AV-19 SkyHawk

The SkyHawk is a United Nations Space Command jumpjet strike fighter.

Background
The SkyHawk jumpjet is capable of supersonic flight and can execute quick turns and maximum speed. The SkyHawk jumpjet is equipped with four 50mm cannons as well as Scorpion anti-tank missiles. Several such fighters were located at Fairchild Field on Reach during the Fall of Reach in summer 2552. On August 30, a SkyHawk was dispatched by Colonel James Ackerson to attack SPARTAN John-117 and the AI Cortana during a test of AI integration with the Mark V MJOLNIR armor. With Cortana's assistance, the SPARTAN was able to endure the SkyHawk's cannons' strafing run. He then avoided one of its guided anti-tank missile by deflecting it at the last moment. The test showed the Spartan-AI team to be far more successful than expected.

Trivia

 * The SkyHawk is not in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming atmospheric vehicles after real animals, with the exceptions of the Cyclops and Gremlin, which are named after mythical creatures, and the Longsword, Shortsword, and Sabre, which are named after bladed weapons.
 * In the Halo: Fall of Reach comic book series, the SkyHawk is portrayed by a AV-22 Sparrowhawk; one of the many details in the adaptation that deviate from the original novel.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Fall of Reach