AC-220 Vulture: Difference between revisions

The AC-220 Vulture was used during both the [[Insurrection]] and [[Human-Covenant War]]. In [[2531]] the crew of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} used several Vultures during the [[Battle of the Etran Harborage]] against the [[Covenant]], [[Flood]] and [[Sentinel]]s. Following the [[Human-Covenant War]], few Vulture gunships remained in service with the [[UNSC Armed Forces]] due to irreplaceable combat losses by [[2545]]. However, by [[2557]], the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Materials Group]] began considering the possibility of restarting production of the Vulture with the benefit of incorporating new technologies and applying improved materials.<ref name="Bulletin">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/bulletins/the-halo-bulletin-knowledge-drop '''Halo Waypoint''': The Halo Bulletin: 9.24.14'']</ref> By [[2553#April|April 2553]], the [[Insurrectionist]]s on [[Venezia]] had acquired several Vultures and hid them in the old sandstone quarry next to [[Mount Longdon Road]] for use by the [[Venezian Militia]].<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 103''</ref> On [[2558#March|March 11, 2558]] several AC-220 Vultures belonging to the ''Spirit of Fire'', alongside multiple [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]s, attacked the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} when the ''[[Pilgrims' Pride]]'' was pulled into the ''Infinity's'' docking bay.<ref name="HE4">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #4''</ref>

A slow unit which can take massive amounts of damage before destruction, the Vulture is the largest ground-based aircraft fielded by the UNSC.<ref>[http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/airpad.aspx#vulture  ''Halo Wars'' Official Site: Information on the Vulture]</ref> It is able to fight against both air and ground units due to its weapon configuration: [[Argent V missile]] pods are used against enemy aircraft, while [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon|GAU-23 autocannons]] are designed for engaging ground targets. It can use its [[A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher|A-74 missile launcher]] to deliver massive damage to slow and/or static units. The Vulture's main drawbacks are its cost and the large amount of time it takes to build one; it is also vulnerable to fast counter-attacks and takes a great deal of time to repair. The Vulture should be reserved for buildings and ground units for the greatest effect. Although Vultures possess adequate anti-aircraft ordnance, they should be escorted by [[M9 Wolverine]]s to lessen the threat of aerial attacks.