Morsam-pattern Seraph

The Morsam-pattern Seraph, classified by the UNSC as the Type-31 Exoatmospheric Multirole Fighter, was one of the main production models of the Covenant's Seraph space fighters, alongside the Kai-pattern Seraph. Formerly manufactured and produced by Assembly Forges, the Seraph is the successor to the older Tarasque-class heavy fighter. It is a more powerful, though less common counterpart to the unshielded and expendable Type-27 Banshee.

Design details
The Seraph features a piscine, teardrop-like shape, fitting with the overall design elegance the Covenant is known for. Seraph fighters are mostly stored in the hangar bays of Covenant ships or stations when they are not in battle or escorting a ship. Morsam-pattern Seraphs have two movable flaps on either side of their hull, and their twin "tails" are articulated to aid with directing exhaust. These features give the Seraph superior turning capabilities in zero-gravity environments. Despite their efficiency and speed in space, Seraph fighters are graceless and sluggish in atmospheric conditions due to their odd teardrop-like shape. Seraphs fill a variety of roles in a Covenant fleet, such as a strike fighter or for ship-to-ship combat in dogfights. Seraphs can also be used for the occasional bombing run.

As the Covenant's main space-based attack fighter, the Seraph is highly maneuverable while in space, and can easily keep pace with the UNSC's GA-TL1 Longsword.

Armaments
Seraphs have demonstrated that they are a very effective counter-weapon against Longsword interceptors unless the latter attacks from the side or behind. Seraphs usually attack in formations of ten, their assaults on enemy ships range from simple harassment to full out strafing attacks. They have also been seen patrolling in pairs. It is assumed that Seraph fighters can be piloted by a single Sangheili or Jiralhanae.

The Seraph is armed with a variety of weapons. Seraphs are seen firing a heavy plasma cannon, and are also armed with a pulse laser and plasma charges for strafing and bombing runs.

Operational history
During the Fall of Reach, the Seraphs attempted to disable the UNSC ships and orbital stations over the planet Reach, while providing some cover for the Covenant boarding crews. These attempts were subsequently prevented by UNSC Sabre-class interceptors, frigates, and Longsword interceptors.

During the Skirmish over Threshold, the Covenant Ascendant Justice deployed Seraphs to stop the approach of the Longsword fighter commanded by John-117. However, John and his makeshift crew sent a remote-piloted Pelican dropship with Moray space mines attached ahead of them. Though the dropship was destroyed, the mines detached and destroyed the Seraph squadron, allowing the Longsword to land safely in Ascendant Justice's hanger bay.

Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction kept a Seraph in one of the hanger bays of the Threshold gas mine. After Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee severed the cable that kept the gas mine anchored in Threshold's atmosphere, Rtas 'Vadumee realized that Sesa 'Refumee intended to use the Seraph to escape. Thel caught up with 'Refumee in the hanger as he was about to board the Seraph and killed the heretic leader before he could use the craft to escape. The Seraph was left abandoned in the hanger and was destroyed with the gas mine when it fell into Threshold's atmosphere and was crushed.

On February 7, 2558, when the returned to the shield world Requiem to engage the local Promethean forces, numerous Seraphs belonging to Jul 'Mdama's Covenant were deployed around Requiem to prevent the humans from gaining entrance. These Seraphs attacked Infinity and the Pelicans it deployed to the surface, but were repelled by a squadron of F-41 Broadsword strike fighters.

Several Seraphs from Jul 'Mdama's Covenant attacked Infinity during the Battle of Aktis IV. Several wings saw action on both sides during the Battle of Sunaion.

Trivia

 * In the Halo: Reach post-game stats, the Seraph icon is erroneously represented by the image of a Sabre. On Halo Waypoint, the image is that of a regular Type-26 Banshee. On Bungie.net, the correct image of a Seraph is shown.
 * In the same level, there is a glitch that makes it possible to hit a Seraph with an EMP shot from a plasma pistol and hijack it.
 * It's very difficult to score a splatter kill on Seraph, as it can only be piloted in Halo: Reach and its maneuverability makes it near impossible to hit something. If one rams into another Seraph head on through the glitch, you could be splattered instead of the other Seraph.

Covenant Seraph Interceptor Flight

 * Flight slots: 1
 * Movement: 16"
 * Damage track: 2
 * Systems loadout: None
 * Weapons: vs. wing targets
 * Range: Contact
 * Dice: 2

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops
 * Halo: Escalation
 * Halo: Fleet Battles
 * Halo: Ground Command
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo: Fireteam Raven