Falcon (deleted aircraft)

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"The UNSC Falcon is the primary air attack unit of the UNSC Army. With swift attacks and exceptional manoeuvrability a small squad of Falcons can be devastating to enemy vessels. Armed with sidewinder missiles and heavy armor piercing guns."

— Ensemble concept art description

The Falcon was a twin seater fighter aircraft planned to be in Halo Wars, used by the UNSC Army. Originally intended to be a usable unit, stored in the UNSC Airpad, it filled the role of strike fighter, packing enough firepower to destroy enemy vehicles and infantry with "Sidewinder" missiles and heavy armor-piercing guns. Like several other units, it was cut from the final game before it shipped.

File:013 falcon.jpg

Concept art of the Falcon fighter.

In terms of design, the Falcon uses forward-swept wings, giving it an appearance similar to the 20th Century Sukhoi Su-47, and used to provide stability during steep dives, indicating an emphasis in air-to-ground combat. Another, smaller set of wing flaps are attached to the ventral hull, possibly to improve stability. It also possesses two inward-angled vertical stabilisers at the rear, and missile pods attached to the base of the wing and the ventral hull. At the rear of the craft are twin jet thrusters, capable of tilting to allow VTOL capability. Retractable landing gear appears to be located at the wingtips.

File:005 AirtowerV01.jpg

An early concept art image for the UNSC Airpad. Note the Falcons on the runway and one in the hangar, and a Shortsword docked with wings retracted.

Trivia

• There is a 20th and 21st Century fighter craft, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, for which it may have been named.
• It is likely that the Falcon got replaced by the Vulture in the final version of Halo Wars.