CRS-class light cruiser
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The CRS-class light cruiser is a Covenant capital warship classification.[1]
Specifications
Resembling a luminous manta ray,[2] the CRS is essentially a smaller (1/6 the length), weaker version of the CCS-class battlecruiser.[1] The two classes are virtually identical in outward appearance apart from being built on different scales. As one notable difference, the CRS class bears green-glowing lights, as opposed to the white-blue lighting on the CCS-class; however, this may be due to the post-Schism Covenant's overall preference for green lights on most of their equipment.[note 1] This is akin to the CAS-class assault carrier and the CSO-class supercarrier, which are likewise identical despite the latter being over five times longer than the former, and likely many dozens of times the mass.
The "R", for Reverence, in the cruiser's three-letter classification code indicates that the cruiser is capable of conducting reconnaissance missions and is capable of excavating Forerunner artifacts. The "S", for Salvation, denotes that the CRS-class light cruiser is a dedicated warship equipped with a ventral energy projector.[3] Despite being relatively weak by Covenant standards, it is more than a match for most UNSC warships.[4]
Operational history
Several CRS-class cruisers were used over Reach during the Covenant's invasion of the planet in 2552.[5] In the wake of the Human-Covenant War, the CRS class forms the backbone of the modern Covenant's fleet, which deployed numerous CRS-class cruisers to Requiem prior to and during the First Battle of Requiem.[6] After finding the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, one approached the ship with its shields down, not expecting a threat, intending to open fire on the Dawn. However, Spartan John-117 destroyed the cruiser with one of the Forward Unto Dawn's Hyperion nuclear missiles. Several were destroyed moments later when the gravity well of Requiem pulled them in.[7] More CRS-class cruisers were used to deploy troops within Requiem's core.[8] Numerous light cruisers were later sent to attack the Template:UNSCship after it crashed into Requiem, but at least two were destroyed by Infinity's 70mm autocannons and surface-to-air-missile launchers.[9]
Several CRS-class cruiser were present during the Requiem campaign in February 2558. Many provided escort for an RCS-class armored cruiser that was destroyed immediately after Infinity's emergence from slipspace. They immediately engaged Infinity's Strident-class heavy frigates, though they were quickly destroyed or routed.[10] Later, a CRS was deployed to Two Giants in a desperate attempt to keep the UNSC from activating the Forerunner portal technology there. Despite deploying numerous Phantoms and Banshees, it was destroyed by a large anti-ship HE missile launched by Infinity's Sub-vessel 3 and the UNSC's operation was a success.[11] Another light cruiser attacked the UNSC base at "The Refuge", but was destroyed when Fireteam Shadow boarded and overloaded its power core. [12] Later, several light cruisers participated in the Covenant-Promethean attack on Infinity. At least one was destroyed when Fireteam Crimson brought the Infinity's weapons back online. [13] Several CRS-class cruisers fled Requiem after Jul 'Mdama set the planet on a collision course with its parent star.
Gallery
Renders of the CRS-class light cruiser.
Alternate extraction of a CRS-class light cruiser.
In-game screenshot of a CRS-class light cruiser.
CRS-class cruisers swarm the remains of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn.
The reformed Covenant's light cruiser fleet.
CRS-class cruisers escorting an RCS-class armored cruiser during the Requiem Campaign.
CRS-class cruisers attacking the UNSC Infinity during the Battle of Aktis IV.
Size comparison between the CRS-class cruiser and the SDV-class heavy corvette.
List of appearances
- Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
- Halo: First Strike
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Halo: Fall of Reach
- Halo 4
- Halo: Escalation
Note
- ^ In the multiplayer map Landfall, set during the Battle of Tribute in 2552, CRS-class cruisers are depicted with green lighting, suggesting that this may be standard for ships of this class as opposed to a postwar adjustment to fit the new Covenant's aesthetic style. However, given that there are a number of chronological discrepancies in War Games maps, specifically relating to the use of post-war designs over Covenant War-era ones, it is not certain if the ships in the background of Landfall are entirely representative of the appearance of the CRS class during the war.
Sources
- ^ a b Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 41
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 205
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder: Have S'moa
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Covenant Cruiser
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 167 -- "Two exceptions to this patrol pattern were a pair of light cruisers hovering over Menachite Mountain"
- ^ Halo 4
- ^ Halo 4, campaign level Dawn
- ^ Halo 4, campaign level Forerunner
- ^ Halo 4, campaign level Infinity
- ^ Spartan Ops, S1E1 - Departure
- ^ Spartan Ops, S1E3 - Catherine
- ^ Spartan Ops, S1E5 - Memento_Mori
- ^ S1E7 - Invasion
