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{{Redirect|Assault carrier|the UNSC carrier|Orion-class assault carrier}}
{{Redirect|Assault carrier|the UNSC carrier|Orion-class assault carrier}}
[[File:HR CAS assaultcarrier Render2.png|350px|thumb|A Covenant assault carrier]]
[[File:HR CAS assaultcarrier Render2.png|350px|thumb|A Covenant assault carrier]]
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==Overview==
==Overview==
===Design details===
===Design details===
[[File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A carrier glassing [[New Mombasa]].]]
[[File:MDT.png|300px|thumb|left|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.]]
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 {{Pattern|Ket|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.
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 {{Pattern|Ket|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.
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>


[[File:Shadow of Intent bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The bridge of an assault carrier.]]
[[File:Shadow of Intent bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The bridge of an assault carrier.]]
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}}
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.{{Citation needed}}


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 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.
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===Propulsion===
===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.
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.{{Citation needed}}


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>
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]].
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]], [[Banshee|Banshee attack craft]], [[Phantom]] and [[Spirit]] dropships, and [[R'sisho-pattern Tick|boarding craft]].


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.
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.
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===Armament===
===Armament===
[[File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A carrier glassing [[New Mombasa]].]]
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>
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>


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.
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.{{Ref/Reuse|Cairo}}


==Classes==
==Classes==
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==Operational history==
==Operational history==
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]
[[File:AC Cargobay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.]]
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 {{Pattern|Ket|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.{{citation needed}}
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 {{Pattern|Ket|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 [[Battle of 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.{{citation needed}}


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 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>
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 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>
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<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]]''.
File:Assault carrier.jpg|The ''Solemn Penance'' hangs ominously in the clouds over [[New Mombasa]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Covenant Pinch Fusion reactor.jpg|An assault carrier's [[pinch fusion reactor]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Covenant Pinch Fusion reactor.jpg|An assault carrier's [[pinch fusion reactor]] in ''Halo 2''.
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 ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers.
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:Image-Acuc.JPG|A forward view of ''Shadow of Intent''.
File:Ark3.jpg|A UNSC frigate flying under an assault carrier. Note the size of the carrier's hangar.
File:Floodgate2.jpg|The interior of an assault carrier's hanger bay. Note the UNSC frigate and dropships of both Covenant and human design in dock.
File:Assault-Carrier-Side upload.jpg|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.
File:Assault-Carrier-Top upload.jpg|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.
File:H3-AssaultCarrier-Underside.jpg|A full view of the carrier's underside.
File:Ark Secret Room.jpg|The bridge of ''Shadow of Intent''.
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 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: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 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: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: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: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: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 Cutscene EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|An assault carrier's energy projector piercing the hull of a {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}} in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A - Solemn Penance jumping.jpg|''Solemn Penance'' performs an in-atmosphere slipspace jump on [[Earth]].
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 - 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 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 ''Ket''-pattern 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 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]]''.
File:HTV-Unbound-HighCharity.jpg|''CAS''-class assault carriers protecting High Charity in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 09:56, January 27, 2024

"Assault carrier" redirects here. For the UNSC carrier, see Orion-class assault carrier.
A Covenant assault carrier

"Look at the size of that thing!"
— Edward Buck after an assault carrier arrives over New Mombasa.[1]

Assault carrier is a large capital ship used by the Covenant. The CAS is designed for ship-to-ship combat, command and control of fleet operations, and close atmospheric support for ground occupation forces. Such vessels are typically deployed during invasions of worlds with high strategic value.[2]

Overview

Design details

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

The class' hull is comprised of nanolaminate plating; however, its greatest assets are its 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 focusing fire on it.[3] Furthermore, Rtas 'Vadum employed the tactic of ramming Ket-pattern battlecruisers during the Battle of Installation 00 with no visible damage being inflicted upon his flagship.[4] A further testament to this vessel's survivability is that it was selected by the Covenant alongside the much larger Sh'wada-pattern supercarrier to serve as the Hierarchs' personal flagships when they were not aboard the also heavily shielded High Charity.[2] 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.

The bridge of an assault carrier.

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.[citation needed]

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 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 "S", or Salvation, in the carrier's three-letter classification code, "CAS", indicates that the CAS-class assault carrier is a dedicated warship.[5]

Propulsion

For propulsion, assault carriers rely on large deuterium-tritium pinch fusion reactors, housed in cavernous chambers,[3] which power the ship's vital systems, as well as the three aft-mounted repulsor engines 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.[citation needed]

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.[6]

Crew and complement

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.[7] A single CAS-class assault carrier is capable of deploying a military force sizable enough to secure an entire 26th century city.[8] The class' cavernous main hangar has the capacity of carrying hundreds of Seraph multirole fighters, Banshee attack craft, Phantom and Spirit dropships, and boarding craft.

Supplementing their considerable infantry detachments, each assault carrier holds large fleets of Ghosts and Wraiths, along with a number of Scarabs. In November 2552, the UNSC frigate UNSC Forward Unto Dawn docked inside the launch bay of Shadow of Intent, an assault carrier, demonstrating the immense size of the class.[9] The class is also fitted with Covenant escape pods.

Assault carriers are often used as flagships, leading Covenant fleets into battle. Though designed for planetary combat, they also excel at ship-to-ship combat, possessing multiple pulse laser batteries, plasma turrets, and at least three energy projectors.[3] 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.[2]

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 orbital insertion pods. Like most Covenant ships, they also possess gravity lifts, used for ferrying supplies, personnel, and vehicles from the ship and to a planet's surface.[8][10]

Armament

A carrier glassing New Mombasa.

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 projectors on its ventral and dorsal surfaces which are powerful enough to cut through UNSC capital ships.[3] They also possess multiple pulse laser turrets, which are used for intercepting enemy missiles and fighters, and plasma torpedoes for engaging in ship-to-ship combat and assaulting planetary defenses.[4] There is also some variety within the assault carrier class; individual assault carriers sometimes possess differing capabilities in terms of defenses and armament.[11]

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 Marathon-class heavy cruiser with a single blast of its dorsal energy projector.[3]

Classes

  • H3 Assault Carrier render.png
  • Enc22 SyfonCASCarrier.png

Known assault carriers

Kerel-pattern
Syfon-pattern
Unnamed pattern (Halo: Reach)
Unknown pattern

The following CAS have no confirmation on what pattern they are:

Operational history

The massive launch bay of the assault carrier.

The 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 Ket-pattern battlecruisers and Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyers attacked and glassed the world.[14] Subsequently, the assault carrier Pious Rampage was the flagship of the Fleet of Inexorable Obedience which glassed at least seven human worlds.[15] The Pious Rampage was one of the few vessels to survive the Battle of Zhoist which decimated the Fleet of Inexorable Obedience.[16] 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.[citation needed]

Following the destruction of the Sh'wada-pattern 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 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.[17]

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.[18] 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.[19]

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.[20]

Production notes

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  • An early draft of Halo 2 was intended to feature a level tentatively called Covenantship, in which John-117 would board an assault carrier and destroy it from within.[21]
  • In the modern US Navy, the term "assault carrier" refers to the Amphibious Assault Ship, which is used to transport troops over water and offload them via hovercraft or helicopter.

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Coastal Highway
  2. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint, Data Drop Four
  3. ^ a b c d e Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  4. ^ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Ark
  5. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder: Have S'moa
  6. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Prepare to Drop
  7. ^ Halo Mythos, page 151
  8. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  9. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Floodgate
  10. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Uplift Reserve
  11. ^ Twitter: @HaloWaypoint It's been said that...
  12. ^ Spartan Games: Covenant Assault Carrier
  13. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 9
  14. ^ Halo: Reach, Dr. Halsey's personal journal
  15. ^ Halo: Silent Storm
  16. ^ Halo: Oblivion
  17. ^ Halo 4, multiplayer map, Landfall - evacuation alert messages
  18. ^ Halo: Uprising, issue 4
  19. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Storm
  20. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Escalation
  21. ^ Halo 3 Legendary Edition developer commentary
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