Orion-class assault carrier

The Orion-class assault carrier is a class of capital ship in service with the UNSC Navy during the Insurrection and the Human-Covenant War.

Design details
Considered state-of-the-art when it was introduced, the Orion-class assault carrier incorporated the miniaturized and reconfigurable automated factories and chemical processors that were commonly found in colony support vessels, allowing the carriers to produce fuel, spare parts, and rarely even complete combat vehicles without outside assistance. As such, each Orion-class assault carrier holds a number of cargo lighters and resource gatherers to support its troops and support ships in harsh expeditionary environments. Of considerable tonnage by carrier standards, the Orion outmasses both the and. These carriers also carry complements of UNSC Marines and tanks.

Armament
The Orion-class assault carrier is armed with two heavy 90C1E1 Magnetic Accelerator Cannons, which serve as the carrier's primary weapon. In addition, the assault carrier is outfitted with 70 M58 Archer missile pods and and 12 M870 Rampart point defense guns.

Ships of the line

 * – Participated in the Human-Covenant War.
 * – Lead ship of the class

Operational history
The Orion-class assault carrier was built for war against rebellious human colonies during the Insurrection. The class was conceived as a new type of carrier that could directly aid the United Nations Space Command's sustained ground operations in addition to maintaining aerospace control over contested worlds. Throughout the Insurrection, the appearance of a battle group led by an Orion-class assault carrier was seen as a symbol of the UNSC's military strength.

As the Human-Covenant War began in 2525, Orion-class assault carriers commonly served as flagships, serving in numerous battles throughout the Outer Colonies in desperate defensive actions against the Covenant. The Covenant War saw the destruction of most Orion-class carriers as many of these vessels sacrificed themselves to buy time for civilians and troops to be evacuated to the Inner Colonies. The remaining vessels of the Orion class formed the core of long-range battle groups that attempted to disrupt Covenant supply lines and staging areas, with limited success.

UNSC Orion Assault Carrier
This element features a single Orion-class assault carrier.

UNSC Supported Orion Assault Carrier
This element includes an Orion-class assault carrier and one Paris-class heavy frigate.

UNSC Reinforced Orion Assault Carrier
This element includes an Orion-class assault carriers and two Paris-class heavy frigates.

UNSC Combat Orion Assault Carrier
This element includes an Orion-class assault carriers and three Paris-class heavy frigates.

UNSC Escorted Orion Assault Carrier
This element includes an Orion-class assault carriers and one Halberd-class destroyer.

UNSC Defended Orion Assault Carrier
This element includes an Orion-class assault carrier and two Halberd-class destroyers.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Fleet Battles