AV-22 Sparrowhawk

The AV-22 Sparrowhawk, often called simply the Hawk, is a a VTOL attack aircraft in service with the UNSC Defense Force.

Design details
The AV-22 is a formidable air-to-ground anti-tank aerodyne that is used to hunt tanks and support ground advances. Rather than using thrust-vectoring jets like most UNSC aircraft, the AV-22 makes use of two ducted fans to provide lift and thrust. The Sparrowhawk has a maximum airspeed of 611.6 km/h (380 mph) and boasts impressive maneuverability.

The Sparrowhawk is classified as an "Attack VTOL", as evidenced by the "AV-22" designation. However, some branches of the UNSCDF classify the aircraft as a gunship due to its heavy armament. The SkyHawk jumpjet appears to based on the same airframe as the Sparrowhawk, and is indeed almost identical apart from the tail. This may suggest that the SkyHawk is derived from the AV-22's design or vice versa.

Armament
The VTOL's primary armament is a nose-mounted M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon, an upgraded version of the M6 "Spartan Laser". It is also outfitted with a pair of twin-linked GUA-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannons on either side of the fuselage; these autocannons fire 30mm rounds and are capable of neutralizing infantry and light vehicles with ease. This armament, combined with the VTOL's impressive speed and maneuverability, allows the Hawk to engage Covenant Type-26 Banshees on more than equal terms and to pursue fleeing dropships or engage them as they approach; even a pair of Sparrowhawks can destroy a Type-29 Vampire — the bane of the AV-14 — with minimal attrition.

Service history
The AV-22 first saw action on Harvest during the final months of the Harvest Campaign in early 2531. Weeks later, several Sparrowhawks attached to the defended their parent vessel from a Covenant  during the Battle of Shield 0459, proving the VTOL's effectiveness as both a ground-support platform and as an impromptu atmospheric fighter. Although the Sparrowhawk was widely produced during the first decade of the war, problems with its ducted fan propulsion system and the high costs of repair and replacement resulted in limited production after 2550. Nonetheless, the Sparrowhawk saw use during the Battle of Draetheus V in 2554. On March 11, 2558 several AV-22 Sparrowhawks belonging to the Spirit of Fire, alongside multiple AC-220 Vultures and GA-TL1 Longswords, attacked the when the Pilgrims Pride was pulled into the Infinity's docking bay.

Prior to the Sparrowhawk's introduction, the AV-14 Hornet filled a similar anti-tank and ground support role, and as such is considered the Hawk's predecessor.

Gameplay
In Halo Wars ' skirmish and multiplayer modes, 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 900 supplies and a tech level of 3. The game's first title update increased the Hawk's price to 1350 supplies in order to prevent spamming of the unit.

Trivia

 * A sparrowhawk is a species of small hawk, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming most atmospheric aircraft after birds.
 * The Sparrowhawk looks similar to the Kestrel, a UNSC aircraft that was cut from Halo 2. The Hawk also bears a noticeable resemblance to the Orca gunship series from the Command and Conquer franchise, primarily the A-15 model.

List of appearances

 * Halo Wars
 * Halo: Spartan Assault
 * Halo: Escalation