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The UNSC Navy is the branch of the UNSC Defense Force responsible mostly for naval operations in space, though they still operate in the oceans with their terrestrial arm. Its roles include ship-to-ship combat; orbital bombardment; the deployment of atmospheric and space fighters, and the delivery of UNSC Marines into combat.
History
The UNSC Navy was created during the Interplanetary War of the 2160's - precisely during the Argyre Planitia Campaign of 2163, as a result of the United Nations' need to oversee and monitor marine deployments from space, thus forming the United Nations Space Command. After the UN's victory in that war, the UNSC Navy became involved in colonization, the settling of minor trade disputes, and anti-piracy operations as humanity spread through space.[2] These low-level operations continued until the Insurrection, which forced the Navy to develop a modern space warfare doctrine. This may have contributed to the UNSC's victory in the Human-Covenant War.[3] From the Insurrection came the Magnetic Accelerator Cannon, titanium-A armor, and advances in ship-to-ship warfare tactics, all of which would prove crucial in humanity's fight against the Covenant.
Prior to the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC Navy had a large fleet of warships, including many capital ships and single-ship craft. The UNSC Navy sustained heavy losses of matériel and personnel throughout the war against the Covenant. Many valuable assets of the UNSC Navy were destroyed during the Fall of Reach, and a very large portion of its remaining ships were lost when the Prophet of Truth's military forces occupied Earth. At least some UNSC ship production is handled by the Reyes-McLees Shipyards over Mars, though this may no longer be true due to the Covenant invasion of the Sol System.
Organization
Command and control
- Main article: UNSC Naval Command
The UNSC Navy is subordinate to the UNSC High Command (HIGHCOM). The Navy is administered by the UNSC Naval Command, or NAVCOM. NAVCOM is split into three commands; Fleet Command, or FLEETCOM, has oversight of ship deployment, mission structures, and space operations, including the transport of troops and naval fighter operations. Logistical Operations Command, or NavLogCom, oversees the construction, maintenance, and distribution of supplies and materiél, including ships, ammunition, replacement parts, and food. Naval Special Warfare Command, or NAVSPECWARCOM, and Naval Special Weapons (NAVSPECWEP) are responsible for all Naval special operations, including deployments of SPARTAN-IIs.[4] One position in NAVCOM is the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations.[5]
The Office of Naval Intelligence is technically subordinate to the UNSC Naval Command. In practice, however, ONI's activities extend far beyond intelligence gathering, and often receives mandates and directives from HIGHCOM or even higher.[4]
Commanding positions in NAVCOM tend to be held by Admirals.[5][6][7] Because of their role as an "amphibious", space-deployed force, the UNSC Marine Corps enjoys a close relationship with the Navy, with Marine complements being deployed on most warships.[8][6][9]
Operating forces
- Main article: UNSC fleet
UNSC Navy forces are divided into a number of fleets. These tend to be large formations, though they seldom patrol together; single ships are commonly seen patrolling throughout UNSC space.[9] More common tactical formations are battle groups, which are formed on an as-needed basis and vary dramatically in size from three ships to large carrier groups.[10][11][7][12]
Seaborne forces
Into the 26th century, the UNSC Navy continued to use maritime ships to patrol the seas. Little is known about this Naval arm. It is known, however, that Earth and the fortress world of Reach had bases for it. Other than that, it is known that the Navy possessed numerous aircraft carriers with full complements of F-99 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles, suggesting that they were constantly kept at a high level of alert.
Other than participating to some extent during the Battle of Mombasa, the wet Navy was likely involved with a mission to the Yucatan Peninsula, where the SPARTAN Blue Team attacked a Covenant excavation force under the Gulf of Mexico.
Personnel
Large numbers of men and women are employed by the UNSC Navy. Servicepeople hold ranks, which are divided between officers and enlisted. UNSC Navy personnel are given training in self-defense. All crewmen are trained to use the M6 series of handguns.[13] Naval personnel are sometimes referred to as "swabbies", which can be a joke or a sign of disrespect.[1][14] A full list of Naval personnel can be found here. For a list of ranks within the UNSC Navy, see UNSC Navy Ranks.
UNSC Navy personnel wear distinctive uniforms for identification, comfort, and practicality. Dress uniforms are worn on formal occasions, such as ceremonies and other official functions,[6] while service and working uniforms are the basic uniform worn by UNSC Naval personnel while on duty.[15][16]
Equipment
Weapons
The primary offensive armament of UNSC spacecraft is the Magnetic Accelerator Cannon (MAC). These are high velocity coil guns that are used to accelerate projectiles ranging in mass from 600 metric tons in the case of smaller warships, and 3,000 tons in the case of Super MAC platforms. These projectiles are composed of titanium, depleted uranium, or tungsten with a ferrous core. "Super MAC" Orbital Defense Platforms accelerate MAC rounds to "point four-tenths"[17] the speed of light, around 12,000 kilometers per second, with twenty-three linear accelerator coils, while ship-based MACs have a lower velocity. Super MAC platforms can also reload a round in 5 seconds, where as ships will need several minutes to charge their MAC coils.
The UNSC frigate Gettysburg is quoted as firing a 600 ton shell at 30 kilometers per second.[18] Before Reach fell, the UNSC Pillar of Autumn was equipped with a modified MAC that could quickly fire three lighter projectiles in succession instead of just one heavier projectile. It was originally intended to allow the Pillar of Autumn a better chance of disabling a Covenant ship, which was a feature required for a mission that was later scrubbed following the Fall of Reach.
Almost all UNSC warships are equipped with M58 Archer missile pods for ship-to-ship engagements, which prove most effective against unshielded targets. A common tactic among UNSC ships is to disable the target's shields with MAC rounds and then pummel it with Archer missiles. UNSC ships in 2525 carried fusion missiles as an offensive weapon. They seem to have been removed or replaced in later years. UNSC ships may also carry Shiva-class nuclear missiles. In addition, the UNSC mounts 50mm auto-cannons on its ships for defense against enemy fighters and boarding craft, controlled by shipboard AIs.
UNSC warships also carry significant Marine detachments for internal security, boarding actions, and planetary assault, and carry all the equipment and matériel needed by Marine forces. It is implied that a significant portion of the interior of UNSC warships are devoted to this purpose, as there are armories and barracks that hold these supplies.
Ships of the UNSC Navy also carry a number of GA-TL1 Longsword interceptors. These are armed with 110mm rotary cannons and ASGM-10 missiles, and sometimes a Moray space mine system or even a single Shiva-class nuclear missile. They can also be remotely-operated and used to carry a remotely-detonated Shiva missile, which, when detonated, effectively destroys both the Longsword and its selected target.
Despite all of this firepower, however, UNSC warships have great difficulty defeating Covenant ships even with a numerical advantage. It typically takes multiple hits from a ship-based MAC weapon to disable a Covenant ship's shields, although larger, ODP-based Super MACs can fire a round that can literally shatter Covenant capital ships.[19] Archer missiles must be used in tremendous amounts to breach Covenant shield systems. Even with their shields down, Covenant ships have been noted to remain operational after multiple direct hits from normal MAC rounds. This advantage in firepower and shielding gives the Covenant an effective 3:1 ratio and better against UNSC ships.
Ships
UNSC Navy vessels are typically armoured with Titanium-A armor. The largest vessels of the UNSC fleet are carriers and supercarriers.[9] While possessing weapons of their own, their primary role is to deploy fightercraft such as the GA-TL1 Longsword, and may serve as flagships in fleet actions.[7] If a carrier is unavailable, however, then heavily-armed and armored cruisers may fill this role.[9] The UNSC Navy has operated three classes of cruiser; the Marathon-class heavy cruiser, the Valiant-class super-heavy cruiser, and the now-obsolete Halcyon-class light cruiser.
UNSC destroyers and frigates are used for escorting larger cruisers and carriers, as well as for independent patrol and scouting operations. Both are roughly the same size, but destroyers are designed with greater emphasis on firepower and armor over versatility.[20][21] Frigates are multi-purpose warships that are used in a broad range of roles, ranging from heavy air support to fighter escort and fleet engagements. Some UNSC frigates are equipped with a sizable cargo bay for larger dropships and armor complements. The UNSC has also employed light frigates equipped with stealth systems in a specialized reconnaissance role.[22]
The Navy maintains a wide variety of smaller craft and support ships. These include prowlers for electronic intelligence gathering, refit stations, exfiltration craft, shuttles, and corvettes. Corvettes are notable as being one of the fastest ships in the UNSC Navy,[23] and a number of sub-classes have been developed including the Mako-class[24] and the fast-attack corvette.[25]
Space fighters
Space fighters are small, maneuverable spacecraft, often used for bombing or "dog fighting" in space or in an atmosphere. The UNSC Navy operates a number of fighters, the most common of which is the GA-TL1 Longsword. The Longsword is a multi-role fighter that can be used in a variety of missions, including ground support, anti-ship attacks, and combat with other fighters.[26][27][9]
A less common UNSC fighter is the OF92/EVA "Booster Frame". The Booster Frame is an experimental fighter developed as a prototype. They are specifically designed for extra-vehicular activity and special operations roles, dropped from hooks within the hangars of specialized UNSC ships. The fighter itself has no sealed cockpit, so a pressurized suit must be worn in order to operate the vehicle.[28][29]
Identified UNSC vessels and stations
Vessels
Carriers
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Cruisers
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Destroyers
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Frigates
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Prowlers
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Corvettes
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Colony ships
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Other ships
Civilian craft in temporary commission
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Stations
Orbital Defense Platforms
Other orbital facilities
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Mobile stations
Remote scanning outposts
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Medical stations
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Trivia
- As with the rest of the UNSC military, the structure and many of the traditions in the UNSC Navy are based on those in the United States Navy.
Gallery
The refit station Anchor 9 during the battle for Reach, the frigate UNSC Savannah is docked with the station.
- UNSC Savanah.jpg
A Paris-class heavy frigate during the Fall of Reach.
The Marathon-class cruiser was one of the most powerful vessels in the entire UNSC fleet.
The predecessor to the mighty Marathon-class was the Halcyon-class cruiser, although outdated, updated ones like the Pillar of Autumn could pack quite a punch.
The most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the entire UNSC, an orbital defense platform could destroy Covenant ships in a single round.
- Forward into dawn.jpg
The Forward Unto Dawn, a Charon-class light frigate flies over Installation 00.
The UNSC Cradle, a specialized refit station capable of slipspace travel, takes the offensive in the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV.
The UNSC Atlas, one of many UNSC carriers that form the backbone of the fleet.
A prowler, one of many such vessels forming the Navy's reconnaissance division.
A Phoenix-class colony ship, now refitted as massive armor and personnel carriers for use on the frontlines.
A classification of various designs, the UNSC destroyer is an effective escort for high-priority vessels such as fleet carriers and cruisers.
The UNSC Hopeful, a mobile, slipspace-capable hospital that has saved the lives of countless servicemen wounded on the battlefield.
- UNSC Heracles.png
The UNSC Heracles, a destroyer, the first human vessel to survive an encounter with the Covenant in 2525.
- UNSC Infinity.jpg
The UNSC Infinity, one of several postwar designs to employ reverse-engineered Forerunner technology.
Navy personnel at the commissioning ceremony of the Infinity.
A close up of Navy uniform circa 2557.
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List of appearances
Sources
- ^ a b Halo: The Flood, page 100
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "The Impossible Life and the Possible of Preston J. Cole", page 436
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "The Impossible Life and the Possible of Preston J. Cole", page 457
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia
- ^ a b Halo: First Strike
- ^ a b c Halo 2
- ^ a b c Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
- ^ Halo: Combat Evolved
- ^ a b c d e Halo: The Fall of Reach
- ^ Halo Wars: Genesis
- ^ Halo Graphic Novel, page 86
- ^ Halo: Evolutions, "The Impossible Life and Possible Death of Preston J. Cole"
- ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Pillar of Autumn
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 92
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 322
- ^ Halo 2 campaign level Delta Halo
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 320
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 108
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 297
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 139
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian"
- ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 35
- ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 213
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 85
- ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 60
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 112
- ^ Halo: Reach
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Gauss Technology article
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Booster Frame article