Carrier (Broken Mirror)

There is more information available on this subject at Carrier on the English Wikipedia.
A Carrier is a type of warship. Carriers are the largest ships in a fleet alongside battleships, and beyond force-projection through deployed squadrons, can additionally perform several support roles for their defending fleets. They are most frequently used for the transport and deployment of fighters and ground troops, as well as operating as the command and control ships within fleets. In fleet combat, carriers usually stay clear of the battle, launching fighters band bombers to combat the enemy, and supporting with long range MACs. Fighters are the carrier's primary striking power; if a carrier is in direct combat with the enemy, things have gone very wrong. Carriers were operated by both the UNSC, the Covenant, and the various Covenant Remnant factions, such as , or .
In the UNSC Fleet, Carriers are the largest ships in the service, out-massing everything but the heaviest of cruisers. Often crewed by thousands of personnel from all UNSC branches, they carry numerous space, air, and ground vehicles. As befitting their roles in the navy, their primary asset is their large number of space fighters and dropships. Carriers can be found in numerous flavours, such as Light Carrier, Heavy Carrier, Carrier, Assault Carrier, and Supercarrier. These sub-types of Carrier can fulfill a wide array of tasks, operations, and roles.
== Strategic Implications ==
Carriers are heavy-weight warships, and often the slowest ships in a fleet, alongside the arsenal ships that are Battleships. However, despite their immense size and mass, they are frequently under-gunned compared even to Cruisers. Both the UNSC and Covenant fleets possessed numerous warships of such classification, though the tactical philosophies followed by the two navies were radically different.
For the UNSC, Carriers were a rare prize for any fleet, and sparingly used, for fear of losing them to the Covenant during the War. Due to their size and cost, losing a single carrier was considered as detrimental to the war as losing an entire colony. When deployed however, they serve as the centre of the fleet, coordinating all fleet actions during engagements. Despite their limited numbers, they formed a crucial line of defense towards the end of the Human-Covenant War, and have become focal to UNSC doctrine in the post-war galaxy.
Within the Covenant however, and it's splintered remnants, assault carriers are the backbone, and defining powerhouses of their fleets. Covenant Carriers are the largest vessels active in the galaxy, eclipsed by no other warships. They are sources of pride, and power. A single Covenant Carrier could lay waste to small UNSC battlegroups, and in the hands of the Empire's remnant factions, continue to prove to be the singularly most dangerous adversaries to the UNSC in the post-war.
== Brief History ==
Though the overall history of the Covenant carriers is sparse, certain carriers have details which are known. The Sh'wada-pattern of supercarrier for instance, was introduced during the Fourth Age of Conversion, Syfon-pattern carriers came into service during the Third Age of Discovery, and the Kerel-pattern assault carrier had entered service at least by circa 2135.
For humanity, the evolution of carriers stems from the 20th century, where during World War II, carriers began to shift naval doctrine globally. They would see heavy use, and development during the late stages of the 20th century, during the Cold War, but the most contemporary development of ship design, occurred in the late 20th, and early to mid 21st centuries. Carriers were the reason for doctrine shift from predominantly gun-based warships, to missile based warships, to compete with the air projection abilities of the carrier. However, development of railguns, coilguns, and supersonic missiles, developed during these eras as well limited carrier development into the future. After carriers began construction for space-based naval actions, the advances of naval conflict came to influence and redevelop the Carrier from the novelty they had become, to the foundation that they once were, anew.
Ultimately, human carrier designs and doctrine was halted through the end of the 21st through 23rd centuries, with the resurgence of the Carrier occurring throughout the long-lasting Insurrection, and more pointedly, after the Human-Covenant war's conclusion.
== Overview ==
=== Characteristics ===
Doctrine between the UNSC, the Covenant, and Covenant remnants vary greatly. The Covenant, and it's remnants often use carriers, in place of cruisers, to be the centerpiece of their fleets. Command and control of action would be coordinated through carriers, rather than cruisers. This is a stark contrast to the UNSC during the war, which used Cruisers as their typical flagships, with many Admirals preferring Cruisers over Carriers for this purpose, due to their frequency, with the UNSC losing many of their carriers. UNSC carriers relied upon their supporting fleets to protect them during naval engagements, and were frequently singled out by the Covenant for their rarity, and lack of defenses. However, carriers often provided crucial support in defenses of colonies, stations, and outposts, leveraging their fighter complements to engage the Covenant fleets, and their dropship and marine complements to support surface actions.
One universal constant between various factions however, is that Carriers are considered Capital Ships, which sets them apart from smaller vessels, such as Corvettes, Frigates, and Destroyers.
== Known Types ==
=== Covenant ===
Class 	Image	Details
Ruma-pattern (DDS) Light Carrier 	 	
Kerel-pattern (CAS) Assault Carrier	 	
Syfon-pattern (CAS) Assault Carrier	 	
Esgem-pattern (CAS) Assault Carrier	 	
Ceren-pattern (OAS) Battlecarrier 	 	
Sh'wada-pattern (CSO) Supercarrier 	 	
=== UNSC ===
Class 	Image	Details
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
Firebird-class Heavy Carrier	 	
 	 	
Elysium-class Battlecarrier 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
== Categories ==
=== UNSC ===
Carriers may be referred to as simply Carriers, without delineating down to the constituent Light, Heavy, Assault, Battlecarriers, and Supercarriers. However, several carriers fall somewhere between the line of the various types of carrier, blurring the conventional lines. While officially, they may be designated one type, or another, for practical communication of design elements, class, and intended use, it is often common to simply refer to these blurred vehicles as simply Carriers, with specificity conventionally applied to delineate more neatly classes of carrier which clearly fall within one specific category. However, several cases apply where no delineation is ever made, and the class is just a carrier, due to not fulfilling any singular role particularly well beyond it's basic design function as a carrier.
Carriers can be named for a number of reasons. Common choices include deities such as "Orion", or "Poseidon", mythological creatures such as "Pegasus", or "Kelpie", notable wars such as "Punic" or "Padri", notable battles such as "Thermopylae" or "Hastings", and concepts such as "Epoch" or "Infinity". However, numerous carriers are simply named based on the preferences of her naming committee, and do not hold to the common ascribed choices usually given to carriers. However, even these divergences can be found following similar conceits. Cities such as "Volgograd" or "Toronto", provinces such as "Yamato" or "Ontario", and historical figures such as "Odysseus" and "Churchill". Despite the wide variance in naming considerations, Carriers are relatively easy to predict their naming conceits compared to the nearly limitless naming schemes of Frigates and Cruisers. Hull Codes for carriers have become relatively standardised by the 25th and 26th centuries, with hull codes designated for their roles and capabilities.
Classification 	Description
Light Carrier 	Light Carriers are the smallest type of carriers. Carrying reduced complements, and lacking the cargo capacity of their larger sister types, they're often overlooked in favour of other ships, including cruisers. Light carriers, unlike light cruisers, do not occupy their own 'goldilocks zone' as their armaments, durability, hangar complement, and speed are all outclassed by other ship types, even light cruisers. Being highly under-performant, the Light Carrier is likely to be retired as quickly as it was resurrected.
Light Carriers have always been relatively unfavoured by the UNSC, as all the roles they fulfill are better accomplished through other classes and types. Despite this, the Poseidon-class light carrier, is an example of a post-war design that has against all odds, survived distaste and budget cuts to enter into a brief, uneventful service with the Navy. Within the UNSC Navy, Light Carriers use the Hull Code of CVL.
Carrier 	Carriers when referred to as a type, rather than a generalisation, blur the line between Light and Heavy carriers, blending their strengths to cover glaring weaknesses. Carriers which do not fall into a single delineation however, have become increasingly rarer, as UNSC doctrine has shifted toward predominantly Heavy Carrier use. As a clear delineation cannot be conducted, these carriers pull Hull Codes from both the Light and Heavy carrier types, depending on whether the class shared more qualities with one type over the other. As such, Carriers could be found with either of the two Hull Codes, being CVL and CV for Light and Heavy carriers, respectfully.
Heavy Carrier 	Heavy Carriers are the bread-and-butter carrier type of the UNSC Navy. A balance of hangar complement, speed, durability, and armament, Heavy Carriers are prime centre-pieces for fleets, and potent escorts for the far larger Supercarriers. It is often remarked that for every five heavy carriers that are built, a new supercarrier follows. This goes to show the shift of UNSC doctrine in the post-war climate toward carrier centric doctrine in favour of the mass wave assaults of frigates and cruisers which defined the Human-Covenant War.
Heavy Carriers are the more predominant type of Carrier in UNSC service, making up the bulk of UNSC warships in the post-war alongside post-war frigate designs. Within the UNSC Navy, Heavy Carriers use the Hull Code of CV.
Assault Carrier	Assault Carriers fulfill a very specialised role in the navy, serving as assault ships and ferries for incredible amounts of personnel, equipment, and munitions. They are rarely used to fight naval battles, as that is beyond their scope of portfolio. However, they make excellent support vessels for planetary campaigns, and could serve as orbital headquarters for planetary invasions. However, their lack of real offensive and defensive potential leave many wishing for more, and so Assault Carriers have diminished in use and production scope after the Human-Covenant War.
Assault Carriers in their role as the equivalent of the Assault Ships of the 20th and 21st centuries, are sometimes referred to as the "Marines' Battle-busses" as their ability to bring such overwhelming numbers to a zone of conflict was seen as advantageous to the Corps. However, their lacking armaments and survivability lead to heavy losses. Within the UNSC Navy, Assault Carriers use the Hull Code of CVA.
Battlecarrier 	Battlecarriers are a niche classification, that has only seen development and deployment in the post-war environment of the galaxy. Attempting to blend the best attributes of carriers, with the armaments of post-war battleships, Battlecarriers were a short-lived experiment, as ultimately all of their functions were better served by modern Supercarrier designs. The only class of Battlecarrier which saw deployment was the Elysium-class, of which only two saw active service before the Created Conflict, though they managed to escape the initial subjugation by the Guardians, they were destroyed by a Guardian in the Epsilon Indi system.
Battlecarriers can also be written as battle carrier or battle-carrier. Battlecarriers have thinner armour and a lighter armament than Supercarriers, but eclipse other carriers in these aspects. Within the UNSC Navy, Battlecarriers used the Hull Code of CVB.
Supercarrier 	Supercarriers are the largest and most powerful forms of Carriers. Only three classes of Carrier have been designated Supercarriers. Carrying armadas of fighter wings, and enough dropships and ordnance to support planetary invasions, these ships are coveted prizes. Their deployment is as rare as it is devastating in the post-war era, as Supercarriers come to shape the UNSC's new doctrine, learning from the war against the Covenant.
Supercarriers are powerhouse designs, representing a supersized carrier design. Supercarriers are some of the most heavily armoured warships in the UNSC Navy above and beyond all other ships. Additionally, contrary to standard carrier design, Supercarriers carry significant armaments, often exceeding that of Heavy Cruisers. Within the UNSC Navy, Supercarriers use the Hull Code of CVS.
=== Covenant ===
Due to the unique method in which the Covenant self-identifies it's warships, no perfect methodology for analysing and ascribing the idea of a Cruiser to Covenant doctrine and fleet philosophy would be accurate. However, one can mention, and analyse the similarities and differences between Human conceits and terminology, with those of the Covenant races, superficial and blatant both.
Category	Description
Examiner	Examiners are famously portrayed through the Syfon and Kerel pattern Assault Carriers, and by which the idea of the Examiner is most well known. Equipped with incredible suites of Forerunner artifacts, Examiners are the ultimate embodiment of the Covenant's naval power and doctrine. Command ships of great prestige, status, and note, which oversaw campaigns. However, even these venerable ships were overshadowed by an even greater force. For Examiners, alongside their other duties, often served escort to the grandest of all Covenant vessels. The Exarchs.
Exarch 	Exarchs are the singularly most powerful vessels in the Covenant Armada. To serve on an Exarch is seen as an unimpeachable honour. With untold potential and power, a single Exarch could pacify, subjugate, and glass a small human colony, without assistance. During the entire Human-Covenant War, the UNSC only ever managed to destroy one Exarch. The Sh'wada-pattern Supercarrier "Long Night of Solace" over Reach, during the planet's fall. The deployment of an Exarch is seen as so critical, that only the Three Hierarchs themselves could ever order their deployment. Given their immense scale, Exarchs were rarely built, and even more rarely seen. During the entire Human-Covenant War, there were less than a dozen sightings of Exarch type ships by the UNSC, and all appear to have gone missing or been destroyed in the Covenant civil-war.
== Related Vehicles ==
=== Human ===
* : Though traditionally a heavy cruiser, the Marathon-class was rarely deployed in a configuration that was equivalent to a light carrier.
* : Phoenix-class colony ships modified for military service are sometimes re-designated as Phoenix-class carriers, as well as Phoenix-class support ships.
=== Sangheili ===
* Lursu-pattern brigantine: A Sangheili ship by origin. Used by the Covenant as a tithe ship, it has been recently remilitarised as a heavy carrier by Covenant Remnant factions, and the Swords of Sangheilios.
=== Forerunner ===
* Fortress-class vessel: While not described as a carrier by the Forerunners themselves, this type of vessel within their fleets could carry thousands of swift attack craft.
== See also ==
* Covenant Ship Classification System
* UNSC Hull Classification System
Category:Ship ClassificationsCategory:United Nations Space Command