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{{Title|''Charon''-class light frigate}}
{{Title|''Charon''-class light frigate}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ship class infobox
{{Infobox/Ships
|name= ''Charon''-class light frigate
|name           = ''Charon''-class
|image= [[File:UNSC Aegis Fate.png|300px]]
|image           = [[File:UNSC Aegis Fate.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}
|caption        =
|class=
|modules        =
|length={{Convert|1606.65|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}<ref name="H3GameData">'''[[Halo 3]]''' ''3D game data''</ref>
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|width={{Convert|510.42|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3GameData}}
|hide-class          =
|height={{Convert|456.68|ft|m|sp=us|sigfig=5|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3GameData}}
|class identification = [[Hull classification symbol]]: '''FFG'''{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
|engine= [[Deuterium fusion reactor|Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR]]<ref name="Bulletin 10.10.12">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx '''Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20140730210813/https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-101012- Archive.org])</ref>
|class operator      = *[[CMA Navy]]{{Ref/Film|TFoRAS}}
|mass=0.65 million metric tons{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}
*[[UNSC Navy]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}
|slipspace drive= [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Series IV CODEN/SFTE]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|class manufacturer   = [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}
|othersystems=
|class architect      =
|hull= 60cm [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A plating]]<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 259'' (2011)</ref>
|class built          =
|armament= *1 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3/MAC]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|class in service    = [[2501]] or earlier-present{{Ref/Anthology|Id=The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole|Evo|Story=The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole}}{{Ref/Note|The [[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]] states that the Charon entered service in [[2520]], which contradicts appearances of two earlier frigates, the insurrectionist vessels [[Bellicose]] and the [[Iliad]]. They where first spotted in [[2501]] and [[2513]] respectively}}{{Ref/Note|Id=ProductionNotes|See [[#Production notes|production notes]] section for full details}}
*50 [[M58 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
}}
*4 [[M870 Rampart point defense gun|M870 Rampart 50mm point defense guns]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|hide-characteristics=
*3 [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system]] silos{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|nocollapse      = yes
|complement=
|type            = [[UNSC frigate|Frigate]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p123|Enc22|Page=123}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG|H4EVG|Page=186-187}}
*Total: 782<ref name="FUD 1">'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 1''</ref>
|length         = {{Convert|1607|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=74, 76}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
**[[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]
|width           = {{Convert|510|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
***[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]
|height         = {{Convert|457|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
**At least 2 [[D96-TCE Albatross]]es<ref>'''Halo 3''' level ''[[Sandtrap]]''</ref>
|mass            = 0.65 million tonnes{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}
**At least 7 [[D77H-TCI Pelican]]s<ref name="H3TheArk">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark]]''</ref>
|power          =
**[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s
|maneuver drive  = [[Deuterium fusion reactor|Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR]]{{Ref/Site|Id=Bulletin 10.10.12|URL=http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/10/The-Halo-Bulletin-101012-.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12|D=30|M=07|Y=2014}}
**[[M12 Warthog]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
|slipspace drive = [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Series IV CODEN/SFTE]]{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}
|crew            = 782 {{C|includes troop complement and sailors}}{{Ref/Film|Id=FUD 1|H4FUD|Detail=0:36}}
|complement      =
**At least 2 [[D96-TCE Albatross]]es{{Ref/Map|Id=H3Sandtrap|H3|Sandtrap}}
**At least 2 [[M313 Elephant]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3Sandtrap|H3Sandtrap}}
**At least 7 [[D77H-TCI Pelican]]s{{Ref/Level|Id=H3TheArk|H3|The Ark}}
**[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[M12 Warthog]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}{{Ref/Reuse|Id=H3Sandtrap|H3Sandtrap}}
**At least 3 [[M808C Scorpion]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**At least 3 [[M808C Scorpion]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[AV-14 Hornet]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
**[[AV-14 Hornet]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
|role=*Escort of capital ships
|troops          = [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marines]] and [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
*Expeditionary land warfare support
|hull            = [[Titanium-A armor]]
|introduced=[[2520]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p123|Enc22|Page=123}}
|shielding      =
|affiliation= [[UNSC Navy]]
|sensors        =  
|era=[[Insurrection]]<br>[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|ew              =
|armaments      =  
*1 [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3/MAC]]{{Ref/Game|Id=H3Model|H3|Charon-class frigate in-game model}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
*10 [[M58 Archer missile]] pods{{Ref/Reuse|H3Model}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|ProductionNotes}}
*4 [[M870 Rampart point defense gun|M870 Rampart 50mm point defense guns]]{{Ref/Reuse|H3Model}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
|aircraft        =
*3 [[D77-TC Pelican]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
*12 [[M8823 drop pod]]s{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
|air facilities  =
*1 primary [[hangar bay]] in the lower mast{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
*12 [[drop pod]] launch bays{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
}}
}}
The '''''Charon''-class light frigate''' is a type of [[Frigate|escort ship]] in service with the [[UNSC Navy]].<ref name="essential">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 76''</ref> Ships of this class are used primarily in fleet escort duties and planetary defense.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}
The '''''Charon''-class light frigate''' is a type of [[UNSC frigate|escort ship]] manufactured by [[SinoViet Heavy Machinery]] and formerly in service with the [[CMA Navy]] and [[UNSC Navy]]. Ships of this class are used primarily in fleet escort duties, planetary defense, and the landing & deployment of [[UNSC Marine Corps|mobile troops]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}}


==Design details==
==Overview==
===Hull and complement===
===Design details===
At 490 meters in length, the ''Charon'' is a rather small vessel. Owing to its enlarged hangar bay, the ''Charon''-class frigate is better suited to landing forces groundside than other frigate classes.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} The ship's sublight power plant is a [[Deuterium fusion reactor|Naoto Technologies: V4/L deuterium fusion reactor]]. Translight power is provided by a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Series IV CODEN Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]].{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}} The Charon has a maximum crew and complement of 782.{{Ref/Reuse|FUD 1}} It can carry several [[Pelican]] dropships as well as an assortment of ground and air vehicles. These include [[M808 Scorpion]]s and its variants, [[AV-14 Hornet]]s, and various varieties of [[M12 Warthog]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
At 490 meters in length, the ''Charon'' is one of the smaller vessels in UNSC service. It utilises the standard design style followed by its siblings, the {{Class|Paris|heavy frigate}} and {{Class|Stalwart|light frigate}}, with twin hull booms located at the ship's fore - one of which containing the ship's primary keel-mounted [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]. The sides of the ship contain flight pods with reaction control system (RCS) thrusters and defensive turrets, alongside ventral elevators for loading supplies down onto a planetary surface.{{Ref/Reuse|H3Model}}  


The hangar bay on the ''Charon''-class has a large opening on its aft wall. Three elevators are installed in the floor of the bay, which can either retract to allow for the launch of its embarked Pelicans, or extended to deploy its fleet of Scorpions and Warthogs to the surface.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
Owing to its enlarged hangar bay, the ''Charon''-class frigate is better suited to landing forces groundside than other frigate classes.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} The ship's sublight power plant is a [[Deuterium fusion reactor|Naoto Technologies: V4/L deuterium fusion reactor]]. Translight power is provided by a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|Series IV CODEN Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]].{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
 
===Crew and complement===
The Charon has a maximum crew and complement of 782.{{Ref/Reuse|FUD 1}} It can carry several [[Pelican]] dropships as well as an assortment of ground and air vehicles. These include [[M808 Scorpion]]s and its variants, [[AV-14 Hornet]]s, and various varieties of [[M12 Warthog]]s. 12 [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOIEV]] deployment bays line the aft-most portions of the ship's ventral surface, each capable of deploying an [[M8823 drop pod]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}}
 
The ''Charon'' boasts one of the largest hangar bays by volume of any frigate in the fleet,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}} with the lower hangar fitted with a large opening on its aft wall. Three elevators are installed in the floor of the bay, which can either retract to allow for the launch of its embarked Pelicans, or extended to deploy its fleet of Scorpions and Warthogs to the surface.{{Ref/Reuse|H3TheArk}} 32 lifeboats of unknown class are installed on the ship - three on the port and starboard sides of the [[bridge]], 8 on the upper MAC boom, and five on the ventral hulls of the port and starboard modules.{{Ref/Reuse|H3Model}}


===Armament===
===Armament===
The ''Charon''-class frigate's primary armament is a [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}} It also boasts fifty [[Archer missile#M58 Archer|M58 Archer missile]] pods,{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}{{Ref/Note|By the standards of UNSC frigates, this number (given in reference to the [[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'']] by Halo Bulletin 10.10.12) is unusually high. For comparison, the [[UNSC In Amber Clad|UNSC ''In Amber Clad'']], a [[Stalwart-class light frigate|''Stalwart''-class light frigate]], is stated to have possessed 16 M58 Archer pods, and the [[UNSC Commonwealth|UNSC ''Commonwealth'']], a [[Paris-class heavy frigate|''Paris''-class heavy frigate]], is stated to have possessed 26. It is possible that the 50 pods figure for the Charon-class is an error, or that the individual pods are much smaller than those of other UNSC ships for an unknown reason.}}, and four dual-mount [[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]s are installed on the port and starboard hangar bays, one on the dorsal surface and one below.<ref name= "TheStorm">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Storm]]'', closing cutscene</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}} Additionally, the ''Charon'' sports three [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system]] silos{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}, which are capable of destroying an unshielded {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}.<ref name="Dawn">'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Dawn]]''</ref>
The ''Charon''-class is lightly armed when compared to its peers. With the ship well-suited for carrying and landing troops onto a planet,{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} its armaments are more geared toward providing local fire support.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p123}} frigate's primary armament is a [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}} It also boasts 10 [[Archer missile#M58 Archer|M58 Archer missile]] pods, with two lining the port and starboard sides of the upper MAC boom and a further pod mounted on each of the two large "wings" flanking the engines of the ship. A further Archer pod is located on the ventral surface of each of the port and starboard modules, with a final Archer located on the port and starboard sides of the ship's belly, just forward of the SOIEV deployment bays.{{Ref/Reuse|H3Model}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|ProductionNotes}}
 
Supplementing the MAC and missiles are four dual-mount [[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]s installed on the port and starboard hangar bays, one on the dorsal surface and one below.{{Ref/Reuse|H3Model}}{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}} Additionally, the ''Charon'' sports three [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system]] silos{{Ref/Reuse|Bulletin 10.10.12}}, which are capable of destroying an unshielded {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}.{{Ref/Level|H4|Dawn}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}


==Ships of the line==
==Ships of the line==
;[[UNSC Navy]]
*{{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}} (FFG-307)
*{{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}} (FFG-307)
*[[CMA Arabia|CMA ''Arabia'']]
*''[[Bellicose]]''
*{{UNSCShip|Charon}}
*{{UNSCShip|Charon}}
*{{UNSCShip|Chioglossa}} (FFG-127)
*{{UNSCShip|Chioglossa}} (FFG-127)
*{{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} (FFG-201)
*{{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} (FFG-201)
*{{UNSCShip|Providence}} (FFG-334)
*[[Unidentified UNSC frigate (Algolis)|Algolis-based frigate]]
;[[CMA Navy]]
*[[CMA Arabia|CMA ''Arabia'']]
*[[CMA Vostok|CMA ''Vostok'']]
;[[Insurrectionist]]
*''[[Bellicose]]''  - formerly UNSC ''Bellerophon''
*''[[Iliad]]''
*''[[Iliad]]''
*[[CMA Vostok|CMA ''Vostok'']]
*[[Unidentified UNSC frigate (Algolis)|Algolis-based frigate]]


==Production notes==
==Production notes==
*The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was [[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|drastically redesigned]] in ''[[Halo 4]]'', including a restructured hull and the addition of several point defense guns. Though [[343 Industries]] writer [[Jeff Easterling]] has clarified that the ''Charon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s original design is canon,<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Canon Fodder - Have S'moa'']</ref> the redesign served as the basis of the {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 192''</ref>
{{Main|Cut Halo 3 vehicles#Frigates}}
During an [[:File:H3 Script FirstDraft.pdf|early draft]] of the ''Halo 3'' script written by Rob Stokes, the role fulfilled by the ''Charon'' in the final game was given to the ''Stalwart''-class originally introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]''. In this early draft, [[Battle Group Victory]] was to consist of [[seven]] vessels, with a handful named as {{UNSCShip|Providence}}, {{UNSCShip|Madrid}}, {{UNSCShip|Ningbo}}, and {{UNSCShip|Ophir}}. The ''Providence'' was an early production name for what would become ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in the final game, and appears in a few pieces of early concept art. During the frigate's production, a concept produced by [[Isaac Hannaford]] depicts a ship by the name of {{UNSCShip|Andraste}} - notably, this design differs in several key areas from the final ''Charon'' design, and was later recreated near 1:1 in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' as the ''Paris''-class heavy frigate. This artwork would ultimately appear in ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]'' and the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', well before ''Reach'' had finished development.
 
===''Halo 4'' redesign, canon status, and inconsistencies===
The ''Forward Unto Dawn'' was [[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|drastically redesigned]] in ''[[Halo 4]]'', including a restructured hull and the addition of several point defense guns. Though [[343 Industries]] writer [[Jeff Easterling]] has clarified that the ''Charon''{{'}}s original design is canon,{{Ref/Site|Id=canonfodder|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Have S'moa|D=16|M=3|Y=2021}} the redesign served as the basis of the {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=192}} The ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]'' later intentionally used an image of UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' from ''Halo 3'', confirming this intent.
 
The ''Halo 4''-provided statistics for the weapons complement of the class are inconsistent with the canon ''[[Halo 3]]'' visual design for the frigate. While the ''Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)'' did reuse these figures, this Halopedia page has intentionally chosen to ignore these numbers due to the irreconcilable discrepancies. The primary reason here is that the numbers provided for weapons are based on the ''Halo 4'' iteration of the ship, which was [[:File:FUD H3-Hyperion H4-scaled2.jpg|several times larger]] than the canon ''Halo 3'' iteration. While the ''Halo 3'' model is consistent with the stats' single MAC and 4 M870 Rampart defensive turrets, the missile complements are wildly off. The ''Halo 4''-provided stats list 50 M58 Archer missile pods and 3 massive [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|M4093 Hyperion silos]] - a missile loadout that would never feasibly be able to fit inside the ship. For comparison, a ''Paris''-class heavy frigate has 26 M58 Archers, a {{Class|Mulsanne|light frigate}} has 20, and the ''Stalwart''-class light frigate has 16. The canon ''Halo 3'' in-game model for the ''Charon''-class frigate has 10 Archer pods, something much more consistent with the other established numbers for the similarly-sized frigates of the UNSC Navy. As such, Halopedia has chosen to ignore
 
The 2022 ''Halo Encyclopedia'' introduced a further inconsistency for the ''Charon''{{'}}s service life, establishing the vessel as entering service in [[2520]]. This is contradicted by the insurrectionist-captured ''Charon''s ''[[Bellicose]]'' and ''[[Iliad]]'', which have been observed as active in [[2501]] and [[2513]], respectively. As such, Halopedia has also chosen to treat the 2520 number as a [[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)#Mistakes|mistake]] within the encyclopedia, until such a time as a clarification can be provided from [[343 Industries]].


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The class potentially is named after either [[Wikipedia:Charon (mythology)|Charon]], a minor god who ferried the souls of the dead to the underworld in Greek mythology, or after a [[Wikipedia:Charon (moon)|natural satellite]] of [[Pluto]].
The class potentially is named after either [[Wikipedia:Charon (mythology)|Charon]], a minor god who ferried the souls of the dead to the underworld in Greek mythology, or after a [[Wikipedia:Charon (moon)|natural satellite]] of [[Pluto]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Charon-class light frigates}}
===Canon ''Halo 3'' design===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H3 SpaceBattle Concept.jpg|Concept art for the [[Battle of Installation 00]], featuring UNSC ''Providence'' and multiple frigates.
File:H3 ProvidenceBattle Concept.png|More concept art, as used in the 2009 ''Halo Encyclopedia''.
File:H3 UNSCAndraste Concept.png|''Charon''-class concept art later reused for the ''Paris''-class in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:H3-UNSCForwardUntoDawnFrigate.png|UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:H3-UNSCForwardUntoDawnFrigate.png|UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:H3-UNSCFrigateAegisFate.png|UNSC ''Aegis Fate''.
File:H3-UNSCFrigateAegisFate.png|UNSC ''Aegis Fate''.
File:Mac.jpg|A trio of ''Charon''s assault the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] near [[Voi]].
File:Mac.jpg|A trio of ''Charon''s assault the [[Anodyne Spirit|Forerunner Dreadnought]] near [[Voi]].
File:Storm1.jpg|Two frigates incapacitated by the activation of the [[Portal at Voi]].
File:UNSC Longsword and Frigate siz comaprisson.jpg|A comparison between a [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] and a ''Charon''-class frigate.
File:UNSC Longsword and Frigate siz comaprisson.jpg|A comparison between a [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] and a ''Charon''-class frigate.
File:Forward Unto Dawn Landing.jpg|The underside of a ''Charon''-class frigate.
File:Forward Unto Dawn Landing.jpg|The underside of a ''Charon''-class frigate.
Line 72: Line 116:
File:DawnBase.jpg|A ''Charon''-class frigate lowering its cargo bay for the insertion of ground forces and vehicles onto the battlefield. Note the hinged arms on the right side.
File:DawnBase.jpg|A ''Charon''-class frigate lowering its cargo bay for the insertion of ground forces and vehicles onto the battlefield. Note the hinged arms on the right side.
File:Fud bridge.JPG|The bridge of a ''Charon''-class vessel.
File:Fud bridge.JPG|The bridge of a ''Charon''-class vessel.
File:H4-Concept-Charon-Frigate.jpg|Concept art of the redesigned ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:HM SiegeAtVoi.jpg|The seven ''Charon''s of Battle Group Victory during the [[Battle of Voi]].
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-2.jpg|Concept art of the back end of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''.
</gallery>
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-1.jpg|Concept art of the profile view of the ''Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''.
 
File:Infinity fud scale.jpg|Size comparison of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} against a ''Charon''-class light frigate.
===Non-canon ''Halo 4'' design===
<gallery>
File:Planet 1.jpg|The aft half of the ''Dawn'' being pulled into Requiem in the [[Halo 4 announcement trailer|''Halo 4'' announcement trailer]].
File:H4FUD Forward Unto Dawn.jpg|The ''Dawn'' in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
File:H4 DawnCryoBay Preproduction Concept.jpg|Extremely early pre-production concept art for ''Forward Unto Dawn''s cryo bay in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-1.jpg|Early concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' for ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-2.jpg|Profile design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:H4-Concept-Charon-Frigate.jpg|Finalized concept art of the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' prior to being "halved".
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-3.jpg|Engine design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:H4-Concept-Dawn-Explorations-4.jpg|Engine design concepts of the ''Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:Infinity fud scale.jpg|Size comparison between the ''Infinity'' and ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4fudback.jpg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s aft half drifting in space in ''Halo 4''.
File:Dawn.jpeg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s cryobay.
File:H4-Dawn-OperationsRoom.jpg|The ''Dawn''{{'}}s operations room.
File:Covenant fleet surrounding FUD.jpg|Jul 'Mdama's fleet converging around the ''Forward Unto Dawn'' in ''Halo 4''{{'}}s [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:Megabrand - Forward unto Dawn.jpg|An intact ''Halo 4'' ''Forward Unto Dawn'' signature toy by [[MEGA Brands]].
File:H4 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn render.jpg|A side view of the model used in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn views-renders.jpg|Angled views of the model used in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4TEVG-FUD-AftHalf-Side.png|Model as seen in ''Halo 4''.
File:HE-DawnAft.png|The aft section of the UNSC ''Forward Unto Dawn'' as seen in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Charon-class light frigates}}
{{Clear}}


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==

Latest revision as of 02:59, March 28, 2024

Charon-class
UNSC Aegis Fate.png
Class attributes

Identification:

Hull classification symbol: FFG[1][2]

Operators:

Manufacturer:

SinoViet Heavy Machinery[4]

In service:

2501 or earlier-present[5][Note 1][Note 2]

General characteristics

Type:

Frigate[4][2]

Length:

490 meters (1,607 ft)[4][1][2]

Width:

160 meters (510 ft)[1][2]

Height:

139 meters (457 ft)[2]

Mass:

0.65 million tonnes[4]

Maneuver drive:

Naoto Technologies: V4/L-DFR[6]

Slipspace drive:

Series IV CODEN/SFTE[6]

Crew:

782 (includes troop complement and sailors)[7]

Complement:

Troops:

UNSC Marines and Orbital Drop Shock Troopers[9]

Hull:

Titanium-A armor

Armaments:

Air wing:

Air facilities:

 

The Charon-class light frigate is a type of escort ship manufactured by SinoViet Heavy Machinery and formerly in service with the CMA Navy and UNSC Navy. Ships of this class are used primarily in fleet escort duties, planetary defense, and the landing & deployment of mobile troops.[1][4]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

At 490 meters in length, the Charon is one of the smaller vessels in UNSC service. It utilises the standard design style followed by its siblings, the Paris-class heavy frigate and Stalwart-class light frigate, with twin hull booms located at the ship's fore - one of which containing the ship's primary keel-mounted Magnetic Accelerator Cannon. The sides of the ship contain flight pods with reaction control system (RCS) thrusters and defensive turrets, alongside ventral elevators for loading supplies down onto a planetary surface.[10]

Owing to its enlarged hangar bay, the Charon-class frigate is better suited to landing forces groundside than other frigate classes.[1] The ship's sublight power plant is a Naoto Technologies: V4/L deuterium fusion reactor. Translight power is provided by a Series IV CODEN Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine.[6][2]

Crew and complement[edit]

The Charon has a maximum crew and complement of 782.[7] It can carry several Pelican dropships as well as an assortment of ground and air vehicles. These include M808 Scorpions and its variants, AV-14 Hornets, and various varieties of M12 Warthogs. 12 SOIEV deployment bays line the aft-most portions of the ship's ventral surface, each capable of deploying an M8823 drop pod.[9]

The Charon boasts one of the largest hangar bays by volume of any frigate in the fleet,[4] with the lower hangar fitted with a large opening on its aft wall. Three elevators are installed in the floor of the bay, which can either retract to allow for the launch of its embarked Pelicans, or extended to deploy its fleet of Scorpions and Warthogs to the surface.[9] 32 lifeboats of unknown class are installed on the ship - three on the port and starboard sides of the bridge, 8 on the upper MAC boom, and five on the ventral hulls of the port and starboard modules.[10]

Armament[edit]

The Charon-class is lightly armed when compared to its peers. With the ship well-suited for carrying and landing troops onto a planet,[1] its armaments are more geared toward providing local fire support.[4] frigate's primary armament is a Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon.[6] It also boasts 10 M58 Archer missile pods, with two lining the port and starboard sides of the upper MAC boom and a further pod mounted on each of the two large "wings" flanking the engines of the ship. A further Archer pod is located on the ventral surface of each of the port and starboard modules, with a final Archer located on the port and starboard sides of the ship's belly, just forward of the SOIEV deployment bays.[10][Note 2]

Supplementing the MAC and missiles are four dual-mount M870 Rampart point defense guns installed on the port and starboard hangar bays, one on the dorsal surface and one below.[10][6][2] Additionally, the Charon sports three M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system silos[6], which are capable of destroying an unshielded Zanar-pattern light cruiser.[11][2]

Ships of the line[edit]

UNSC Navy
CMA Navy
Insurrectionist

Production notes[edit]

Main article: Cut Halo 3 vehicles#Frigates

During an early draft of the Halo 3 script written by Rob Stokes, the role fulfilled by the Charon in the final game was given to the Stalwart-class originally introduced in Halo 2. In this early draft, Battle Group Victory was to consist of seven vessels, with a handful named as UNSC Providence, UNSC Madrid, UNSC Ningbo, and UNSC Ophir. The Providence was an early production name for what would become Forward Unto Dawn in the final game, and appears in a few pieces of early concept art. During the frigate's production, a concept produced by Isaac Hannaford depicts a ship by the name of UNSC Andraste - notably, this design differs in several key areas from the final Charon design, and was later recreated near 1:1 in Halo: Reach as the Paris-class heavy frigate. This artwork would ultimately appear in The Art of Halo 3 and the Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), well before Reach had finished development.

Halo 4 redesign, canon status, and inconsistencies[edit]

The Forward Unto Dawn was drastically redesigned in Halo 4, including a restructured hull and the addition of several point defense guns. Though 343 Industries writer Jeff Easterling has clarified that the Charon's original design is canon,[12] the redesign served as the basis of the Strident-class heavy frigate.[13] The Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) later intentionally used an image of UNSC Forward Unto Dawn from Halo 3, confirming this intent.

The Halo 4-provided statistics for the weapons complement of the class are inconsistent with the canon Halo 3 visual design for the frigate. While the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) did reuse these figures, this Halopedia page has intentionally chosen to ignore these numbers due to the irreconcilable discrepancies. The primary reason here is that the numbers provided for weapons are based on the Halo 4 iteration of the ship, which was several times larger than the canon Halo 3 iteration. While the Halo 3 model is consistent with the stats' single MAC and 4 M870 Rampart defensive turrets, the missile complements are wildly off. The Halo 4-provided stats list 50 M58 Archer missile pods and 3 massive M4093 Hyperion silos - a missile loadout that would never feasibly be able to fit inside the ship. For comparison, a Paris-class heavy frigate has 26 M58 Archers, a Mulsanne-class light frigate has 20, and the Stalwart-class light frigate has 16. The canon Halo 3 in-game model for the Charon-class frigate has 10 Archer pods, something much more consistent with the other established numbers for the similarly-sized frigates of the UNSC Navy. As such, Halopedia has chosen to ignore

The 2022 Halo Encyclopedia introduced a further inconsistency for the Charon's service life, establishing the vessel as entering service in 2520. This is contradicted by the insurrectionist-captured Charons Bellicose and Iliad, which have been observed as active in 2501 and 2513, respectively. As such, Halopedia has also chosen to treat the 2520 number as a mistake within the encyclopedia, until such a time as a clarification can be provided from 343 Industries.

Trivia[edit]

The class potentially is named after either Charon, a minor god who ferried the souls of the dead to the underworld in Greek mythology, or after a natural satellite of Pluto.

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Canon Halo 3 design[edit]

  • Concept art for the Battle of Installation 00, featuring UNSC Providence and multiple frigates.

    Concept art for the Battle of Installation 00, featuring UNSC Providence and multiple frigates.

  • More concept art, as used in the 2009 Halo Encyclopedia.

    More concept art, as used in the 2009 Halo Encyclopedia.

  • Charon-class concept art later reused for the Paris-class in Halo: Reach.

    Charon-class concept art later reused for the Paris-class in Halo: Reach.

  • UNSC Forward Unto Dawn.

    UNSC Forward Unto Dawn.

  • UNSC Aegis Fate.

    UNSC Aegis Fate.

  • A trio of Charons assault the Forerunner Dreadnought near Voi.

    A trio of Charons assault the Forerunner Dreadnought near Voi.

  • Two frigates incapacitated by the activation of the Portal at Voi.

    Two frigates incapacitated by the activation of the Portal at Voi.

  • A comparison between a Longsword and a Charon-class frigate.

    A comparison between a Longsword and a Charon-class frigate.

  • The underside of a Charon-class frigate.

    The underside of a Charon-class frigate.

  • A Charon-class frigate's SOEIV hatches (along the center).

    A Charon-class frigate's SOEIV hatches (along the center).

  • A Charon-class frigate lowering its cargo bay for the insertion of ground forces and vehicles onto the battlefield. Note the hinged arms on the right side.

    A Charon-class frigate lowering its cargo bay for the insertion of ground forces and vehicles onto the battlefield. Note the hinged arms on the right side.

  • The bridge of a Charon-class vessel.

    The bridge of a Charon-class vessel.

  • The seven Charons of Battle Group Victory during the Battle of Voi.

    The seven Charons of Battle Group Victory during the Battle of Voi.

Non-canon Halo 4 design[edit]

  • The aft half of the Dawn being pulled into Requiem in the Halo 4 announcement trailer.

    The aft half of the Dawn being pulled into Requiem in the Halo 4 announcement trailer.

  • Extremely early pre-production concept art for Forward Unto Dawns cryo bay in Halo 4.

    Extremely early pre-production concept art for Forward Unto Dawns cryo bay in Halo 4.

  • Early concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn for Halo 4.

    Early concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn for Halo 4.

  • Profile design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

    Profile design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

  • Finalized concept art of the Forward Unto Dawn prior to being "halved".

    Finalized concept art of the Forward Unto Dawn prior to being "halved".

  • Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

    Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

  • Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

    Engine design concepts of the Forward Unto Dawn.

  • Size comparison between the Infinity and Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4.

    Size comparison between the Infinity and Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4.

  • The Dawn's aft half drifting in space in Halo 4.

    The Dawn's aft half drifting in space in Halo 4.

  • The Dawn's cryobay.

    The Dawn's cryobay.

  • The Dawn's operations room.

    The Dawn's operations room.

  • Jul 'Mdama's fleet converging around the Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4's terminals.

    Jul 'Mdama's fleet converging around the Forward Unto Dawn in Halo 4's terminals.

  • An intact Halo 4 Forward Unto Dawn signature toy by MEGA Brands.

    An intact Halo 4 Forward Unto Dawn signature toy by MEGA Brands.

  • A side view of the model used in Halo 4.

    A side view of the model used in Halo 4.

  • Angled views of the model used in Halo 4.

    Angled views of the model used in Halo 4.

  • Model as seen in Halo 4.

    Model as seen in Halo 4.

  • The aft section of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn as seen in Halo: Escalation.

    The aft section of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn as seen in Halo: Escalation.

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) states that the Charon entered service in 2520, which contradicts appearances of two earlier frigates, the insurrectionist vessels Bellicose and the Iliad. They where first spotted in 2501 and 2513 respectively
  2. ^ a b c See production notes section for full details

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 74, 76
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 186-187
  3. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach – The Animated Series
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 123
  5. ^ Halo: Evolutions - The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Waypoint, The Halo Bulletin: 10.10.12 (Retrieved on Jul 30, 2014) [archive]
  7. ^ a b Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn: 0:36
  8. ^ a b c Halo 3, multiplayer map Sandtrap
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Halo 3, Charon-class frigate in-game model
  11. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Dawn
  12. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Have S'moa (Retrieved on Mar 16, 2021) [archive]
  13. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 192

v • d • e
 
Human ship classifications
Stealth craft
Heavy frigates Paris-class • Strident-class
Light frigates Anlace-class • Charon-class • Mulsanne-class • Stalwart-class
Heavy destroyers Able-class • Hillsborough-class
Light destroyers Diligence-class • Halberd-class • Unidentified
Heavy cruisers Autumn-class • Marathon-class • Valiant-class
Light cruisers Halcyon-class
Unclassified
By human faction: UEG (UNSC • CAA) • Insurrectionist
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