The Mantis is the Combine’s capital ship of the seas. Used for striking far away targets, the carrier’s deadly air wings can unload ludicrous amounts of fire on their intended targets.
Capable of holding up to 24 aircraft, the Mantis can act in either an offensive or defensive role. It measures 500 meters in length, rivaling many interstellar cutters in size. It has a top speed of 32 knots, leaving it much slower than most direct fire surface combatants, and therefore vulnerable to missiles and naval artillery when unescorted.
That isn’t to say it is defenseless, however; though the Mantis’ armor belt is somewhat thin, its shields are very heavy, allowing it to soak incredible damage. For point defense, it carries 4 nanoshell repeater turrets, useful for wiping out salvos of incoming missiles.
Unlike most modern carriers, the Mantis is actually armed with capital weapons. It carries an eight cell nanite missile launcher for engaging enemy ships and vehicles. While only used in dire circumstances, it gives the carrier a unique advantage when compared to ships of a similar role.
The Mantis-type is the heaviest planet-bound unit in the Combine’s arsenal. Capable of providing support for both ground and space forces, they are invaluable tools of both planetary defense and invasion.