Fleet

A fleet is a large, permanent organization of starships. Fleets are usually relatively large and manned by thousands of individuals on what is normally dozens or hundreds of ships. Smaller, more temporary groups of ships are generally known as battle groups.

UNSC fleets
UNSC fleets are massive divisions of UNSC ships. UNSC fleets usually consist of large numbers of frigates and destroyers, escorting a handful of larger carriers and cruisers. Fleets, as with battle groups, usually have at least one prowler to act as the fleet's eyes and ears and to also serve as saboteurs. Fleets are given either a simple, numerical designation or a name derived from the location they are primarily stationed in.

Temporary UNSC groups of ships are called battle groups.

The UNSC also maintains the UNSC commercial fleet, which is not a military unit and instead fulfills the role of a merchant navy.

Covenant fleets
Covenant fleets are usually dominated by larger, more powerful ships. Covenant frigates are common in smaller fleets, however, there are usually far more destroyers and cruisers suited for plasma bombardment. Covenant fleets are essentially self-sustaining armadas, capable of operating without supply for indefinite periods thanks to their use of agricultural support ships. Like Covenant ships, fleets are also given different designations mostly pertaining to religious nomenclature. Larger Covenant fleets typically contain thousands of ships, most of them s and groups of s.

Large Covenant fleets are usually commanded by a Fleet Master or a Supreme Commander. Although, some small fleets are commanded by a singe Shipmaster.

Forerunner fleets
Fleets were a basic unit of organization in the Forerunner ecumene's military forces. Throughout Forerunner history, most fleets fell under the authority of the Warrior-Servant rate, but after their reduction at the hands of the Builders, Builder Security became the dominant military organization. Forerunner fleets were under the authority of Fleet Command.