rdfs:comment
| - The Human-Covenant War was the downfall for the Skyhawk; although it scored many victories against invading Covenant forces, shooting down Phantom and Spirit dropships as they entered the atmosphere, enemy AA and escorting Seraphs could easily shoot down a squadron. Other reasons included the runways needed support them, which were long for a VTOL craft, the heavy cost of the equipment and the eventual replacement in its close air support role by the Hornet, Sparrowhawk, Falcon and the Vulture and it's interception role by the Longsword.
|
abstract
| - The Human-Covenant War was the downfall for the Skyhawk; although it scored many victories against invading Covenant forces, shooting down Phantom and Spirit dropships as they entered the atmosphere, enemy AA and escorting Seraphs could easily shoot down a squadron. Other reasons included the runways needed support them, which were long for a VTOL craft, the heavy cost of the equipment and the eventual replacement in its close air support role by the Hornet, Sparrowhawk, Falcon and the Vulture and it's interception role by the Longsword. Although it continued to be produced, it was manufactured in far smaller numbers. It found a home amongst the wet navy where they'd be a common sight on aircraft carriers, which couldn't support Longsword fighters, until the introduction of the F-99 Osprey, an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle. By the end of the war, only 352 Skyhawks were in active service, in comparison to the thousands of F-99s, Longswords, Hornets and other starfighters/aircraft. They were finally retired in 2557, with the majority sold to the Kig-Yar.
|