AV-22 Sparrowhawk
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| AV-22 Sparrowhawk | |
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AV-22[1] |
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Width: |
9.6 meters (31 ft)[1] |
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Maximum speed: |
611.6 kilometers per hour (380 mph)[3] |
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Engine(s): |
Dual-ducted air fans[4] |
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Armament: |
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Crew: |
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The AV-22 Sparrowhawk, often called simply the Hawk, is a a VTOL attack aircraft in service with the United Nations Space Command.
Specifications
Design details
The AV-22 Sparrowhawk is a formidable air-to-ground anti-tank aerodyne that is used to hunt tanks and support ground advances.[6] 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.[4] The Sparrowhawk has a maximum airspeed of 611.6 kilometers per hour (380 miles per hour)[3] and boasts impressive maneuverability. The Sparrowhawk also features cyberlink-compatible fly-by-light avionics.[4]
The Sparrowhawk is classified as an "Attack VTOL", as evidenced by the "AV-22" designation. However, some branches of the UNSC Armed Forces classify the aircraft as a gunship due to its heavy armament.[1] The Sparrowhawk shares a number of similarities with its fellow aerodyne brethren, the AV-14 Hornet, AV-19 SkyHawk, AV-30 Kestrel, and AV-49 Attack VTOL.[4]
Armaments
The VTOL's primary armament is a pair of brutally effective, twin-linked GUA-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannons installed on weapon armatures on either side of the fuselage; these autocannons fire 30mm rounds and are capable of neutralizing infantry and light vehicles with ease.[1][4][7] These autocannons can fire the full range of aircraft 20mm ammunition, though the standard loadout on the Sparrowhawk is either M718 SAPHEI or PGU-42/B API, with a depleted uranium core.[4] The secondary weapon of the Sparrowhawk is a nose-mounted M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon, an upgraded version of the M6 "Spartan Laser".[1][8] The cannon allows gunners to conduct devastatingly effective long-range strikes with pinpoint accuracy. Components of the Sparrowhawk's cannon were later miniaturized and incorporated into the infantry-portable M6/E variant of the Spartan Laser.[4]
This armament, combined with the VTOL's impressive speed and maneuverability, allows the Sparrowhawk to engage Covenant Type-26 Banshees on more than equal terms and to pursue fleeing dropships or engage them as they approach; even a pair of Sparrowhawks can destroy a Type-29 Vampire—the bane of the AV-14—with minimal attrition.[9]
Operational history
The AV-22 first saw action on Harvest during the final months of the Harvest campaign in early 2531.[1] Weeks later, several Sparrowhawks attached to UNSC Spirit of Fire defended their parent vessel from a Covenant CPV-class heavy destroyer during the Battle of Shield 0459, proving the VTOL's effectiveness as both a ground-support platform and as an impromptu atmospheric fighter.[9] Although the Sparrowhawk was widely produced during the first decade of the war, problems with its ducted fan propulsion system[10] and the high costs of repair and replacement resulted in limited production after 2550.[1] Nonetheless, the Sparrowhawk continued active service and saw combat during the Battle of Earth in 2552, the Battle of Draetheus V in 2554, the Invasion of Earth in 2555, and the Battle of Installation 03 in 2557.[11][12] On March 11, 2558 several AV-22 Sparrowhawks belonging to the Spirit of Fire, alongside multiple AC-220 Vultures, attacked the UNSC Infinity when the Pilgrims Pride was pulled into the Infinity's docking bay.[13]
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.[1]
Gameplay
In Halo Wars' skirmish and multiplayer modes, the Hawk is the unique unit of 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 Air Pad 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 price to 1350 supplies in order to prevent spamming of the unit.
Trivia
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
- A 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 Kestrel, a UNSC aircraft that was cut from Halo 2. The Hawk also bears a noticeable resemblance to the Orca gunship series from the Command and Conquer franchise, primarily the A-15 model.
Gallery
Concept art depicting a squadron of AV-22 Sparrowhawks hovering above a desert for Halo Wars.
More concept art of the Sparrowhawk.
Early concept art of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk VTOL.
Concept art of the GUA-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon.
Sparrowhawks and Pelicans lend their firepower in support of UNSC ground forces in an early build of Halo Wars.
Sparrowhawks during the Harvest Campaign.
An AV-22 Sparrowhawk firing its nose-mounted M6 laser.
A large squadron of Hawks on Arcadia.
An AV-22 Sparrowhawk attacking the UNSC Infinity in Halo: Escalation.
List of appearances
- Halo Wars (First appearance)
- Halo: Spartan Assault
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo: Spartan Strike
- Halo: Hunters in the Dark
Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 182
- ^ halo.bungie.org: Determining the Real Sizes of Objects in Halo - Update
- ^ a b Sparrowhawk production image
- ^ a b c d e f g Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Local Units
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia, page 259 (2011)
- ^ Halo Wars Official Site: Halo Wars Update 03.12.07
- ^ Halo Wars manual
- ^ Halo Wars: Limited Edition, Anders leader card
- ^ a b Halo Wars, campaign level Repairs
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 249
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Operation F: Hydra
- ^ Halo: Spartan Strike
- ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #4
