Editing F-99 Wombat

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Vehicle infobox
|name=
|image=[[File:DroneFighterSide.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=154}}
|line=
|model=
|cost=
|length={{Convert|38.5|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|width={{Convert|28.1|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|height={{Convert|10.9|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|mass={{Convert|17.2|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|max speed=
|engine=
|hull=
|armament=2 missiles{{Ref/Game|Id=Model|H3ODST|Wombat in-game model}}
|crew=Unmanned{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|complement=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|role=Unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
}}
The '''F-99 "Wombat" Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle''' is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) manufactured by [[Misriah Armory]] and employed by the [[United Nations Space Command]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The F-99 Wombat is an unmanned drone that seats no [[human]] crew, but instead relies on an on-board [[artificial intelligence]] for flight. Typically, the Wombat is flown by an onboard [[Dumb AI|non-volitional "dumb" AI]] when performing routine flight and patrol tasks, but can be taken over by a remote human pilot or even a [[Smart AI|volitional "smart" AI]] for more complex scenarios.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} The craft has two weapons pylons mounted underneath the drone, which can be used to mount missiles, alongside an integrated optics package that can aim down.{{Ref/Reuse|Model}} Final control of targeting and weapons release can be withheld for a remote operator or AI even when AI-piloted.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

Wombat drones are compatible with a number of UNSC ground-based targeting systems linked with the overall [[UNSC battle network|battle network]]. These include [[Target designator]]s like the [[H-295 target designator|H-295 model]],{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=72}} and the [[AKIS]] helmet designed to maximise range-finding capabilities for Wombats among other UNSC aircraft like the [[S-14 Baselard]]. The [[P237-THEIATEK optical suite]] was designed for the AKIS helmet to incorporate a range of UAV imagery.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFPenUmbra|https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/pen-umbra|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Pen Umbra|D=25|M=4|Y=2021}}

===Usage===
The Wombat, and drones like it, make up a majority of the aircraft fleets fielded by the [[UNSC Air Force]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=60}} They are capable of being launched from ocean-going aircraft carrier platforms such as the {{Class|Crassus|supercarrier}}.{{Ref/Reuse|Longshore}} They can be used in a variety of roles ranging from interception to tactical ground-attack and reconnaissance.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

==Operational history==
[[File:LC_002_Doc_Recon.png|thumb|250px|Reconnaissance imagery of the [[Portal at Voi]] taken by F-99 aircraft during the battle for Earth.{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]}}]]
During the [[Battle of Mombasa]] in [[2552#October|October 2552]], numerous F-99 UCAVs were deployed in reconnaissance elements numbering two to three aircraft to the city of [[New Mombasa]], deploying from {{Class|Crassus|supercarrier}}s a few kilometers off the coast.{{Ref/Map|Id=Longshore|H3|Longshore}} {{UNSCShip|Crassus}} was involved in resupplying Wombat and [[D77-TC Pelican]] strike sorties during the conflict.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFStrike|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-ship-strike|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Ship Strike|D=20|M=04|Y=2023}} They provided air support for embattled [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] across the city, particularly the [[Uplift Nature Reserve]]. The collective optical feeds provided by drones could also be accessed by ground forces through the [[UNSC battle network]].{{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Tayari Plaza}} One of these drones crashed into a statue in front of the Reserve and its ejected optics package was later found by [[Rookie|a lone ODST]].{{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Mombasa Streets}}{{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Uplift Reserve}} Following the war's end, F-99s were used by the security detachment protecting the Voi Excession to prevent unauthorised entry into portal airspace.{{Ref/Novel|HiTD|Chapter=4}}

The [[Surakan Militia Volunteers]] had an unknown number of Wombats. In [[2558]], during the [[Carrow Conflict]], the SMV used an F-99 to spy on the [[Jiralhanae]] position, it managed to transmit several images before being shot down.{{Ref/Novel|HEnv|Chapter=11}}

==Production notes==
The F-99 Wombat was originally going to be featured in ''[[Halo 3]]''.{{Ref/Book|AoH3|Page=39}} Though they were omitted from the final game, they were redesigned and featured in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. Drones of a different model, which are based directly on the concept art, appear in the background of the multiplayer map [[Longshore]]. However, given the depiction of the craft in Longshore as distant background details, it is possible that these are simply meant to be low-detail renderings of the F-99.

The Wombat's design was used as the basis for a [[Cut Halo: Reach vehicles#Drone|cut spacecraft]] designed during the production of ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.

==Trivia==
Unlike the majority of UNSC air vehicles (which bear the names of birds or other flying animals), the Wombat bears the name of an [[Wikipedia:Wombat|arboreal marsupial]] native to Australia. 

==Trivia==
*Interestingly, [[Dutch]] told the F-99s flying over his crash site "''Good hunting, boys''". This is strange since the F99s are unmanned drones. However, this was most likely either a misunderstanding on his part or just an act of blind encouragement. He could also have been referring to the controller of the Drones.

==Gallery==
{{linkbox|gallery=yes}}
===Development images===
<gallery>
File:H3_Wombat_Concept.png|Concept art of the Wombat ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''.
File:H3ODST_WombatFlight_Concept.jpg|Scenery concept of the F99.
File:H3ODST_Wombat_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the drone.
File:H3ODST_Wombat_Weapons_Concept.jpg|Concept art of a weapon on the drone.
File:H3ODST_Wombat_Optics_Concept.png|Concept art of the drone's optics package.
File:H3ODST AlphaSite Perimeter Concept.jpg|A concept illustration of [[ONI Alpha Site]], depicting Wombats in flight.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:Longshore_F-99s.jpg|Drones of a different type on the carrier off the coast of Longshore. These drones are based on ''Halo 3'' concept art rather than the version seen in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:H3_2DWombatRenders.png|Renders of the Wombat sprites used in ''Halo 3'', with a clear look at the drone's landing gear.
File:H3ODST Wombat Render 1.jpg|A render of the final drone asset.
File:H3ODST Wombat Render 2.jpg|A render of the final drone asset.
File:H3ODST Wombat Render 3.jpg|A render of the final drone asset.
File:H3ODST Wombat Render 4.jpg|A render of the final drone asset.
File:H3ODST-F99UCAV-Overview.png|An overview of the drone fighter.
File:F-99_Perspective.jpg|A close-up of a Wombat in flight over the Uplift Reserve.
File:F-99_CAP.jpg|Three F-99 UCAVs flying in formation over New Mombasa.
File:F-99 Wombat.jpg|An underside view of the drone.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]''
**''[[Mythic II Map Pack]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' 
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]'' {{Mo}}

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

[[Category:UNSC drones]]
{{Human aircraft}}