Wik-pattern light destroyer

The 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. They are also used as fleet escorts, protecting larger, more important ships from attack.

Design details
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. The RPV is capable of carrying a great number of ground forces, dropships, and support craft, as well as several Type-31 Seraph fighters. 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.

Armament
Though they are smaller, RPV-class light destroyers generally carry the same armament as the larger. The vessel's primary weapon is a single energy projector, which is capable of devastating even large human vessels. 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.

Operational history
On July 17, 2552, an RPV-class light destroyer, along with two frigates and a carrier, arrived at Sigma Octanus IV. 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. Several RPV-class destroyers were used during the early stages of the Great Schism.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Halo: The Cole Protocol