Epoch-class heavy carrier: Difference between revisions

|class=*[[Carrier]]<ref name="warfleet"/>

|role=*Single-ship deployment<ref name="warfleet"/>

*Support and interdiction<ref name="warfleet"/>

*Escort of other capital ships<ref name="warfleet"/>

|mass=35 million metric tons<ref name="warfleet"/>

|armament=*1 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|56A2F9 light MAC]]<ref name="warfleet"/>

*2 [[Mark 15 Breakwater naval coilgun]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>

*12 [[M66 Sentry autocannon]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>

*20 [[Bident missile#M4020 Bident|M4020 Bident missile]] pods<ref name="warfleet"/>

*70 [[Archer missiles#M58 Archer|M58 Archer missile]] pods<ref name="warfleet"/>

*12 [[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>

*20 [[M810 Helix point defense gun]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>

|complement=*800 [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]<ref name="warfleet"/>

*36 [[dropship]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>

*24 [[space fighter]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>

|crew=1,300 sailors<ref name="warfleet"/>

|era=*[[Insurrection]]<ref name="warfleet"/>

*[[Human-Covenant War]]<ref name="warfleet"/>

|affiliation=[[UNSC Navy]]<ref name="warfleet"/>

The '''''Epoch''-class heavy carrier''' is a [[UNSC carrier|warship class]] in service with the [[UNSC Navy]] with a [[hull classification symbol]] of '''CV'''.<ref name="warfleet"/> A ship of the line was assigned to [[Battlegroup Leviathan]] at some point during the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name="Tabletop">[http://www.spartangames.co.uk/spartan-games-is-to-produce-halo-tabletop-miniatures-games ''Spartan Games'': "Spartan Games is to produce Halo tabletop miniatures games"]</ref>

The heaviest variety of carrier in service behind only the immense supercarriers, the ''Epoch'' class' tonnage exceeds that of both the ''[[Poseidon-class light carrier|Poseidon]]'' and the ''[[Orion-class assault carrier|Orion]]'' classes. Often forming the core of most [[UNSC fleet]]s, the heavy carrier is capable of taking extreme damage in combat.<ref name="canon fodder"/>

The ''Epoch''{{'}}s primary armament lies is its [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|56A2F9 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]], a rapid-fire variant of the MAC normally mounted on {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate|frigates}}. The ''Epoch'' often lent its firepower in coordinated volleys, despite the 56A2F9's intended use as a purely defensive weapon. The MAC is supplemented by two [[Mark 15 Breakwater naval coilgun]]s on the prow. To defend against fighters and smaller attack ships that usually break through its escorting battle group, the ship possesses twelve [[M66 Sentry autocannon]]s and [[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]s, although these are ineffective against larger [[Covenant]] warships. Supplementing the Ramparts are twenty [[M810 Helix point defense guns]]. Seventy [[Archer missile#M58 Archer|M58 Archer missile]] pods are fitted onto the hull for attacking strikecraft and larger ships, while a further twenty pods of [[Bident missile]]s are mounted on the wings. Although normally intended for use against other starships, the standard nuclear-pumped X-ray laser warhead can be replaced with kinetic rod bundles or fusion warheads ideal for surface bombardment.<ref name="warfleet"/>

All ''Epoch''-class heavy carriers have an embarked complement of both aerospace and ground units, which are crucial to their operation in UNSC battle groups. Eight hundred UNSC Marines - a full [[battalion]] - are designed to be accommodated on these capital ships. Twelve hangars are also fitted, each of which holds three [[Pelican]] [[dropship]]s and two [[space fighter]]s. Spacecraft which are too large to be stored in these, such as the [[GA-TL1 Longsword#C709|C709 Longsword]], can dock to the ship using a series of clamps and access umbilicals. An ''Epoch''-class heavy carrier is capable of projecting UNSC naval power by dominating a planet's orbit, and then deploy its strike fighters and troop transports to high-value areas on the surface.<ref name="warfleet"/>

1,300 naval personnel are needed to effectively man an ''Epoch''-class carrier. Like all UNSC carriers, their flight crews are made up of a combination of UNSC Navy and Marine Corps servicemen, which are administratively divided into 'blue' and 'green' sides, respectively. While working within the hangar and supporting flight operations, they wear colored jerseys to distinguish their occupation. For example, red is for ordnance handlers, white is for safety personnel, and green is for technicians.<ref name="warfleet"/>

The ''Epoch''-class heavy carrier was created for ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''. Its design is based on concept art for ''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Halo Wars]]'', and ''[[Halo 4]]'', as well as concepts from [[Blur Studio]]. The carrier went through more revisions than any other ship designed for the game. The ''Epoch'' deliberately combines features from various UNSC ships to document a transition between wartime and post-war UNSC vessels. The general structure of the hull is clearly influenced by the {{Class|Phoenix|colony ship}}, albeit with a more martial aesthetic. Its telescoping prow and overlapping armor panels are meant to evoke the contemporary ''[[Halcyon-class light cruiser|Halcyon]]'' and ''[[Marathon-class heavy cruiser|Marathon]]''-class cruisers, while its paneling and overall length foreshadow the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.<ref name="canon fodder"/>