Editing UNSC starship

{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:HM Infinity.jpg|thumb|300px|Several types of UNSC starships in orbit.]]
'''UNSC starships'''{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops#Series 2|Crate 12]]}}{{Ref/Novel|Env|Chapter=28}} are [[Human starship]]s operated by the [[United Nations Space Command|United Nations Space Command (UNSC)]] and its various branches and forces.

==Overview==
===Organization===
In the UNSC, ships can also be operated by different departments and branches. Warships like the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} were often operated by the [[UNSC Navy]].{{Ref/Book|Id=warfleetpg3637|HWF|Page=36-37}} UNSC Navy ships were deployed by [[UNSC Fleet Command]].{{Ref/Book|Id=encycpg64|Enc11|Page=64}} In the case of the {{UNSCShip|Swift Justice}}, it was operated by the [[Incident Response and Investigation]] division of the UNSC.{{Ref/Novel|HRet|Chapter=2}} The [[UNSC Department of Commercial Shipping]] also operated a number of [[Freighter]]s.

These organizations as well have ways of identifying their ships. There was the [[Hull classification symbol]], which gives each ship a letter classification and a number.{{Ref/Book|OSFM|Page=14-15}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=42-43}} There was also the [[ship emblem]], which was a unique image that crew wore on their uniforms.{{Ref/Reuse|h2cairo}}{{Ref/Reuse|cepoa}} Some warships also used the [[UNSC REG system]], which was also a special serial number.{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Dawn|Dawn}} There was also the UNc system.{{Ref/Level|Id=h2acairo|H2A|H2:Cairo Station|Cairo Station}}

The UNSC Department of Commercial Shipping operated its own identification codes for freighters that were primarily used in [[COM]] transmissions.{{Ref/Novel|HCH|Chapter=1}}

[[File:HFB ParisFrigate Shield.png|thumb|150px|''Paris''-class frigates in "Shield" formation.]]
====Tactical Groupings====
{{Main|UNSC Navy tactical formations}}
UNSC ships were organized into [[fleet]]s; specifically numbered expeditionary fleets and named defensive fleets. Further down, ships were arranged into [[battle group]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|corerulebook}} As well, [[squadron]]s were a type of tactical grouping for support ships early in the Covenant War,{{Ref/Novel|HSS}} but by the end of the war were relegated to a type of administrative grouping.{{Ref/Reuse|corerulebook}}

Often, naval groupings had a [[flagship]] from which commanding officers lead their groupings from.

===Personnel and operations===
It is expected of all navy ship personnel to participate in working parties. The working parties help with routine maintenance and replenishment.{{Ref/Reuse|osfmwelcomeaboard}}

[[Ensign]]s often did not pilot [[capital ship]]s.{{Ref/Novel|TFoR|Chapter=21}}

The [[commanding officer]] of a UNSC starship, like other human starships, is referred to as a Captain regardless of actual rank.{{Ref/Book|Id=warfleetpg9092|HWF|Page=90-92}} The actual military rank of the leader is dependent on the size of the ship. Those of the rank [[Lieutenant]] often are in charge of small support vessels, [[Commander]]s are in charge of small warships, and [[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]]s are in charge of line warships.{{Ref/Book|OSFM|Page=140-141}} The commanding officer in radio communications is referred to as the ships name followed by "Actual".{{Ref/Reuse|lnos}}{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Epilogue|Epilogue}}

UNSC Starships were often given a [[Ship Director]], an AI who could manage much of the ship's tasks with the Captain's authority. Generally, these AI were "[[Smart artificial intelligence|Smart]]".{{Ref/Reuse|warfleetpg9092}} Various shipboard electronic systems fell into the purview of the [[UNSC Data Administration]].{{Ref/Level|Id=CEVPOAbulletin|CEV|CEV:The Pillar of Autumn|The Pillar of Autumn|Detail=[[Bulletin board]]}}{{Ref/Level|Id=burden|CEV|CEV:Heavy Burden|Heavy Burden}}

Children were sometimes born on board UNSC ships as well, with children being born on the {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} and the {{UNSCShip|Grafton}}.{{Ref/Level|HR|Reach:The Pillar of Autumn|The Pillar of Autumn|Detail=Marine dialogue}}

====Procedures, traditions and culture====
Several procedures affected the operations of UNSC ships as well. Prior to crash landings, active [[Cryo chamber|cryo pods]] were to be ejected into space.<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', p. 185 (2010 edition)</ref> The [[Cole Protocol]] also affected the possible destinations of ships.

Navy personnel UNSC ships often follow old naval tradition. Boarding a UNSC warship is considered a ceremony, not a formality. When boarding a ship, the boarder requests permission from the officer on deck. The officer on deck will reply with a curt "Very well".{{Ref/Book|Id=osfmwelcomeaboard|OSFM|Page=10}}

"Dead fleets" or "paper fleets" are maintained as tradition and to honor those who died while serving. Inadvertently, some starships will be attached to these fleets by bureaucratic error. Many crewmen regarded this as a bad omen.{{Ref/Reuse|corerulebook}}

===Design and specifications===
[[File:HW Infinity refit.png|200px|thumb|The ''Infinity'' being repaired over [[Earth]] while an ''Autumn''-class is completing a float out.{{Ref/Site|Id=infinityoverearth|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/chasing-shadows|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Community Update - Chasing Shadows|D=01|M=6|Y=2020}}]]
Most ships of the Human-Covenant War era were strictly utilitarian in design.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Trial of Reckoning}}
====Construction, decommissioning and repairs====
A number of corporations seemingly based in numerous places, helped construct UNSC ships including [[Sinoviet Heavy Machinery]], [[Aerofabrique SA]],{{Ref/Reuse|warfleetpg3839}} [[TanSec AB]],{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=19}} [[Reyes-McLees Shipyards]],{{Ref/Novel|TFoR|Chapter=25}} [[Kuushan Shipyards]],{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=129}} and [[Martian Metals Shipyards]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=125}}

These companies were located at a number of places in human space with construction typically taking place in orbit of [[planet]]s. [[Tribute]], [[Mars]]{{Ref/Reuse|warfleetpg3839}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFBuzz|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-buzz-generating|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Buzz Generating|D=14|M=09|Y=2016}} [[Jupiter]],{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Poseidon|Enc22|Page=127}} and [[Reach]]{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=36-37}} had ship building yards. Reach also had its own [[Asźod ship breaking yards|ship breaking yards]] that decommissioned ships were sent to.{{Ref/Reuse|hrpoa}} [[Earth]] as well had orbital facilities for repairs and float outs.{{Ref/Reuse|infinityoverearth}} The {{UNSCShip|Cradle}} on the other hand was a mobile [[Refit station]] that could travel to ships.

====On ship facilities====
[[File:H3 Fud Destroyed.png|thumb|250px|A cleaved ''Forward Unto Dawn'', exposing the deck layout.]]
Design guidelines for ships emphasize that the command crew should have visibility of the surrounding exterior area of the ship. This is usually achieved through windows on the [[bridge]].{{Ref/Book|Id=hwf3233|HWF|Page=32-33}}

UNSC ships have an internal deck naming structure. On most ships, the Hangar deck is considered Zero Deck. Decks below that are "belowdeck" and are numbered in descending order starting at First Deck. Everything above the hangar deck is a "level", starting at Level One and going in an ascending order.{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=4}}

Facilities to create simulated [[War Games]] training sessions could be found on several ships. Though they were mostly on post-war vessels and most prominently on the UNSC ''Infinity''.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-needle-me-this|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Needle Me This|D=01|M=6|Y=2020}}

From the ''Phoenix''-class carrier {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}{{Ref/Level|HW|HW:Dome of Light|Dome of Light}}{{Ref/Level|HW2|HW2:A New Enemy|A New Enemy}} to the {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} {{UNSCShip|Say My Name}},{{Ref/Level|ODST|Prepare to Drop}} numerous ships featured [[Holotank|holotables]] for battlefield situational displays.

[[Cryo chamber]]s were an important feature that allowed the crews to travel large distances without aging as much. Cryo facilities were often large and individual chambers displayed crew member names.{{Ref/Level|HW|HW:Escape|Escape}}

UNSC starships also featured [[mess hall]]s,{{Ref/Level|Id=cepoa|CE|CE:The Pillar of Autumn|The Pillar of Autumn}}{{Ref/Film|HLeg|Story=The Babysitter}} [[hangar bay]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|cepoa}}{{Ref/Level|H5G|H5G:Blue Team|Blue Team}} and [[Armory|armories]].{{Ref/Level|CE|CE:The Maw|The Maw}}{{Ref/Anthology|Evo|Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian}}

Crew quarters on UNSC navy ships vary by ship type. {{Class|Halberd|light destroyer}}s crew quarters were cramped{{Ref/Book|HM|Page=82-83}} with members being allocated a single sleeping pod that would sometimes need to be shared when the ship has additional crew.{{Ref/Reuse|hwf3233}}

====Propulsion, movement, and docking====
{{Main|Fusion drive|Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine}}
UNSC ships were equipped with fusion drive engines to help them move and maneuver in real-space. Shaw-Fujikawa drives help ships reach supraluminal speeds.

UNSC ships had docking capabilities, though the exact details are dependent on what the ship is docking with. {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}}s were capable of docking with {{Class|Moncton|orbital weapon platform}}s.{{Ref/Reuse|h2cairo}} [[Class-L flash-dock]]s routinely held frigates and corvettes, though the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} was able to use one.{{Ref/Level|Id=hrpoa|HR|Reach:The Pillar of Autumn|The Pillar of Autumn}}

====Armament and defenses====
[[File:HW - MII Light coil 56A2D4 MAC2.png|thumb|200px|The MAC of a ''Stalwart''-class frigate.]]
A number of UNSC vessels, particularly those under the control of the UNSC Navy are equipped with weaponry and self-defense mechanisms.
=====MACs=====
{{Main|Magnetic Accelerator Cannon}}
MACs are massive coil guns that are used to accelerate multi-ton projectiles at extremely high velocities. These projectiles were a super-dense ferric (iron) tungsten shell.{{Ref/Novel|Id=htforchapter12|Novel=Halo: The Fall of Reach|Chapter=12}} The ''Mulsanne''-class trades in its MAC weaponry for the [[Brightlance reflex laser]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=121}}

As an example, frigate based MACs are capable of firing their slugs at roughly 30,000 meters per second.{{Ref/Reuse|htforchapter12}} UNSC ''Infinity'' has [[Mark 2551 Onager|miniature MAC guns]] along its hull, to compliment its built in, larger MAC guns.{{Ref/Level|H4|H4:Infinity|Infinity}}
[[File:Reach 3003793 Full.jpg|200px|thumb|The {{UNSCShip|Savannah}} firing its M910 Rampart guns.{{Ref/Level|Id=lnos|HR|Reach:Long Night of Solace|Long Night of Solace}}]]
=====Missiles and rockets=====
{{Main|Missile|Nuclear weapon}}
UNSC ships generally carry an array of missile batteries. Most UNSC ships carry [[Missile Delivery System]]s which, depending on the pod, could fire a variety of missiles. The [[Archer Missile]] is a common type of missile from these system that fire from one of many pods. Other missile systems include These were complemented with [[Fusion rocket]]s.

UNSC warships usually contain nuclear weapons of some sort. {{Class|Shiva|nuclear missile}} and [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system]] were known shipboard nuclear weapons used by the UNSC.

=====Point-defense guns=====
{{Main|Point-defense gun}}
Point defense batteries were common on UNSC warships. Some of these batteries include the [[M910 Rampart point defense network|M910 Rampart]], the [[M870 Rampart point defense gun|M870 Rampart]], the [[M710 Bulwark point defense gun|M710 Bulwark]], and the [[Mark 57 Arena point defense gun|Mark 57 Arena]].

=====Electronic warfare=====
{{Main|Electronic warfare}}
{{Stub|section=yes}}
===Complement===
{{Main|Space fighter|Dropship}}
[[File:D77H-TCI Pelican Gunship.jpg|thumb|150px|D77H-TCI, a model of the ever present Pelican Dropship.]]
Attached to various UNSC vessels are a number of small craft that perform a variety of roles both for the ship's operation and separate from it.

Space fighters are maneuverable craft that perform interception, interdiction, or space supremacy roles. Corvettes cannot contain space fighters as they cannot contain anything larger than a shuttle.{{Ref/Novel|CH|Chapter=4}} The [[GA-TL1 Longsword]] is the primary fighter of the UNSC's fleet.{{Ref/Book|Enc09|Page=261}} Space fighters could be operated by other branches though, even when stationed on the ship with the [[F-41 Exoatmospheric Multirole Strike Fighter]], for example, being most often operated by the [[UNSC Air Force]].{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Section=Vehicles|Page=114}} 

Another type of small craft is the tactical aerospace lifter, more commonly known as a dropship. Like space fighters, they were sometimes operated by other UNSC branches. The ubiquitous [[Pelican]] was operated by several branches including the [[UNSC Marine Corps]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2cairo}} 

Some starships, like the UNSC ''Pillar of Autumn'', had lifeboats for the crew. The most well known of these lifeboats were the [[Bumblebee]] series.{{Ref/Level|CE|CE:The Pillar of Autumn|The Pillar of Autumn}}
{{clear}}

==History==
===Rise of humanity===
The [[Insurrection]] would start because of fighting over a UNSC ship, the {{UNSCShip|Callisto}}, in the [[Callisto Incident|''Callisto'' Incident]].{{Ref/Anthology|Id=impossible|Evo|Story=The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole}}

The time of the [[Insurrection]] saw a number of class additions and developments to the UNSC's fleet. In [[2493]], the {{Class|Valiant|super-heavy cruiser}} entered service. Though serious cost problems over five years cast doubt in the class' future.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-bulkhead-banter|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Bulkhead Banter}} At some point in the Insurrection, a new carrier, the {{Class|Orion|assault carrier}}, was built to help with [[Planetary warfare|ground operations]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-armory-amore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Armory Amore|D=01|M=6|Y=2020}} One of the last known class additions during the Insurrection was the {{Class|Halcyon|light cruiser}}. In [[2510]], the class first entered service.{{Ref/Book|[[Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets]]|Page=60}}

===Human-Covenant War===
[[File:Punic orbit.jpg|thumb|250px|A few UNSC starship classes during the Human-Covenant War.]]
{{Main|Human-Covenant War}}
====Course of the war====
{{Quote|We returned to Harvest with enough firepower to assault the vaults of heaven.|[[Preston Cole]] discussing Battle Group X-Ray at the Battle of Harvest.{{Ref/Reuse|HWG}}}}
{{Main|Massacre of the Outer Colonies}}
In [[2525]], the UNSC would strip away the CMA's naval resources and give them to [[UNSC Naval Command|NAVCOM]].{{Ref/Game|HW|HW:Timeline|Timeline|Detail=??}} As well, the UNSC would begin to take over the Colonial Administration Authority in the midst of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. With these additions, the UNSC received several different types of ships. This included the CAA's {{Class|Springhill|mining ship}}{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Section=Locations|Page=208}}{{Ref/Map|H4|Adrift}} and the {{Class|Diligence|destroyer|}} from the CMA.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFClarity|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-clarity-grace|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Clarity & Grace|D=23|M=12|Y=2019}} Both of which would be brought back to service or continued service such as with the {{UNSCShip|Kronstadt}} and the {{CAAShip|Heavy Burden}}.

[[Space warfare|Impressive fleet actions]] characterized the early war. 40 ships of [[Battle Group X-Ray]] [[Battle of Harvest|fought]] a [[Rasus-pattern interdictor|single Covenant vessel]] over [[Harvest]],{{Ref/Anthology|Id=Cole|Evo|Story=The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole}} over 100 ships saw action in the [[Battle of Alpha Aurigae]]{{Ref/Comic|Id=HWG|HWG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Cole}} and another 70 [[Battle of XI Boötis A|clashed]] with the Covenant at the [[XI Boötis A system]].{{Ref/Reuse|HWG}} However these actions were tempered by large losses in each; 13 ships destroyed at Harvest,{{Ref/Reuse|Cole}} 37 lost at Alpha Aurigae and 30 destroyed at XI Boötis A.{{Ref/Reuse|HWG}}

The war saw combat losses far outstripped shipyards' abilities to build replacements for both military and commercial ships. Trade restrictions were also put in place to limit the risk that slipspace travel represented to remaining colonies.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22pg38|Enc22|Page=38-39}} Over the course of the war, the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] destroyed 120 ships{{Ref/Game|Id=h2at3|H2A|[[H2A:Terminals|Terminal 3]]}} and 185 UNSC capital ships were destroyed by [[Writh Kul]]'s ''[[Dagger of Mercy]]''.{{Ref/Game|Id=Target12|HINF|[[High Value Target]] dossier, Writh Kul}}

====End of the war====
{{Main|Siege of the Inner Colonies}}
[[File:HM SigmaOctanus.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The {{UNSCShip|Iroquois}} and a [[Paris-class heavy frigate|frigate]] staring down the [[Second Fleet of Solemn Accord]] over [[Sigma Octanus IV]].]]
In [[2551]], numerous UNSC starships were destroyed as part of [[Battle of Promise|fighting]] at [[Promise]].{{Ref/Reuse|burden}}

By the [[2552|final year]] of the war, a majority of the UNSC's ground forces had been consolidated at Reach and at Earth. For many colonies, it was only the ships of the navy that were reminders of the UNSC and gave aid to those cut-off. Though in many instances, the Navy couldn't afford the loss of ships and personnel, often leaving these colonies to their own devices including destruction by the Covenant. No appreciable differences could be seen in expeditionary and defensive fleets as the UNSC lost the ability to conduct offensive naval operations. Navy AIs by this point were still assigning ships to squadrons, though at that point they were administrative groupings that had lost meaning over the course of the war. As well, numerous fleets only existed on [[Dead fleet|paper]], having been destroyed in lost sectors years prior.{{Ref/Book|Id=corerulebook|Halo: Fleet Battles core rulebook|Page=9}}

With over 152 ships present at the [[Fall of Reach|Battle of Reach]],{{Ref/Novel|TFoR|Chapter=33}} a large number of these ships were destroyed. This included many capital ships such as the {{UNSCShip|Trafalgar}}, the flagship of the [[Epsilon Eridani Fleet]] and pride of the Navy.<ref>''Halo: First Strike'', p. 168</ref>

Starting [[2552#September|September 5, 2552]] all remaining UNSC starships and their fleets were consolidated under a single command grouping under the [[UNSC Home Fleet]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=HLCDD2|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 002 Doc 3.jpg|Naval Records Archives]]}} Numerous ships arrived at Earth on October 20, 2552.{{Ref/Level|H2|H2:The Armory|The Armory}} The ships above Earth would then go onto [[Battle for Earth|engage]] [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|Covenant forces]] when they arrived the same day with a very large contingent of UNSC vessels and fleets that was later destroyed by [[Truth's fleet|overwhelming Covenant reinforcements]] on November 17, 2552.{{Ref/Level|Id=h2cairo|H2|H2:Cairo Station|Cairo Station}}{{Ref/Level|Id=h3crowsnest|H3|H3:Crow's Nest|Crow's Nest}} By the end of the war, the plethora of UNSC starships had been reduced to only a few hundred.{{Ref/Reuse|mythospg132}}

[[File:H4 Infinity escort.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The UNSC ''Infinity''-class supercarrier, the largest UNSC vessel, and several ''Autumn''-class heavy cruisers.]]

===Postwar===
{{Main|Post-Covenant War conflicts}}
{{Quote|And if we do that, we lose a massive deposit of resources that our fleets need to rebuild. We’ve barely managed to get the Home Fleet back up to a few dozen ships while the Brass is demanding whole battle groups be assembled...|[[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]] [[Pedro Alvarez]] to [[Lycaon]] during the [[Outbreak at Site 22]].{{Ref/Reuse|saturn}}}}

Following the Human-Covenant War, the surviving UNSC starships were brought back to Sol to be repaired, refitted, and counted.{{Ref/Book|Id=mythospg132|HM|Page=132}}

In the wake of this, the UNSC sought to rebuild the ships they had lost.{{Ref/Novel|Id=saturn|Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son}} As such, postwar shipbuilding mainly focused on rebuilding UNSC naval vessels, which combined with limited shipbuilding capacity to begin with, affected the production of merchant ships.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22pg38}} To help facilitate all of this, the UNSC placed great importance on partnerships between corporations such as those between [[BXR Mining Corporation]] and [[Imbrium Machine Complex]].{{Ref/Reuse|saturn}}

A variety of starship classes and several ship improvements that were created during the war finally became commonplace. The {{Class|Autumn|heavy cruiser}}, the {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}} and the {{Class|Infinity|supercarrier}} were all added to the fleet. All three have shielding,{{Ref/SpOps|Departure}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CFEnVoyage|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/en-voyage|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - En Voyage|D=12|M=07|Y=2017}} an unprecedented addition to UNSC ships.

As part of ongoing offences, UNSC ''Strident''-class frigates and {{Class|Anlace|light frigate}}s were being deployed to the [[Outer Colonies]] to route out [[Covenant remnants|Covenant remnant]] occupiers.{{Ref/Book|Id=warfleetpg3839|HWF|Page=38-39}}

====Created uprising====
{{Main|Created uprising}}
During the [[Cortana Event]], many UNSC starships were disabled by [[Guardian Custode]]s.{{Ref/Level|Id=guardians|H5G|H5G:Guardians|Guardians}} Some ships were ripped out of [[Slipstream Space]] with the activation of the Guardians, like the {{UNSCShip|Nereid}}.{{Ref/Comic|TfS|Story=Undefeated}} Shipboard AIs from numerous starships also defected to the Created.{{Ref/Reuse|guardians}}

Several ships survived this event. At least five {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}s and two {{Class|Anlace|light frigate}}s were able to see combat in [[Operation: WOLFE]].{{Ref/Novel|HSoR|Chapter=13}} At least six {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}s were able to see combat during the [[Battle for Installation 07]]. However, during that battle over Installation 07, those frigates were destroyed.{{Ref/Game|HINF|campaign}}

====Post-Created uprising====
Following the death of Cortana at Installation 07, one of the largest fleet actions would take place since the Covenant War. At [[Boundary]] four fleets of ships totalling about 200 ships [[Battle of Boundary|would fight]] the [[Banished]] and [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]] in orbit of the planet.{{Ref/Novel|Id=ET21|ET|Chapter=21}}

==Classes==
[[File:UNSC Capital Vessels (Spartan Games).jpg|thumb|250px|A few UNSC warships and their sizes compared to one another.]]
===Colony ships===
{{Main|Colony ship}}

===Support starships===
{{Main|Support starship}}
Several types of support ships that were used include the stealthy [[prowler]] and its subtypes. Other stealth ship classes existed including the {{Class|Chiroptera|subprowler}}. There was also the incredibly small [[sloop]]. Another type of ship that was used by the UNSC was the {{Class|Calypso|exfiltration craft}}. Following the UNSC's take over of the CAA, the {{Class|Springhill|mining ship}} helped build materiel for UNSC forces.

===Warships===
{{Main|Warship}}
The UNSC employs a number of warships including [[UNSC frigate|frigates]], [[UNSC destroyer|destroyers]], [[UNSC cruiser|cruisers]], and [[UNSC corvette|corvettes]]. The {{Class|Vindication|light battleship|}} was unique as it was a [[Battleship]], an uncommon warship in UNSC ship design and classification. 

[[UNSC carrier]]s were among the largest, most heavily armed ships the UNSC possesed. Two carrier classes were so large that frigates could dock with them; the {{Class|Punic|supercarrier}} and the {{Class|Infinity|supercarrier}}.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-infinity-beyond|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Infinity & Beyond|D=01|M=6|Y=2020}}

===Other===
ONI's [[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department]] have recovered, refit and begun testing on multiple [[Covenant starship]]s.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/catalog-interaction/4c3e1c6f-6519-4ee0-83a4-4bac13bf07a3/posts?page=23|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=12|M=09|Y=2015|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post_.238|Quote=[frumentarii] records indicate multiple [research vector] approaches in adapting [Covenant] offensive technologies. Human materials exploitation [Builders] [ref: REAP-X] have recovered and refitted [handful?] of [Covenant] vessels for threat dynamic and [destructive testing] analysis.}}

==Known vessels==
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox"><div class="tab">Carriers</div>
{{Ships/UNSC/Carriers}}
</div>
<div class="tabbox"><div class="tab">Cruisers</div>
{{Ships/UNSC/Cruisers}}
</div>
<div class="tabbox"><div class="tab">Destroyers</div>
{{Ships/UNSC/Destroyers}}
</div>
<div class="tabbox"><div class="tab">Frigates</div>
{{Ships/UNSC/Frigates}}
</div>
<div class="tabbox"><div class="tab">Corvettes</div>
{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 50%;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"
|-
! scope="col"|Class
! scope="col"|Ship Name
! scope="col"|Notes
|-
|rowspan="2"|{{Class|Gladius|corvette}}
|{{UNSCShip|Gladius}}
|
|-
|{{UNSCShip|Sagan Blue}}
|
|-
|rowspan="1"|{{Class|Lancer|fast-attack corvette}}
|{{UNSCShip|Lancer}}
|
|-
|{{Class|Mako|corvette}}
|{{UNSCShip|Pony Express}}
|
|-
|rowspan="1"|{{Class|Scholte|missile corvette}}
|{{UNSCShip|Scholte}}
|
|-
|rowspan="1"|Fast-attack corvette
|{{UNSCShip|Two for Flinching}}
|
|-
|rowspan="5"|Unknown
|{{UNSCShip|Bum Rush}}
|
|-
|{{UNSCShip|Callisto}}
|
|-
|{{UNSCShip|Chalons}}
|
|-
|{{UNSCShip|Coral Sea}}
|
|-
|{{UNSCShip|Glamorgan}}
|
|}
</div>
<div class="tabbox"><div class="tab">Prowler</div>
{| class="wikitable sortable " style="width: 50%;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0"
|-
!scope="col"|Class
!scope="col"|Ship Name
!scope="col"|Notes
|-
|rowspan="3"|{{Class|Eclipse|prowler