Editing AV-22 Sparrowhawk

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Vehicle infobox
| name         = AV-22 Sparrowhawk
| image        = [[File:HWunit Sparrowhawk.png|300px]]
| manufacturer = 
| line         = 
| model        = AV-22<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 182''</ref>
| cost         = 
| length       = {{convert|16.5|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
| width        = {{convert|9.6|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
| height       = 
| mass         = 
| max speed    = {{convert|611|km/h|mph|sp=us}}<ref name="airspeed">[[:File:UNSC Hawk.jpg|Sparrowhawk production image]]</ref>
| engine       = Dual-ducted air fans<ref name="deep links">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-local-units '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Local Units'']</ref>
| hull         = 
| armament     = *Twin-linked [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon|GAU-23/AW autocannons]]{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
*[[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon]]{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
| crew         = One [[pilot]], one gunner{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
| complement   = 
| consumables  = 
| othersystems = 
| firstuse     = 
| service      = *[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
| role         = *Close air support<ref name="enc259">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 259'' (2011)</ref>
*Air escort of ground forces{{Ref/Reuse|enc259}}
| affiliation  = [[United Nations Space Command]]
}}

The '''AV-22 Sparrowhawk''', formally known as the '''AV-22 Attack VTOL'''{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}, but often simply nicknamed the '''Hawk''', is a [[VTOL]] attack aircraft in service with the [[United Nations Space Command]]. 

==Overview==
===Design details===
The AV-22 Sparrowhawk is a formidable air-to-ground anti-tank [[Wikipedia:Aircraft#Heavier-than-air – aerodynes|aerodyne]] that is used to hunt tanks and support ground advances.<ref>[http://www.halowars.com/forums/thread/45018.aspx '''Halo Wars Official Site''': ''Halo Wars Update 03.12.07'']</ref> 

The Sparrowhawk features a two-seat cockpit with tandem seating for a pilot and gunner, and cyberlink-compatible fly-by-light avionics.{{Ref/Reuse|deep links}} Rather than using thrust-vectoring jets like some aircraft of the [[United Nations Space Command]], the AV-22 features an integrated [[VTOL]] propulsion system that combines a turbojet with dual-ducted lift fans,{{Ref/Reuse|deep links}} which gives it a maximum airspeed of 611 kilometers per hour (380 miles per hour){{Ref/Reuse|airspeed}} and impressive maneuverability. 

The Sparrowhawk shares a number of design similarities with its fellow aerodyne brethren such as the [[AV-14 Hornet]], [[AV-19 SkyHawk]], [[AV-30 Kestrel]], and [[AV-49 Wasp]],{{Ref/Reuse|deep links}} however while classified as an "Attack VTOL", some branches of the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces classify the aircraft as a gunship due to its heavy armament. 

===Armaments===
The VTOL's primary weapon is a pair of brutally effective, twin-linked [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s installed on weapon armatures on either side of the fuselage. These autocannons can fire the full range of 20mm aircraft ammunition, though the standard loadout on the Sparrowhawk is either [[M718 SAPHEI]], or [[PGU-42/B API]] with a [[depleted uranium]] core, and are capable of neutralizing infantry and light vehicles with ease.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|deep links}}<ref>[http://mktplassets.xbox.com/NR/rdonlyres/31804095-7B32-4CE2-A17E-3CB54A3692EF/0/HaloWars_MNL_EN.PDF Halo Wars manual]</ref> The secondary weapon of the Sparrowhawk is a nose-mounted [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon]], an upgraded version of the [[M6 Spartan Laser]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}<ref>'''[[Halo Wars: Limited Edition]]''', ''[[:File:HWLE Anders Profile Back.jpg|Anders leader card]]''</ref> The cannon allows gunners to conduct devastatingly effective long-range strikes on heavy vehicles such as tanks with pinpoint accuracy. Components of the Sparrowhawk's cannon were later miniaturized and incorporated into the infantry-portable [[M6/E Spartan Laser|M6/E Spartan Laser variant]].{{Ref/Reuse|deep links}}

Like most of the UNSC's vehicle fleet, the aircraft has some degree of modularity. Its wings can be fitted with mounting brackets for missile racks, and the weapon armatures on the fuselage and chin can be fitted with a number of other twin-linked heavy machine guns.

These armaments, combined with the VTOL's impressive speed and maneuverability, allows the Sparrowhawk to engage Covenant [[Type-26 Banshee]]s on more than equal terms and to pursue fleeing dropships or engage them as they approach; even a pair of Sparrowhawks can destroy a {{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}}—the bane of the AV-14—with minimal attrition.{{Ref/Reuse|Repairs}}

==Variants==
*'''[[AV-22B Sparrowhawk]]''': A variant of AV-22 armed with two short-range [[A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher|A-74 Sylver]] missile racks.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
<gallery>
File:AV-22_Sparrowhawk.png|AV-22B Hawk
</gallery>
*'''ODST Hawk''': The ODST Hawk is an upgraded variant of the AV-22B designed exclusively for the [[105th Shock Troops Division|105th Special Forces]] to assist in covert offensives against Covenant armor and infantry units. It is designed with stealth gray armor creating a low RADAR detection signature, that makes it nearly impossible to detect.<ref>[https://www.megaconstrux.com/en-gb/worlds/halo/playsets/odst-hawk '''Megabloks''' ''- ODST Hawk'']</ref> It is normally flown by [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODST]] Pilots, designated by their brown colored breastplate and helmet stripe.
<gallery>
File:ODST_Hawk.png|ODST Hawk
</gallery>

==Operational history==
The Sparrowhawk was employed as early as [[2526]]{{Ref/Novel|Oblv|Chapter=1}}, and later saw action on [[Harvest]] during the final months of the [[Harvest campaign]] in early [[2531]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} Weeks later, several Sparrowhawks attached to {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} defended their parent vessel from a [[Covenant]] {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}} during the [[Battle of Trove]], proving the VTOL's effectiveness as both a ground-support platform and as an impromptu atmospheric fighter.<ref name="Repairs">'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Repairs]]''</ref> The Sparrowhawk met with great success in the war against the Covenant, serving as a gunship escort for troop transports, providing aerial security, and operating in hunter-killer squadrons that harassed Covenant landing zones and troop columns. Combat losses were always high, though pilots accumulated enviable kill ratios.{{Ref/Reuse|deep links}}

Although the Sparrowhawk was widely produced during the first decade of the war, problems with its ducted fan propulsion system<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 249''</ref> and the high costs of repair and replacement resulted in limited production after [[2550]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} Nonetheless, the Sparrowhawk continued active service and saw combat during the [[Battle for Earth]] in [[2552]], the [[Battle of Draetheus V]] in [[2554]], the [[Invasion of Earth]] in [[2555]], and the [[Battle of Installation 03]] in [[2557]].<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Operation F: Hydra]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Spartan Strike'''</ref> On [[2558#March|March 11, 2558]] several AV-22 Sparrowhawks belonging to the ''Spirit of Fire'', alongside multiple [[AC-220 Vulture]]s, attacked the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} when the ''[[Pilgrims' Pride]]'' was pulled into the ''Infinity's'' docking bay.<ref name="HE4">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #4''</ref> Several Sparrowhawks were used by the Surakan Militia against Hekabe's forces in the [[Carrow Conflict]] later that year.{{Ref/Novel|Env}}

Prior to the Sparrowhawk's introduction, the [[AV-14 Hornet]] filled a similar anti-tank and ground support role, and as such is considered the Hawk's predecessor.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}

==Gameplay==
In ''Halo Wars''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[skirmish]] and multiplayer modes, the Hawk is the unique unit of [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]]. It is available as the final upgrade for the AV-14 Hornet at a cost of 900 supplies and a tech level of 3. It can be built at the [[UNSC Airpad|airpad]] for a cost of 250 resources and 2 population with a tech level of 2. The game's first title update increased the Hawk's upgrade price to 1350 supplies in order to prevent spamming of the unit.

==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*A [[Wikipedia:Sparrowhawk|sparrowhawk]] is a species of small hawk, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming most atmospheric aircraft after birds. 
*The Sparrowhawk looks similar to the [[AV-30 Kestrel#Halo 2 predecessor|Kestrel]], a UNSC aircraft that was cut from ''[[Halo 2]]''. The Hawk also bears a noticeable resemblance to the [[cnc:Orca aircraft|Orca gunship series]] from the [[cnc:Main Page|''Command and Conquer'' franchise]], primarily the [[cnc:A-15 Orca|A-15 model]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HW UNSCArmourColumn Concept.jpg|Concept art depicting a flight of Sparrowhawks providing close-air-support for UNSC ground forces.
File:SparrowHawk.jpg|Concept art depicting a squadron of AV-22 Sparrowhawks hovering above a desert for ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:UNSC_Hawk.jpg|Early concept art of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk VTOL.
File:UNSC_Hawk_Chaingun.jpg|Concept art of the [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon|GAU-23 autocannon]].
File:HaloWarsBattle.jpg|Sparrowhawks and [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]] lend their firepower in support of UNSC ground forces in an early build of ''Halo Wars''.
File:SCV02_VultureFight.jpg|Sparrowhawks during the Harvest Campaign.
File:Sparrow_Laser.jpg|An AV-22 Sparrowhawk firing its nose-mounted [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon|M6 Spartan Laser]].
File:HW-AV22.png|A large squadron of Hawks on [[Arcadia]].
File:HW-HawksvsFloodLauncher.png|A trio of Hawks attack the Flood on Shield World 0459.
File:HW-Dogfight.png|A Hawk being chased by a T-26A Banshee.
File:HawkRenders.png|thumb|External Renders of the Hawk from ''Halo Wars Definitive Edition'' with Marines in the operator seats for scale.
File:Hawk_Escalation_4.png|An AV-22 Sparrowhawk attacking the ''UNSC Infinity'' in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:SS Sparrowhawk.png|An AV-22 in ''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''.
File:HM-AV22.png|A trio of AV-22 Sparrowhawks in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Human aircraft}}