Marathon-class heavy cruiser Production information Manufacturer UNSC Technical specifications Engine unit(s) Deuterium fusion reactor Slipspace Drive Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine Hull Hull 191cm titanium-A battle plate Mass 100,000 tons (200,000,000 lbs)[1] Length 1,192 metres (3,910 ft) [2] Width 293 metres (960 ft) [2] Armament 2 Magnetic Accelerator Cannons[3] Oversized Archer missile pods (60 missiles each) 50 mm Point-defense guns 5 Fusion rockets[3] Complement 24 Longsword interceptors[3] Pelican dropships (D77-TC or D77H-TCI) Marines ODSTs HEVs Warthogs Scorpions Hornets Falcons Usage Role(s) Attack, defense Affiliation UNSC Navy

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The Marathon-class heavy cruiser is a cruiser classification used by the UNSC Navy.^[2] At 1,190 meters,^[3] they are some of the largest and most powerful warships ever utilized by humanity, built as a replacement for their aging Halcyon-class light cruisers. Their numbers are limited, and they are usually commanded by the highest ranking officers.

DescriptionEdit

At 1190 meters long, Marathon-class heavy cruisers are approximately three times the length of a UNSC frigate. They are equipped with thick layers of Titanium-A armor, and are able to sustain far greater damage than any UNSC frigate or destroyer. Due to their size, durability and firepower (2 MACs as well as dozens of oversized Archer missile pods), these massive vessels are commanded by UNSC Admirals and primarily serve as flagships for UNSC fleets.^[3]

UseEdit

During the early years of the Human-Covenant war, Marathons played a crucial role in defending the outer colonies, although most ended up getting destroyed during that period of time. The remainder of these great cruisers were reassigned to the defense of the Inner colonies in the latter years of the Human-Covenant war.^[4] They were considered extremely valuable in terms of firepower and armor, and it was seen to by the UNSC admiralty that they were only used in the most dire and occasional of circumstances. Marathons were present at the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV and the Fall of Reach. Twelve^{[citation needed]} saw action at the Battle of Earth under Fleet Admiral Harper and another was part of Battle Group Stalingrad during the Battle of Onyx.

Ships of the lineEdit

• UNSC Leviathan - Flagship of Admiral Hieronymus Michael Stanforth. Likely lost during the Fall of Reach.^[5]
• UNSC Hannibal - Destroyed in 2552.
• UNSC Prophecy - Destroyed in 2531.
• UNSC Say My Name - Present at the Battle of Earth.^[6]
• UNSC Dresden - Destroyed over Biko. Carried a saddle box drive.^[7]

TriviaEdit

• In Halo: The Fall of Reach, the Marathon classification is erroneously identified as a carrier.^[8]
• The name 'Marathon' could possibly be a reference to the Battle of Marathon, fought in 490 BC where heavily outnumbered Athenians and Plataeans defeated an army of Persians who were trying to conquer Greece. This battle was also simulated by Wellsley, Antonio Silva's AI, while he was unoccupied in Halo: The Flood. This battle also gave its name to Bungie's previous Marathon game series, and the name of this classification of ships may be a reference to the said series.
• In Halo: The Fall of Reach, it is mentioned that the Leviathan was one of twenty UNSC cruisers left in the Fleet, which were being slowly pulled back to protect the Inner colonies.^[4] At least eight of them were present in the UNSC Home Fleet in October 2552.^[9]

GalleryEdit

The UNSC Prophecy.

Marathon-class heavy cruisers on a video display of the Home Fleet.

ODST's gathered around a holo-table inside a Marathon-class cruiser.

A view of the UNSC Say My Name via a glitch.

A Marathon-class heavy cruiser in combat

A Marathon-class heavy cruiser's engines firing.

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery

List of appearancesEdit

• Halo 2
• Halo Wars (Mentioned only)
• Halo 3: ODST
• Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
• Halo: First Strike
  • Tug o' War (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
• Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
  • The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole
• Halo Graphic Novel
  • Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa
• Halo Wars: Genesis
• Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp

SourcesEdit

1. ↑ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 53
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 42
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} Halo Encyclopedia, page 251
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 162
5. ↑ Halo: The Fall of Reach
6. ↑ Halo 3: ODST
7. ↑ Halo: First Strike
8. ↑ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 212
9. ↑ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station