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UNSC Forward Unto Dawn: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

m (→‎top: Moving page, replaced: [[Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe → [[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition))
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|name= UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''
|name= UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''
|image= [[File:H3-UNSCForwardUntoDawnFrigate.png|350px]]
|image= [[File:H3-UNSCForwardUntoDawnFrigate.png|350px]]
|class= {{Class|Charon|light frigate}}
|class= {{Class|Charon|light frigate}}{{Ref/Reuse|guide}}
|length= {{Convert|490|m|ftin|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|guide}}{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|length= {{Convert|1606.65|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}<ref name="H3GameData">'''[[Halo 3]]''' ''3D game data''</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|guide}}{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|width= {{Convert|155.2|m|ftin|sp=us}}
|width= {{Convert|510.42|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3GameData}}
|height= {{Convert|139.2|m|ftin|sp=us}}
|height= {{Convert|456.68|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3GameData}}
|engine= [[Deuterium fusion reactor|Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}<ref name="changes">[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn#Halo 4 redesign|See production notes.]]</ref>
|engine= [[Deuterium fusion reactor|Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}<ref name="changes">[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn#Halo 4 redesign|See production notes.]]</ref>
|slipspace drive= [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Series IV CODEN/SFTE]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|slipspace drive= [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Series IV CODEN/SFTE]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|hull= 60 centimeters [[Titanium-A armor|titanium-A battleplate]]<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 259'' (2011)</ref>
|hull= 60 centimeters [[Titanium-A armor|titanium-A battleplate]]<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 259'' (2011)</ref>
|armament=*1 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3/MAC]] (1){{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|armament=*1 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3/MAC]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
*50 [[M58 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
*50 [[M58 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
*4 [[M870 Rampart point defense gun|M870 Rampart 50mm point defense gun]]s<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx '''Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20140730210813/https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-101012- Archive.org])</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|changes}}
*4 [[M870 Rampart point defense gun|M870 Rampart 50mm point defense gun]]s<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx '''Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20140730210813/https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-101012- Archive.org])</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|changes}}
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**[[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]]{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]]{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
***[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
***[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**At least 3 [[M808C Scorpion]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**3+ [[M808C Scorpion]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[M12 Warthog]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[M12 Warthog]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[AV-14 Hornet]]s
**[[AV-14 Hornet]]s
**At least 7 [[D77H-TCI Pelican]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**7+ [[D77H-TCI Pelican]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s
**[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s
|consumables=
|consumables=
|role= *Support for heavier ships
|role= *Support for heavier ships
*transport
*Transport{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}}
*[[Flagship|command vessel]] <small>(after destruction of Home Fleet)</small>
*[[Flagship]]{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheStorm}} {{c|Post-November 17, 2552}}
|firstuse= [[2552]]
|firstuse=
|destroyed= 2552 - split in half, forward half crashed in Indian Ocean<br>[[2557]] - aft half crashed on [[Requiem]]
|destroyed= *[[2552#December|December 11, 2552]] {{c|split in half, forward half crashed in Indian Ocean}}
|battles=;[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[2557#July|July 21, 2557]] {{c|aft half crashed on [[Requiem]]}}
|battles=;[[Human-Covenant War]], [[Great Schism]]
*[[Battle for Earth]]
*[[Battle for Earth]]
**[[Battle of Voi]]
**[[Battle of Voi]]
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|affiliation= [[UNSC Navy]]
|affiliation= [[UNSC Navy]]
|fleet= [[Seventh Fleet]]<ref name="guide">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 74''</ref>
|fleet= [[Seventh Fleet]]<ref name="guide">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 74''</ref>
*[[Battle Group Victory]]{{Ref/Generic|Id=loot2NRA2|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 002 Doc 4.jpg|Naval Records Archives #2]]}}
|named crew=
|named crew=
|captains= *[[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]]
|captains= *[[Fleet Admiral|FADM]] [[Terrence Hood]]{{Ref/Reuse|Id=TheStorm}} {{c|November 17, 2552}}
*[[Commander|CDR]] [[Miranda Keyes]]{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}} {{c|Post-November 17, 2552}}
}}
}}


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


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


Despite firing nearly a dozen MAC slugs at Truth's ship, the Dreadnought remained unharmed. Immediately afterward, a slipspace portal was activated and [[Truth's fleet]] passed through it. Unbeknownst to the UNSC, who assumed that the excavated complex was itself the Ark, the real Ark, [[Installation 00]], lay beyond the portal.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Storm (level)|The Storm]]''</ref>
Despite firing nearly a dozen MAC slugs at Truth's ship, the Dreadnought remained unharmed. Immediately afterward, a slipspace portal was activated and the Forerunner Dreadnought and [[Truth's fleet]] passed through it. Unbeknownst to the UNSC, who assumed that the excavated complex was itself the Ark, the real Ark, [[Installation 00]], lay beyond the portal.{{Ref/Level|Id=TheStorm|Game=Halo 3|Level=The Storm}}


The [[Flood]] arrived in Voi shortly after the opening of the slipspace portal; the parasite was pursued by the [[Covenant separatists|Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by the [[assault carrier]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''. The Flood threat forced the UNSC into an alliance with the [[Covenant separatists|Sangheili-led forces]], commanded by [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]. After the infection had been cleansed, the Sangheili and UNSC viewed a message from Cortana, warning them that the Gravemind itself was coming to Earth. They further learned that there was a solution to the Flood on the other side of the Portal - one that did not require firing the remaining Halos.   
The [[Flood]] arrived in Voi shortly after the opening of the slipspace portal; the parasite was pursued by a portion of [[Covenant separatists|Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by the [[assault carrier]] ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' and commanded by [[Fleetmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], supporting the UNSC to stop the Flood threat.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Floodgate}}  After the infection had been cleansed, the Sangheili and UNSC viewed a message from Cortana, warning them that the Gravemind itself was coming to Earth.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Floodgate}}  They further learned that there was a [[Installation 08|solution]] to the Flood on the other side of the Portal - one that did not require firing the remaining [[Halo Array|Halos]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Floodgate}}  


'Vadum insisted that Elites and humans both go through the Portal to deal with Truth and the Flood once and for all.  Though skeptical, Lord Hood agreed to commit some forces to the mission. To this end, the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' joined the Fleet of Retribution; elements of the [[11th Marine Force Reconnaissance/ODST]] were also tasked with gathering intelligence on whatever lay beyond the portal. Hood gave [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] command of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' while he remained behind to coordinate Earth's remaining defenses; the ship was docked inside ''Shadow of Intent'''s massive hangar bay and the task force set off through the portal.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>
'Vadum insisted that Elites and humans both go through the Portal to deal with Truth and the Flood once and for all.  Though skeptical, Lord Hood agreed to commit some forces to the mission. To this end, the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' alongside a portion of the Seventh Fleet including {{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}} joined Sangheili forces of the Fleet of Retribution; elements of the [[11th Marine Force Reconnaissance/ODST]] were also tasked with gathering intelligence on whatever lay beyond the portal. Hood gave [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] command of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' while he remained behind to coordinate Earth's remaining defenses; the ship was docked inside ''Shadow of Intent''{{'}}s massive hangar bay and the task force set off through the portal.{{Ref/Level|Id=Floodgate|Game=Halo 3|Level=Floodgate}}


=== Operation: BLIND FAITH ===
==== Operation: BLIND FAITH ====
{{Main|Battle of Installation 00}}
{{Main|Battle of Installation 00}}
{{Quote|I'm giving the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] all I've got, but this is a heavy-weight fight! The Dawn's only got the tonnage to last a few rounds.|Commander Miranda Keyes during the battle over the Ark.}}
{{Quote|I'm giving the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] all I've got, but this is a heavy-weight fight! The ''Dawn''{{'}}s only got the tonnage to last a few rounds.|Commander Miranda Keyes during the battle over the Ark.}}
Once at the Ark, the opposing Covenant fleets engaged one another. The ''Dawn'' was ill-equipped to fight against such large opponents, but was able to engage the enemy warships for a short time. At the same time, the ''Dawn'' deployed troops to the surface, with John-117's team disabling a [[Type-27 Anti-Aircraft Cannon|Mantis AA gun]] and a pair of Anti-Air Wraiths. Once a landing zone was cleared, ''Forward Unto Dawn'' set down near the [[Cartographer]] and directly offloaded several [[M808 Main Battle Tank]]s and [[M12 Force Application Vehicle]]s.
Once at the Ark, the UNSC-Sangheili allied fleet and Truth's numerically-superior massive Jiralhanae fleet engaged one another.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}} The ''Dawn'' was ill-equipped to fight against such large opponents, but was able to engage the enemy warships for a short time. At the same time, the ''Dawn'' deployed troops to the surface, with John-117's team disabling a [[Type-27 Anti-Aircraft Cannon|Mantis AA gun]] and a pair of [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Wraith|Anti-Air Wraiths]].{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3TheArk}} Once a landing zone was cleared, ''Forward Unto Dawn'' set down near the [[Cartographer]] and directly offloaded several [[M808C Scorpion]]s and [[M12 Warthog]]s.{{Ref/Level|Id=H3TheArk|Game=Halo 3|Level=The Ark}}


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


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


The forward section, containing the Arbiter, returned to [[Earth]] and crashed into the Indian Ocean, and he was rescued from the wreckage by a UNSC recovery team.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} Data retrieved from the forward section's internal systems exhibited the Master Chief's interactions with several [[Z-9930 Information Vector Console|terminals]] on Installation 00. For humanity, this data shed light on the Forerunners' final days before the Halo Array's activation. ONI scientists discerned the terminal data was incomplete, but understood the significance the [[Librarian]], [[Ur-Didact]] and [[IsoDidact]] played in the Array's activation.<ref>'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 161''</ref>
The forward section, containing the Arbiter, returned to [[Earth]] and crashed into the Indian Ocean, and he was rescued from the wreckage by a UNSC recovery team.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} Data retrieved from the forward section's internal systems exhibited the Master Chief's interactions with several [[Z-9930 Information Vector Console|terminals]] on Installation 00. For humanity, this data shed light on the Forerunners' final days before the Halo Array's activation. ONI scientists discerned the terminal data was incomplete, but understood the significance the [[Librarian]], [[Ur-Didact]] and [[IsoDidact]] played in the Array's activation.<ref>'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 161''</ref>


=== Adrift in space ===
=== Post-war ===
[[File:H4fudback.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The ''Dawn'''s aft half drifting in space.]]
==== Adrift in space ====
[[File:H3 - FUD aft.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s aft half drifting in space.]]
The aft section emerged in unknown space, John and Cortana having survived the Halo's pulse. The Spartan and AI were left in a drifting hulk without working propulsion. After Cortana dropped a [[emergency locator beacon|distress beacon]], John entered a [[cryo chamber]] to wait for recovery.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} During the years that followed, Cortana remained active and alert while the Spartan slept in cryo. In [[2556]], the AI compiled a history of the [[Forerunner]]s and humanity and shared it with the still-unconscious Spartan.<ref>'''Halo Legends''' - ''Origins''</ref> She later took the opportunity to overhaul and upgrade John's [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor]], making modifications to its layout using [[nanotechnology|nanomachines]] while also rewriting its firmware.<ref name="Dawn">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn]]''</ref>
The aft section emerged in unknown space, John and Cortana having survived the Halo's pulse. The Spartan and AI were left in a drifting hulk without working propulsion. After Cortana dropped a [[emergency locator beacon|distress beacon]], John entered a [[cryo chamber]] to wait for recovery.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} During the years that followed, Cortana remained active and alert while the Spartan slept in cryo. In [[2556]], the AI compiled a history of the [[Forerunner]]s and humanity and shared it with the still-unconscious Spartan.<ref>'''Halo Legends''' - ''Origins''</ref> She later took the opportunity to overhaul and upgrade John's [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor]], making modifications to its layout using [[nanotechnology|nanomachines]] while also rewriting its firmware.<ref name="Dawn">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Dawn]]''</ref>


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


Fortunately, dozens of weapons and a handful of [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|M12 Warthog LRVs]] survived the crash, enabling John and Cortana to scout the surface of the shield world. Having discovered Cortana's distress beacon, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} was deployed to recover the ''Dawn's'' survivors.{{Ref/Reuse|Requiem}} ''Infinity's'' crew, still following the beacon, attempted to find the ''Dawn's'' crash site inside the installation. However, the ship's locator signal was being faked by the [[Forerunner]] supreme commander known as the [[Ur-Didact]], who attempted to draw the ''Infinity'' inside Requiem to enact his plan of vengeance upon humanity.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> The wreckage was presumably destroyed along with Requiem itself in [[2558|February 2558]].<ref>'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', [[S1/Exodus|S1E10 - ''Exodus'']]</ref>
Fortunately, dozens of weapons and a handful of [[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle|M12 Warthog LRVs]] survived the crash, enabling John and Cortana to scout the surface of the shield world. Having discovered Cortana's distress beacon, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} was deployed to recover the ''Dawn's'' survivors.{{Ref/Reuse|Requiem}} ''Infinity's'' crew, still following the beacon, attempted to find the ''Dawn's'' crash site inside the installation. However, the ship's locator signal was being faked by the [[Forerunner]] supreme commander known as the [[Ur-Didact]], who attempted to draw the ''Infinity'' inside Requiem to enact his plan of vengeance upon humanity.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> The wreckage was presumably destroyed along with Requiem itself in [[2558|February 2558]].<ref>'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', [[S1/Exodus|S1E10 - ''Exodus'']]</ref>
Line 86: Line 92:
Despite maintaining a [[:File:Infinity_fud_scale.jpg|generally similar profile]], the ship appears much larger, with more of the forward half remaining intact. This increase in scale was intended to create a more interesting playspace, much like the dramatic upscaling of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} in ''[[The Maw]]''; otherwise, the first level's playspace would have been cramped and required a great deal of backtracking. The scale is further confused as the ''Dawn'' dwarfs the 300-meter {{Class|CRS|light cruiser}}s encountered in the level. The ship's cryotubes have also been remodeled and the cryo bay has been rearranged.
Despite maintaining a [[:File:Infinity_fud_scale.jpg|generally similar profile]], the ship appears much larger, with more of the forward half remaining intact. This increase in scale was intended to create a more interesting playspace, much like the dramatic upscaling of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} in ''[[The Maw]]''; otherwise, the first level's playspace would have been cramped and required a great deal of backtracking. The scale is further confused as the ''Dawn'' dwarfs the 300-meter {{Class|CRS|light cruiser}}s encountered in the level. The ship's cryotubes have also been remodeled and the cryo bay has been rearranged.


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


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
Line 96: Line 102:
*On the lower part of the bow there is a black "7" inside a yellow star with a yellow chevron under it, which shows the ship's assignment to the Seventh Fleet. This is one of [[Bungie]]'s myriad references to the number [[seven]].
*On the lower part of the bow there is a black "7" inside a yellow star with a yellow chevron under it, which shows the ship's assignment to the Seventh Fleet. This is one of [[Bungie]]'s myriad references to the number [[seven]].
*All three frigates in the level ''The Storm'' use the same textures as ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
*All three frigates in the level ''The Storm'' use the same textures as ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
*Like the main vessels of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', ([[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|''Pillar of Autumn'']] and ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]'', respectively), ''Forward Unto Dawn'' serves as the main vessel in ''[[Halo 3]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s campaign and is likewise destroyed near the end of the game.
*Like the main vessels of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', ([[UNSC Pillar of Autumn|''Pillar of Autumn'']] and ''[[UNSC In Amber Clad|In Amber Clad]]'', respectively), ''Forward Unto Dawn'' serves as the main vessel in ''[[Halo 3]]''{{'}}s campaign and is likewise destroyed near the end of the game.
*''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' mistakenly lists the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' as appearing in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was confused with ''In Amber Clad''.
*''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' mistakenly lists the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' as appearing in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was confused with ''In Amber Clad''.
*Through the early levels of ''[[Halo 4]]'', the Master Chief and Cortana refer to themselves as being the Master Chief and Cortana of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' when attempting to communicate with ''Infinity'' and her forces. Master Chief later changes this to "UNSC Master Chief" when approaching [[Ivanoff Station]].
*Through the early levels of ''[[Halo 4]]'', the Master Chief and Cortana refer to themselves as being the Master Chief and Cortana of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' when attempting to communicate with ''Infinity'' and her forces. Master Chief later changes this to "UNSC Master Chief" when approaching [[Ivanoff Station]].
Line 102: Line 108:


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
=== Profile ===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H3-ForwardUntoDawnSide.png|Profile view of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3-ForwardUntoDawnSide.png|Profile view of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
Line 115: Line 120:
File:Fud_cutaway.jpg|The aft section of the ''Dawn'' just after being severed.
File:Fud_cutaway.jpg|The aft section of the ''Dawn'' just after being severed.
File:H3 - FUD aft.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' adrift in space.
File:H3 - FUD aft.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' adrift in space.
File:HW2-FFG-201.png|The UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''{{'}}s hull classification symbol appearing aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in an earlier build of ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2 Screenshot FuDWreckage.png|Part of the wreckage of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'', seen on Installation 00 in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2 Ark2.png|UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' at several dozens of thousands kilometers above Installation 00.
</gallery>
=== Non-canonical depiction ===
<gallery>
File:Planet 1.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' being pulled into Requiem in the [[Halo 4 announcement trailer|''Halo 4'' announcement trailer]].
File:Planet 1.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' being pulled into Requiem in the [[Halo 4 announcement trailer|''Halo 4'' announcement trailer]].
File:H4FUD Forward Unto Dawn.jpg|The ''Dawn'' in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
File:H4FUD Forward Unto Dawn.jpg|The ''Dawn'' in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
Line 122: Line 134:
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-2.jpg|Engine design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-2.jpg|Engine design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:Infinity fud scale.jpg|Size comparison between the ''Infinity'' and ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''.
File:Infinity fud scale.jpg|Size comparison between the ''Infinity'' and ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''.
File:Dawn.jpeg|The ''Dawn''<nowiki />'s cryobay.
File:H4fudback.jpg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s aft half drifting in space in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-Dawn-OperationsRoom.jpg|The ''Dawn'''s operations room.
File:Dawn.jpeg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s cryobay.
File:Covenant fleet surrounding FUD.jpg|Jul 'Mdama's fleet converging around the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:H4-Dawn-OperationsRoom.jpg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s operations room.
File:Covenant fleet surrounding FUD.jpg|Jul 'Mdama's fleet converging around the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''{{'}}s [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:Megabrand - Forward unto Dawn.jpg|An intact ''Halo 4'' ''Forward Unto Dawn'' signature toy by [[MEGA Brands]].
File:Megabrand - Forward unto Dawn.jpg|An intact ''Halo 4'' ''Forward Unto Dawn'' signature toy by [[MEGA Brands]].
File:H4 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn render.jpg|A side view of the model used in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn render.jpg|A side view of the model used in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn views-renders.jpg|Angled views of the model used in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn views-renders.jpg|Angled views of the model used in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4TEVG-FUD-AftHalf-Side.png|Model as seen in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4TEVG-FUD-AftHalf-Side.png|Model as seen in ''Halo 4''.
File:HW2-FFG-201.png|The UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> hull classification symbol appearing aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in an earlier build of ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HE-DawnAft.png| The aft section of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' as seen in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:HE-DawnAft.png| The aft section of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' as seen in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:HW2 Screenshot FuDWreckage.png|Part of the wreckage of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'', seen on Installation 00 in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 04:37, August 1, 2021

Forward Unto Dawn redirects here. For the web series, see Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn; for the poem, see Forward Unto Dawn (poem).
UNSC Forward Unto Dawn
H3-UNSCForwardUntoDawnFrigate.png
Production information

Class:

Charon-class light frigate[1]

Role:

  • Support for heavier ships
  • Transport[2]
  • Flagship[3] (Post-November 17, 2552)
Specifications

Length:

489.71 meters (1,606.65 ft)[4][1][5]

Width:

155.58 meters (510.42 ft)[4]

Height:

139.20 meters (456.68 ft)[4]

Engine:

Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR[5][6]

Slipspace drive:

Series IV CODEN/SFTE[5]

Hull:

60 centimeters titanium-A battleplate[7]

Armament:

Complement:

Service information

Destroyed:

Participated battles:

Human-Covenant War, Great Schism
Post-Covenant War conflicts

Fleet:

Seventh Fleet[1]

Known commanders:

Affiliation:

UNSC Navy

 

The UNSC Forward Unto Dawn (hull classification symbol: FFG-201, UNSC REG: UNSC_REG // 77263.000_A), was a Charon-class light frigate in the UNSC Navy.[1] Affectionately known by her crew as "The Dawn",[2][10] the ship's name is taken from a poem about humanity's interstellar expansion. With a maximum complement of 782,[8] the Dawn participated in the final battles of the Human-Covenant War.[2]

Service history

Human-Covenant War

Battle for Earth

Main article: Battle of Voi

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

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

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

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

Operation: BLIND FAITH

Main article: Battle of Installation 00

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

Once at the Ark, the UNSC-Sangheili allied fleet and Truth's numerically-superior massive Jiralhanae fleet engaged one another.[2] The Dawn was ill-equipped to fight against such large opponents, but was able to engage the enemy warships for a short time. At the same time, the Dawn deployed troops to the surface, with John-117's team disabling a Mantis AA gun and a pair of Anti-Air Wraiths.[2] Once a landing zone was cleared, Forward Unto Dawn set down near the Cartographer and directly offloaded several M808C Scorpions and M12 Warthogs.[2]

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

Raid on Installation 08

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

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

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

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

Post-war

Adrift in space

The Dawn's aft half drifting in space.

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

Battle of Requiem

Main article: Battle of Requiem

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

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

Production notes

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

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

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

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

Trivia

Language Equivalent
Flag of France.png
French 		UNSC Template:Explain in Halo 3.

UNSC Template:Explain in Halo 4.

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

Gallery

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • The Dawn arrives over Installation 00.

    The Dawn arrives over Installation 00.

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

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

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

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

  • The Dawn escapes Installation 08's activation.

    The Dawn escapes Installation 08's activation.

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

    The interior of the Forward Unto Dawn's bridge.

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

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

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

    The aft section of the Dawn just after being severed.

  • The aft half of the Dawn adrift in space.

    The aft half of the Dawn adrift in space.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Non-canonical depiction

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

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

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

    Early concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn for Halo 4.

  • Profile design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

    Profile design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

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

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

  • Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

    Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

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

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

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

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

  • The Dawn's cryobay.

    The Dawn's cryobay.

  • The Dawn's operations room.

    The Dawn's operations room.

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

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

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

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

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

    A side view of the model used in Halo 4.

  • Angled views of the model used in Halo 4.

    Angled views of the model used in Halo 4.

  • Model as seen in Halo 4.

    Model as seen in Halo 4.

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

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

List of appearances

Sources

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