AV-14 Hornet

Hornet The Attack VTOL-14, also known as Hornet, is a United Nations Space Command atmospherical air vehicle, introduced in Halo 3.

Appearance & Use
The Hornet consists of a one-man cockpit which makes up most of its mass, and a rear section extending a meter or so backward. From the top of this rear section are a set of wings with what appears to be a jet engine/turbo fan at the ends, providing the Hornet's main source of propulsion. It also seems to possess surveillance equipment on the nose, similar to that of the AH-64 Apache Helicopter. On each side of the cockpit is a jump seat extending backward (doubling as a landing skid), which allows up to 2 passengers to fire from the sides. It is slightly longer in length than the Covenant Banshee, and its wingspan is larger as well. Unlike the Banshee, the Hornet can remain stationary in the air. It also lacks the evasive maneuvers of the Banshee, and cannot train its weapons on targets.

The controls for the Hornet appear to be similar to those of a helicopter, suggesting that as helicopters became impractical, they were replaced by jet-engined VTOL craft. The Hornet is most likely used in a supporting role to larger VTOL craft, such as the Pelican dropship, or the Sparrowhawk, though the latter appears to have a similar role.

The Hornet is used in Halo 3 twice; in the campaign levels: The Ark and The Covenant., they are used to move quickly from one location to another, with air-to-air combat in between. Later in the mission they prove to be particularly useful in regards to taking down Scarabs as it can hover in position to destroy the power core, or remove any Brutes on the Scarab.

The Hornet can be used in custom games in Halo 3 multiplayer, but presently is not a vehicle in any matchmaking gametype.

Armament
In respect of weapons, the Hornet is similar to its Covenant cousin, featuring both anti-infantry and -vehicle weapons. These consist of two three-barreled rotary chain guns, which seem similar to the AIE-486H Heavy Machinegun, mounted on either side of the cockpit, on the underside of the wings. The anti-vehicle capabilities of the Hornet comprise of two five-missile pods on the underside of the jumpseats, which fire dual missiles much like those fired by the Missile Pod; however, the missiles are weaker, easier to avoid, and they automatically lock onto enemy vehicles.

Differences to the Banshee

 * A Hornet's rotary chain guns are more effective against vehicles than a Banshee's plasma cannons.
 * A Banshee's Fuel Rod Gun has splash damage, therefore being more useful against infantry than the missile pods.
 * Hornets can hover, whilst Banshees are always moving forward slightly.
 * A Banshee has evasive rolls and flips to avoid missiles. Lacking these, Hornets are easier targets.
 * Hornets can carry passengers, and are much harder to board than Banshees.
 * Hornets lack a boost, which can propel the Banshee across a map very quickly.

Trivia

 * In the new E3 2007 Trailer a Hornet is spotted flying directly above the Scarab walker at the 1:47 mark.
 * The Hornet has several characteristics of the airship in the game Tribes: Vengeance.
 * It may be named in honor of the F/A 18 Hornet, variants of which are in use within the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, as well as a number of other countries including Canada, Finland, Spain and Australia.
 * The Hornet is the successor to the Kestrel which was originally designed for Halo 2, to provide human forces with a greater aerial presence, although it had to be cut due to time constrictions. It was showcased in the Halo 2 Limited Edition DVD's Cutting room floor featurette. It was remodeled for Halo 3 like the Mongoose and the Flamethrower.
 * It is seen in the beginning of the new ViDoc Cinema Paradiso. Also, at 2:57, a Banshee is shown being hit 3 times with missiles that appear to have homing capabilities.  As it takes 3 hits to take it down, it probably isn't a rocket launcher, and since it comes from high up in the air, it can't be the rocket pod, so it's possible that the Banshee is shot down by a Hornet.  The Hornet is also shown at 2:48.
 * In an excerpt of Halo: Contact Harvest found in OXM, it is revealed that the Hornets have been in service since at least 2524.

Related Links
Internal
 * Kestrel
 * Banshee - The Covenant equivalent of the Hornet.

External
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