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The '''''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser''' ([[hull classification symbol]]: '''CA''')<ref name="h2a"/> is a classification of [[cruiser]] in service with the [[UNSC Navy]].<ref name="EVG"/> These cruisers are generally reserved for use as [[Flagship|command ships]] due to their durability and firepower,<ref name="universe"/> and are often given attack and defense roles.<ref name="EVG"/> Rarely, these cruisers are deployed to assist forces of the [[United Nations Space Command]] in planetary invasion [[operation]]s.<ref name="ENC"/>
The '''''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser''' ([[hull classification symbol]]: '''CA''')<ref name="h2a"/> is a classification of [[cruiser]] in service with the [[UNSC Navy]]. Built as a replacement for the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}}, the ''Marathon''-class is nearly 1.2 kilometers long, heavily armored, and equipped with two Magnetic Accelerator Cannons and an impressive arsenal of missiles.


Built as a replacement for the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}}, the ''Marathon''-class is nearly 1.2 kilometers long. ''Marathon'' generally serve as the backbone of fleets, though due to their limited numbers they are typically commanded by officers of the [[Rear Admiral|rear admiral]] rate or higher.<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="universe"/>
These vessels were most often deployed in attack and defense roles, serving as the backbone of UNSC fleets, though they were also popular among high-ranking [[UNSC]] officers for use as [[Flagship|command ships]],<ref name="EVG"/> and were even deployed in rare instances in a [[Carrier|light carrier]] configuration.<ref name="fb125">'''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''', ''Core Rulebook - page 125''</ref> They were primarily used during the [[Human-Covenant War]], though their numbers were heavily diminished and only very few remain in service in the conflict's aftermath alongside their successor vessel, the [[Autumn-class heavy cruiser|''Autumn''-class heavy cruiser]].<ref name="H4VG">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''UNSC Cruiser, page 191''</ref>


==Specifications==
==Specifications==
===Superstructure and hull===
===Superstructure and hull===
[[File:HFB-UNSCLeviathan.png|thumb|250px|left|The {{UNSCShip|Leviathan}}, [[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]]'s [[flagship]].]]
[[File:HFB-UNSCLeviathan.png|thumb|250px|left|The {{UNSCShip|Leviathan}}, [[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]]'s [[flagship]].]]
At {{Convert|1192|m|ft|sp=us}} long,<ref name="EVG"/> ''Marathon''-class heavy [[cruiser]]s are more than twice the length of a typical [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]. Despite their size, ''Marathon''-class cruisers are dwarfed by most [[Covenant cruiser]] classes.<ref name="ENC"/> As the successor to the ''Halcyon''-class cruiser, these vessels have a similar profile, with a forward 'head' and large engine segment protected by armor cowlings. Despite this, the ''Marathon''-class is not identical, with it's design being more streamlined, with the central section curving inward at the bottom, rather then remaining flat. Members of this class are renowned for their durability and extraordinary resilience,<ref name="ENC"/> with their 191-centimeter hull of [[Titanium-A armor]] allowing them to take more punishment than much smaller craft such as frigates and [[UNSC destroyer|destroyers]].<ref name="universe"/> Their ability to withstand massive amounts of damage, even in the face of [[plasma]] weaponry, made the ''Marathon''-class popular among UNSC naval officers.<ref name="ENC"/> Unfortunately, their lack of the honeycomb supports meant that these ships were considerably more fragile then the ''Halcyon''-classes they replaced. Nevertheless, by [[2552]] the ''Marathon'' was considered to be one of the more powerful [[warship]]s ever built by [[human]]ity.<ref name="for188">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 188'' (2010)</ref>
At {{Convert|1192|m|ft|sp=us}} long,<ref name="EVG"/> ''Marathon''-class heavy [[cruiser]]s are more than twice the length of a typical [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]. Despite their size, ''Marathon''-class cruisers are dwarfed by most [[Covenant cruiser]] classes.<ref name="ENC"/> As the successor to the ''Halcyon''-class cruiser, these vessels have a similar profile, with a forward 'head' and large engine segment protected by armor cowlings, yet are not not identical and feature a streamlined inwards-slanted underside. The class also sports a thick 191-centimeter hull of [[Titanium-A armor]], enabling it to withstand substantial amounts of fire even from [[plasma]] weaponry.<ref name="ENC"/> By [[2552]] the ''Marathon'' was considered to be one of the more powerful [[warship]]s ever built by [[human]]ity,<ref name="for188">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 188'' (2010)</ref> outclassing its predecessor in virtually every respect.<ref name="ENC"/>


Like all warships of the UNSC Navy, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers have a degree of operational flexibility that's achieved through the use of modular mission packages and reconfigurable [[hangar bay]]s. Though a rare configuration, these cruisers could be modified and equipped to function as a [[Carrier|light carrier]], sacrificing [[missile]] pods and all of its cargo bays for additional hangar capacity.<ref name="fb125">'''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''', ''Core Rulebook - page 125''</ref>
Like all warships of the UNSC Navy, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers have a degree of operational flexibility that is achieved through the use of modular mission packages and reconfigurable [[hangar bay]]s. Though a rare configuration, these cruisers could be modified and equipped to function as a [[Carrier|light carrier]], sacrificing [[missile]] pods and all of its cargo bays for additional hangar capacity.<ref name="fb125"/>


===Crew and complement===
===Crew and complement===
''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers feature a standard complement of one thousand personnel. Due to their durability and firepower, ships of the ''Marathon'' class are often reserved for [[admiral]]s to use as [[Flagship|command ship]]s. Although, they are occasionally commanded by a [[captain]] or a [[Rear Admiral|rear admiral]].<ref name="ENC"/> Vessels of the class can also carry large [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] complements.<ref name="for242"/>
''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers feature a standard complement of one thousand personnel, and are typically commanded by a [[captain]] or [[Admiral|rear admiral]], often being reserved for [[admiral]]s to use as [[Flagship|command ships]] due to their characteristic durability and firepower.<ref name="ENC"/> They are also know to carry large [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] complements.<ref name="for242"/>


Cruisers of the ''Marathon'' class are fitted with at least two hangar bays.<ref name="Genesis">'''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]'''</ref><ref name="fb">'''Halo: Fleet Battles''', ''Stats''</ref> A large deployment bay containing numerous [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s, referred to by [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] as "Hell's waiting room", is located amidships.<ref name="ODST"/> ''Marathon''s can carry two dozen [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s; space aboard a ''Marathon'' is optimized to maximize the amount of heavy weapons and armor equipped on each ship, preventing the cruisers from carrying more [[space fighter]]s.<ref name="ENC"/> In addition, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers can carry several [[D77-TC Pelican]] [[dropship]]s and other ground and air vehicles.<ref name="for242"/>
Cruisers of the ''Marathon'' class are fitted with at least two hangar bays.<ref name="Genesis">'''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]'''</ref><ref name="fb">'''Halo: Fleet Battles''', ''Stats''</ref> A large deployment bay containing numerous [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s, referred to by [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] as "Hell's waiting room", is located amidships.<ref name="ODST"/> Space aboard a ''Marathon'' is optimized to maximize the amount of heavy weapons and armor equipped on each ship, preventing the cruisers from carrying more [[space fighter]]s; despite this, ''Marathon''s can carry two dozen [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s.<ref group="note">As this is a very large number of fighters, and it has been stated that UNSC cruisers specifically trade fighter-carrying capacity for armaments and armor, it is likely that this number represents the carrying capacity of the ''Marathon''-class when in its converted light carrier configuration instead of in its standard form.</ref> In addition, ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers can carry several [[D77-TC Pelican]] [[dropship]]s and other ground and air vehicles.<ref name="for242"/>


===Armaments===
===Armaments===
''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers are equipped with two heavy [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s as the primary armament of the class.<ref name="universe"/><ref name="EVG"/> In addition to the class' MAC weaponry, these heavy cruisers are armed with a variety of other weapons that were once considered to outmatch the armaments of any other ship in service with the UNSC Navy.<ref name="EVG"/> The secondary armament of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser is a missile delivery system<ref name="universe"/> which consists of 1,800 [[Archer missile]]s, as well as five [[fusion rocket]]s.<ref name="ENC"/> The tertiary armament of the heavy cruiser class is a network of [[point-defense gun]]s.<ref name="universe"/> The ''Marathon'' class' vastly superior armaments allowed it to outclass the preceding ''Halcyon'' class in every way in terms of weaponry.<ref name="ENC"/>
''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers are mounted with two [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s as their primary armament,<ref name="universe"/><ref name="EVG"/> supplemented by a missile delivery system<ref name="universe"/> loaded with 1,800 [[Archer missile]]s and five [[fusion rocket]]s.<ref name="ENC"/> As is standard for UNSC warships, the ''Marathon''-class utilises a network of [[point-defense gun]]s.<ref name="universe"/>  


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
[[File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png|thumb|250px|Several ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers engaging the [[Covenant super-destroyer]] at Harvest.]]
[[File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png|thumb|250px|Several ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers engaging the [[Covenant super-destroyer]] at Harvest.]]
The ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser was commissioned and built as a replacement for the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}},<ref name="ENC"/> a smaller and more lightly armed cruiser which suffered from excessive productions costs and a lack of tactical viability.<ref name="EVG"/> After a brief era of service,<ref name="universe"/> most ships of the ''Halcyon''-class were decommissioned, which led to the ''Marathon''-class rising to prominence. By [[2525]], the ''Marathon''-class was the most popular line of [[cruiser]] in service with the Navy.<ref name="EVG"/> Several ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers served in [[Battle Group X-Ray]] under [[Preston Cole|Vice Admiral Preston Cole]] during the [[Battle of Harvest]]. Throughout the early years of the [[Human-Covenant War]], ''Marathon''s continued to serve in Cole's [[Third Fleet]]. Several ''Marathon''s from the fleet, including {{UNSCShip|Prophecy}}, participated in the [[Harvest campaign]].<ref name="Genesis"/><ref name="Timeline">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref> At least one ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser, {{UNSCShip|Dresden}}, participated in the [[Battle of Biko|Battle]] of [[Biko]], where it was destroyed by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="tug"/>
The ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser was commissioned and built as a replacement for the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}},<ref name="ENC"/> a smaller and more lightly armed cruiser which suffered from excessive production costs and a lack of tactical viability.<ref name="EVG"/> After a brief era of service,<ref name="universe"/> most ships of the ''Halcyon''-class were decommissioned, which led to the ''Marathon''-class rising to prominence. By [[2525]], the ''Marathon''-class was the most popular line of [[cruiser]] in service with the Navy.<ref name="EVG"/> Several ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers served in [[Battle Group X-Ray]] under [[Preston Cole|Vice Admiral Preston Cole]] during the [[Battle of Harvest]]. Throughout the early years of the [[Human-Covenant War]], ''Marathon''s continued to serve in Cole's [[Third Fleet]]. Several ''Marathon''s from the fleet, including {{UNSCShip|Prophecy}}, participated in the [[Harvest campaign]].<ref name="Genesis"/><ref name="Timeline">'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref> At least one ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser, {{UNSCShip|Dresden}}, participated in the [[Battle of Biko|Battle]] of [[Biko]], where it was destroyed by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="tug"/>


[[File:Fifth Fleet - H2A.png|thumb|250px|left|Numerous ''Marathon''s hold position over Earth.]]
[[File:Fifth Fleet - H2A.png|thumb|250px|left|Numerous ''Marathon''s hold position over Earth.]]
Line 60: Line 60:
At least eight ''Marathon''-class cruisers (including {{UNSCShip|Canberra}}<ref name="h2a"/> and [[UNSC Say My Name|''Say My Name'']],<ref name="waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/unsc-say-my-name/87da73b5-cede-44fd-906e-c3d1f57abf44 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''UNSC Say My Name''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20110424040357/http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/unsc-say-my-name/87da73b5-cede-44fd-906e-c3d1f57abf44 Archive.org])</ref> assigned to the [[Fifth Fleet]], a part of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]]) were present at the onset of the [[Battle for Earth]]. Led by [[Joseph Harper|Fleet Admiral Joseph Harper]] aboard ''Canberra'' and supported by sixty-seven {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}}s, these ships formed a defensive perimeter around the [[orbital defense platform]] cluster over the Mediterranean to prevent the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]] from reaching Earth's surface.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref> [[Carl Patterson|Admiral Carl Patterson]]'s [[Battle Group Omicron]], drawn from the Home Fleet, contained one ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser that participated in the [[Onyx Conflict]], where she was destroyed with the rest of her [[battle group]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 292, 333''</ref> Several ''Marathon''-class cruisers of the Home Fleet were presumably destroyed over the course of the Battle for Earth, particularly after the final wave of Covenant reinforcements arrived.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref>
At least eight ''Marathon''-class cruisers (including {{UNSCShip|Canberra}}<ref name="h2a"/> and [[UNSC Say My Name|''Say My Name'']],<ref name="waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/unsc-say-my-name/87da73b5-cede-44fd-906e-c3d1f57abf44 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''UNSC Say My Name''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20110424040357/http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/unsc-say-my-name/87da73b5-cede-44fd-906e-c3d1f57abf44 Archive.org])</ref> assigned to the [[Fifth Fleet]], a part of the [[UNSC Home Fleet]]) were present at the onset of the [[Battle for Earth]]. Led by [[Joseph Harper|Fleet Admiral Joseph Harper]] aboard ''Canberra'' and supported by sixty-seven {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}}s, these ships formed a defensive perimeter around the [[orbital defense platform]] cluster over the Mediterranean to prevent the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]] from reaching Earth's surface.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref> [[Carl Patterson|Admiral Carl Patterson]]'s [[Battle Group Omicron]], drawn from the Home Fleet, contained one ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser that participated in the [[Onyx Conflict]], where she was destroyed with the rest of her [[battle group]].<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 292, 333''</ref> Several ''Marathon''-class cruisers of the Home Fleet were presumably destroyed over the course of the Battle for Earth, particularly after the final wave of Covenant reinforcements arrived.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref>


Most remaining ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers were decommissioned after the {{Class|Autumn|heavy cruiser}} was introduced, with only a handful staying in service.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 191''</ref> The ''Autumn'' class became slated to serve as the core of the reconstituted UNSC Navy's fleet, a role the ''Marathon'' class had previously fulfilled.<ref name="universe"/> A ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser served as the flagship of Admiral [[Graselyn Tuwa]] during [[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE|an operation]] on [[Gao]] in [[2553]]. The presence of the cruiser prevented [[Minister of Protection]] [[Arlo Casille]] from taking naval action against the UNSC, realizing that the cruiser could easily decimate his entire fleet of [[patrol corvette]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo: Last Light]]''', ''page 71''</ref>
Most remaining ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers were decommissioned after the {{Class|Autumn|heavy cruiser}} was introduced, with only a handful staying in service.<ref name="H4VG"/> The ''Autumn'' class became slated to serve as the core of the reconstituted UNSC Navy's fleet, a role the ''Marathon'' class had previously fulfilled.<ref name="universe"/> A ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser served as the flagship of Admiral [[Graselyn Tuwa]] during [[Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE|an operation]] on [[Gao]] in [[2553]]. The presence of the cruiser prevented [[Minister of Protection]] [[Arlo Casille]] from taking naval action against the UNSC, realizing that the cruiser could easily decimate his entire fleet of [[patrol corvette]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo: Last Light]]''', ''page 71''</ref>


==Ships of the line==
==Ships of the line==

Revision as of 19:13, July 23, 2019

Marathon-class heavy cruiser
A cropped transparent render of the Marathon-class heavy cruiser for Blur Studio's cutscenes.
Production information

Class:

Cruiser[1]

Role:

Attack, command, defense[1][2]

Technical specifications

Length:

1,192 meters (3,910 ft)[2]

Width:

293 meters (960 ft)[2][3]

Height:

375 meters (1,230 ft)[3]

Power plant:

Deuterium fusion reactor

Engine(s):

Fusion drives[4]

Slipspace drive:

Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine[5]

Hull:

191 cm of Titanium-A battle plate[6]

Armament:

Complement:

Crew:

1,000 sailors

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Affiliation:

UNSC Navy

 

The Marathon-class heavy cruiser (hull classification symbol: CA)[4] is a classification of cruiser in service with the UNSC Navy. Built as a replacement for the Halcyon-class light cruiser, the Marathon-class is nearly 1.2 kilometers long, heavily armored, and equipped with two Magnetic Accelerator Cannons and an impressive arsenal of missiles.

These vessels were most often deployed in attack and defense roles, serving as the backbone of UNSC fleets, though they were also popular among high-ranking UNSC officers for use as command ships,[2] and were even deployed in rare instances in a light carrier configuration.[9] They were primarily used during the Human-Covenant War, though their numbers were heavily diminished and only very few remain in service in the conflict's aftermath alongside their successor vessel, the Autumn-class heavy cruiser.[10]

Specifications

Superstructure and hull

At 1,192 meters (3,910 ft) long,[2] Marathon-class heavy cruisers are more than twice the length of a typical frigate. Despite their size, Marathon-class cruisers are dwarfed by most Covenant cruiser classes.[6] As the successor to the Halcyon-class cruiser, these vessels have a similar profile, with a forward 'head' and large engine segment protected by armor cowlings, yet are not not identical and feature a streamlined inwards-slanted underside. The class also sports a thick 191-centimeter hull of Titanium-A armor, enabling it to withstand substantial amounts of fire even from plasma weaponry.[6] By 2552 the Marathon was considered to be one of the more powerful warships ever built by humanity,[11] outclassing its predecessor in virtually every respect.[6]

Like all warships of the UNSC Navy, Marathon-class heavy cruisers have a degree of operational flexibility that is achieved through the use of modular mission packages and reconfigurable hangar bays. Though a rare configuration, these cruisers could be modified and equipped to function as a light carrier, sacrificing missile pods and all of its cargo bays for additional hangar capacity.[9]

Crew and complement

Marathon-class heavy cruisers feature a standard complement of one thousand personnel, and are typically commanded by a captain or rear admiral, often being reserved for admirals to use as command ships due to their characteristic durability and firepower.[6] They are also know to carry large Marine complements.[8]

Cruisers of the Marathon class are fitted with at least two hangar bays.[12][13] A large deployment bay containing numerous Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicles, referred to by Orbital Drop Shock Troopers as "Hell's waiting room", is located amidships.[7] Space aboard a Marathon is optimized to maximize the amount of heavy weapons and armor equipped on each ship, preventing the cruisers from carrying more space fighters; despite this, Marathons can carry two dozen GA-TL1 Longswords.[note 1] In addition, Marathon-class heavy cruisers can carry several D77-TC Pelican dropships and other ground and air vehicles.[8]

Armaments

Marathon-class heavy cruisers are mounted with two Magnetic Accelerator Cannons as their primary armament,[1][2] supplemented by a missile delivery system[1] loaded with 1,800 Archer missiles and five fusion rockets.[6] As is standard for UNSC warships, the Marathon-class utilises a network of point-defense guns.[1]

Operational history

File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png
Several Marathon-class heavy cruisers engaging the Covenant super-destroyer at Harvest.

The Marathon-class heavy cruiser was commissioned and built as a replacement for the Halcyon-class light cruiser,[6] a smaller and more lightly armed cruiser which suffered from excessive production costs and a lack of tactical viability.[2] After a brief era of service,[1] most ships of the Halcyon-class were decommissioned, which led to the Marathon-class rising to prominence. By 2525, the Marathon-class was the most popular line of cruiser in service with the Navy.[2] Several Marathon-class heavy cruisers served in Battle Group X-Ray under Vice Admiral Preston Cole during the Battle of Harvest. Throughout the early years of the Human-Covenant War, Marathons continued to serve in Cole's Third Fleet. Several Marathons from the fleet, including UNSC Prophecy, participated in the Harvest campaign.[12][14] At least one Marathon-class heavy cruiser, UNSC Dresden, participated in the Battle of Biko, where it was destroyed by the Covenant.[5]

Numerous Marathons hold position over Earth.

As their numbers were diminished by the onslaught of the Covenant, many Marathons were reassigned to the defense of the Inner Colonies and Earth during the later years of the Human-Covenant War.[15][note 2] Marathons were present at the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV in July 2552, including Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth's flagship Leviathan,[11] which was severely damaged during the battle.[16] Numerous Marathon-class heavy cruisers participated in the Fall of Reach, many of which were destroyed, including Leviathan.[6][13][17]

At least eight Marathon-class cruisers (including UNSC Canberra[4] and Say My Name,[18] assigned to the Fifth Fleet, a part of the UNSC Home Fleet) were present at the onset of the Battle for Earth. Led by Fleet Admiral Joseph Harper aboard Canberra and supported by sixty-seven Stalwart-class light frigates, these ships formed a defensive perimeter around the orbital defense platform cluster over the Mediterranean to prevent the Fleet of Sacred Consecration from reaching Earth's surface.[19] Admiral Carl Patterson's Battle Group Omicron, drawn from the Home Fleet, contained one Marathon-class heavy cruiser that participated in the Onyx Conflict, where she was destroyed with the rest of her battle group.[20] Several Marathon-class cruisers of the Home Fleet were presumably destroyed over the course of the Battle for Earth, particularly after the final wave of Covenant reinforcements arrived.[21]

Most remaining Marathon-class heavy cruisers were decommissioned after the Autumn-class heavy cruiser was introduced, with only a handful staying in service.[10] The Autumn class became slated to serve as the core of the reconstituted UNSC Navy's fleet, a role the Marathon class had previously fulfilled.[1] A Marathon-class heavy cruiser served as the flagship of Admiral Graselyn Tuwa during an operation on Gao in 2553. The presence of the cruiser prevented Minister of Protection Arlo Casille from taking naval action against the UNSC, realizing that the cruiser could easily decimate his entire fleet of patrol corvettes.[22]

Ships of the line

Halo: Fleet Battles

UNSC Marathon Heavy Cruiser

This element includes a single Marathon-class heavy cruiser.

  • Cost: 95 points
  • Movement: 8"
  • Damage Track: 6 • 6 • 3
  • Build rating: 2
  • Hangars: 2
  • Boarding Craft: 2
  • Security detail: 3
  • System loadouts:
    • Hard Burn (2")
    • Missile barrage
    • Point defense (4)
    • Titanium armor (3)
  • Primary weapon: Heavy MAC
    • Range: 16/32"
    • Weapon loadouts: MAC (2)
    • Firing arc: Forward
    • Dice: 8
  • Secondary Weapon: Missile batteries
    • Range: 12/24"
    • Weapon loadouts: Missiles
    • Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
    • Dice: 7

UNSC Supported Marathon Heavy Cruiser

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

  • Cost: 110 points
  • Movement: 8"
  • Damage Track: 7 • 6 • 3
  • Build rating: 3
  • Hangars: 2
  • Boarding Craft: 2
  • Security detail: 4
  • System loadouts:
    • Hard Burn (2")
    • Missile barrage
    • Point defense (4)
    • Titanium armor (4)
  • Primary weapon: Heavy MAC
    • Range: 16/32"
    • Weapon loadouts: MAC (2)
    • Firing arc: Forward
    • Dice: 10
  • Secondary Weapon: Missile batteries
    • Range: 12/24"
    • Weapon loadouts: Missiles
    • Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
    • Dice: 8

UNSC Reinforced Marathon Heavy Cruiser

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

  • Cost: 120 points
  • Movement: 8"
  • Damage Track: 8 • 7 • 4
  • Build rating: 4
  • Hangars: 2
  • Boarding Craft: 2
  • Security detail: 4
  • System loadouts:
    • Hard Burn (2")
    • Missile barrage
    • Point defense (5)
    • Titanium armor (5)
  • Primary weapon: Heavy MAC
    • Range: 16/32"
    • Weapon loadouts: MAC (3)
    • Firing arc: Forward
    • Dice: 12
  • Secondary Weapon: Missile batteries
    • Range: 12/24"
    • Weapon loadouts: Missiles
    • Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
    • Dice: 10

UNSC Paired Marathon Heavy Cruisers

This element features two Marathon-class heavy cruisers.

  • Cost: 220 points
  • Movement: 8"
  • Damage Track: 10 • 10 • 5
  • Build rating: 6
  • Hangars: 4
  • Boarding Craft: 4
  • Security detail: 6
  • System loadouts:
    • Hard Burn (2")
    • Missile barrage
    • Point defense (8)
    • Titanium armor (6)
  • Primary weapon: Heavy MAC
    • Range: 16/32"
    • Weapon loadouts: MAC (4)
    • Firing arc: Forward
    • Dice: 18
  • Secondary Weapon: Missile batteries
    • Range: 12/24"
    • Weapon loadouts: Missiles
    • Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
    • Dice: 14

Trivia

Gallery

List of appearances

Notes

  1. ^ As this is a very large number of fighters, and it has been stated that UNSC cruisers specifically trade fighter-carrying capacity for armaments and armor, it is likely that this number represents the carrying capacity of the Marathon-class when in its converted light carrier configuration instead of in its standard form.
  2. ^ According to Halo: The Fall of Reach, as of July 2552, UNSC Leviathan was one of twenty cruisers left in the Fleet, presumably referring to the entire Navy. Even if one assumes that this refers only to FLEETCOM Sector One, this number is clearly retconned in later media.

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Waypoint: UNSC Cruiser
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 42
  3. ^ a b 3D model data from Halo 2
  4. ^ a b c d Halo 2: Anniversary, campaign level Cairo Station
  5. ^ a b c Halo: First Strike, "Tug o' War", page 413 (2010)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo Encyclopedia, page 251 (2010 edition); page 261 (2011 edition)
  7. ^ a b c Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Prepare to Drop
  8. ^ a b c Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 242 (2010)
  9. ^ a b Halo: Fleet Battles, Core Rulebook - page 125
  10. ^ a b Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, UNSC Cruiser, page 191
  11. ^ a b Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 188 (2010)
  12. ^ a b c Halo Wars: Genesis
  13. ^ a b Halo: Fleet Battles, Stats
  14. ^ a b Halo Wars, Timeline
  15. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 162
  16. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 224 (2010)
  17. ^ a b Halo: First Strike, page 168 (2003), page 206 (2010)
  18. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: UNSC Say My Name (defunct, backup on Archive.org)
  19. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  20. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 292, 333
  21. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Crow's Nest
  22. ^ Halo: Last Light, page 71
  23. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Fifty Caliber
  24. ^ Halo Waypoint: Michael Stanforth
  25. ^ Stephen Loftus on the Autumn class' talk page
  26. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder: In the Loop