Editing Unidentified Covenant assault carrier class

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Infobox/Ships
|name            = Unidentified assault carrier
|image           = [[File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 1.png|300px]]
|caption         = An assault carrier over [[Reach]] on [[2552#August|August 14, 2552]].
|modules         = <!--/Individual or /Class sub-modules should be placed here-->
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|hide-class           = 
|class identification = <!--The hull code of the class-->
|class operator       = 
*[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|LNoS}}{{Ref/Reuse|HM}}
*[[Covenant remnants]]{{Ref/Reuse|CFLegendary}}
|class manufacturer   = <!--Who makes the ship class-->
|class architect      = <!--The naval architect(s) for the class-->
|class built          = <!--How many ships of this class were constructed-->
|class in service     = c.[[Ages of Reclamation|Ninth Age of Reclamation]]{{Ref/Reuse|HM}}{{Ref/Reuse|LNoS}}
}}
|hide-characteristics=<!--leave blank unless you want to hide the characteristics section header-->
|nocollapse      = yes
|type            = [[Covenant assault carrier]]
|length          = 
|width           = 
|height          = 
|mass            = 
|power           = [[Pinch fusion reactor]]
|maneuver drive  = 3 [[repulsor engine]]s
|slipspace drive = [[Borer]]
|crew            = <!--Describes crew counts only-->
|complement      = 
|troops          = <!--Describes on-boarded Marine, Army etc ground troop forces-->
|hull            = [[Nanolaminate]] plating
|shielding       = [[Energy shielding]]{{Ref/Reuse|CFLegendary}}
|sensors         = <!--Describes sensors and whatnot-->
|ew              = <!--Describes electronic warfare capabilities-->
|armaments       = <!--Describes weapons yet-->
|aircraft        = <!--Describes embarked aircraft and dropships-->
|air facilities  = <!--Describes hangars and whatnot-->
}}
This '''unidentified ship''' is a classification of [[Covenant assault carrier|assault carrier]] of unknown [[design pattern]] or [[Three-letter ship classification system|three-letter code]], in the service of the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant fleet|starfleet]] and the [[Covenant remnants|empire's remnants]].{{Ref/Site|Id=CFLegendary|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-legendary-endings|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Legendary Endings|D=25|M=4|Y=2022}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
Unlike other assault carrier classifications, this design forgoes the distinctive silver hull of its sister {{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier|}} and {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}}s for a blue-purple [[nanolaminate]] battleplate more reminiscent of regular mainline [[Covenant starship]]s. This hull is reinforced by an additional layer of matte-black armour plating trim, giving the ship a distinctive look among the ships of the Covenant fleet. The design retains the distinctive rear cowling that surrounds the after of the ship in a similar fashion to the ''Kerel''-design.{{Ref/Game|Id=Model|HR|Assault carrier in-game model}} The channels between nanolaminate plates are lined with a series of bright lights,{{Ref/Reuse|Model}} and the hull overall is reinforced with an [[Energy shielding|energy shield]] system capable of deflecting the blow of even a [[United Nations Space Command]] [[Brightlance reflex laser]] - the primary armament on the {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLegendary}}{{Ref/Reuse|Highpower}}

The carriers follow the standard assault carrier design language of a hooked prow and two primary hull sections, with three [[repulsor engine]]s serving as the main sublight [[maneuver drive]] system.{{Ref/Reuse|Model}}

===Armaments===
While the carrier's full and precise armaments list is unknown, their weapons complement is considered more than a match for a [[UNSC frigate]] of the {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}. These weapons are extremely destructive, and cannot be used effectively in close-air support of ground forces for fear of massive collateral damage.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLegendary}}

Based on other assault carrier classes in Covenant service, it is likely that the carrier's armaments consist of at least some form of [[energy projector]], [[plasma lance]]s, [[Plasma beam emitter]]s, [[plasma torpedo]]es and [[pulse laser turret]]s.

==Ships of the line==
*''[[Purveyor of Virtue]]''

==Operational history==
[[File:Mythos - Second Fleet of Solemn Accord.png|thumb|250px|An assault carrier of this class (left) leading the [[Second Fleet of Solemn Accord]] over Sigma Octanus IV, alongside a ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier (bottom, middle).]]
Multiple carriers of this class were used by the [[Covenant]] in [[2552]], during the final months of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. One such vessel served in the [[Second Fleet of Solemn Accord]] during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]], leading the fleet alongside a {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}} and a number of [[Covenant battlecruiser]]s and [[Covenant corvette|corvettes]].{{Ref/Book|Id=HM|HM|Page=82}} During the [[Fall of Reach]] in mid-August, three such carriers appeared as part of the fleet sent by the [[Ministry of Resolution]] to relieve the battered [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]]. The carriers, and their battlecruiser escort, emerged from [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] in orbit over Reach in the minutes following the destruction of the {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' at the conclusion of [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].{{Ref/Level|Id=LNoS|HR|Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace}}

The carriers have continued to see usage in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war era]] in the service of the [[Covenant remnants]]. An unidentified warlord made use of one such vessel, ''[[Purveyor of Virtue]]'', during an attack on a UNSC [[Highpower|fuel processing facility]] at some point following [[2553]]. The carrier was forced onto a level playing field with the defending {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}}, {{UNSCShip|Panama}}, as its primary starship weaponry was too powerful to use in the engagement without also destroying the facility it had been instructed to capture. During the battle, ''Purveyor of Virtue''{{'}}s energy shields were attacked by the frigate's [[Brightlance reflex laser]] multiple times.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLegendary}}{{Ref/Map|Id=Highpower|HINF|Highpower}}

==Production notes==
This carrier design first appeared in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', as a redesign of the assault carrier featured only very briefly in the final cutscene of the level [[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]. They exhibit a number of drastic differences from the standard {{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}} design introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'', similarly to the design introduced in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' - which was later canonised as the {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}}. 

The design has featured sporadically in ''Halo'' media over the years since, and was notably featured in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' as the carrier found in the skybox of the multiplayer map [[Highpower]]. This image was done by [[:Category:Images by Jared Harris|Jared Harris]] - a 3D artist on the ''[[Sins of the Prophets]]'' fan mod. While Harris' work was formally featured in the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]'', the inclusion of this model on Highpower was likely an oversight on [[343 Industries]]' part - though he was later added to the game's credits for his contributions. In ''Sins of the Prophets'', this carrier is featured as the fanon "''Esgem''-pattern assault carrier", and was purposefully designed to reflect the design differences of the carrier from Reach as a distinct vessel from the other two assault carrier classes.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/owexq|Site=ArtStation|Page=Sins of the Prophets: Covenant CAS-class assault carrier|D=05|M=12|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Twitter|SinsOfProphets|1467270350983548933|Sins of the Prophets|Quote=After a conversation with @Halo, [Jared Harris] will be getting credit for his contribution to the map Highpower. SotP & Jared are happy with this solution and we're thankful for 343's willingness to investigate and sort this out.|D=05|M=12|Y=2021}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HR CAS assaultcarrier Render2.png|A render of the carrier model from ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR-CAS-Assaultcarrier-Render.png|Renders of the carrier model from ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Reach_AssaultCarriers.jpg|Multiple carriers leading the Ministry of Resolution fleet over Reach, following ''Long Night of Solace''{{'}}s destruction.
File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 1.png|A carrier of this class over Reach.
File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 2.png|A carrier of this class over Reach.
File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 7.png|Dorsal view of the carrier.
File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 8.png|A carrier of this class over Reach.
File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 3.png|A carrier of this class over Reach.
File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 4.png|Two carriers of this class over Reach.
File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 5.png|A trio of carrier of this class over Reach.
File:HR LNoS AssaultCarrier Screenshot 6.png|Two carriers of this class over Reach.
File:HINF_Carrier.png|''Purveyor of Virtue'' in the postwar era.
File:HTV-Unbound-HighCharity.jpg|Assault carriers of the class protecting High Charity in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
File:HTV-S2Covieships.jpg|Assault carriers and ''Ceudar''-class corvettes rising from the clouds.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Unbound]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Covenant Ships}}
[[Category:Carrier classes]]
[[Category:Unidentified content]]