F-23 V/STOL Heavy Fighter

The F-23 V/STOL Heavy Fighter, commonly known as the Falcon or Falcata, was a twin seater fighter aircraft cut from Halo Wars. 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.ConceptArt.org - **UPDATE** page 2 (March 10) Halo Wars Concept art dump! (Huge DL)
In terms of design, the Falcon uses forward-swept wings, which are 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. It also possesses two inward-angled vertical stabilizers 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 wing tips.
==Gallery==
013 falcon.jpg|Concept art of the Falcon fighter.
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.
==Sources==
it:Falcon (caccia)