F-99 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle

F99 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle

The F99 Osprey Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, commonly known as the "Drone Fighter" or "Osprey" or "Wombat", is a carrier-based air combat vehicle used by the UNSC Air Force.

Operational history
During the Battle of Mombasa and Battle of Voi in late October 2552, numerous F-99s were deployed in recon elements numbering around two to three aircraft to the city of New Mombasa from UNSC Aircraft Carriers stationed some distance off the coast. They acted as vital air support for the Marines in combat. One of these drones somehow crashed into a statue in front of the Uplift Nature Reserve and its ejected optics package was later found by a lone ODST.

Behind the Scenes

 * The F-99 was originally going to be featured in Halo 3 under the name "F99 Wombat", but didn't appear until Halo 3: ODST. It was featured in the Art of Halo 3 book.
 * Several F-99's also appear on nearby aircraft carriers in the multiplayer map Longshore.
 * The F-99 resembles a now defunct military project named Project Pluto that was an unmanned combat vehicle that could travel at incredible speeds at extremely low levels and deliver weapons such as hydrogen bombs.
 * The optics package of the F-99 can be seen in the final cutscene of Halo 3: ODST as a "toy" for Vergil
 * Drones in Halo are similar to UAVs in modern times.

List of appearances

 * The Art of Halo 3
 * Halo 3: ODST