Editing AV-22 Sparrowhawk

{{Era|HCW|Post}}

| image        = [[File:HWunit_Sparrowhawk.png|300px]]

| length      = {{convert|16.5|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/><ref>[http://halo.bungie.org/misc/sloftus_scalecomparison/1280h.html?display=unsca '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Determining the Real Sizes of Objects in Halo - Update'']</ref>

| width        = {{convert|9.6|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="EVG"/>

| max speed    = {{convert|611|km/h|mph|sp=us}}<ref name="airspeed">[[:File:UNSC_Hawk.jpg|Sparrowhawk production image]]</ref>

| armament    = *Twin-linked [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless_Feed_Autocannon|GAU-23/AW autocannons]]<ref name="EVG"/>

*[[M6_Spartan_Laser#Sparrowhawk's_M6|M6 Spartan Laser]]<ref name="EVG"/>

| crew        = One [[pilot]], one gunner<ref name="EVG"/>

| role        = *Close air support<ref name="enc259">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 259'' (2011)</ref>

*Air escort of ground forces<ref name="enc259"/>

The '''AV-22 Sparrowhawk''', often simply called the '''Hawk''', is a a [[VTOL]] attack aircraft in service with the [[United Nations Space Command]].  

==Specifications==

The AV-22 Sparrowhawk is a formidable air-to-ground anti-tank [[Wikipedia:Aircraft#Heavier-than-air_–_aerodynes|aerodyne]] that is used to hunt tanks and support ground advances.<ref>[http://www.halowars.com/forums/thread/45018.aspx '''Halo Wars Official Site''': ''Halo Wars Update 03.12.07'']</ref> Rather than using thrust-vectoring jets like some aircraft of the [[United Nations Space Command]], the AV-22 features an integrated [[VTOL]] propulsion system that combines a turbojet with dual-ducted lift fans.<ref name="deep links"/> The Sparrowhawk has a maximum airspeed of 611 kilometers per hour (380 miles per hour)<ref name="airspeed"/> and boasts impressive maneuverability. The Sparrowhawk also features cyberlink-compatible fly-by-light avionics.<ref name="deep links"/>

The Sparrowhawk is classified as an "Attack VTOL", as evidenced by the "AV-22" designation. However, some branches of the [[UNSC Armed Forces]] classify the aircraft as a gunship due to its heavy armament.<ref name="EVG"/> The Sparrowhawk shares a number of similarities with its fellow aerodyne brethren, the [[AV-14 Hornet]], [[AV-19 SkyHawk]], [[AV-30 Kestrel]], and [[AV-49 Wasp]].<ref name="deep links"/>

The VTOL's primary armament is a pair of brutally effective, twin-linked [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon]]s installed on weapon armatures on either side of the fuselage. These autocannons can fire the full range of 20mm aircraft ammunition, though the standard loadout on the Sparrowhawk is either M718 SAPHEI or PGU-42/B API, with a [[depleted uranium]] core, and are capable of neutralizing infantry and light vehicles with ease.<ref name="EVG"/><ref name="deep links"/><ref>[http://www.xbox.com/NR/rdonlyres/31804095-7B32-4CE2-A17E-3CB54A3692EF/0/HaloWars_MNL_EN.PDF Halo Wars manual]</ref> The secondary weapon of the Sparrowhawk is a nose-mounted [[M6_Spartan_Laser#Sparrowhawk's_M6|M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon]], an upgraded version of the M6 Spartan Laser.<ref name="EVG"/><ref>'''[[Halo Wars: Limited Edition]]''', ''[[:File:Anders 0002.jpg|Anders leader card]]''</ref> The cannon allows gunners to conduct devastatingly effective long-range strikes with pinpoint accuracy. Components of the Sparrowhawk's cannon were later miniaturized and incorporated into the infantry-portable [[M6_Spartan_Laser#M6/E|M6/E Spartan Laser variant]].<ref name="deep links"/>

This armament, combined with the VTOL's impressive speed and maneuverability, allows the Sparrowhawk to engage Covenant [[Type-26 Banshee]]s 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.<ref name="Repairs"/>

The AV-22 first saw action on [[Harvest]] during the final months of the [[Harvest campaign]] in early [[2531]].<ref name="EVG"/> Weeks later, several Sparrowhawks attached to {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} defended their parent vessel from a [[Covenant]] {{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}} during the [[Battle of Shield World 0459]], proving the VTOL's effectiveness as both a ground-support platform and as an impromptu atmospheric fighter.<ref name="Repairs">'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Repairs]]''</ref> The Sparrowhawk met with great success in the war against the Covenant, serving as a gunship escort for troop transports, providing aerial security, and operating in hunter-killer squadrons that harassed Covenant landing zones and troop columns. Combat losses were always high, though pilots accumulated enviable kill ratios.<ref name="deep links"/>

Although the Sparrowhawk was widely produced during the first decade of the war, problems with its ducted fan propulsion system<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 249''</ref> and the high costs of repair and replacement resulted in limited production after [[2550]].<ref name="EVG"/> Nonetheless, the Sparrowhawk continued active service and saw combat during the [[Battle of Earth]] in [[2552]], the [[Battle of Draetheus V]] in [[2554]], the [[Invasion of Earth]] in [[2555]], and the [[Battle of Installation 03]] in [[2557]].<ref>'''Halo: Spartan Assault''', ''[[Operation F: Hydra]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Spartan Strike'''</ref> On [[2558#March|March 11, 2558]] several AV-22 Sparrowhawks belonging to the ''Spirit of Fire'', alongside multiple [[AC-220 Vulture]]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>

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.<ref name="EVG"/>

In ''Halo Wars''<nowiki>'</nowiki> [[skirmish]] and multiplayer modes, the Hawk is the unique unit of [[Ellen_Anders|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. It can be built at the [[UNSC_Airpad|airpad]] for a cost of 250 resources and 2 population with a tech level of 2. The game's first title update increased the Hawk's price to 1350 supplies in order to prevent spamming of the unit.

*The Sparrowhawk looks similar to the [[AV-30_Kestrel#Halo_2_predecessor|Kestrel]], a UNSC aircraft that was cut from ''[[Halo 2]]''. The Hawk also bears a noticeable resemblance to the [[w:c:cnc:Orca_aircraft|Orca gunship series]] from the [[w:c:cnc:Main_Page|''Command and Conquer'' franchise]], primarily the [[w:c:commandandconquer:A-15_Orca|A-15 model]].

File:UNSC_Hawk_Chaingun.jpg|Concept art of the [[GAU-23/AW/Linkless_Feed_Autocannon|GAU-23 autocannon]].

File:HaloWarsBattle.jpg|Sparrowhawks and [[D77-TC_Pelican|Pelicans]] lend their firepower in support of UNSC ground forces in an early build of ''Halo Wars''.

File:Sparrow_Laser.jpg|An AV-22 Sparrowhawk firing its nose-mounted [[M6_Spartan_Laser#Sparrowhawk's_M6|M6 Spartan Laser]].

File:SS Sparrowhawk.png|An AV-22 in ''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''

File:HM-AV22.png|A trio of AV-22 Sparrowhawks in ''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''.

*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''

<references/>

{{UNSCDF Aircraft}}