Editing AC-220 Vulture

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Vehicle infobox
|name=AC-220 Vulture
|image=[[File:HaloWars-Vulture.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Ushuaia Armory]]{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG202|EVG|Page=202}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=155}}
|line=
|model=
|cost=
|length={{Convert|115.1|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG202}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|width={{Convert|69.5|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG202}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|height={{Convert|32.9|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|mass={{Convert|182|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|max speed=
|engine=
|hull=
|armament=
*4 [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*2 [[A-74 Sylver Vertical Missile Launcher|A-74 Sylver VLS pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
**[[Anvil-IV air-to-surface missile]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
**[[Phoenix missile]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*2 [[Argent V missile]] launchers{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|crew=6{{Ref/Reuse|unsc}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*1 [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*1 co-pilot{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*4 systems operators/gunners{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|complement=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=[[2498]]{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]<br>[[Second Ark Conflict]]
|role=
*Ground-attack/close air support 
*[[wikipedia:Siege|Siegeworks]]/artillery assault gunship
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
}}
{{Quote|Death From Above{{Ref/Reuse|unsc}}}}

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}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
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]].

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}}

===Armaments===
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}}

==History==
[[File:UNSC Vulture 2.jpg|thumb|left|An early prototype of the Vulture.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}]]
===Development history===
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}}

===Operational history===
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}}

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}}

==Gameplay==
===''Halo Wars''===
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.

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.

===''Halo Wars 2''===
*'''Info:''' Heavy Air, Can launch devastating PHOENIX missile
*'''Tier:''' 3
*'''Cost:''' {{HW2Pop|9}}, {{HW2Supplies|750}}, {{HW2Power|100}}
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.

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.
====Phoenix Log====
{| class="wikitable": style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; width: 45%"
|+ '''[[Phoenix Logs|Phoenix Log]] - Vulture'''
|-
|{{:Phoenix Logs/UNSC Units/Vulture}}
|}

==Production notes==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}} 
*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. 
*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]]''.

==Gallery==
===Development images===
<gallery>
File:HW_Vulture_PhilWohr_Blog.jpg|Concept art of the Vulture for ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:UNSC Vulture 2.jpg|Early concept art of the Vulture before finalization.
File:HW-Concept-AC220Vulture.jpg|Conceptualized orthographic views of the Vulture.
File:Vulture scheme.jpg|A close-up of the Vulture, showing its impressive arsenal.
File:UNSC Vulture 1.jpg|Concept art of the final Vulture model.
File:Vulture Barrage.jpg|Vulture firing a missile barrage at a {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}.
File:HW2 Vulture - Nuke.png|Concept art of the Vulture's Phoenix missile for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
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: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-AC220megabarrage.png|A Vulture with mega barrage.
File:HW-VultureMissileBarrage.png|Vultures using their mega barrage ability.
File:Halo Escalation 4.jpg|A Vulture on the cover of ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 4]]''.
File:Vulture Escalation 4.png|A Vulture attacking the ''UNSC Infinity'' in 2558.
File:Megabloks-unsc-vulture-gunship-cng71-11781.jpg|A toy Vulture from [[MEGA Brands]].
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''.
File:HW2-AC220army.png|An army of AC-220 Vultures in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-Marineshealing.png|Marines repairing a Vulture.
File:DH Vulture replica.jpg|Dark Horse replica of a Vulture.
File:VultureRender.png|thumb|External Render of the Vulture from ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{mo}}
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}} 

{{Human aircraft}}