Autumn-class cruiser (Sev40)

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The Autumn-class cruiser (: CA) is a general-purpose capital ship manufactured by SinoViet Heavy Machinery for the 
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==Development and construction==
==Role==
In purpose, the Autumn-class cruiser is supposed to act as an adaptable, well-balanced capital ship, able to conduct a number of different missions within a very short span of time. This can include going from escorting a convoy of relief ships, to coordinating an attack against a Covenant remnant fleet, to undertaking high-endurance missions far away from Human Space. This is mainly achieved through the use of prefabricated mission packages, which allows a single ship to be rapidly optimized to a specific objective in a very short span of time.
However, the bread-and-butter of this class is in a specific set of roles. The Autumn-class cruiser is primarily intended to combat other Covenant capital ships, where its durability and use of modern weapons allows it to engage them on a much more even playing field. In these engagements, it is supposed to draw their fire and survive the punishment, allowing the rest of the fleet a chance to outmaneuver and overwhelm their opponents. This lends it well to an attack or escort role, where in the former it is not uncommon for a pair of cruisers to propel themselves into an enemy formation to disrupt their lines and temporarily break their cohesion. The Autumn-class works well as a squadron flagship, where its potent counter-jamming suite and native flag deck allows it to effectively lead groups of smaller craft into battle. In these cases, it can piggy-back older ships through slipspace, moving them far further than they otherwise could on their older translight engines, and carry a surplus of fuel, spare parts, and even vehicles and cryofrozen crewmen for extended missions. However, it is generally acknowledged that a dedicated replenishment ship can fulfil this need, without the risk of exposing itself to Covenant weaponry. It can also operate as a light carrier for small task forces, although these hangar bays are typically used to ferry ground forces instead.
== History ==
== Layout ==
=== Weaknesses and Counter-Tactics ===
=== Configurations ===
Unlike the Halcyon-class cruisers that preceded it, the Autumn-class cruiser is built with a somewhat less-durable but more modular design. All across the starship are a large number of empty storerooms, maintenance airlocks, and power distribution sockets that are organised in a standardised orientation, which allows SinoViet to quickly and easily fit the infrastructure for extended components. New weapon systems, self-defence arrays, and even mission-specific hardware can be effortlessly installed and reconfigured at any given naval base. Because of this, the Autumn-class has a number of specialised configurations that differ in firepower, carrying capacity, and supportive abilities.
*Orbital assault/strike: Widely considered the 'vanilla' configuration, the orbital assault/strike set-up is designed to maximise the cruiser's forward firepower and deploy a fast, hard-hitting ground element. The four Mark 40 Spitfires are positioned directly in front of the secondary fusion drives in pairs, which allows them to collectively target a single ship, but restricts their field of fire. The hangar has been retooled to support the launch of ten and up to twelve gunships, as well as allocating space for additional blast-protected munitions for both its ODSTs and aerial wing. The micro-satellite and reconnaissance drone complement has also doubled.
*Escort: Another common sight, these cruisers are used when they are likely to confront massed hostiles or better protect a nearby ally. The Spitfires are better spaced around the ship to provide better firing arcs, and a total of twenty-four M870 Rampart point defence guns are there to protect the mothership from missiles. Two squadrons of F-41 Broadswords, as well as an assortment of other space fighters, are typically carried at the cost of its ground complement.
*Attack: Based upon the original specifications for the Pillar of Autumn, the attack version is designed to vastly augment the cruiser's firepower. Four more Spitfires, eighteen M910 Ramparts and cells for heavy missiles such as are installed. To protect itself, two shield generators and an assortment of Rapid Offboard Countermeasure and Decoy Launchers (ROCaDL) can be activated at a moment's notice. The MAC may be upgraded with additional slug storage and multi-shot capability, although both of these will cut into its hangar storage.
H4-AutumnHeavyCruiser-ScanRender.png|Orbital assault/strike configuration.
Hr1.jpg|Escort configuration.
PoA Reach.jpg|Attack configuration.
== Ships of the Line ==
Name 	Hull Classification Symbol	Commissioned 	Destroyed	Notes
 	CA-719 	30/6/2510, 6/4/2553The UNSC Pillar of Autumn II was originally built as part of the legendary first block of Halcyon-class cruisers, however she would be decommissioned and left for scrapping. She would be rebuilt in 2553 as a template for future Autumn-class cruisers.	N/A 	Formerly a Halcyon-class cruiser christened with the name UNSC Duties and Desires and UNSC Dawn Under Heaven at various points in its career. It would be modified to become the lead ship of the class.
 	CA-727 	30/3/2554 	N/A 	Captained by Lucas Foster, served as the flagship of Task Force Heth. Later investigated encrypted distress signals originating from Mazovia.
 	CA-728 	30/3/2554 	N/A 	Escorted the while in orbit of Earth.
 	CA-729 	1/4/2554 	N/A 	Participated in the .
UNSC Horus 	CA-737 	3/3/2554 	N/A 	Boarded by the Universal Resonance, but fought off by Fireteam Caliber. Later assisted a Swords of Sanghelios armada in attacking the Covenant remnant-held world of Kalincton.
 	CA-739 	18/9/2555 	N/A 	Escorted the UNSC Infinity while in orbit of Earth.
UNSC Thunder Child	CA-755 	28/12/2555 	N/A 	Attached to Battlegroup Kings during the Second Battle of Albion.
 	CA-840 	1/2/2558 	N/A 	Flagship of Vice Admiral .
== Gallery ==
HW_Infinity_refit.png|An Autumn-class cruiser finishing construction alongside an Infinity-class supercarrier.
H4_Infinity_with_Autumn-cruisers.jpg|Three cruisers escorting an Infinity-class supercarriers.
UNSC_SOTE.jpg|A lower side vehicle of an Autumn-class cruiser, showing its portside hangars.
== References ==
Category:Cruiser classes
Category:UNSC Ship Classes