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{{Title|''CAS''-class assault carrier}}
{{Title|''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Newcontent|[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]}}
{{Redirect|CAS-class assault carrier|other ships of a similar classification|Covenant assault carrier}}
{{Redirect|Assault carrier|the UNSC carrier|Orion-class assault carrier}}
{{Infobox/Ships
{{Ship class infobox
|name           = ''Kerel''-pattern
|name= ''CAS''-class assault carrier
|image           = [[File:H3 Assault Carrier render.png|300px]]
|image={{tabcontainer|title1=Kerel-pattern|content1=[[File:H3 Assault Carrier render.png|300px]]|title2=Syfon-pattern|content2=[[File:HFB - CAS carrier top.jpg|300px]]|title3=Unknown pattern|content3=[[File:HR CAS assaultcarrier Render2.png|300px]]}}
|caption        =
|manufacturer=
|modules        =  
|class=[[Carrier|Assault carrier]]
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|role=*Ship-to-ship combat
|hide-class          =
*Fighter/interceptor deployment
|class identification = UNSC [[Three-letter ship classification system|Three-letter code]]: '''CAS'''{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}
*Atmospheric fire support
|class operator      =  
*Command and control
*[[Covenant]]
|length= {{Convert|5347|m|ft}} <ref name="visual">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 28''</ref><ref name="HBO">[[:File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|HBO image that demonstrates the size and scale of starships in the Halo Universe]]</ref><ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 264''</ref>
*[[Covenant remnants]] {{C|See [[#Operators|operators]]}}
|width= {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}<ref name="shadow">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent ''Halo Waypoint'': Shadow of Intent]</ref>
|class manufacturer   =  
|height= {{Convert|746|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|shadow}}
|class architect      =  
|mass=2.7 billion tonnes<ref name="Warfleet">'''[[Halo: Warfleet]]''', ''page 70-71''</ref>
|class built          =
|power=[[Pinch fusion reactor]]
|class in service    =  
|engine=3× ''Raphyus''-pattern [[Repulsor engine]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
}}
|slipspace drive=''Primus''-pattern [[borer]] {{C|CODEN Series VI equivalent}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|hide-characteristics=
|navigation=[[Navigation computer]]
|nocollapse      = yes
|hull=[[Nanolaminate hull plating]]
|type            =  
|shielding=[[Energy shielding|''Tantalus''-pattern dispersal field generators]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*[[Examiner (ship type)|Examiner]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=262}}
|armament=''Kerel''-pattern
*[[Covenant carrier|Assault carrier]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*1× [[Energy projector|''Infernus''-pattern superheavy excavation beam]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|length          = {{Convert|5347|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPShadow|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/shadow-of-intent|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Shadow of Intent|D=11|M=05|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPSong|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/song-of-retribution|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Song of Retribution|D=26|M=01|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=28}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=264}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=276}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG|H4EVG|Page=195}}
*2× [[Energy projector|''Urpeon''-pattern superheavy plasma lances]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|width          = {{Convert|2118|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
*8× [[Energy projector|''Luxor''-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|height         = {{Convert|746|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPShadow}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPSong}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
*24× [[Plasma torpedo|''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|mass           = 2.7 billion tonnes{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*700× [[Pulse laser turret|''Ferriel''-pattern pulse lasers]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|power           = [[Pinch fusion reactor]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*Multiple [[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon]]s<ref name="The Covenant">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant]]''</ref>
|maneuver drive  = 3× ''Raphyus''-pattern [[repulsor engine]]s{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Mythos|HM|Page=151-152|Detail=While these pages visually depict a ''Syfon''-pattern carrier, the information itself describes ''Shadow of Intent'' - canonically a ''Kerel''-pattern vessel}}
|complement=
|slipspace drive = ''Primus''-pattern [[borer]] {{C|CODEN Series VI equivalent}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*40,000× warriors{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|crew            =  
*250× [[Covenant drop pod|Insertion pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*200 [[Superiors]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*44× [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Spirit]]/[[Type-52 Phantom|Phantom dropships]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*10 [[Huragok|Engineers]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*600× [[Banshee|Banshee flyers]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|complement      =
*20× [[R'sisho-pattern Tick|Tick boarding craft]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*3× [[Scarab]] platforms{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*44× [[Type-29 Shadow|Shadow transports]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*44× [[Shadow]] transports{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*64× [[Seraph|Seraph strikecraft]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*196× [[Wraith]] tanks{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*192× [[Elsedda-pattern Banshee|Banshee Fighter strikecraft]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*700× [[Ghost]] scouts{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*3× [[Scarab|Scarab platforms]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|troops          = 40,000 warriors{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*196× [[Wraith|Wraith mortar tanks]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|hull           = [[Nanolaminate]] battleplate{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Site|Id=SoICatalog|URL=https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post #6|Quote=[frumentarii] threat dynamic analysis noted significant improvement in the vessels [dynamic capabilities] and alterations to [nanolaminate] hull plating}}
*700× [[Ghost|Ghost scouts]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|shielding       = [[Energy shielding]]{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
|crew=*200 [[Sangheili|Superiors]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|sensors        =
*10 [[Huragok|Engineers]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|ew              =
|passengers=
|armaments      =  
|othersystems=
*1× [[Excavation beam|''Infernus''-pattern superheavy excavation beam]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*2× [[Plasma lance|''Urpeon''-pattern superheavy plasma lances]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Great Schism]]
*8× [[Plasma beam emitter|''Luxor''-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
*24× [[Plasma torpedo|''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|introduced=
*700× [[Pulse laser turret|''Ferriel''-pattern pulse lasers]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]
|aircraft        =
*[[Covenant separatists]]
*250× [[Covenant drop pod|Insertion pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
*44× [[Spirit]]/[[Phantom]] dropships{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]
*20× [[R'sisho-pattern Tick|Tick]] boarding craft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Merg Vol's Covenant]]
*600× [[Banshee]] flyers{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
*192× {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee}} strikecraft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Lydus' clan]]
*64× [[Seraph]] strikecraft{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*[[Banished]]
*[[Ren]] shuttles{{Ref/Film|Id=Package|HLeg|Story=The Package (animated short)}}
|air facilities  = 8 [[hangar bay]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}
}}
}}
{{Quote|Look at the size of that thing!|[[Edward Buck]] after an assault carrier arrives over [[New Mombasa]].<ref name="Coastal Highway">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref>}}
The '''''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier''' {{3Letter|CAS|assault carrier}} is a [[design pattern]] variation of [[assault carrier]] employed by the [[Covenant military|naval forces]] of the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The ''Kerel'' served the Covenant (and continues to serve its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]) as a rarer configuration of the design, complementing the much more common {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}}s. This modification is explicitly approved by the [[Hierarchs]].{{Ref/Book|Id=WF|HWF|Page=70-71}}


The '''''CAS''-class assault carrier'''{{Ref/Reuse|visual}} is a large [[capital ship]] used by the [[Covenant]]. The ''CAS'' is designed for ship-to-ship combat, command and control of [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] operations, and close atmospheric support for ground occupation forces. Such vessels are typically deployed during invasions of worlds with high strategic value.<ref name="DD4">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/oni-files/reach-data-drops '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Data Drop Four'']</ref>
==Overview==
===Design details===
[[File:HWF Shadow of Intent.jpg|thumb|left|A cutaway of the carrier.]]
The ''Kerel''-pattern carrier can be primarily distinguished from the more common {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier|}} by its distinctive smooth hull and rear cowling, replacing the [[city]]-like structures present on the dorsal surfaces of the ''Syfon'' design. ''Kerel''-pattern vessels were rare [[Hierarch]]-approved variants of the ''Syfon''. The basic silhouette of the ship is otherwise similar to most other Covenant carriers, with a hooked prow, immense hangar segment and a thick neck section connecting them.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The rear cowling is shared with [[Unidentified Covenant assault carrier class|another unidentified]] carrier [[design pattern]]. The armoured hull is composed of [[nanolaminate]] battleplate,{{Ref/Reuse|SoICatalog}} with [[Energy shielding|energy shield]] emitters supporting it.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}  The ''Kerel'' has a length of {{Convert|5347|m|ft}}, a beam of {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}, and a height of {{Convert|746|m|ft}}.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} This makes it one of the largest warship classes employed by the [[Covenant fleet]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Although the carrier's keel length is inferior, its width and mass are more than twice as large as even the UNSC's prototype flagship {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the largest vessel in human history.


==Design details==
The [[bridge]] of the ''Kerel'' is located in an armored command pod in the center of the carrier's neck,{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} situated inside an armoured pod protected by multiple redunant energy shield generator systems and inertial compensators to provide the command crew with the utmost protection from attack.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} The [[blademaster]]'s yard runs along the outermost sides of the neck, and is used to train the ship's warrior complement in [[martial arts]]. The aft of the ship houses an elaborate shrine to the Forerunners known as the Nave of the Creators, which is kept in perfect condition by the ship's crew.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The top section of the ship is capable of separating from the lower-aft half thanks to the application of [[Modular Dispersal Technology]], which sees the ship constructed in a decentralised fashion as such as to ensure entire segments of the ship can be detached with a minimal loss of performance. When detached in this manner, the upper-front half of the ship retains its own [[repulsor engine]]s and [[Borer]] for [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] transportation. This feature is actually intended to be used in order to detach sections of the carrier that sustained extensive damage in order to increase the chances of saving what is left of the ship and its crew for future use.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/modular-dispersal-technology/e10ac7c3-932c-4b3a-91e5-3bf79c179b68?page=2|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Modular Dispersal Technology|D=14|M=03|Y=2011|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Technology#Modular Dispersal Technology}}{{Ref/Reuse|Package}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
===Superstructure and hull===
[[File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A carrier glassing [[New Mombasa]].]]
The ''CAS''-class has a length of {{Convert|5347|m|ft}}, a beam of {{Convert|2118|m|ft}}, and a height of {{Convert|746|m|ft}}. This makes it the second largest ship of the line the Covenant navy employed throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Although the ''CAS''-class carrier's keel length is inferior, its width and mass are more than twice as large as even the UNSC's prototype flagship {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the largest vessel in human history.


The class' hull is comprised of nanolaminate plating; however, its greatest assets are its [[energy shielding|energy shields]], which are amongst the strongest in the [[Covenant fleet]]. During the opening hours of the [[Battle for Earth]], the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s [[flagship]] ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' was able to penetrate Earth's orbital defense grid in spite of ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'' focusing fire on it.{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}} Furthermore, [[Rtas 'Vadum]] employed the tactic of ramming {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}s during the [[Battle of Installation 00]] with no visible damage being inflicted upon [[Shadow of Intent|his flagship]].{{Ref/Reuse|Ark}} A further testament to this vessel's survivability is that it was selected by the Covenant alongside the much larger {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} to serve as the [[Hierarchs]]' personal flagships when they were not aboard the also heavily shielded [[High Charity]].{{Ref/Reuse|DD4}} Like most Covenant vessels, the command deck of the ''CAS'' is buried deep within the vessel's deck, allowing it to function even with the vessel taking tremendous damage.
===Propulsion===
For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] [[pinch fusion reactor]]s, housed in cavernous chambers,{{Ref/Level|Id=Cairo|H2|Cairo Station}} which power the ship's vital systems. The reactor is located in the centre of the ship, inside the upper hull.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} As such, and when split into multiple components when Modularly Dispersed, the reactor is retained in the upper hull - leaving the lower component completely without power.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Reuse|Package}} as well as the three aft-mounted ''Raphyus''-pattern [[repulsor engine]]s that propel the ship, capable of operating in a vacuum or in an atmospheric environment. For superluminal travel, a ''Primus''-pattern [[borer]] (equivalent to a CODEN Series IV [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]) is installed.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}  


Assault carriers can also carry large nature preserves on board. An example of this is the ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' which had a large nature preserve like those found on the {{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}}s.<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 14]]''</ref>
The vessel is propelled by three massive engine units, and possess, like all Covenant vessels, the ability to make pinpoint slipspace jumps in atmosphere. As shown in the Battle of Earth, such slipspace jumps cause massive discharges of [[EMP]], rivaling those set off by nuclear devices.{{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Prepare to Drop}}


[[File:Shadow of Intent bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The bridge of an assault carrier.]]
===Armaments===
Assault carriers, like the majority of Covenant ships, are characterized by their bulbous, whale-like front, sleek silhouette and pale white-blue hull. However, they also tend to be characterized by their unique swollen and bulbous "hooked" bow section that is frequently characterized to be similar to the head of a whale and would (theoretically) be a massive weakness as the ship could be blown in half comparatively easily, given its shields were down. Rather than possessing multiple smaller hangar bays, like smaller cruisers, assault carriers use a single, gargantuan hangar bay for storage of fighters, dropships, boarding craft and small capital ships, at least 500 meters long, 320 meters wide and 120 meters high. There is a second hangar bay visible, near the stern of the carrier, above the main engines.{{Ref/Reuse|Ark}}
Not all assault carriers are created equally - while the ''Kerel''{{'}}s most common listed weapons configuration boasts an identical armament loadout to its more common ''Syfon'' counterpart, individual ships can nonetheless display a large variety in capabilities.{{Ref/Twitter|Halo|421820788539260929|Halo|Quote=And Jul's ship is certainly a powerful example of Covenant/former-Covenant Assault Carriers but there's quite a...|D=23|M=01|Y=2023}}{{Ref/Twitter|Halo|421820856642179072|Halo|Quote=bit of variety in that ship class. Not all Assault Carriers are created equally.|D=23|M=01|Y=2023}} The configuration of weapons employed by the ''Kerel''-pattern, ''Shadow of Intent'', is listed as the following:


The assault carrier is also fitted with [[Modular Dispersal Technology]], giving it the ability to completely detach sections of its outer hull as well as whole corridors, as seen during [[Operation: WARM BLANKET]]. They can also separate into two distinct sections which leaves the rear section (with the main engines) behind and allows the fore-section to move away with previously hidden engines, the fore section, and likely the rear, are still slipspace-capable. Unlike its unorthodox means of use by [[Luro 'Taralumee|the Fleetmaster]] in an attempt to disperse the advancing SPARTAN forces, the dispersal feature is actually intended to be used in order to detach sections of the carrier that sustained extensive damage in order to increase the chances of saving what is left of the ship and its crew for future use.
The ship's primary weapon is an [[Excavation beam|''Infernus''-pattern excavation beam]], the same model of excavation beam as that fitted on the much smaller {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}s.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} This weapon is mounted on the vessel's prow, and is used for artifact excavation and military compliance operations.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} Augmenting this weapon are an additional two [[Plasma lance|''Urpeon''-pattern plasma lances]] for heavy anti-ship work.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The plasma lances are located on the dorsal surface of the ship, inside a teardrop-shaped emitter linked directly to the central pinch fusion reactor.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}}


The "S", or Salvation, in the carrier's three-letter classification code, "CAS", indicates that the ''CAS''-class assault carrier is a dedicated warship.<ref name="canon fodder2">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder: Have S'moa'']</ref>
The class is additionally fitted with eight [[Plasma beam emitter|''Luxor''-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters]] and twenty-four [[Plasma torpedo|''Mictix''-pattern heavy plasma torpedo]] silos, alongside an array of 700 [[Pulse laser turret|''Ferriel''-pattern pulse laser]] turrets.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} Seven [[plasma cannon]]s line the horizontal trench running across the ship's prow. These weapons can be fired individually or combined to fire their energy in one devastating mass - though require the ship's shields to be disabled to fire.{{Ref/Reuse|SoI}} The plasma cannons are likely the ''Luxor'' plasma beams or, more likely, the ''Mictix'' plasma torpedo silos, based on their usage during the [[Ambush at Duraan]].{{Ref/Reuse|SoI}}
 
===Propulsion===
For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large [[deuterium]]-[[tritium]] [[pinch fusion reactor]]s, housed in cavernous chambers,{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}} which power the ship's vital systems, as well as the three aft-mounted [[repulsor engine]]s that propel the ship, capable of operating in a vacuum or in an atmospheric environment. They also employ non-reactive gravity drives for standard maneuvering and hovering above the surface of a planet, resisting its gravity.
 
The vessel is propelled by three massive engine units, and possess, like all Covenant vessels, the ability to make pinpoint slipspace jumps in atmosphere. As shown in the Battle of Earth, such slipspace jumps cause massive discharges of [[EMP]], rivaling those set off by nuclear devices.<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Prepare to Drop]]''</ref>


===Crew and complement===
===Crew and complement===
The ''CAS''-class' exact crew size and complement are unknown, however its size and combat records suggest a crew of thousands. The ship's living quarters which consisted of habitat domes, hunting grounds, and places of repose for the ship's permanent crew, is located in the lower bow section behind the [[energy projector]].<ref>'''[[Halo Mythos]]''', ''page 151''</ref> A single ''CAS''-class assault carrier is capable of deploying a military force sizable enough to secure an entire 26th century city.{{Ref/Reuse|Metropolis}} The class' cavernous main hangar has the capacity of carrying hundreds of [[Seraph|Seraph multirole fighters]], [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshee attack craft]], {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} and {{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}} dropships, and [[R'sisho-pattern Tick|boarding craft]].
[[File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|thumb|250px|A carrier discharging its assault aircraft over a human city.]]
''Kerel''-pattern carriers are capable of operation with a crew of as few as two hundred [[Superior]]s - even in dire circumstances such as those faced by the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] during the [[Blooding Years]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoI|HSoI}} The hooked prow's endmost section contains living and entertainment quarters for the ship's permanent crew. Recreational facilities include habitat domes and hunting preserves, similar in nature to those of the {{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}}.{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}


Supplementing their considerable infantry detachments, each assault carrier holds large fleets of [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]] and [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraiths]], along with a number of [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarabs]]. In [[2552#November|November 2552]], the UNSC frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} docked inside the launch bay of ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', an assault carrier, demonstrating the immense size of the class.<ref name="Floodgate">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref> The class is also fitted with [[Covenant escape pod]]s.
When under ideal operating circumstances, a carrier can boast a troop complement of 40,000 warriors, with facilities such as the blademaster's yard for on-board training and recreation. Supplementing the troop complement is an armada of ground vehicles including three [[Scarab]] quadruped [[excavator]]s, 196 [[Wraith]] tanks and 700 [[Ghost]] scout bikes. 44 [[Shadow]] troop transports are additionally embarked aboard the carrier for groundside troop movement.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}


Assault carriers are often used as [[flagship]]s, leading [[Covenant fleet]]s into battle. Though designed for planetary combat, they also excel at ship-to-ship combat, possessing multiple [[pulse laser turret|pulse laser]] batteries, [[plasma turret]]s, and at least three [[energy projector]]s.<ref name="Cairo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station]]''</ref> Along with the larger ''CSO''-class supercarrier, the ''CAS'' is designated a "''Class-Five'' flagship carrier" by the UNSC due to its common use at the center of fleets.{{Ref/Reuse|DD4}}
Alongside the ground complement, ''Kerel''-pattern carriers house a massive air wing of both atmospheric and [[Space fighter|exoatmospheric strikecraft]]. Eight [[hangar bay]]s line the sides of the ship's lower section, flanking the [[gravity lift]]. These hangars have an additional large forward entrance,{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}} and their cavernous nature is such that they are capable of housing whole smaller warships such as [[UNSC frigate]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Ark}} The ship's air and deployment wing includes 250 [[Covenant drop pod|drop pods]], 20 {{Pattern|R'sisho|Tick}}s and 44 [[Spirit]] or [[Phantom]] [[dropship]]s for transport - for use when the massive [[gravity lift]] on the ship is unavailable. Escorting these troop transports are 600 [[Banshee]] ground attack flyers, alongside 192 of their {{Pattern|Elsedda|Banshee|}} "space Banshee" cousins for exoatmospheric intercept. 64 [[Seraph]] fighters supplement this number for heavier intercept and limited anti-ship capability.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}


Given the similar design and purpose of the ''CAS'' to the ''CSO''-class supercarrier it is possible that light cruisers may even be capable of using the ''CAS'' as a refueling depot in the absence of repair and resupply stations like ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''. Like many vessels in the Covenant fleet the vessel was capable of rapidly deploying Covenant soldiers to the front with the use of [[Covenant drop pod|orbital insertion pods]]. Like most Covenant ships, they also possess [[gravity lift]]s, used for ferrying supplies, personnel, and vehicles from the ship and to a planet's surface.<ref name="Metropolis">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Uplift Reserve]]''</ref>
In addition to their combat complements, carriers also stock a number of [[Ren]] transport shuttles for logistics and personnel transportation.{{Ref/Reuse|Package}}


===Armament===
===Usage===
As some of the largest ships in the Covenant fleet, the ''CAS''-class are favored as flagships by both Sangheili commanders and Prophet Hierarchs. As well as their exemplary shielding the vessel is also presumably amongst the most heavily armed in the Covenant. Assault carriers possess multiple [[energy projector]]s on its ventral and dorsal surfaces which are powerful enough to cut through UNSC capital ships.{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}} They also possess multiple [[pulse laser turret]]s, which are used for intercepting enemy missiles and fighters, and [[plasma turret|plasma torpedoes]] for engaging in ship-to-ship combat and assaulting planetary defenses.{{Ref/Reuse|Ark}} There is also some variety within the assault carrier class; individual assault carriers sometimes possess differing capabilities in terms of defenses and armament.<ref>[https://twitter.com/HaloArchive/status/420738117885112321 '''Twitter''': ''@HaloWaypoint It's been said that...'']</ref>
In the [[Covenant ship classification system|starship classification system]], the ''Kerel''-pattern is considered a part of the [[Examiner (ship type)|examiner]] category of vessels.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


Throughout the war the ''CAS'' proved to be superior to human vessels in both durability and firepower, with the vessel being capable of easily destroying the much vaunted {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} with a single blast of its dorsal energy projector.
Within the [[Three-letter ship classification system|hull classifications]] of Covenant ships undertaken by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], the ''Kerel'' is one of two warships designated the CAS-class assault carrier - alongside its more common cousin the {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier|}}.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} The "S", for ''Salvation'', denotes that the ''CAS''-class assault carrier is a dedicated [[warship]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Have S'moa|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Have S'moa|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}} Along with the Covenant's other [[Covenant assault carrier|assault carriers]] and [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarriers]], the ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier was designated a Class-Five flagship carrier by the [[United Nations Space Command]] due to their use as a [[flagship]] of Covenant fleets.{{Ref/Generic|Id=DD4|[[Data Drop|Data Drop 4]]}}


==Operational history==
''Kerel''-pattern ships are considered effective when used in fleet command and offensive [[space warfare]] roles. This puts them in contrast with the {{Pattern|Ruma|light carrier}} and {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}}, which are both considered more useful in force deployment roles than in combat.They generally serve as the primary flagship of most fleets, working as the fleet command centre and the seat of the armada's [[fleetmaster]] or [[Supreme Commander]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]
The ''CAS''-class assault carrier had entered production at least by circa [[2135]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} The [[Battle of Bliss|Battle of]] [[Bliss]] saw the first known deployment of the ''CAS''-class assault carrier during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Five of these vessels alongside the smaller but more numerous {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}s and {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}s attacked and [[glassing|glassed]] the world.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''</ref> Subsequently, the assault carrier ''[[Pious Rampage]]'' was the flagship of the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]] which glassed at least seven [[human]] worlds.<ref>'''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'''</ref> The ''Pious Rampage'' was one of the few vessels to survive the [[Attack on Zhoist]] which decimated the Fleet of Inexorable Obedience.<ref>'''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'''</ref> Over the next two decades of conflict the assault carrier would grow to be known as one of the most fearful inspiring vessels in the Covenant armada.{{fact}}


Following the destruction of the {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' at least three such vessels led the Covenant reinforcement fleet sent by the [[Ministry of Resolution]] to assault the planet [[Reach]]. During the ensuing [[Fall of Reach]] these vessels alongside many others and hundreds of other warships that arrived later at the end of the campaign led by the ''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] would lead to the destruction of humanity's largest and most well defended colony. At least one assault carrier was present at the [[Battle of Tribute]].<ref>'''Halo 4''', multiplayer map, ''[[Landfall (level)|Landfall]]'' - evacuation alert messages</ref>
==Ships of the line==
 
Months later two such vessels led the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]] to [[Earth]], where they engaged the [[UNSC Navy|UNSC]] [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]], including the [[Fifth Fleet]], in orbit above [[Africa]]. The first one, carrying the [[Prophet of Regret]] himself, managed to penetrate Earth's orbital defenses. The second, ''[[Day of Jubilation]]'', attempted to follow, but was subsequently destroyed by [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] [[John-117]] with one of the Covenant's [[Antimatter charge|own bombs]].{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}} After the [[Master Chief Petty Officer]] [[John-117]] disabled a {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}, the Prophet of Regret's assault carrier ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' fled to slipspace, as the UNSC forces were likely to recapture the city of [[New Mombasa]] with the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and four other ships following close behind in its slipspace wake, leading human forces to [[Installation 05]].{{Ref/Reuse|Metropolis}}{{Ref/Novel|GoO}}{{Ref/Level|H2|[[Delta Halo]]}}
 
During the [[Battle for Earth|deep and bloody siege of Earth]] that was still continuing, numerous assault carriers were assigned within multiple Covenant reinforcement fleets to complete the destruction of humanity's last and most important and defended stronghold.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI4|Comic=Halo: Uprising|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 4|4]]}} Near the end of the [[Battle of Mombasa]], at least three assault carriers that were part of a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae excavation fleet]] sent by the [[Prophet of Truth]] joined the remaining battlecruisers of the Fleet of Sacred Consecration in finishing the glassing of [[Mombasa]] and excavating the [[Portal at Voi]].<ref name="HLC2">''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', [[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]</ref><ref name="waypoint">''[[Halo Waypoint]]'', ''"Ten Twenty" history entry''</ref> One, having exited slipspace nearby to begin glassing operations, nearly killed [[Alpha-Nine]] as they escaped in a hijacked [[Type-52 Phantom|Phantom]].{{Ref/Reuse|Coastal Highway}} Near the end of the Battle for Earth, at least a few of survived carriers retreated with [[Anodyne Spirit|Truth's ship]] and his fleet through the portal to the Ark.{{Ref/Level|Id=The Storm|H3|[[The Storm]]}}
 
The assault carrier ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' later became the flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], which also includes another assault carrier.{{Ref/Level|Id=heretic|H3|[[Heretic]]}} The [[Special Operations Commander]] and [[Fleetmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], in command of the ship, led his fleet to Earth in pursuit of a surviving [[Flood]] [[Indulgence of Conviction|ship]], arriving in time to [[Glassing|glass]] the [[Voi|infected area]] of the planet.{{Ref/Reuse|Floodgate}} ''Shadow of Intent'' and its escorting cruisers joined the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet's [[Seventh Fleet]] to launch a joint attack on the Covenant at [[Installation 00]], destroying their fleet and providing a distraction while ground forces engaged Truth's loyalists that had landed on the installation.{{Ref/Reuse|The Covenant}}{{Ref/Level|Id=Ark|H3|[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]}} It later evacuated the UNSC and Sangheili personnel and returned to Earth for a short time before returning to [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Level|H3|[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]}} The ''Shadow of Intent'' later became embroiled in a conflict with [[Tem'Bhetek's faction]] which was seeking revenge against the Sangheili. After defeating the faction, Rtas decided to seek out the surviving [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Novel|SoI}}
 
By [[2554]], [[Jul 'Mdama]], a [[shipmaster]] and [[Supreme Leader]] of his [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|self-proclaimed Covenant]] commanded the assault carrier ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' during his attempts to enter the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Requiem]].<ref name="H4EVG">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'''</ref> [[2557|Three years later]], the ''Song of Retribution'' led a fleet of numerous {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s.<ref name="terminal">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/halo-4-terminal-jul-mdama/0f378de5-e0e3-4f31-a1e1-2a363af4094d ''Halo Waypoint:'' ''Halo 4 Terminal: Jul 'Mdama'']</ref> After rebelling against Jul, [[Sali 'Nyon]] stole away the assault carrier ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' from him.<ref name="Escalation">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]'''</ref>
 
Numerous assault carriers were present at the peace talks on [[Ealen IV]] under the command of the Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], and the Elder Jiralhanae Chieftain, [[Lydus]]. Many assault carriers were also used under the command of [[Vata 'Gajat]] during the [[Battle of Ealen IV|battle]] that ensued in an attempt to capture the delegates.{{Ref/Reuse|Escalation}}
 
Around [[2553#May|May 6, 2553]], [[Atriox]], leader of the [[Banished]], was able to sway the assault carrier ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'', commanded by [[Shipmaster]] [[Let 'Volir]], to his side with the vessel becoming his [[flagship]].{{Ref/Game|HW2|Detail=''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - ''Rise of Atriox III''}} ''Enduring Conviction'' transported the Banished to the Ark in the wake of the beginning of the [[Created conflict]].{{Ref/Game|HW2}} During the [[Second Ark Conflict]], after forces from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} killed his second-in-command [[Decimus]], Atriox had the assault carrier directly attack the ''Spirit of Fire'' with the old {{Class|Phoenix|colony ship}} proving to be no match for the assault carrier. In response, [[smart AI]] [[Isabel]] devised a plan to destroy the assault carrier using the Ark's own defenses.{{Ref/Level|HW2|[[Lights Out]]}}{{Ref/Level|HW2|[[Hold the Line]]}} After Isabel boarded the ship alongside [[Spartan-II]] [[Jerome-092]], she fired ''Enduring Conviction's'' ventral [[energy projector]] at the Ark's surface, prompting the Ark's [[Sentinel]] defenses to assault ''Enduring Conviction'', ultimately cutting it in half and destroying the assault carrier. The ship's destruction left the Banished without both their greatest asset and the only ship they had capable of slipspace travel, stranding the Banished upon the Ark.{{Ref/Level|HW2|[[Under the Dark]]}}
 
==Known assault carriers==
===''Kerel''-pattern===
*''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' – A carrier serving within [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]].
*''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' – A carrier serving within [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]].
*''[[Resplendent Fervor]]'' - The flagship of the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]].
*''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' – The flagship of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].
*''[[Seeker of Truth]]'' – The flagship of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].
*''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' – The flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]].
*''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' – The flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]].
*''[[Song of Retribution]]'' – The personal flagship of [[Supreme Leader]] [[Jul 'Mdama]].
*''[[Song of Retribution]]'' – The personal flagship of [[Supreme Commander]] [[Jul 'Mdama]].


===''Syfon''-pattern===
==Operational history==
*''[[Day of Jubilation]]'' – A carrier of the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], destroyed over [[Earth]] in [[2552]].<ref>[http://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HFCV05 '''Spartan Games''': ''Covenant Assault Carrier'']</ref>
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]
*''[[Enduring Conviction]]'' – The flagship of the [[Banished]], destroyed over [[Installation 00]] by [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s.
The ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier had entered service at least by circa [[2135]].{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*''[[Solemn Penance]]'' – The personal flagship of the [[Prophet of Regret]].


===Unnamed pattern (Halo: Reach)===
During the [[Battle for Earth|deep and bloody siege of Earth]] that was still continuing, numerous assault carriers were assigned within multiple Covenant reinforcement fleets to complete the destruction of humanity's last and most important and defended stronghold.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI4|HU|Issue=4}} Near the end of the [[Battle of Mombasa]], at least three assault carriers that were part of a large [[Truth's fleet|Jiralhanae excavation fleet]] sent by the [[Prophet of Truth]] joined the remaining battlecruisers of the Fleet of Sacred Consecration in finishing the glassing of [[Mombasa]] and excavating the [[Portal at Voi]].{{Ref/Level|Id=Coastal Highway|ODST|Coastal Highway}} One, having exited slipspace nearby to begin glassing operations, nearly killed [[Alpha-Nine]] as they escaped in a hijacked [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]].{{Ref/Reuse|Coastal Highway}} Near the end of the Battle for Earth, at least a few of survived carriers retreated with [[Anodyne Spirit|Truth's ship]] and his fleet through the portal to the Ark.{{Ref/Level|Id=The Storm|H3|The Storm}}
*''[[Purveyor of Virtue]]'' - Employed by an unspecified remnant faction.


===Unknown pattern===
The assault carrier ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' later became the flagship of the [[Fleet of Retribution]], which also includes another assault carrier.{{Ref/Level|Id=heretic|H3|Heretic}} The [[Special Operations Commander]] and [[Fleetmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], in command of the ship, led his fleet to Earth in pursuit of a surviving [[Flood]] [[Indulgence of Conviction|ship]], arriving in time to [[Glassing|glass]] the [[Voi|infected area]] of the planet.{{Ref/Level|H3|Floodgate}} ''Shadow of Intent'' and its escorting cruisers joined the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet's [[Seventh Fleet]] to launch a joint attack on the Covenant at [[Installation 00]], destroying their fleet and providing a distraction while ground forces engaged Truth's loyalists that had landed on the installation.{{Ref/Level|H3|The Covenant (level)|The Covenant}}{{Ref/Level|Id=Ark|H3|The Ark (level)|The Ark}} It later evacuated the UNSC and Sangheili personnel and returned to Earth for a short time before returning to [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Level|H3|Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo}} The ''Shadow of Intent'' later became embroiled in a conflict with [[Tem'Bhetek's faction]] which was seeking revenge against the Sangheili. After defeating the faction, Rtas decided to seek out the surviving [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Novel|SoI}}{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
The following ''CAS'' have no confirmation on what pattern they are:
*''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' – A carrier serving under the [[Ministry of Fortitude]].
*''[[Eternal Reward]]'' – Destroyed at [[Installation 05]] during the [[Great Schism]].
*''[[Pious Rampage]]'' - The flagship of the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS9|SS|Chapter=9}}
*''[[Resplendent Fervor]]'' – The flagship of the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]].


==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
By [[2554]], [[Jul 'Mdama]], a [[shipmaster]] and [[Supreme Commander]] of his [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|self-proclaimed Covenant]] commanded the assault carrier ''[[Song of Retribution]]'' during his attempts to enter the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] [[Requiem]].{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}} [[2557|Three years later]], the ''Song of Retribution'' led a fleet of numerous {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s.{{Ref/Game|H4|Terminals (Halo 4)|Terminal 1}} After [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|rebelling]] against Jul, [[Sali 'Nyon]] stole away the assault carrier ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]'' from him.{{Ref/Reuse|Record}}
{{Col-begin}}
 
{{Col-2}}
Numerous assault carriers were present at the peace talks on [[Ealen IV]] under the command of the Arbiter, [[Thel 'Vadam]], and the Elder Jiralhanae Chieftain, [[Lydus]]. Many assault carriers were also used under the command of [[Vata 'Gajat]] during the [[Battle of Ealen IV|battle]] that ensued in an attempt to capture the delegates.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}
===''CAS''-class Assault Carrier===
*Cost: 750 Points
*Movement: 5"
====Fore Section====
*Damage Track: 10 • 8 • 7
*Build rating: 5
*Hangars: 3
*Boarding Craft: 3
*Security Detail: 6
*System Loadouts:
**Glide (3")
**Labyrinthine
**point Defense (7)
**Defense Array (8)
*Primary Weapon: Plasma Lance
**Range: 20/40"
**Weapon Loadouts: Plasma
**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Dice: 20
*Alternative Primary Weapon: Plasma Beam
**Range: 20/-"
**Weapon Loadouts: Beam/Plasma
**Firing arc: Forward or Port+Starboard
**Dice: 15/15/15
*Secondary Weapon: Plasma Torpedoes
**Range: 12/24"
**Weapon loadouts: Missiles/Plasma
**Firing arc: Forward
**Dice: 10


====Mid Section====
===Operators===
*Damage Track: 11 • 10 • 5
{{Expand-section}}
*Build rating: 6
''Kerel''-pattern carriers were employed by the various [[Ministry|ministries]] of the [[Covenant]], during the empire's reign. Following the empire's dissolution, ''Kerel''-pattern carriers fell into the hands of the [[Covenant remnants|imperial remnant]] warlords.
*Hangars: 10
====Covenant====
*Boarding Craft: 5
*[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]
*Security Detail: 8
**''[[Seeker of Truth]]''
*System Loadouts:
*[[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]]
**Carrier Action (3)
**''[[Resplendent Fervor]]''
**Glide (3")
*[[Truth's fleet]]
**Labyrinthine
**Dozens of ''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers.
**point Defense (8)
*Due to their huge resource investment, nearly all ''Kerel''-pattern vessels were under the control of the Covenant prior to the empire's collapse. As such, all ships listed in the remnant listings below were likely a part of the Covenant fleet prior to its dissolution.
**Defense Array (9)
*Primary Weapon: Plasma cannon Arrays
**Range: 10/20"
**Weapon Loadouts: Plasma
**Firing arc: Port & Starboard
**Dice: 15
*Secondary Weapon: Plasma Torpedoes
**Range: 12/24"
**Weapon Loadouts: Missiles/Plasma
**Firing arc: Port+Starboard
**Dice: 16
{{Col-2}}
====Aft Section====
*Damage Track: 10 • 8 • 7
*Build rating: 5
*Hangars: 2
*Boarding Craft: 2
*Security Detail: 6
*System Loadouts:
**Glide (3")
**Labyrinthine
**point Defense (7)
**Defense Array (8)
*Primary Weapon: Plasma Cannon Arrays
**Range: 10/20"
**Weapon Loadouts: Plasma
**Firing arc: aft
**Dice: 15
*Secondary Weapon: Plasma Torpedoes
**Range: 12/24"
**Weapon loadouts: Missiles/Plasma
**Firing arc: Aft
**Dice: 16


===Covenant Assault carrier (''CAS'') Special Rules===
====Covenant remnants====
*Cathedral of the Faithful:
*[[Children of Oth Sonin]]
**Each Section on a CAS can replace ONE of its listed boarding Craft with a Zealot for NO POINTS! This bonus is in addition to the standard number of Zealots available to a Fleet.
**At least two ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}
*Seraph Hosts:
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
**All Seraph Interceptor Wings launched by a CAS increase their maximum size to 6 rather than the normal 5.
**Multiple ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.
*Limited Resources:
***''[[Shadow of Intent]]''
**All CAS-class Assault carrier exist as individual Battle Groups and are not required to follow the standard rules for Battle group creation.  Whilst they are not specialist Battle Groups, they are restricted by the size of Fleet they are attached to. A single CAS-class Assault Carrier can be included in a fleet for every FULL 1250 Points being played.
***2 to 3 carriers utilized during the [[Attack on Ealen IV]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE1|HE|Issue=1}}
{{Col-end}}
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] {{C|defunct}}
**''[[Song of Retribution]]''
**''[[Breath of Annihilation]]''
*[[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]]
**At least one ''Kerel''-patern carrier, ''[[Breath of Annihilation]]''.{{Ref/Comic|Id=Record|HE|Issue=The Absolute Record}}
*[[Merg Vol's Covenant]]
**At least four ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Level|HSA|Operation A: Umbra}}
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
**At least four ''Kerel''-pattern carriers.{{Ref/Reuse|HE1}}


==Trivia==
==Production notes==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of CAS-class assault carriers}}
''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers were first introduced into the series as the assault carrier design featured in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'' - then-known by the name of the CAS-class assault carrier. The design remained relatively consistent until the release of the ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' in [[2014]], with the [[Blur Studio]] cutscenes depicting ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' differently. The two designs were later canonised in [[2017]]'s ''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo]]'' as two individual [[design pattern]]s of Covenant carrier that serve alongside one another in the Covenant fleet.
*An [[Early Halo 2 script|early draft]] of ''[[Halo 2]]'' was intended to feature a level tentatively called ''[[Covenant Ship|Covenant ship]]'', in which John-117 would board an assault carrier and destroy it from within.<ref>''[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition]]'' developer commentary</ref>
*In the [[Wikipedia:United States Navy|modern US Navy]], the term "assault carrier" refers to the [[Wikipedia:Amphibious assault ship|Amphibious Assault Ship]], which is used to transport troops over water and offload them via hovercraft or helicopter.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:H2_CAS_HighCharity_Concept.jpg|Concept art for [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2'', which would later become the carrier design.
File:H2_DeltaHalo_V1_Storyboard_Intro_17.jpg|An [[Halo 2 storyboards|early storyboard]] depicting an assault carrier engaging {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} in ''Halo 2''.
File:MDT.png|Concept art for ''[[Halo: Legends]]'': ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]'' of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.
File:ThePackage Corridor Concept.png|''The Package'' concept art for a CAS' interior corridors.
File:ThePackage Confrontation Concept.png|''The Package'' concept art for a chamber on the CAS' interior.
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H2-CAS-AssaultCarrier-Side.png|A render of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier from ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:H2-CAS-AssaultCarrier-Side.png|A render of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier from ''[[Halo 2]]''.
Line 236: Line 165:
File:Firing Energy Projector.png|An assault carrier firing its dorsal energy projector at [[John-117]] during the [[Battle for Earth]].
File:Firing Energy Projector.png|An assault carrier firing its dorsal energy projector at [[John-117]] during the [[Battle for Earth]].
File:AssaultCarrierOverNewMombasa.jpg|Numerous assault carriers around [[Portal at Voi|portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]] in the [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer|''Halo 3'' announcement trailer]].
File:AssaultCarrierOverNewMombasa.jpg|Numerous assault carriers around [[Portal at Voi|portal]] to the [[Installation 00|Ark]] in the [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer|''Halo 3'' announcement trailer]].
File:Assault Carrier 2.jpg|An assault carrier being accompanied by several ''CCS''-class battlecruisers.
File:Assault Carrier 2.jpg|An assault carrier being accompanied by several ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers.
File:H3-CAS-AssaultCarrier-Cruiser-Comparison.png|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier compared to a {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-CAS-AssaultCarrier-Cruiser-Comparison.png|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier compared to a {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} in ''Halo 3''.
File:Overview - Covenant Assault Carrier.png|An overview of the Kerel pattern Assault Carrier.
File:Overview - Covenant Assault Carrier.png|An overview of the Kerel pattern Assault Carrier.
File:Image-Acuc.JPG|A forward view of ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Image-Acuc.JPG|A forward view of ''Shadow of Intent''.
Line 248: Line 177:
File:Ark Secret Room3.jpg|An assault carrier's interior.
File:Ark Secret Room3.jpg|An assault carrier's interior.
File:Carrier Hanger.jpg|The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.
File:Carrier Hanger.jpg|The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.
File:Carrier vs Cruiser.png|An overhead view of an assault carrier and two ''CCS''-class battlecruisers on ''[[Heretic]]''.
File:Carrier vs Cruiser.png|An overhead view of an assault carrier and two ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers on ''[[Heretic]]''.
File:Heretic assault carrier.jpg|A carrier escorted by two battlecruisers.
File:Heretic assault carrier.jpg|A carrier escorted by two battlecruisers.
File:SOEIV Interface.png|''Solemn Penance'' over New Mombasa as seen from the [[Rookie]]'s [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:SOEIV Interface.png|''Solemn Penance'' over New Mombasa as seen from the [[Rookie]]'s [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:MDT.png|Concept art for ''[[Halo: Legends]]'': ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]'' of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.
File:ThePackage Corridor Concept.png|''The Package'' concept art for a CAS' interior corridors.
File:ThePackage Confrontation Concept.png|''The Package'' concept art for a chamber on the CAS' interior.
File:Clarity of Faith.png|A forward view of ''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' in ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''.
File:Clarity of Faith.png|A forward view of ''[[Clarity of Faith]]'' in ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''.
File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|Assault carrier scale.
File:CapitalShips-scale.gif|Assault carrier scale.
File:HR-CAS-Assaultcarrier-Render.png|A render of the assault carrier.
File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|A ''CAS''-class carrier in the '''[[Halo 4]]''' ''[[Prologue]]''.
File:H4 Prologue CAS Carrier.jpg|A ''CAS''-class carrier in the '''[[Halo 4]]''' ''[[Prologue]]''.
File:Master Chief Collection - Carrier.png|The dorsal energy projector of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier in the [[The Hunter and the Hunted|''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' announcement trailer]].
File:H2A Terminals - Unggoy on Balaho.jpg|A ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier's [[gravity lift]] active on [[Balaho]] in [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals]].
File:H2A Cutscene EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|An assault carrier's energy projector piercing the hull of a {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A Terminals - BattleofMeridian.jpg|A triad of ''Kerel''-pattern assault carriers fly in formation after the [[Battle of Meridian]]; leading them is the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''.  
File:H2A - Solemn Penance jumping.jpg|''Solemn Penance'' performs an in-atmosphere slipspace jump on [[Earth]].
File:H2A Terminals - High Charity interior.jpg|A ''Kerel''-pattern assault carrier holds position above the great city of ''High Charity'' alongside several ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers.  
File:H2A - Solemn Penance exiting slipspace.jpg|The ''Solemn Penance'' exiting slipspace.
File:H2A Terminals - Unggoy on Balaho.jpg|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier's [[gravity lift]] active on [[Balaho]] in [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals]].
File:H2A Terminals - BattleofMeridian.jpg|A triad of ''CAS''-class assault carriers fly in formation after the [[Battle of Meridian]]; leading them is the ''[[Solemn Penance]]''.
File:H2A-CAS Passing Cairo.png|A detailed view of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier's underside as it files past ''Cairo Station'' during the Battle for Earth.
File:H2A - BattleofEarth.png|Two ''CAS''-class assault carriers battle the [[UNSC Home Fleet]] during the disastrous initial assault of the [[Battle for Earth]].
File:H2A-AssaultCarrierCore.jpg|The internal [[pinch fusion reactor]] of an assault carrier in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A Terminals - High Charity interior.jpg|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier holds position above the great city of ''High Charity'' alongside several CCS-class battlecruisers.
File:H2A Great Schism.png|Several ''CAS''-class assault carriers close in on [[High Charity]] to join the battle above Installation 05.
File:HFB-CAS&CCS&SDV.jpg|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier leading a fleet in ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''.
File:HFB-CAS&SDV.jpg|A ''CAS''-class assault carrier and {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}.
File:HFB-Lotsofships.png|Assault carrier to scale with other Covenant and UNSC vessels, outmassed only by the brigantine and the UNSC ''Infinity''.
HW2-Trailer-Crashed assault carrier.png|The crashed assault carrier ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'' on Installation 00 in ''[[Know Your Enemy]]''.
File:HW3 Faceoff Concept.png|[[Halo Wars 3 (rejected pitch)|''Halo Wars 3'' pitch]] artwork depicting a ''Marathon''-class cruiser facing down a CAS-class carrier.
File:HINF Concept AssaultCarrier.jpg|Early concept art for ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' of a ''CAS''-class assault carrier.
File:HINF Carrier.png|The ''[[Purveyor of Virtue]]'' in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HTV-Unbound-HighCharity.jpg|''CAS''-class assault carriers protecting High Charity in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
Line 301: Line 212:
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
Line 306: Line 218:
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
*''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
{{Col-end}}
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Unbound]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Covenant Ships}}
{{Covenant Ships}}
[[Category:CAS-class assault carriers| ]]
[[Category:Carrier classes]]
[[Category:Covenant ship classes]]

Latest revision as of 07:56, August 13, 2023

"CAS-class assault carrier" redirects here. For other ships of a similar classification, see Covenant assault carrier.
Kerel-pattern
H3 Assault Carrier render.png
Class attributes

Identification:

UNSC Three-letter code: CAS[1][2]

Operators:

General characteristics

Type:

Length:

5,347 meters (17,540 ft)[1][2][4][5][6][7]

Width:

2,118 meters (6,950 ft)[1][2][4][5][6][7]

Height:

746 meters (2,450 ft)[1][2][7]

Mass:

2.7 billion tonnes[8]

Power plant:

Pinch fusion reactor[8]

Maneuver drive:

3× Raphyus-pattern repulsor engines[8][9]

Slipspace drive:

Primus-pattern borer (CODEN Series VI equivalent)[8]

Crew:

Complement:

Troops:

40,000 warriors[8]

Hull:

Nanolaminate battleplate[9][10]

Shielding:

Energy shielding[9]

Armaments:

Air wing:

Air facilities:

8 hangar bays[9]

 

The Kerel-pattern assault carrier (UNSC three-letter classification: CAS-class assault carrier) is a design pattern variation of assault carrier employed by the naval forces of the Covenant.[8] The Kerel served the Covenant (and continues to serve its remnants) as a rarer configuration of the design, complementing the much more common Syfon-pattern assault carriers. This modification is explicitly approved by the Hierarchs.[8]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

A cutaway of the carrier.

The Kerel-pattern carrier can be primarily distinguished from the more common Syfon-pattern by its distinctive smooth hull and rear cowling, replacing the city-like structures present on the dorsal surfaces of the Syfon design. Kerel-pattern vessels were rare Hierarch-approved variants of the Syfon. The basic silhouette of the ship is otherwise similar to most other Covenant carriers, with a hooked prow, immense hangar segment and a thick neck section connecting them.[8] The rear cowling is shared with another unidentified carrier design pattern. The armoured hull is composed of nanolaminate battleplate,[10] with energy shield emitters supporting it.[9] The Kerel has a length of 5,347 metres (17,540 ft), a beam of 2,118 metres (6,950 ft), and a height of 746 metres (2,450 ft).[4][8] This makes it one of the largest warship classes employed by the Covenant fleet during the Human-Covenant War. Although the carrier's keel length is inferior, its width and mass are more than twice as large as even the UNSC's prototype flagship UNSC Infinity, the largest vessel in human history.

The bridge of the Kerel is located in an armored command pod in the center of the carrier's neck,[8] situated inside an armoured pod protected by multiple redunant energy shield generator systems and inertial compensators to provide the command crew with the utmost protection from attack.[9] The blademaster's yard runs along the outermost sides of the neck, and is used to train the ship's warrior complement in martial arts. The aft of the ship houses an elaborate shrine to the Forerunners known as the Nave of the Creators, which is kept in perfect condition by the ship's crew.[8] The top section of the ship is capable of separating from the lower-aft half thanks to the application of Modular Dispersal Technology, which sees the ship constructed in a decentralised fashion as such as to ensure entire segments of the ship can be detached with a minimal loss of performance. When detached in this manner, the upper-front half of the ship retains its own repulsor engines and Borer for slipspace transportation. This feature is actually intended to be used in order to detach sections of the carrier that sustained extensive damage in order to increase the chances of saving what is left of the ship and its crew for future use.[12][11][4]

Propulsion[edit]

For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large deuterium-tritium pinch fusion reactors, housed in cavernous chambers,[13] which power the ship's vital systems. The reactor is located in the centre of the ship, inside the upper hull.[8] As such, and when split into multiple components when Modularly Dispersed, the reactor is retained in the upper hull - leaving the lower component completely without power.[12][11] as well as the three aft-mounted Raphyus-pattern repulsor engines that propel the ship, capable of operating in a vacuum or in an atmospheric environment. For superluminal travel, a Primus-pattern borer (equivalent to a CODEN Series IV Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine) is installed.[8]

The vessel is propelled by three massive engine units, and possess, like all Covenant vessels, the ability to make pinpoint slipspace jumps in atmosphere. As shown in the Battle of Earth, such slipspace jumps cause massive discharges of EMP, rivaling those set off by nuclear devices.[14]

Armaments[edit]

Not all assault carriers are created equally - while the Kerel's most common listed weapons configuration boasts an identical armament loadout to its more common Syfon counterpart, individual ships can nonetheless display a large variety in capabilities.[15][16] The configuration of weapons employed by the Kerel-pattern, Shadow of Intent, is listed as the following:

The ship's primary weapon is an Infernus-pattern excavation beam, the same model of excavation beam as that fitted on the much smaller Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyers.[8] This weapon is mounted on the vessel's prow, and is used for artifact excavation and military compliance operations.[9] Augmenting this weapon are an additional two Urpeon-pattern plasma lances for heavy anti-ship work.[8] The plasma lances are located on the dorsal surface of the ship, inside a teardrop-shaped emitter linked directly to the central pinch fusion reactor.[9][13]

The class is additionally fitted with eight Luxor-pattern heavy plasma beam emitters and twenty-four Mictix-pattern heavy plasma torpedo silos, alongside an array of 700 Ferriel-pattern pulse laser turrets.[8] Seven plasma cannons line the horizontal trench running across the ship's prow. These weapons can be fired individually or combined to fire their energy in one devastating mass - though require the ship's shields to be disabled to fire.[17] The plasma cannons are likely the Luxor plasma beams or, more likely, the Mictix plasma torpedo silos, based on their usage during the Ambush at Duraan.[17]

Crew and complement[edit]

A carrier discharging its assault aircraft over a human city.

Kerel-pattern carriers are capable of operation with a crew of as few as two hundred Superiors - even in dire circumstances such as those faced by the Swords of Sanghelios during the Blooding Years.[8][17] The hooked prow's endmost section contains living and entertainment quarters for the ship's permanent crew. Recreational facilities include habitat domes and hunting preserves, similar in nature to those of the Mjern-pattern agricultural support ship.[9]

When under ideal operating circumstances, a carrier can boast a troop complement of 40,000 warriors, with facilities such as the blademaster's yard for on-board training and recreation. Supplementing the troop complement is an armada of ground vehicles including three Scarab quadruped excavators, 196 Wraith tanks and 700 Ghost scout bikes. 44 Shadow troop transports are additionally embarked aboard the carrier for groundside troop movement.[8]

Alongside the ground complement, Kerel-pattern carriers house a massive air wing of both atmospheric and exoatmospheric strikecraft. Eight hangar bays line the sides of the ship's lower section, flanking the gravity lift. These hangars have an additional large forward entrance,[9] and their cavernous nature is such that they are capable of housing whole smaller warships such as UNSC frigates.[18] The ship's air and deployment wing includes 250 drop pods, 20 R'sisho-pattern Ticks and 44 Spirit or Phantom dropships for transport - for use when the massive gravity lift on the ship is unavailable. Escorting these troop transports are 600 Banshee ground attack flyers, alongside 192 of their Elsedda-pattern "space Banshee" cousins for exoatmospheric intercept. 64 Seraph fighters supplement this number for heavier intercept and limited anti-ship capability.[8]

In addition to their combat complements, carriers also stock a number of Ren transport shuttles for logistics and personnel transportation.[11]

Usage[edit]

In the starship classification system, the Kerel-pattern is considered a part of the examiner category of vessels.[3]

Within the hull classifications of Covenant ships undertaken by the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Kerel is one of two warships designated the CAS-class assault carrier - alongside its more common cousin the Syfon-pattern.[4] The "S", for Salvation, denotes that the CAS-class assault carrier is a dedicated warship.[19] Along with the Covenant's other assault carriers and supercarriers, the Kerel-pattern assault carrier was designated a Class-Five flagship carrier by the United Nations Space Command due to their use as a flagship of Covenant fleets.[20]

Kerel-pattern ships are considered effective when used in fleet command and offensive space warfare roles. This puts them in contrast with the Ruma-pattern light carrier and Sh'wada-pattern supercarrier, which are both considered more useful in force deployment roles than in combat.They generally serve as the primary flagship of most fleets, working as the fleet command centre and the seat of the armada's fleetmaster or Supreme Commander.[4]

Ships of the line[edit]

Operational history[edit]

The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.

The Kerel-pattern assault carrier had entered service at least by circa 2135.[8]

During the deep and bloody siege of Earth that was still continuing, numerous assault carriers were assigned within multiple Covenant reinforcement fleets to complete the destruction of humanity's last and most important and defended stronghold.[21] Near the end of the Battle of Mombasa, at least three assault carriers that were part of a large Jiralhanae excavation fleet sent by the Prophet of Truth joined the remaining battlecruisers of the Fleet of Sacred Consecration in finishing the glassing of Mombasa and excavating the Portal at Voi.[22] One, having exited slipspace nearby to begin glassing operations, nearly killed Alpha-Nine as they escaped in a hijacked Phantom.[22] Near the end of the Battle for Earth, at least a few of survived carriers retreated with Truth's ship and his fleet through the portal to the Ark.[23]

The assault carrier Shadow of Intent later became the flagship of the Fleet of Retribution, which also includes another assault carrier.[24] The Special Operations Commander and Fleetmaster Rtas 'Vadum, in command of the ship, led his fleet to Earth in pursuit of a surviving Flood ship, arriving in time to glass the infected area of the planet.[25] Shadow of Intent and its escorting cruisers joined the remnants of the UNSC Home Fleet's Seventh Fleet to launch a joint attack on the Covenant at Installation 00, destroying their fleet and providing a distraction while ground forces engaged Truth's loyalists that had landed on the installation.[26][18] It later evacuated the UNSC and Sangheili personnel and returned to Earth for a short time before returning to Sanghelios.[27] The Shadow of Intent later became embroiled in a conflict with Tem'Bhetek's faction which was seeking revenge against the Sangheili. After defeating the faction, Rtas decided to seek out the surviving San'Shyuum.[28][9][8]

By 2554, Jul 'Mdama, a shipmaster and Supreme Commander of his self-proclaimed Covenant commanded the assault carrier Song of Retribution during his attempts to enter the Forerunner shield world Requiem.[7] Three years later, the Song of Retribution led a fleet of numerous Zanar-pattern light cruisers.[29] After rebelling against Jul, Sali 'Nyon stole away the assault carrier Breath of Annihilation from him.[30]

Numerous assault carriers were present at the peace talks on Ealen IV under the command of the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam, and the Elder Jiralhanae Chieftain, Lydus. Many assault carriers were also used under the command of Vata 'Gajat during the battle that ensued in an attempt to capture the delegates.[31]

Operators[edit]

Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Kerel-pattern carriers were employed by the various ministries of the Covenant, during the empire's reign. Following the empire's dissolution, Kerel-pattern carriers fell into the hands of the imperial remnant warlords.

Covenant[edit]

Covenant remnants[edit]

Production notes[edit]

Kerel-pattern assault carriers were first introduced into the series as the assault carrier design featured in Halo 2 and Halo 3 - then-known by the name of the CAS-class assault carrier. The design remained relatively consistent until the release of the Halo 2: Anniversary in 2014, with the Blur Studio cutscenes depicting Solemn Penance differently. The two designs were later canonised in 2017's Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo as two individual design patterns of Covenant carrier that serve alongside one another in the Covenant fleet.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

  • Concept art for High Charity in Halo 2, which would later become the carrier design.

    Concept art for High Charity in Halo 2, which would later become the carrier design.

  • An early storyboard depicting an assault carrier engaging UNSC In Amber Clad in Halo 2.

    An early storyboard depicting an assault carrier engaging UNSC In Amber Clad in Halo 2.

  • Concept art for Halo: Legends: The Package of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.

    Concept art for Halo: Legends: The Package of an assault carrier's fore and aft sections separated by Modular Dispersal Technology.

  • The Package concept art for a CAS' interior corridors.

    The Package concept art for a CAS' interior corridors.

  • The Package concept art for a chamber on the CAS' interior.

    The Package concept art for a chamber on the CAS' interior.

Screenshots[edit]

  • A render of a CAS-class assault carrier from Halo 2.

    A render of a CAS-class assault carrier from Halo 2.

  • The Solemn Penance hangs ominously in the clouds over New Mombasa in Halo 2.

    The Solemn Penance hangs ominously in the clouds over New Mombasa in Halo 2.

  • An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor in Halo 2.

    An assault carrier's pinch fusion reactor in Halo 2.

  • An assault carrier firing its dorsal energy projector at John-117 during the Battle for Earth.

    An assault carrier firing its dorsal energy projector at John-117 during the Battle for Earth.

  • Numerous assault carriers around portal to the Ark in the Halo 3 announcement trailer.

    Numerous assault carriers around portal to the Ark in the Halo 3 announcement trailer.

  • An assault carrier being accompanied by several Ket-pattern battlecruisers.

    An assault carrier being accompanied by several Ket-pattern battlecruisers.

  • A CAS-class assault carrier compared to a Ket-pattern battlecruiser in Halo 3.

    A CAS-class assault carrier compared to a Ket-pattern battlecruiser in Halo 3.

  • An overview of the Kerel pattern Assault Carrier.

    An overview of the Kerel pattern Assault Carrier.

  • A forward view of Shadow of Intent.

    A forward view of Shadow of Intent.

  • A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the carrier's hangar.

    A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the carrier's hangar.

  • The interior of an assault carrier's hanger bay. Note the UNSC frigate and dropships of both Covenant and human design in dock.

    The interior of an assault carrier's hanger bay. Note the UNSC frigate and dropships of both Covenant and human design in dock.

  • A side view of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.

    A side view of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.

  • A top-down view of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.

    A top-down view of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent. Note that there is a second hangar above the engines at the stern of the ship.

  • A full view of the carrier's underside.

    A full view of the carrier's underside.

  • The bridge of Shadow of Intent.

    The bridge of Shadow of Intent.

  • An assault carrier's interior.

    An assault carrier's interior.

  • The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.

    The supposed second hangar bay of an assault carrier.

  • An overhead view of an assault carrier and two Ket-pattern battlecruisers on Heretic.

    An overhead view of an assault carrier and two Ket-pattern battlecruisers on Heretic.

  • A carrier escorted by two battlecruisers.

    A carrier escorted by two battlecruisers.

  • Solemn Penance over New Mombasa as seen from the Rookie's SOEIV in Halo 3: ODST.

    Solemn Penance over New Mombasa as seen from the Rookie's SOEIV in Halo 3: ODST.

  • A forward view of Clarity of Faith in Halo: Blood Line.

    A forward view of Clarity of Faith in Halo: Blood Line.

  • Assault carrier scale.

    Assault carrier scale.

  • A CAS-class carrier in the Halo 4 Prologue.

    A CAS-class carrier in the Halo 4 Prologue.

  • A Kerel-pattern assault carrier's gravity lift active on Balaho in Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals.

    A Kerel-pattern assault carrier's gravity lift active on Balaho in Halo 2: Anniversary's terminals.

  • A triad of Kerel-pattern assault carriers fly in formation after the Battle of Meridian; leading them is the Solemn Penance.

    A triad of Kerel-pattern assault carriers fly in formation after the Battle of Meridian; leading them is the Solemn Penance.

  • A Kerel-pattern assault carrier holds position above the great city of High Charity alongside several Ket-pattern battlecruisers.

    A Kerel-pattern assault carrier holds position above the great city of High Charity alongside several Ket-pattern battlecruisers.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Shadow of Intent (Retrieved on May 11, 2021) [archive]
  2. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Song of Retribution (Retrieved on Jan 26, 2021) [archive]
  3. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 262
  4. ^ a b c d e f Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 28
  5. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 264
  6. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 276
  7. ^ a b c d Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 195
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Halo: Warfleet, page 70-71
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo Mythos, page 151-152: While these pages visually depict a Syfon-pattern carrier, the information itself describes Shadow of Intent - canonically a Kerel-pattern vessel
  10. ^ a b Halo Waypoint Forums, Catalog Interaction: "[frumentarii] threat dynamic analysis noted significant improvement in the vessels [dynamic capabilities] and alterations to [nanolaminate] hull plating" (Retrieved on Oct 13, 2014) [local archive] [external archive]
  11. ^ a b c d Halo Legends - The Package (animated short)
  12. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Modular Dispersal Technology (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2011) [local archive] [external archive]
  13. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  14. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Prepare to Drop
  15. ^ Twitter, Halo (@Halo): "And Jul's ship is certainly a powerful example of Covenant/former-Covenant Assault Carriers but there's quite a..." (Retrieved on Jan 23, 2023) [archive]
  16. ^ Twitter, Halo (@Halo): "bit of variety in that ship class. Not all Assault Carriers are created equally." (Retrieved on Jan 23, 2023) [archive]
  17. ^ a b c Halo: Shadow of Intent
  18. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  19. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Have S'moa (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  20. ^ Data Drop 4
  21. ^ Halo: Uprising, issue 4
  22. ^ a b Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Coastal Highway
  23. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Storm
  24. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Heretic
  25. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  26. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  27. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  28. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent
  29. ^ Halo 4, Terminal 1
  30. ^ a b Halo: Escalation, issue The Absolute Record
  31. ^ a b c d Halo: Escalation, issue 1
  32. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, campaign level Operation A: Umbra

v • d • e
 
Ship classifications of the Covenant and its remnants
Light warships
Jiralhanae ships
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