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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Era|UNSC|HCW}} |
| {{Vehicle infobox | | {{Vehicle Infobox |
| |name=AC-220 Vulture
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| |image=[[File:HaloWars-Vulture.png|300px]] | | |image=[[File:HaloWars-Vulture.png|300px]] |
| |manufacturer=[[Ushuaia Armory]]{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG202|EVG|Page=202}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=155}} | | |name=Vulture |
| | |manufacturer=[[Ushuaia Armory]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 202''</ref> |
| |line= | | |line= |
| |model= | | |model=AC-220 |
| |cost= | | |class=Heavy gunship |
| |length={{Convert|115.1|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG202}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | | |length= |
| |width={{Convert|69.5|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG202}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | | |width= |
| |height={{Convert|32.9|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | | |height= |
| |mass={{Convert|182|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | | |mass= |
| |max speed= | | |max accel= |
| | |max speed space= |
| | |max speed air= |
| |engine= | | |engine= |
| |hull= | | |slipspace drive= |
| |armament= | | |slipspace speed= |
| *4 [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | |poweroutput= |
| *2 [[A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher|A-74 Sylver VLS pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | | |power= |
| **[[Anvil-IV air-to-surface missile]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | |shield gen=None |
| **[[Phoenix missile]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | |hull=Titanium armor plating |
| *2 [[Argent V missile]] launchers{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | | |sensor= |
| |crew=6{{Ref/Reuse|unsc}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | |target= |
| *1 [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | |navigation= |
| *1 co-pilot{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | |avionics= |
| *4 systems operators/gunners{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | |countermeasures= |
| | |armament=*[[A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher]] (4-6) |
| | *[[GUA-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s (4) |
| | *[[Argent V missile|Argent V Missiles]] (16) |
| |complement= | | |complement= |
| | |crew=6 |
| | *Pilot (1) |
| | *Co-pilot (1) |
| | *Multiple gunners |
| | |skeleton= |
| | |passengers= |
| | |capacity= |
| |consumables= | | |consumables= |
| |othersystems= | | |othersystems= |
| |firstuse=[[2498]]{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} | | |firstuse=[[2498]] |
| |service=[[Human-Covenant War]]<br>[[Second Ark Conflict]]
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| |role= | | |role= |
| *Ground-attack/close air support | | *Ground-attack/ close air support |
| *[[wikipedia:Siege|Siegeworks]]/artillery assault gunship | | *[[wikipedia:siegeworks|Siegeworks]]/ artillery assault gunship |
| | |era=[[Human-Covenant War]] |
| |affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]] | | |affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]] |
| }} | | }} |
| {{Quote|Death From Above{{Ref/Reuse|unsc}}}}
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| The '''AC-220 Gunship''', colloquially known as the '''Vulture''', is a heavy gunship manufactured by [[Ushuaia Armory]] and fielded by the [[United Nations Space Command]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} It is the preferred aerial combat vehicle during prolonged air-and-ground engagements, particularly against heavily fortified enemy strongholds.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/vulture/d7c47141-fe31-43ff-8698-3ec01a19b356?filter=all|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=AC-220 Vulture gunship|D=25|M=03|Y=2011|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Vehicles#Vulture}} | | {{Quote|The Vulture is one of the UNSC's most powerful units. Basically a highly armed flying assault [[tank]] packed to the brim with weapons, the Vulture is the largest aircraft fielded by the UNSC. It is designed to deliver massive damage to enemy ground troops after air superiority has been achieved. It is slow moving but carries an impressive armament of two twin-autocannons and rocket silos that can be used to deliver a devastating barrage to enemies in a wide area.<br>Crewed by highly trained UNSC pilot and gunners, the Vulture is an expensive unit and is usually reserved for difficult or lengthy battles. Being slow, it is vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire and enemy aircraft, but it is surprisingly resilient.|<ref>''Halo Wars Official Site''</ref>}} |
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| ==Overview==
| | The '''AC-220 Vulture''' is a heavy gunship used by the [[United Nations Space Command]] during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. It is the preferred aerial combat vehicle during prolonged air-and-ground engagements, particularly against heavily fortified enemy strongholds.<ref name="waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/vulture/d7c47141-fe31-43ff-8698-3ec01a19b356?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint''': AC-220 Vulture gunship]</ref> |
| ===Design details===
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| The Vulture is the largest combat aerodyne currently fielded by the UNSC.{{Ref/Site|Id=unsc|URL=http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/airpad.aspx#vulture|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Vulture|D=18|M=02|Y=2011|LocalArchive=Archive:Halowars.com/UNSC#Vulture}}{{Ref/Game|Id=PL|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Vulture}} Unlike most smaller UNSC craft, the Vulture is suspended in the air by a series of ducted fans visible near the rear of the aircraft, housing jet engines like the [[D77-TC Pelican]]. Due to its much larger mass and cross-section, it is slower than other UNSC aircraft, such as the [[AV-14 Hornet]] and the [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]. | |
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| The Vulture requires a large number of highly trained UNSC pilots and gunners to operate servicing a crew of six.{{Ref/Reuse|unsc}} This makes them expensive to deploy in terms of personnel (as opposed to the Sparrowhawk and Hornet, which require a single pilot and possibly a copilot). It lacks radiation shielding, preventing it from traveling in space.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=250}} Despite this, they have some level of spaceflight capability, and are typically deployed directly from an orbiting warship to the ground.{{Ref/Game|Id=HW|HW|Vulture in-game unit}} | | The Vulture is a successor of the older [[wikipedia:AC-47 Spooky|AC-47]], [[wikipedia:Fairchild AC-119|AC-119]], [[wikipedia:Lockheed AC-130|AC-130]], and [[AC-163 Gunship|AC-163 gunships]]. It was designed in [[2498]] to combat the [[Insurrection]] in the [[Outer Colonies]].<ref name="waypoint"/> |
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| ===Armaments=== | | ==Description== |
| The Vulture is intended to act as a "flying tank", and boasts an according level of heavy weaponry. These include two twin medium-[[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s, two top-mounted [[Argent V missile]] launchers and two pods of four internally-reloaded [[A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher]]s, each boasting a single [[Anvil-IV air-to-surface missile]]{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Book|Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide|Page=46}} or [[Phoenix missile|Phoenix tactical missile]].{{Ref/Reuse|PL}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} The combined missile payload are specifically tailored to unleash a unified barrage on a given target, allowing it to overwhelm heavy armor and shielding.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
| | It is suspended by a series of ducted fans visible near the rear of the aircraft, or jet engines like the [[D77-TC Pelican]]. It is slower than other UNSC aircraft, such as the [[AV-14 Hornet]] and the [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]], but is armed with a number of missile artillery pods for engaging enemy ground and air units, able to fire large barrages of missiles, as well as a pair of hull-mounted autocannons.<ref>''[[wikipedia:GamePro|Gamepro]]'', July 2009 edition</ref> |
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| ==History==
| | The Vulture requires highly trained UNSC pilots and gunners, which makes them expensive to use. It lacks radiation shielding, preventing it from traveling in space. These factors, coupled with the amount of time it takes to build one, means that the Vulture is usually only reserved for difficult and lengthy battle situations.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 250''</ref><ref name="waypoint"></ref> |
| [[File:UNSC Vulture 2.jpg|thumb|left|An early prototype of the Vulture.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}]]
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| ===Development history===
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| The Vulture's core attributes of design can be traced back to the older [[wikipedia:Douglas AC-47 Spooky|AC-47]], [[wikipedia:Fairchild AC-119|AC-119]], [[wikipedia:Lockheed AC-130|AC-130]], and [[AC-163 gunship|AC-163]] gunships.{{Ref/Reuse|unsc}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The Vulture's flying tank-like design was conceived in [[2498]] to curtail the spreading [[Insurrection]] in the [[Outer Colonies]].{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} By [[2545]], few Vultures remained in service against the Covenant due to irreplaceable combat losses. By [[2557]], the [[Materials Group]] was considering the possibility of restarting production of the Vulture with the benefit of incorporating new technologies and applying improved materials.{{Ref/Reuse|CF}} During the [[Second Ark Conflict]], AI [[Isabel]]'s upgrades and logistical expertise was able to dramatically simplify Vulture production and maintenance.{{Ref/Reuse|PL}} | |
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| ===Operational history=== | | ==Combat== |
| 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 Trove]] against the [[Covenant]], [[Flood]] and [[Sentinel]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} Following the [[Human-Covenant War]], few Vulture gunships remained in service with the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces due to irreplaceable combat losses by 2545.{{Ref/Site|Id=CF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-feet-first|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Feet First|D=11|M=02|Y=2019}} 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/Novel|MorDi|Chapter=4}} 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/Comic|Id=HE4|HEsc|Issue=4}}
| | 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|Argent V Missile]] pods are used against enemy aircraft, while [[GUA-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon|GUA-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 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank|Wolverines]] to lessen the threat of aerial attacks. |
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| In [[2559]], the ''Spirit of Fire'' continued to employ Vulture gunships in the [[Second Ark Conflict]].{{Ref/Game|Id=HW2|HW2|Vulture in-game unit}} After receiving coordinates for a supposed [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] and [[Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant|Covenant loyalist]] rendezvous point, three Vultures were dispatched from the ''Spirit of Fire''. The Vultures engaged ten landed [[Seraph]]s, with nine being destroyed before they could escape. However, it was quickly discovered that the Seraphs were not Covenant Seraphs, but rather Banished Seraphs. [[Castor]] had simply been using the UNSC to get rid of some of his pursuers.{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW11|DW|Chapter=11}} | | In-game, the Vulture is considered an "über unit", and is constructed at the [[UNSC airpad|airpad]], and requires six population, 900 resources, and a tech level of four. It can be upgraded with the ''Mega Barrage'' upgrade, potentially doubling its barrages' power; this upgrade is purchased at the air pad and costs 800 resource points and requires a minimum tech level of 4. |
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| ==Gameplay== | | ==Behind the scenes== |
| ===''Halo Wars''===
| | *A Vulture is a scavenging bird, 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-game, the Vulture is considered an "Uber unit", and is constructed at the [[UNSC Airpad|airpad]], and requires {{HWPop|6}}, {{HWResources|900}}, and a tech level of {{HWTech|4}}. It can be upgraded with the ''Mega Barrage'' upgrade, potentially doubling its barrages' power; this upgrade is purchased at the air pad and costs {{HWResources|800}} resource points and requires a minimum tech level of {{HWTech|4}}. For balance, the Vulture is one of only two vehicle units in ''Halo Wars'' that cannot be [[Boarding (gameplay mechanic)|commandeered]] by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartans]], the other being the Covenant [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]]. The Vulture is the only air unit that is not immobilized by a single [[Bkowe'nei-pattern Vampire|Vampire's]] stasis drain, though it is still damaged and can be immobilized by multiple synchronous drains.
| | *For balance, the Vulture is one of only two vehicle units in ''Halo Wars'' that cannot be commandeered by [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartans]], the other being the Covenant [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab]]. |
| | | *It is the only UNSC unit in ''Halo Wars'' that does not come out of the [[firebase]] upon deployment. Instead, it seems to descend from the {{UNSCship|Spirit of Fire}}, decelerating just before touching the ground. |
| The Vulture is a slow unit which can take massive amounts of damage before destruction. 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 launch several [[Anvil-IV air-to-surface missile]]s and 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.
| | *The Vulture is the only air unit that is not immobilized by a single Vampire's stasis drain, though it is still damaged and can be immobilized by multiple, synchronous drains. |
| | | *One of the Vulture pilots is voiced by {{plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2498820 Branden Lynch]}}. Lynch later voiced [[Madsen]] in [[Halo 4]]'s ''[[Spartan Ops]]''. |
| ===''Halo Wars 2''===
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| *'''Info:''' Heavy Air, Can launch devastating PHOENIX missile
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| *'''Tier:''' 3 | |
| *'''Cost:''' {{HW2Pop|9}}, {{HW2Supplies|750}}, {{HW2Power|100}}
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| The Vulture can be built at the [[Airpad]] by all UNSC leaders. Unlike its ''Halo Wars'' counterpart, the Vultures in ''Halo Wars 2'' can be hijacked by Spartans, as the [[G81 Condor]] is now the UNSC's only Super Unit. Its barrage has been replaced with a "Phoenix missile", a large, powerful thermobaric warhead that does massive damage. It is effective against vehicles, aircraft, and structures, while only being moderately effective against infantry. In [[Blitz]], Vultures costs 140 energy.
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| In the campaign, the Vulture starts to appear in the mission [[The Foundry]], and is given in [[Last Stand (Halo Wars 2 level)|Last Stand]] as part of the fifth batch of reinforcements.
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| ====Phoenix Log====
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| {| class="wikitable": style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; width: 45%"
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| |+ '''[[Phoenix Logs|Phoenix Log]] - Vulture'''
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| |{{:Phoenix Logs/UNSC Units/Vulture}}
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| |}
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| ==Production notes==
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| {{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
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| *The Vulture is the only UNSC unit in ''Halo Wars'' that does not come out of the [[firebase]] upon deployment. Instead, it seems to descend from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, decelerating just before touching the ground.
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| *The generic in-game Vulture pilot in ''Halo Wars'' is voiced by {{plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2498820 Braden Lynch]}}, who later voiced [[Anthony Madsen]] in [[Halo 4]]'s ''[[Spartan Ops]]''. | |
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Gallery== |
| ===Development images===
| | <gallery widths="160"> |
| <gallery>
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| File:HW_Vulture_PhilWohr_Blog.jpg|Concept art of the Vulture for ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
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| File:UNSC Vulture 2.jpg|Early concept art of the Vulture before finalization.
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| File:HW-Concept-AC220Vulture.jpg|Conceptualized orthographic views of the Vulture.
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| File:Vulture scheme.jpg|A close-up of the Vulture, showing its impressive arsenal.
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| File:UNSC Vulture 1.jpg|Concept art of the final Vulture model.
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| File:Vulture Barrage.jpg|Vulture firing a missile barrage at a {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}.
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| File:HW2 Vulture - Nuke.png|Concept art of the Vulture's Phoenix missile for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
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| </gallery> | |
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| ===Screenshots=== | |
| <gallery>
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| File:Vulture HW.jpg|The AC-220 Vulture. | | File:Vulture HW.jpg|The AC-220 Vulture. |
| File:Hw-prima-blog-04-03.jpg|A trio of AC-220 Vultures and a captured Scarab assaulting a Covenant citadel. | | File:Hw-prima-blog-04-03.jpg|A trio of AC-220 Vultures and a captured Scarab assaulting a Covenant citadel. |
| File:SCV02 VultureFight.jpg|A couple of AC-220 Vultures, AV-22 Sparrowhawks, and a D77-TC Pelican Dropship launch an all-out attack against a Covenant citadel. | | File:SCV02 VultureFight.jpg|A couple of AC-220 Vultures, AV-22 Sparrowhawks, and a D77-TC Pelican Dropship launch an all-out attack against a Covenant citadel. |
| File:HW-AC220.png|A Vulture on [[Harvest]]. | | File:HW_Vulture_PhilWohr_Blog.jpg|Concept art of the Vulture. |
| File:HW-AC220megabarrage.png|A Vulture with mega barrage. | | File:Vulture scheme.jpg|A close-up of the Vulture, showing its impressive arsenal. |
| File:HW-VultureMissileBarrage.png|Vultures using their mega barrage ability.
| | File:UNSC Vulture 1.jpg|Concept art of the final Vulture model. |
| File:Halo Escalation 4.jpg|A Vulture on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 4]]''.
| | File:UNSC Vulture 2.jpg|Early concept art of the Vulture before finalization. |
| File:Vulture Escalation 4.png|A Vulture attacking the ''UNSC Infinity'' in 2558. | | File:Vulture Barrage.jpg|Vulture firing a missile barrage at a [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab]]. |
| File:Megabloks-unsc-vulture-gunship-cng71-11781.jpg|A toy Vulture from [[MEGA Brands]].
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| File:HW2B_Vulture.png|A Vulture in the ''[[Halo Wars 2 Open Beta]]''. | |
| File:HW2-G81&AC220.png|An AC-220 and G81 Condor defend Ellen Anders during the Battle of Installation 00 in ''Halo Wars 2''.
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| File:HW2-AC220army.png|An army of AC-220 Vultures in ''Halo Wars 2''.
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| File:HW2-Marineshealing.png|Marines repairing a Vulture.
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| File:DH Vulture replica.jpg|Dark Horse replica of a Vulture. | |
| File:VultureRender.png|thumb|External Render of the Vulture from ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
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| </gallery> | | </gallery> |
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| ==List of appearances== | | ==List of appearances== |
| *''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}} | | *''[[Halo Wars]]'' |
| *''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
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| *''[[Halo Mythos]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Point of Light]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Anvil Accord]]'' {{Mo}}
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
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| {{Human aircraft}} | | {{UNSCDF Aircraft}} |
