Seraph-class starfighter

Covenant Seraph-Class Starfighter The Seraph-Class Starfighter is assumed to be the Covenant main starfighter, and is hypothesized to be the Covenant's counterpart to the UNSC Longsword. Each Seraph has a teardrop and piscine like design possibly making it aerodynamically favourable in atmospheric conflicts. It may also be a pleasing asthetic design to Covenant eyes since such carapace-like curves are prevelant throughout Covenant design. They are stored in Covenant capital ships (both CCS-class Battlecruisers and Assault Carriers) when they are not in battle or escorting a ship.

Seraphs have exhibited a much greater maneuverability than similar human ships and have proved a troublesome foe for Longsword pilots. They usually attack in formations of ten. They sometimes harass enemy ships and perform hit-and-run strafing attacks on enemy ships. Unlike the Banshee, Seraphs are equipped with energy shields, but these are only a fraction of the strength of those on larger ships and are easily dispersed by concentrated point defense.

The Seraph has been known to be utilised as an air superiority fighter and has proved its effectiveness in this role time and time again. . Faster and harder hitting than the Banshee, the Seraph poses a significant aerial threat.

Appearances
Seraphs are a common adversary of UNSC starfighter pilots, however prior to Halo 2 they were only mentioned in the expanded universe and novels. The Seraph made its first in game appearance dog-fighting with Longsword fighters outside Cairo Station during the First Battle of Earth.

A Seraph can also be viewed in intricate detail on the levels The Arbiter and The Oracle. One of these vessels is seen in a hangar within a Heretic occupied Forerunner facility suspended within the atmosphere of the gas giant Threshold .Sesa 'Refumee, the Heretic leader, attempts to escape the giant storms of Threshold in this Seraph, but is successfully stopped by the Arbiter, who slays him in personal combat.

In the E3 2007 Halo 3 Trailer, in the shot showing the pelicans descending from the Covenant CCS-class Battlecruiser, a formation of Seraphs is harrassing the group.

Armament
As the Covenant's main space attack fighter the Seraph is armed with plasma cannons and guided plasma torpedoes for extra atmospheric combat. It is about 3 times the size and mass of the Banshee attack craft and represents a greater threat to UNSC ground and air forces.

The Seraph fighter is both powerful and fast. When the Heretic stronghold was hit by an immense storm Banshees proved useless as an escape option. Only the Seraph fighter and the Phantom were sturdy enough and fast enough to brave the fearsome force of the wind.

It is assumed that the Seraph fighter is crewed by Elite pilots, and possibly Brutes as well.