AV-22 Sparrowhawk
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The AV-22 Sparrowhawk, often called simply the Hawk, is a a VTOL attack aircraft in service with the UNSC Defense Force.
Specifications
Design details
The AV-22 is a formidable air-to-ground anti-tank aerodyne that is used to hunt tanks and support ground advances.[1] Rather than using thrust-vectoring jets like most UNSC aircraft, the AV-22 makes use of two ducted fans to provide lift and thrust. The Sparrowhawk has a maximum airspeed of 611.6 km/h (380 mph)[2] and boasts impressive maneuverability.
The Sparrowhawk is classified as an "Attack VTOL", as evidenced by the "AV-22" designation. However, some branches of the UNSCDF classify the aircraft as a gunship due to its heavy armament.[3] The SkyHawk jumpjet appears to based on the same airframe as the Sparrowhawk, and is indeed almost identical apart from the tail.[4] This may suggest that the SkyHawk is derived from the AV-22's design or vice versa.
Armament
The VTOL's primary armament is a nose-mounted M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon, an upgraded version of the M6 "Spartan Laser".[5][3] It is also outfitted with a pair of twin-linked GUA-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannons on either side of the fuselage; these autocannons fire 30mm rounds and are capable of neutralizing infantry and light vehicles with ease.[3][6] This armament, combined with the VTOL's impressive speed and maneuverability, allows the Hawk 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.[7]
Service history
The AV-22 first saw action on Harvest during the final months of the Harvest Campaign in early 2531.[3] Weeks later, several Sparrowhawks attached to the 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.[7] Although the Sparrowhawk was widely produced during the first decade of the war, problems with its ducted fan propulsion system[8] and the high costs of repair and replacement resulted in limited production after 2550.[3] 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.[9][10] 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.[11]
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.[3]
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
|
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.
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.
An AV-22 Sparrowhawk attacking the UNSC Infinity in 2558.
List of appearances
- Halo Wars (First appearance)
- Halo: Spartan Assault
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo: Spartan Strike
- Halo: Hunters in the Dark
Sources
- ^ Halo Wars Official Site: Halo Wars Update 03.12.07
- ^ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedairspeed - ^ a b c d e f Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedEVG - ^ Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion - Issue 3
- ^ Halo Wars: Limited Edition, Anders leader card
- ^ Halo Wars manual
- ^ a b Halo Wars, campaign level Repairs
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 249
- ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, Operation F: Hydra
- ^ Halo: Spartan Strike
- ^ Halo: Escalation, Issue #4
