Canon

Wik-pattern light destroyer

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Wik-pattern light destroyer
Production information

Manufacturer:

Covenant

Class:

Destroyer

Role:

Technical specifications

Length:

1,500 meters (4,900 ft)[2][1][3]

Width:

1,217 meters (3,990 ft)[1][3]

Mass:

99.7 million tonnes[2]

Engine(s):

Repulsor engines

Slipspace drive:

Equipped

Hull:

Nanolaminate hull plating

Armament:

Complement:

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Affiliation:

 

The Wik-pattern light destroyer[2] (UNSC three-letter classification: RPV-class light destroyer) is one of several destroyer-class warships in service with the now-defunct Covenant fleet. Such vessels are usually sent in advance of invasions and are used for escort on reconnaissance missions. Heavily armed, vessels of the RPV class are effective in ship-to-ship engagements and are tasked with pursing fleeing ships.[3] They are also used as fleet escorts, protecting larger, more important ships from attack.[4]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The RPV-class destroyer features a sleek, amphibious design with sweeping contours and perfect symmetry. It possesses three bulbous protrusions, similar to those of larger Covenant ships, giving the impression of similar lethality.[5][6] The RPV is capable of carrying a great number of ground forces, dropships, and support craft, as well as several Type-31 Seraph fighters.[1] The "R", or Reverence, in the destroyer's three-letter classification code, "RPV", denotes that the destroyer is capable of conducting reconnaissance missions and is capable of excavating Forerunner artifacts.[7]

Armament[edit]

The vessel's primary weapon is a single ventral cleansing beam, which is capable of devastating even large human vessels.[1][5] It is also armed with several ventrally mounted pulse laser turrets, which can be used to provide pinpoint firepower and can destroy inbound missiles. Two plasma torpedo turrets are mounted at the fore of the vessel.[1]

Operational history[edit]

On July 17, 2552, an RPV-class light destroyer, along with two frigates and a carrier, arrived at Sigma Octanus IV.[6][1] In the brief skirmish that followed, Commander Jacob Keyes, the commanding officer of the UNSC destroyer Iroquois, overcame the small enemy task force with an inventive tactic: ultimately, he tricked the Covenant vessels into firing on themselves. The destroyer and the frigates were both destroyed and the carrier was forced to retreat.[6][1] Several RPV-class destroyers were used during the Great Schism.[8]

In September 2558, four light destroyers were a part of Thars 'Sarov's faction at the opening of the Carrow Conflict. However, the ships of Rojka 'Kasaan's faction managed to destroy them along with two Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyers and a Covenant frigate before the intervention of a Jiralhanae faction led by Hekabe turned the tide of the battle against them.[9]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 48
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 266
  3. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint, Covenant Destroyer (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2022) [archive]
  4. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 145, page 170 (2010 edition)
  5. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 270
  6. ^ a b c Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 151-152, page 177 (2010 edition)
  7. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder: Have S'moa
  8. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 195
  9. ^ Halo: Envoy, Chapter 1