Canon

AV-22 Sparrowhawk

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AV-22 Attack VTOL
Concept illustration of AV-22B Sparrowhawks flying over the desert.
HWunit Sparrowhawk.pngImage of the AV-22B Sparrowhawk variant from the Halo Encyclopedia.
The AV-22 (top) and AV-22B (bottom) variants of the Sparrowhawk.
Production information

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1]

Technical specifications

Length:

16.5 meters (54 ft)[1][2]

Width:

9.6 meters (31.4 ft)[1][2]

Height:

4.4 meters (14.3 ft)[1]

Mass:

18.6 metric tons (18.3 LT; 20.5 ST)[1]

Maximum speed:

611 kilometers per hour (380 mph)[3]

Engine(s):

Turbojet/dual lift fans[4]

Other system(s):

Cyberlink-compatible fly-by-light avionics[4]

Armament:

AV-22
AV-22B

Crew:

Usage

Year introduced:

2531[2]

In service:

Human-Covenant War

Role(s):

Affiliation:

United Nations Space Command

 

The AV-22 Attack VTOL, colloquially known as the Sparrowhawk or simply Hawk,[2] is a VTOL attack gunship produced by Misriah Armory in service with the United Nations Space Command.[1] In some branches of the UNSC, the Sparrowhawk is officially designated the AV-22 Gunship due to its heavy armament.[2]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The Sparrowhawk is a VTOL aerodyne used to hunt tanks and support ground operations.[7] It is broadly similar to other attack VTOLs in the UNSC fleet including the AV-14 Hornet, AV-19 SkyHawk, AV-30 Kestrel, and AV-49 Wasp; like these other craft the Sparrowhawk operates using a turbojet combined with dual-ducted lift fans.[4] This system allows the vehicle to hover in place and manoeuvre in an agile fashion,[1] achieving a maximum airspeed of 611 kilometers per hour (380 mph).[3] The cockpit is located at the front of the craft and features tandem seating for a pilot and a gunner,[1][2] who operate the craft via cyberlink-compatible fly-by-light avionics.[4]

In the UNSC order of battle, the Sparrowhawk occupies a role similar to 21st century attack helicopters. It is effective in a close air support role aiding ground forces in advances, alongside serving as an adept anti-armour gunship.[5][6] It is also capable of being used in an armed reconnaissance role or even as a platform for engaging and fending off enemy air assets, without requiring escort craft or complete air dominance.[1]

Armaments[edit]

The VTOL's primary weapon is a pair of twin-linked, rotary long-barrelled GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannons installed on weapon armatures on either side of the fuselage.[1] 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.[2][4] The secondary weapon of the Sparrowhawk is a nose-mounted M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon, an upgraded version of the M6 Spartan Laser.[2][8] 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 variant.[4]

The Hawk's AV-22B variant features the above armaments, with the addition of two wing-mounted A-74 Sylver missile racks. Each rack can hold three missiles, for a total of six overall.[1]

Variants[edit]

  • AV-22B Sparrowhawk: A variant of AV-22 armed with two short-range A-74 Sylver missile racks.[1]
  • ODST Hawk: The ODST Hawk is an upgraded variant of the AV-22 designed exclusively for the 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.[9] It is normally flown by ODST pilots, designated by their brown colored breastplate and helmet stripe.

Operational history[edit]

Early service: the Human-Covenant War[edit]

The Sparrowhawk was officially introduced into UNSC service in 2531, during the closing months of the Harvest campaign, following on from the AV-14 Hornet which had been introduced some years prior.[2] At this time, the propulsion system of the craft was still experimental and prine to failures in the field, making the Sparrowhawk's future uncertain.[7] However, combat-ready models were deployed as early as 2526 during the Battle of Mesra, where they were used to provide support to the 24th Marine Engineering Brigade.[10] Throughout 2531, Sparrowhawks attached to UNSC Spirit of Fire took part in the Battle of Trove and were deployed to fend off Banshees and Spirits attempting to board Spirit of Fire during its brief encounter with Proclamation's Tithe, a Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer.[11]

Despite early reservations as to the gunship's reliability, the Sparrowhawk ultimately went on to have great success in the war against the Covenant, 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.[4]

Although the Sparrowhawk was widely produced during the first decade of the war, problems with its ducted fan propulsion system[5][6] and the high costs of repair and replacement resulted in limited production after 2550.[2] Nonetheless, the Sparrowhawk continued active service and saw combat during the Battle for Earth in 2552.[12]

Post-war conflicts[edit]

The Sparrowhawk has seen active service in several Post-Covenant War conflicts including Battle of Draetheus V in 2554, the in 2555,[13] and the Battle of Installation 03 in 2557.[14] They are a part of the security force tasked with defending the Portal at Voi.[15]

After Spirit of Fire's disappearance, a support freighter attached to the ship and containing numerous Sparrowhawks - Pilgrims' Pride - was recovered and later sold on the Oban black market. The ship was uncovered during the auction process by Rion Forge and her crew during their search for Spirit of Fire, though ultimately sold to insurrectionists of the New Colonial Alliance.[16] These craft were later used in an attempt to attack UNSC Infinity in a trap staged by the rebels on March 11, 2558: the Sparrowhawks were unleahed into Infinity's massive hangar bays after Pilgrim's Pride was pulled inside the ship for docking.[17] Spirit of Fire's Sparrowhawks remain in service during its prolonged war on the Ark. In October of 2559 they were used en masse to support a massive armoured push against Banished forces defending Translocation Portal Epsilon.[18]

The New Colonial Alliance also supplied Sparrowhawk gunships to the Surakan Militia in order to fight against Sangheili colonists on Carrow. They were later used against Hekabe and the Voice of Maardoth during the Carrow Conflict.[19] It is unknown whether these Sparrowhawks were also originally from Spirit of Fire or independently sourced.

In-game information[edit]

Halo Wars[edit]

Sparrowhawks are units featured in the skirmish and multiplayer modes of Halo Wars. In the game 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 Resources 900 supplies and a Tech level tech level of Tech level 3. It can be built at the airpad for a cost of Resources 250 resources and Population 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[edit]

A sparrowhawk is a species of small hawk, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming most atmospheric aircraft after birds.

Gallery[edit]

Development images[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]