Hornet

The Hornet is a light aerospace vehicle first seen in Halo 3. It is a medium sized aircraft.

Universe and lore
The AV-14 Hornet is a VTOL capable aircraft in service since at least 2524, during the Insurrection. It would see multi-decade service all the way into the Human-Covenant War from the Battle for Arcadia all the way to the Battle of Installation 00.

Counterparts
The most analogous vehicle to the Hornet is the Falcon from Halo: Reach. It acts as the mainline UNSC air that game as well and features dual gunner seats. Some versions in game can carry more passengers and some have a pilot controlled main gun. Halo 4 also brings in the Pelican, which similarly has two exposed side seats.

Gameplay
The Hornet is often the mainline UNSC aircraft, that can carry two passengers and can hover in place over areas.

First-person shooters
The Hornet has a unique reticle, but no other major HUD elements change. It also can be Skyjacked in games where it appears.

Campaign
The Hornet appears as mostly background scenery in the Halo 3 campaign but is usable on The Covenant. Allied Non-playable characters can ride on the sides like players can in multiplayer.

The Hornet also appears in the campaign of Halo: Spartan Assault seen again mostly as background scenery.



Multiplayer
The Hornet is usable in the Halo 3 multiplayer on certain maps and modes. A Spartan riding on a Hornet's skids can deploy equipment while an Elite cannot.

The Hornet makes an appearance in Halo 4's Majestic Map Pack as a piece of scenery outside of the map Skyline.

In Halo 2: Anniversary, the Hornet can be found on Bloodline in certain game modes. It can be affected by the base EMPs.

The Hornet was to make an appearance in the cancelled Halo Online where it would've have been usable on the map Diamondback.

The Hornet was added to Halo 3: ODST Firefight when Halo 3: ODST was added to PC. It is usable on the map Lost Platoon.



Forge
The Hornet is a Forge object on a few maps in Halo 3. This includes Sandbox and Sandtrap. Prices and amount that can be placed are different depending on map and whether they are being played in the Halo 3 component of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

The Hornet is also a Forge object in Halo 2: Anniversary where it can be spawned on Bloodline, Skyward, Awash, and Nebula.

Advantages

 * Can move and transport two allies.
 * These allies can fire their own weapons, increasing the overall firepower of the vehicle.

Disadvantages

 * Passengers are completely exposed.

Halo Wars
"Mainline UNSC air unit. A versatile single seat, fast attack aircraft armed with a Gatling gun and rockets"

- Halo Wars instruction manual

The Hornet in Halo Wars is the mainline UNSC aircraft and is capable of engaging both ground and air targets. It can be built at the Air Pad for a cost of resources and  population with a tech level of. It has several upgrades:



Skirmish
The Hornet can be built by all UNSC leaders at the Airpad. They are effective against vehicles, but are only okay against infantry, aircraft, and structures.
 * Info: Core Air, Fast moving, Medium range
 * Tier: 2
 * Cost: Population, Supplies , Power

Blitz
In Blitz, there are two Hornets; the regular and the Trooper. The Trooper is exclusive to this mode. A regular Hornet costs energy, while a Trooper Hornet costs  energy.

Changes from Halo 3/Halo 3: ODST to Halo 2: Anniversary

 * The Hornet's missiles in Halo 2: Anniversary have a much slower fire rate.

Production notes
A Flood infected Hornet was supposed to appear in Halo Wars 2 before it was ultimately cut.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3
 * Halo Wars
 * Halo 4
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Halo Wars 2
 * Halo 3: ODST