Zanar-pattern light cruiser

The CRS-class light cruiser is a Covenant capital warship classification.

Specifications
Resembling a luminous manta ray, the CRS is essentially a smaller, weaker version of the. The two classes are virtually identical in outward appearance apart from being built on different scales. As one notable difference, the CRS class bears green-glowing lights, as opposed to the white-blue lighting on the CCS-class; however, this may be due to the post-Schism Covenant's overall preference for green lights on most of their equipment. This is akin to the and the, which are likewise identical despite the latter being over five times larger than the former.

The "R", for Reverence, in the cruiser's three-letter classification code indicates that the cruiser is capable of conducting reconnaissance missions and is capable of excavating Forerunner artifacts. The "S", for Salvation, denotes that the CRS-class light cruiser is a dedicated warship capable of destroying its opponents with ventral beam weaponry.

Operational history
Several CRS-class cruisers were used over Reach during the Covenant's invasion of the planet in 2552. In the wake of the Human-Covenant War, the CRS class forms the backbone of the modern Covenant's fleet, which deployed numerous CRS-class cruisers to Requiem prior to and during the First Battle of Requiem. After finding the, one approached the ship with its shields down, not expecting a threat, intending to open fire on the Dawn. However, Spartan John-117 destroyed the cruiser with one of the Forward Unto Dawn's Hyperion nuclear missiles. Several were destroyed moments later when the gravity well of Requiem pulled them in. More CRS-class cruisers were used to deploy troops within Requiem's core. Numerous light cruisers were later sent to attack the after it crashed into Requiem, but at least two were disabled by the Infinity's defenses.

Several CRS-class cruiser were present during the Second Battle of Requiem in February 2558. Many provided escort for an that was destroyed immediately after Infinity ' s emergence from slipspace. They immediately engaged Infinity ' s s, though they were quickly destroyed or routed. Later, a CRS was deployed to Two Giants in a desperate attempt to keep the UNSC from activating the Forerunner portal technology there. Despite deploying numerous Phantoms and Banshees, it was destroyed by Infinity ' s Sub-vessel 3 and the UNSC's operation was a success. Another light cruiser attacked the UNSC base at "The Refuge", but was destroyed when Fireteam Shadow boarded and overloaded its power core. Later, several light cruisers participated in the Covenant-Promethean attack on Infinity. At least one was destroyed when Fireteam Crimson brought the Infinity's weapons back online. Several CRS light cruisers were later seen fleeing Requiem after Jul 'Mdama set the planet on a collision course with its parent star.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: First Strike
 * Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
 * The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole
 * Halo: Fall of Reach
 * Invasion
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Halo: Escalation