DD-340 was a Hope-class destroyer in service with the UNSC Navy during the Human-Covenant War. DD-340 was constructed above Reach and commissioned in October 2543, after which she was assigned to the UNSC Home Fleet. DD-340 was one of five vessels of the class to fight at the Battle of Earth, and one of only two to survive. During the opening stages of the battle in October 2552, DD-340 sustained serious damage to her communications equipment while providing fire support to the Argus-class carrier UNSC Penelope. Although she remained otherwise undamaged, this prevented the vessel from being remotely operated and as a result she was unable to participate further in the battle. DD-340 was manually towed by three F/A-352A Longswords from Penelope to high orbit, preventing her from losing orbi