Seraph''s.
File:HTV S2 CovenantCorvette Reactor Concept 3.jpg|''Television Series'' concept art of the corvette's pinch fusion reactor.
File:Covenant Corvette Bridge.jpg|The bridge of a Covenant corvette, staffed by [[Special Operations Sangheili|SpecOps Sangheili]], [[Unggoy Ultra|Unggoy Ultras]] and a [[Sangheili General]].
</gallery>
File:REACHglassing.PNG|A group of corvettes over the surface of Reach.
 
File:REACHcartercorvette.PNG|Carter-A259 looks at a Covenant corvette over Reach.
===Screenshots===
File:CovieCorvette.jpg|A corvette attacking [[Sword Base]].
<gallery>
File:HaloReach - Space Battle.jpg|Corvette in battle.
File:HaloReach - CorvetteOverview.png|An overview of the Covenant corvette
File:HaloReach - SabreCorvette.png|A comparison between the corvette and the YSS-1000 Sabre
File:HR-SDVHeavyCorvette-LiteRender.jpg|An ''SDV''-class heavy corvette hovering above [[SWORD Base]].
File:HR-LNoS-CovenantCorvette-03.jpg|''Ardent Prayer'' over Reach in 2552
File:reach_596390_Medium.jpg|A rough comparison between the corvette and ''Savannah'' (this may not be up to scale)
File:reach_468883_Full.jpg|A Corvette's gravity lift and Seraph ventral launch-bay
File:Docked Seraphs.jpg|Type-31 Seraphs docked within the corvette.
File:reach_468790_Full.jpg|Close up of Type-27 XMF launch-bay
File:reach_597419_Medium.jpg|Close-up of the Banshee storage area in the corvette's hangar bay
File:reach_468980_Full.jpg|View of the corvette's dorsal landing pad
File:Covenant Corvette Bridge.jpg|The bridge of a Covenant corvette, staffed by [[Special Operations Sangheili]], [[Unggoy Ultra]]s and a [[Sangheili General]].
File:HaloReach - Space Battle.jpg|A corvette in battle
File:Noble Six City.jpg|Three corvettes hold position over the city of New Alexandria.
File:Noble Six City.jpg|Three corvettes hold position over the city of New Alexandria.
File:Corvette Destroyed.png|A corvette being damaged by [[Surface-to-Air Missile]]s over New Alexandria.
File:HR-Corvette in-atmosphere.jpg|An ''SDV'' corvette firing its plasma cannons towards Reach's surface.
File:Corvette destroyed.png|An ''SDV''-class corvette destroyed by a MAC round.
File:H4 FUD SDV-corvette.jpg|Three corvettes over the [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science|Corbulo Academy]] in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
File:CRS-Corvette size comparison.jpg|Size comparison between the ''CRS''-class cruiser and the ''SDV''-class heavy corvette
File:H4 Landfall Corvette.jpg|An ''SDV''-class corvette in the background of the ''[[Halo 4]]'' multiplayer map ''Landfall''
File:H4 Landfall Corvette 2.jpg|Another ''SDV''-class corvette in the background of ''Landfall''
File:HE Covenant station.jpg|[[Vata 'Gajat]]'s ''SDV''-class corvette docked at [[Oth Lodon station]] in [[2558]] in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:HE12 Ven Entrance.jpg|An ''SDV''-class corvette over [[Ven III]]'s landscape
File:Covenant Capital Vessels (Spartan Games).jpeg|An ''SDV''-class corvette scaled against the larger ''Ket''-pattern and ''ORS''-class cruisers.
File:HM SpaceBattle ColourAdjusted Small.jpg|''SDV''-class corvettes aid a ''CPV''-class heavy destroyer.
File:HM-SDV.png|Profile of the ''SDV''-class heavy corvette
File:HTV-Gladius&SDV.png|A ''SDV'' and {{Class|Gladius|heavy corvette}} in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
**''[[Hunting Party]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Battle Born]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]]''
**''[[Emergence]]''
**''[[Solace (TV Series)|Solace]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''
**''[[Sanctuary (TV Series)|Sanctuary]]''
**''[[Aleria (TV Series)|Aleria]]''
**''[[Onyx (TV Series)|Onyx]]''
**''[[Thermopylae (TV Series)|Thermopylae]]''
**''[[Halo (TV Series)|Halo]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources|2}}


{{CovenantShips}}
[[Category:SDV-class heavy corvettes| ]]
[[Category:Corvette classes]]
[[Category:Covenant ship classes]]
{{Covenant Ships}}
[[Category:Banished ship classes]]

Latest revision as of 21:37, August 30, 2024

Ceudar-pattern
HR-SDVHeavyCorvette-ArdentPrayer.png
Class attributes

Operators:

Manufacturer:

Naval architect:

In service:

Twentieth Age of Discovery - present[5]

General characteristics

Type:

Corvette[1][6]

Length:

956 meters (3,140 ft)[1][6][7][5][8]

Width:

399 meters (1,310 ft)[1][6]

Height:

175 meters (570 ft)[5]

Mass:

8 million tonnes[5][8]

Power plant:

Pinch fusion reactor

Maneuver drive:

4 Callipoas-pattern repulsor engines[5]

Slipspace drive:

Tyros-pattern borer[5]

Crew:

Troops:

Hull:

Nanolaminate plating[9]

Shielding:

Morelia-pattern shield generator[5]

Other systems:

Armaments:

Air wing:

Air facilities:

 

"What the hell are those things?"
— Cadet Thomas Lasky, upon seeing SDV-class heavy corvettes for the first time[10]

The Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette (UNSC three-letter classification: SDV-class heavy corvette) is a class of corvette, formerly in service with the Covenant fleet[8] and one of multiple design patterns of ship under the SDV banner.[11] Manufactured by both the Forgemasters of Tanus and the Gorgon Assembly Vault,[5] these corvettes rarely engage in ship-to-ship combat (though if pressed, they are capable of taking on human frigates on more-or-less even terms); instead, they typically escort capital ships, deploy space fighters in fleet engagements, and screen support ships from enemy fast-attack craft.[6] Although they typically serve as heavy escorts within a fleet, the Ceudar can operate independently of support for extended periods of time.[7]

Mass-assembled during the Twentieth Age of Discovery, Ceudar-pattern heavy corvettes were originally commissioned for charting distant stars and dangerous slipspace routes, or aiding the Covenant navy in war.[5] During the Human-Covenant War, the Ceudar saw heavy use against humanity, most prominently during the Fall of Reach.[1] With the collapse of the Covenant empire, these corvettes are now serviced by the Covenant's successors.[3]

OverviewEdit

Design detailsEdit

"Scans indicate a structural weakness surrounding a platform on top of the vessel."
— Auntie Dot, referring to the SDV class[12]
 
A cutaway illustration of the Ardent Prayer

Ceudar-pattern heavy corvettes are relatively small warships once manufactured by the Covenant,[6] with a length of 956 meters (3,135 ft) and a mass of 8 million metric tons.[5][8] Like all Covenant vessels, these corvettes are armored with a lightweight, yet incredibly resilient, diamondoid and metal-matrix composite frame, covered by thin pieces of streamlined nanolaminate hull plating.[9] Identifiable by their smooth oblong shape, the heavy corvettes are assembled with a selvage rim, a contoured extension of the hull for additional protection that is also capable of deploying combat carapaces. The rim is visually reminiscent of Suban's qoerith slugs.[7] The corvettes have a dorsal landing platform at the top of the ship,[1] a noted structural weakness to the design of the corvette. Red and blue lights are used to distinguish the port and starboard sides of the ship.[12] Mass-assembled in large numbers by the Covenant, the SDV-class heavy corvette has a highly flexible design pattern that can be modified for a number of specialized roles.[13]

The cavernous war bridge of the SDV corvette is located in the bow of the ship, rather than the center.[12] Referred to as the command center,[14] the bridge is comparatively large and composed of an encompassing perimeter platform that surrounds a number of control consoles, with a holo-tank in the center and a retractable conference table off to the side.[2] In addition to the bridge's high-tier auspex array and proselytization network interlinks,[7] the Ceudar is also equipped with a long-range communication system near the center of the ship for synchronizing orders and edicts.[5] Located at the corvette's midsection is the ministerial cloister, an elevated access point and common terrace for dignitaries and commanders.[7] Ceudar corvettes have a highly advanced automated surgery suite typically capable of tending to most injuries. As most Sangheili prefer to avoid the medical bay, the suite is frequented more by other species.[15] The corvettes additionally have a series of maintenance tunnels interwoven throughout the ship, with compact dimensions designed for the Covenant's smaller species to traverse.[16]

 
The interior of a maintenance corridor of the Supplication of Purity.

The Ceudar-pattern corvette is outfitted with Morelia-pattern dispersal field generators,[5] which provide the corvettes with energy shielding.[17] The corvettes are also equipped with a Ushab-pattern stealth generator, utilizing powerful distortion screens and a multispectral hypersink that renders the ships practically invisible to long-range passive sensors of both human and Covenant origin.[5][8] A gravity lift near the center serves as a low-capacity utility lift for cargo transport.[7]

ArmamentsEdit

Armed with relatively light weaponry, Ceudar-pattern corvettes rarely engage in ship-to-ship combat, often deploying fighters to engage enemies while the corvette escapes.[1] However, they are capable of engaging human frigates on more-or-less even terms, if pressed.[6] The primary armament of the corvette is its array of six Melusean-pattern heavy plasma cannons,[5][8] with three on either side of the ship.[5] The plasma cannon array is capable of rapid fire, providing dynamic-range flank coverage.[7]

The SDV class is also armed with sixteen Carnax Nu-pattern plasma bombardment mortars designed for bombarding surface targets. For point defense, the corvettes possess eleven Phot-pattern pulse lasers.[5] Some corvettes are armed with low-yield antimatter mines.[17]

Crew and complementEdit

 
The hangar of the SDV-class heavy corvette

SDV corvettes generally have a crew of thirty-eight,[5] though these vessels are highly automated and only require a crew of ten for most operations.[18] The crew consists of sixteen Superiors, twenty Menials, and two Huragok serving as the ship's engineers.[5] SDV-class heavy corvettes are favored for their infantry transport and deployment capabilities.[1] They can carry fifty Obedientaries, another fifty Warriors, and one hundred-and-thirty Thralls. There are no long-term accommodations for the crew, except for those of the shipmaster. Instead, the crew use stimulants and dream-shapers to stay alert for their tour, before being rotated with fresh personnel at the end of the mission.[5]

Corvettes of this class have a single multipurpose hangar bay,[2][7] rated to handle heavy dropships and medium space fighters.[7] These corvettes carry eight Seraph fighters,[5] locked onto the ceiling of its hangar bay.[14] Seraph pilots may be trained by a skymaster. In addition, SDV-class corvettes carry ten Elsedda-pattern Banshee strikecraft and eight regular Banshee support aircraft. The Banshees can be deployed from the primary hangar, or from a secondary deployment hangar on the ventral surface of the ship.[12]

Two Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit troop carriers are utilized by these corvettes to ferry troops to combat zones. The corvettes carry 104 insertion pods and deployment carapaces,[5] deployed from the lower ring.[7] When launched, the drop pods benefit from a temporary signature reduction when passing through the ship's distortion screen.[5]

PropulsionEdit

SDV-class corvettes are highly regarded for their maneuverability and swiftness, using a combination of speed and stealth to infiltrate planetary defenses, though they are not as nimble as the Makar-pattern light corvettes.[1] The corvettes are fitted with four Callipoas-pattern repulsor engines,[5] located at the aft of the ship.[12][19][20] Providing sublight travel, these repulsor engines are configured for swift and agile localized transit.[7]

For travel in slipstream space, the SDV class is outfitted with a Tyros-pattern borer—approximately equivalent to a CODEN Series VI Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine.[5]

UsageEdit

The "S" (for "Salvation") in the corvette's three-letter classification code indicates that the SDV-class heavy corvette is a dedicated warship capable of cleansing enemies of the Covenant with "holy fire".[3]

Ships of the lineEdit

Operational historyEdit

Early serviceEdit

The SDV-class heavy corvette was mass-assembled in large numbers by the Forgemasters of Tanus and the Gorgon Assembly Vault during the Twentieth Age of Discovery, an earlier era of glorious exploration for the Covenant. The corvette was designed by Master Shipwright Ckmu 'Raboree and Apprentice Hiveseeker Tek'ch—Sangheili and Yanme'e naval architects, respectively. Ardent Prayer was one of the corvettes assembled at this time, commissioned in around 2070.[5]

The Covenant tasked the new SDV-class with traveling to distant stars, charting dangerous routes in slipstream space, and battling civilizations that resisted the empire's vision of a Great Journey.[5] Others were tasked with surveying Forerunner reliquary sites and deploying small artifact-retrieval teams to evade any active defensive measures.[6] However, such matters were often considered beneath the attention of true warriors; while these corvettes played vital roles in the Covenant fleet, they possess no battle honors of note and are rarely mentioned in High Charity's records.[5] Nonetheless, the SDV was a popular warship in the fleet, with entire battle groups comprised of these corvettes.[13]

Human-Covenant WarEdit

 
A corvette fires a pulse laser at the Corbulo Academy space elevator, destroying it.

During the Human-Covenant War, Ceudar-pattern heavy corvettes were utilized in front-line combat roles, as well as providing the Covenant fleet with long-range reconnaissance of potential naval staging areas and colonies.[6] At least three Ceudar-pattern corvettes were present during the Covenant's attack on the human colony of Circinius IV in 2526. During the battle, the three corvettes entered the planet's lower atmosphere over the Corbulo Academy of Military Science, where one of them fired on the school's space elevator, causing it to collapse.[10] A lone corvette was present for the beginning of the Battle of Meridian in 2548, acting as the ship for a Covenant force working on excavating a Forerunner artifact in Brume-sur-Mer. The corvette attempted to shoot down a Prowler carrying escaping colonists, firing blind due to the ship being in stealth mode. However, Victor Gallardo returned fire with the Prowler's missiles, scoring several hits and forcing the corvette to retreat.[22][23][24] Several Ceudar heavy corvettes participated in the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV in 2552, attached to the Second Fleet of Solemn Accord.[25]

When the Fleet of Valiant Prudence arrived over Reach later that summer, several attached SDV-class heavy corvettes were present for the ensuring Fall of Reach. On July 26, 2552, a corvette attacked the Office of Naval Intelligence's Sword Base, but retreated when its forces were driven off. As it left, the corvette was struck amidships by a round from an orbital defense platform's MAC and sank in a nearby lake.[26] At least four corvettes were present in the Covenant staging area in the Viery Territory and were discovered by Recon Team Bravo during a reconnaissance mission.[20] Later in the battle, Ardent Prayer played a vital role in Operation: UPPER CUT, when she was engaged by UNSC Savannah while being boarded by several FSS-1000 Sabre fighters, including one piloted by SPARTAN-B312 and Jorge-052. The pilots hijacked the corvette and brought aboard Savannah's slipspace drive, which was used as a makeshift bomb. Ardent Prayer was sent towards the fleet flagship Long Night of Solace, where Jorge-052 activated the drive and created a devasting slipspace rift. The resulting loss of Ardent Prayer and Long Night of Solace effectively crippled the Fleet of Valiant Prudence, though the fleet's remnants were reinforced by the Ministry of Resolution.[12]

Other SDV-class heavy corvettes took part in later ground battles on Reach. At least three corvettes were present during the siege of New Alexandria. One took up position over the city's starport, preventing civilian evacuation transports from escaping. When one took off in desperation, the corvette shot it down. As the situation grew dire for the transports, SPARTAN-B312 reactivated a missile battery which he used to fire on the corvette. The corvette was badly damaged and retreated, allowing the remaining civilian transports with thousands of people on board to escape. The corvette was last seen descending at a steep angle, indicating it may have crashed from the damage it sustained.[19] Several of these corvettes also participated in the Covenant's attack on Tribute, with some assaulting its capital, Casbah.[27]

Post-Covenant usageEdit

Following the collapse of the Covenant, SDV-class heavy corvettes continued their service with newly formed successor factions of the fallen empire. Jul 'Mdama's Covenant had several SDV-class heavy corvettes in its fleet.[3] The Swords of Sanghelios also operated at least one corvette of the SDV class—Mayhem. This corvette was deployed on Operation: FAR STORM, delivering the joint forces of the Swords and United Nations Space Command to Installation 00 via the Portal at Voi.[2]

In March 2558, Shipmaster Vata 'Gajat was using an SDV-class heavy corvette as the flagship of his mercenary faction, although both corvette and shipmaster were destroyed during the Oth Lodon incident.[28] A Kig-Yar pirate queen operating on Ven III used a Ceudar corvette as her personal flagship, until its destruction in Operation: WHISTLE STOP.[29] The Banished also maintained the heavy corvette Elegy's Lament in their fleet,[4] which was used by the faction to raid and harry in its formative years.[30]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearancesEdit

Silver TimelineEdit

Main article: Silver Timeline
 
 This article contains information about the Silver Timeline, and is not a part of the established Halo canon.

Two Sangheili warriors who discovered Makee on Oban came from a Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette.[31]

In 2552, Makee arrived in the 23 Librae system in a heavy corvette that appeared to be dead in the water. Makee tricked the UNSC Gladius into bringing her onboard with a Lekgolo colony in search of information on the Madrigal keystone. Following the failure to recover any data, Makee returned to her ship to continue on to Madrigal to continue their search for the keystone.[31]

Halo: Fleet BattlesEdit

Line formation

This element features two SDV-class heavy corvettes.

Covenant SDV Heavy Corvette (Line Formation) Small Ships (40 PTS)
  Movement 9" Systems Loadout
Damage Track 4 • 4 • 3

Active camouflage
Defense array (2)
Elusive
Glide (5)
Point defence (3)

Build Rating 1
Hangars 1
Boarding Craft 0
Security Detail 2
Primary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Plasma cannon arrays 10/20" Plasma Forward/Port/Starboard 3


Secondary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Plasma torpedos 10/24" Missiles/Plasma Forward 4



Tri formation

This element features three SDV-class heavy corvettes.

Covenant SDV Heavy Corvette (Tri Formation) Small Ships (60 PTS)
  Movement 9" Systems Loadout
Damage Track 5 • 4 • 4

Active camouflage
Defense array (4)
Elusive
Glide (5)
Point defence (4)

Build Rating 2
Hangars 2
Boarding Craft 0
Security Detail 3
Primary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Plasma cannon arrays 10/20" Plasma Forward/Port/Starboard 6


Secondary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Plasma torpedos 10/24" Missiles/Plasma Forward 6



Oblique formation

This element features two SDV-class heavy corvettes.

Covenant SDV Heavy Corvette (Oblique Formation) Small Ships (40 PTS)
  Movement 9" Systems Loadout
Damage Track 4 • 3 • 3

Active camouflage
Defense array (2)
Elusive
Glide (5)
Point defence (3)

Build Rating 1
Hangars 1
Boarding Craft 0
Security Detail 2
Primary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Plasma cannon arrays 10/20" Plasma Forward/Port/Starboard 4


Secondary Weapon Range Weapon Loadouts Arc Dice
Plasma torpedos 10/24" Missiles/Plasma Forward 3



Production notesEdit

  Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

"For Reach's corvette, artist Glenn Israel created something new yet familiar using motiffs from the Covenant cruiser."
— Frank O'Connor[32]

The Covenant heavy corvette made its visual debut in the 2010 game Halo: Reach, playing an integral role in the campaign level Long Night of Solace, as well as serving as the setting for the Firefight map Corvette and the multiplayer map Zealot—both taking place aboard the corvette Ardent Prayer. For the game, the corvette was conceptualized and designed by artist Glenn Israel, who attempted to create a new, yet familiar, ship class.[32] One of the rejected concept sketches for the corvette was later given color and shading by Salvatorre Yazzie, and canonized as the A'uzr-pattern sword frigate.[11] The corvette's design was partly inspired by the Ket-pattern battlecruiser, particularly Truth and Reconciliation which had previously served as a setting for Halo: Combat Evolved. While the corvette's interior resembles that of the battlecruiser, the increased processing power of the Xbox 360 allowed for significantly more detail.[32] The model of the SDV-class corvette for Halo: Fleet Battles was created by Spartan Games without using the Halo: Reach model for reference. The Varric-pattern heavy cruiser (which was designed for the game) features a "runner" amidships in reference to the corvette.[33]

In the campaign level Long Night of Solace, the player's Sabre is able to destroy a corvette's engines and laser turrets, encountering no resistance from shields.[12] A corvette in Exodus is also crippled with a single missile barrage, again without any prior attack to shields.[19] In addition, several missiles from a Prowler during the Battle of Meridian caused enough damage to force a corvette to retreat.[24] This stands in contrast to the Ket-pattern battlecruiser in the final level, whose shields render it immune to damage until it exposes a weak point. However, later media Halo: Hunters in the Dark, Halo: Fleet Battles, and Halo: Warfleet all make reference to the SDV class being equipped with energy shielding.

GalleryEdit

Concept artEdit

  • Early thumbnail sketches for the corvette in Halo: Reach.

  • Early thumbnail sketches for the corvette in Halo: Reach.

  • Rough sketches for the corvette's design. The center right design was later modified to become the A'uzr sword frigate.

  • More finalised detail notes for the corvette.

  • Concept art of the Covenant corvette for Halo: Reach

  • Concept art of the Corvette's hangar bay.

  • Concept art of the Corvette's interior corridors.

  • Concept art of the Corvette's interior corridors.

  • Concept art of the Corvette's interior corridors.

  • Concept art of the Corvette's bridge for Halo: The Television Series Season Two.

  • Concept art of a corridor on the corvette for Halo: The Television Series Season Two.

  • Television Series concept art of the corvette's pinch fusion reactor.

  • Television Series concept art of the corvette's pinch fusion reactor.

  • Television Series concept art of the corvette's pinch fusion reactor.

ScreenshotsEdit

  • An overview of the Covenant corvette

  • A comparison between the corvette and the YSS-1000 Sabre

  • An SDV-class heavy corvette hovering above SWORD Base.

  • Ardent Prayer over Reach in 2552

  • A rough comparison between the corvette and Savannah (this may not be up to scale)

  • A Corvette's gravity lift and Seraph ventral launch-bay

  • Type-31 Seraphs docked within the corvette.

  • Close up of Type-27 XMF launch-bay

  • Close-up of the Banshee storage area in the corvette's hangar bay

  • View of the corvette's dorsal landing pad

  • The bridge of a Covenant corvette, staffed by Special Operations Sangheili, Unggoy Ultras and a Sangheili General.

  • A corvette in battle

  • Three corvettes hold position over the city of New Alexandria.

  • An SDV corvette firing its plasma cannons towards Reach's surface.

  • An SDV-class corvette destroyed by a MAC round.

  • Three corvettes over the Corbulo Academy in Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn

  • Size comparison between the CRS-class cruiser and the SDV-class heavy corvette

  • An SDV-class corvette in the background of the Halo 4 multiplayer map Landfall

  • Another SDV-class corvette in the background of Landfall

  • Vata 'Gajat's SDV-class corvette docked at Oth Lodon station in 2558 in Halo: Escalation.

  • An SDV-class corvette over Ven III's landscape

  • An SDV-class corvette scaled against the larger Ket-pattern and ORS-class cruisers.

  • SDV-class corvettes aid a CPV-class heavy destroyer.

  • Profile of the SDV-class heavy corvette

List of appearancesEdit

SourcesEdit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 37
  2. ^ a b c d Halo: Hunters in the Dark, p. 128
  3. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Have S'moa (Retrieved on Mar 28, 2019) [archive]
  4. ^ a b c Halo: Tales from Slipspace - Hunting Party
  5. ^ 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 am an ao ap aq ar as at au Halo: Warfleet, page 76-77
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Waypoint, Covenant Corvette (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Halo Mythos, page 154-155
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 268
  9. ^ a b Halo: Warfleet, page 61
  10. ^ a b Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
  11. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Concert of Worlds (Retrieved on Sep 25, 2023) [archive]
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace
  13. ^ a b Halo: Fleet Battles core rulebook, page 125
  14. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 13
  15. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, p. 308
  16. ^ a b Halo: Outpost Discovery, Covenant Escape
  17. ^ a b Halo: Hunters in the Dark, p. 145
  18. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, p. 135
  19. ^ a b c Halo: Reach, campaign level Exodus
  20. ^ a b Halo: Reach, campaign level Nightfall
  21. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Annual Achievements (Retrieved on Jul 16, 2019) [archive]
  22. ^ Halo: Battle Born, chapter 4
  23. ^ Halo: Battle Born, chapter 16
  24. ^ a b Halo: Battle Born, chapter 24
  25. ^ Halo Mythos, page 80-81
  26. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level ONI: Sword Base
  27. ^ Halo 4, multiplayer map Landfall
  28. ^ Halo: Escalation, issue 5
  29. ^ Halo: Escalation, issue 12
  30. ^ Halo: Rise of Atriox, issue 4
  31. ^ a b Halo: The Television Series, episode Emergence
  32. ^ a b c Halo: The Art of Building Worlds, page 73
  33. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - In the Loop (Retrieved on Oct 15, 2018) [archive]

Ship classifications of the Covenant and its remnants
Light warships
Jiralhanae ships

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