Editing AV-22 Sparrowhawk

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Vehicle infobox
|name=AV-22 Attack VTOL
|image={{Pageimage|SparrowHawk.jpg}}[[File:HWunit Sparrowhawk.png|300px]][[File:Enc22 AV22BSparrowhawk.png|300px]]<br>The AV-22 (top) and AV-22B (bottom) variants of the Sparrowhawk.
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=155}}
|line=
|model=
|cost=
|length={{Convert|54|ft|m|sigfig=3|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=182}}
|width={{Convert|31.4|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
|height={{Convert|14.3|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|mass={{Convert|18.6|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|max speed={{Convert|611|km/h|sp=us}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=airspeed|[[:File:UNSC Hawk.jpg|''Halo Wars'' Sparrowhawk modelsheet]]}}
|engine=[[Wikipedia:Turbojet|Turbojet]]/dual lift fans{{Ref/Site|Id=CFLocalUnits|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-local-units|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Local Units|D=22|M=09|Y=2017}}
|hull=
|armament=
;AV-22
*2 wing-mounted [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
*1 chin-mounted [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon]]{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
;AV-22B
*2 wing-mounted [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*1 chin-mounted [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*6 [[A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher|A-74 Sylver missiles]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|crew=
*1 [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
*1 gunner{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
|complement=
|consumables=
|othersystems=[[Neural interface|Cyberlink]]-compatible [[Wikipedia:Fly-by-wire#Fly-by-optics|fly-by-light]] avionics{{Ref/Reuse|CFLocalUnits}}
|firstuse=[[2531]]{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|role=
*[[Wikipedia:Close air support|Close air support]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=249}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=259}}
*Air escort{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}
*Anti-tank{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Site|Id=Forum|URL=http://www.halowars.com/forums/thread/45018.aspx|Site=Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Halo Wars Update 03.12.07|D=22|M=10|Y=2007}} 
*Anti-air{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
}}
The '''AV-22 Attack VTOL''', colloquially known as the '''Sparrowhawk''' or simply '''Hawk''',{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} is a [[VTOL]] attack gunship produced by [[Misriah Armory]] in service with the [[United Nations Space Command]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} In some branches of the UNSC, the Sparrowhawk is officially designated the '''AV-22 Gunship''' due to its heavy armament.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The Sparrowhawk is a VTOL [[Wikipedia:Aircraft#Heavier-than-air|aerodyne]] used to hunt [[tank]]s and support ground operations.{{Ref/Reuse|Forum}} 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 [[Wikipedia:Turbojet|turbojet]] combined with dual-ducted lift fans.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLocalUnits}} This system allows the vehicle to hover in place and manoeuvre in an agile fashion,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} achieving a maximum airspeed of {{Convert|611|km/h|sp=us}}.{{Ref/Reuse|airspeed}} The cockpit is located at the front of the craft and features tandem seating for a pilot and a gunner,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} who operate the craft via [[Neural interface|cyberlink]]-compatible [[Wikipedia:Fly-by-wire#Fly-by-optics|fly-by-light]] avionics.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLocalUnits}}

In the UNSC order of battle, the Sparrowhawk occupies a role similar to 21st century [[Wikipedia:Attack helicopter|attack helicopters]]. It is effective in a [[Wikipedia:Close air support|close air support]] role aiding ground forces in advances, alongside serving as an adept anti-armour gunship.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} 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.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

===Armaments===
The VTOL's primary weapon is a pair of twin-linked, rotary long-barrelled [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s installed on weapon armatures on either side of the fuselage.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} 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|CFLocalUnits}} 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/Game|HW|Personnel profile|Detail=Ellen Anders}} 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|CFLocalUnits}}

The Hawk's '''AV-22B''' variant features the above armaments, with the addition of two wing-mounted [[A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher|A-74 Sylver]] missile racks. Each rack can hold three missiles, for a total of six overall.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

==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|Enc22}}
*'''ODST Hawk''': The ODST Hawk is an upgraded variant of the AV-22 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/Site|URL=https://www.megaconstrux.com/en-gb/worlds/halo/playsets/odst-hawk|Site=Megabloks|Page=ODST Hawk|D=29|M=01|Y=2017|NoArchive=yes}} It is normally flown by [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODST]] pilots, designated by their brown colored breastplate and helmet stripe.
<gallery>
File:AV-22_Sparrowhawk.png|AV-22B Hawk
File:ODST_Hawk.png|ODST Hawk
</gallery>

==Operational history==
===Early service: the Human-Covenant War===
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.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} At this time, the propulsion system of the craft was still experimental and prone to failures in the field, making the Sparrowhawk's future uncertain.{{Ref/Reuse|Forum}} 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]].{{Ref/Novel|Oblv|Chapter=1}} Throughout 2531, Sparrowhawks attached to {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} took part in the [[Battle of Trove]] and were deployed to fend off [[Oghal-pattern Banshee|Banshees]] and [[Taaku Xur-pattern Spirit|Spirits]] attempting to [[Naval boarding|board]] ''Spirit of Fire'' during its brief encounter with ''[[Proclamation's Tithe]]'', a {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}.{{Ref/Level|Id=Repairs|HW|Repairs}}

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.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLocalUnits}}

Although the Sparrowhawk was widely produced during the first decade of the war, problems with its ducted fan propulsion system{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} 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]].{{Ref/Level|HSS|Operation A: Orphic Spear}}

===Post-war conflicts===
The Sparrowhawk has seen active service in several [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]] including [[Battle of Draetheus V]] in [[2554]], the  in [[2555]],{{Ref/Level|HSA|Operation F: Hydra}} and the [[Battle of Installation 03]] in [[2557]].{{Ref/Level|HSS|Operation B: Steadfast Pursuit}} They are a part of the security force tasked with defending the [[Excession]].{{Ref/Novel|HiTD|Chapter=4}}

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 [[insurrectionist]]s of the [[New Colonial Alliance]].{{Ref/Novel|PoL|Chapter=5}} These craft were later used in an attempt to attack {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} in a trap staged by the rebels on [[2558#March|March 11, 2558]]: the Sparrowhawks were unleahed into ''Infinity''{{'}}s massive [[hangar bay]]s after ''Pilgrim's Pride'' was pulled inside the ship for docking.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE4|HEsc|Issue=4}} ''Spirit of Fire''{{'}}s Sparrowhawks remain in service during its [[Second Ark Conflict|prolonged war]] on [[Installation 00|the Ark]]. In October of [[2559]] they were used ''en masse'' to support [[Battle for Translocation portal Epsilon|a massive armoured push]] against [[Banished]] forces defending [[Translocation Portal Epsilon]].{{Ref/Novel|HDW|Chapter=2}}

By [[2558]] several Sparrowhawks had also fallen into the hands of the [[New Colonial Alliance]], who had supplied them to the [[Surakan Militia Volunteers|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]].{{Ref/Novel|Env|Chapter=13}}

==In-game information==
===''Halo Wars''===
Sparrowhawks are units featured in the [[skirmish]] and multiplayer modes of ''[[Halo Wars]]''. In the game 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 {{HWResources|900}} supplies and a {{HWTech|tech}} level of {{HWTech|3}}. It can be built at the [[UNSC Airpad|airpad]] for a cost of {{HWResources|250}} resources and {{HWPop|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. 

==Gallery==
===Development images===
<gallery>
File:HW UNSCArmourColumn Concept.jpg|Concept art depicting a flight of AV-22B Sparrowhawks providing close-air-support for UNSC ground forces.
File:SparrowHawk.jpg|Concept art depicting a squadron of AV-22B Sparrowhawks hovering above a desert for ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:UNSC_Hawk.jpg|Modelsheet for the AV-22B 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 Pelican|Pelicans]] lend their firepower in support of UNSC ground forces in an early build of ''Halo Wars''.
File:HawkRenders.png|thumb|External Renders of the Hawk from ''Halo Wars Definitive Edition'' with Marines in the operator seats for scale.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
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: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 SpartanIIs.jpg|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}}{{Citation needed}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''

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

{{Human aircraft}}