SAV-class carrier

The SAV-class carrier is an ancient line of warship used by the Covenant Empire and its sub-factions. Although incredibly old, the ship still fares well enough in combat due to its numerous updates in technology following the start of the Human-Covenant War. They are capable of assaulting planets with a moderately sized support fleet and defending themselves to an extent, making them an excellent ship for beginning shipmasters. 
== Operational History ==
=== Pre-Covenant ===
The SAV first saw use during the War of Beginnings. Sangheili forces needed a vessel that could carry and deploy a large amount of troops, supplies, and vehicles at the same time. This need gave birth to the SAV class of ships, larger than the Hekar Taa but much smaller than the older Brigantine. The SAV proved very effective during the war, its deployments of supplies often turning the tide of a battle. The ship continued to be used for a brief period after the war before being replaced by other newer ships.
=== Human-Covenant War ===
After the start of the Human-Covenant War, the SAV was given numerous updates to its technology to be up to date with other ships. During the war, the SAV served as a sort of trial ship for new shipmasters. Many shipmasters looking to climb ranks quickly would be assigned to these ships and tested. This test usually involved locating and uncovering Forerunner structures, as well as clearing worlds of any resistance during the process. Given that the shipmaster performed well, they had a chance to be moved to more advanced ships such as the DDS and CAS classes.
Besides this role, the SAV could be found in small and/or reserve fleets, attacking lower priority worlds, or simply carrying cargo.
=== Post-War ===
After the end of the Human-Covenant War, the SAV was further upgraded and began being used again in main Sangheili fleets alongside the Hekar Taa and Brigantine.
== Design ==
=== Characteristics ===
The SAV like many Covenant vessels has the signature purple nanolaminate hull and organic shape. There are multiple glaring deviations from standard Covenant design. These include the massive hangar bay in the front, additional hangars on top, wings, and tail. The wings and tail, being relatively thin parts of the ship, present a large structural weakness, being easily blown off. The hangars being so open also show another weakness of the ship. UNSC forces most relate the design of the ship to the Manta Ray, an Earth fish.
=== Armament & Usage ===
While considered ancient, the SAV is not to be underestimated. Much of its updated armament is derived from the newer CCS-class battlecruiser. The ventral excavation beam is surprisingly powerful, able to glass significant amounts of land or excavate Forerunner structures quickly. To make up for the lack of an adequately strong hull, it is fitted with powerful shielding capable of taking multiple cruiser level MAC shots before failing. The ship also has 2 Ignis-pattern plasma lances, one located on the outside of each wing. However outside of these two lances the SAV is severely lacking in dedicated ship-to-ship guns. Towards the back of the ship on the top side, there are 8 tubes for plasma torpedoes. The ship also has a considerable amount of pulse lasers to serve as AA and deterring smaller ships. The SAV has a massive launch bay located at the front "mouth" of the ship as well as large hangars on the top (surrounded by armor). Together this allows the ship to deploy a very significant amount of space fighters at any given time.
During combat operations, the SAV functions as a platform for supporting ground forces and large amounts of strikecraft. The SAV is often seen alongside the CAR-class frigate in fleets, providing an incredibly powerful wall of AA. For ground forces, the SAV possesses at least one gravity lift and a very large cargo bay that houses a plethora of vehicles and supplies, including Scarab platforms and several prefabricated bases for quick set-up and occupation.
Category:Covenant ships
Category:Carrier classes
Category:Ships