Editing Marathon-class heavy cruiser

{{Title|''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser}}
{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Ship class infobox
|name=''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser
|image=[[File:H2A-MarathonHeavyCruiser.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=
|class=[[Cruiser]]<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/unsc-cruiser '''Halo Waypoint''': ''UNSC Cruiser'']</ref>
|role=Attack, [[Flagship|command]], defense<ref name="universe"/><ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 42''</ref>
|length={{Convert|1192|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/>
|width={{Convert|293|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="model">3D model data from ''[[Halo 2]]''</ref>
|height={{Convert|375|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="model"/>
|mass=
|power=[[Deuterium]] [[fusion reactor]]
|engine=[[Fusion drive]]s<ref name="h2a">'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref>
|slipspace drive=[[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]<ref name="tug">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', "[[Tug o' War]]", ''page 413'' (2010)</ref>
|navigation=
|hull=191 cm of [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A battle plate]]<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 251'' (2010 edition); ''page 261'' (2011 edition)</ref>
|armament=*Two [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s<ref name="EVG"/>
*1,800 [[Archer missile]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*[[Point-defense gun]]s<ref name="universe"/>
*Five [[fusion rocket]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
|complement=*[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]<ref name="ODST">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Prepare to Drop]]''</ref>
*24 [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s<ref name="ENC"/>
*[[D77-TC Pelican]]s<ref name="for242">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 242'' (2010)</ref>
|crew=1,000 sailors
|passengers=
|othersystems=
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|introduced=
|affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]
}}

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"/>

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"/>

==Specifications==
===Superstructure and hull===
[[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>

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>

===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"/>

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"/>

===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"/>

==Operational history==
[[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"/>

[[File:Fifth Fleet - H2A.png|thumb|250px|left|Numerous ''Marathon''s hold position over Earth.]]
As their numbers were diminished by the onslaught of the Covenant, many ''Marathon''s were reassigned to the defense of the [[Inner Colonies]] and [[Earth]] during the later years of the Human-Covenant War.<ref name="page162">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 162''</ref><ref group="note">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.</ref> ''Marathon''s were present at the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]] in [[2552#July|July 2552]], including [[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]]'s [[flagship]] [[UNSC Leviathan|''Leviathan'']],<ref name="for188"/> which was severely damaged during the battle.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 224'' (2010)</ref> Numerous ''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers participated in the [[Fall of Reach]], many of which were destroyed, including ''Leviathan''.<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="fb"/><ref name="fs206">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 168'' (2003), ''page 206'' (2010)</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>

==Ships of the line==
*{{UNSCShip|Canberra}} – Fleet Admiral [[Joseph Harper]]'s [[flagship]]; led the [[Fifth Fleet]] against the [[Covenant]] during the [[Battle for Earth]] on [[2552#October|October 20, 2552]].<ref name="h2a"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Dresden}} – Equipped with a [[saddle box]] drive. Destroyed during the [[Battle of Biko]] in [[2526]].<ref name="tug"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Feeling Lucky}} – Part of the Fifth Fleet; destroyed during the Battle of Earth on October 20, 2552.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-fifty-caliber '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Fifty Caliber'']</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Hannibal}} – Destroyed during the [[Fall of Reach]].<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="fs206"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Leviathan}} – Vice Admiral [[Michael Stanforth]]'s flagship. Severely damaged during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]] in [[2552#July|July 2552]] and destroyed during the Fall of Reach.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/michael-stanforth '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Michael Stanforth'']</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Marathon}} – The [[Wikipedia:Lead ship|lead ship]] of the class.<ref>[[Stephen Loftus]] on the [[Talk:Autumn-class heavy cruiser|''Autumn'' class' talk page]]</ref>
*{{UNSCShip|Prophecy}} – Destroyed during the [[Harvest campaign]] in [[2531#February|February 2531]].<ref name="Genesis"/><ref name="Timeline"/>
*{{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} – Deployed [[ODSTs]] to board ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' as part of [[Operation: BUMRUSH]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]] on October 20, 2552.<ref name="ODST"/><ref name="waypoint"/>

==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
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===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
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===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
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==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Marathon-class heavy cruisers}}
*Though in-universe the class is likely named for the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Marathon|Battle of Marathon]], in reality its name is a reference to [[Bungie]]'s ''[[Marathon]]'' trilogy and its eponymous ship, the [[w:c:marathongame:UESC Marathon|UESC ''Marathon'']].
*The ''Marathon'' class is featured in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''; although the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}} was originally intended to appear instead, it was decided that the latter's appearance would not be canonically possible. The design for the ''Marathon'' class in the game was noted to have been difficult to sculpt, although the models created by [[Blur Studio]] for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' aided in the process.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-in-the-loop '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder: In the Loop'']</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2A-MarathonHeavyCruiser-Engines.png|Detail of the rear engines of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser.
File:Marathon-class Cruiser.JPG|A ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser orbiting Earth.
File:Humanfleet.png|''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers on a video display of the Home Fleet.
File:Marathon-render-SLoftus.png|The starboard profile of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser.
File:UNSC Prophecy.png|UNSC ''Prophecy''.
File:Say My Name dropbay open.png|The SOEIV drop bay aboard a ''Marathon''; the SOEIV deployment rings can be seen above.
File:H3ODST PreparetoDropCinematic.jpg|ODSTs gathered around a [[Holotank|holo-table]] inside a ''Marathon''-class cruiser.
File:Invasion; Leviathan.png|UNSC ''Leviathan''.
File:Master Chief Collection - Cruiser destroyed.png|A ''Marathon'' class is destroyed in the [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection announcement trailer|''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' announcement trailer]].
File:HomeFleetH2A.png|The back of a ''Marathon''-class heavy cruiser.
File:H2A - Cruiser over Cairo.jpg|A ''Marathon'' glides past ''Cairo Station'', flanked by squads of Longswords.
File:H2A Cutscene EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|A ''Marathon'' hull being pierced by a {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}'s energy projector.
File:UNSC Capital Vessels (Spartan Games).jpg|The ''Marathon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s scale compared to that of the [[Epoch-class heavy carrier|''Epoch'' class]] and the [[Paris-class heavy frigate|''Paris'' class]].
File:HFB-Marathonduo.png|''Marathon''-class heavy cruisers in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''.
File:HM-Marathon.png|Profile of a ''Marathon'' in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
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*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
**''[[Tug o' War]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Arms Race|Arms Race]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{Mo}}
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*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
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==Notes==
<references group="note"/>

==Sources==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Human Ships}}

[[Category:Marathon-class heavy cruisers| ]]
[[Category:Cruiser classes]]
[[Category:United Nations Space Command ship classes]]