UH-144 Falcon

''Falcon redirects here. For other uses, see Falcon (disambiguation).''

The UH-144 Falcon is a troop transport aircraft of the United Nations Space Command. Currently it only appears in Halo: Reach.

Overview
The UH-144 Falcon is a versatile, tilt-and transverse-rotor, multi-purpose utility (somewhat) helicopter. Two Falcons can transport a fully-equipped fireteam faster than any other previous system, and provide overwhelming fire support in most weather conditions. In campaign, the aircraft's crew consists of one pilot, two crewmen who may serve as door gunners, and three passengers. However, in multiplayer, there is only room for one pilot and two gunners. There are two versions of the Falcon, differed only by their armament: both have a chin-mounted autocannon, but the UH-144A has two side-mounted grenade launchers, while the UH-144S instead has two side-mounted machine guns. It should be noted that in the military system of aircraft designation, the letter "U" stands for utility, and the letter "H" stands for helicopter. This would make the Falcon the Utility Helicopter Model 144.

Campaign

 * During Winter Contingency, Noble Team's Falcon (Charlie 1) can provide fire support during the first section of the mission.


 * The Falcon used in the level Tip of the Spear is equipped with semi-automatic grenade launchers which can produce an EMP effect when the trigger is held down, then released to manually detonate the grenade. This EMP can shut down enemy vehicles.


 * Pilot the Falcon during the level New Alexandria, as it is equipped with a pilot controlled chin-mounted chaingun that has a larger field of fire, is more accurate, and is more powerful than the side-mounted machine guns (this is not in multiplayer).


 * When piloting the Falcon, remember to face one side of the Falcon towards attacking Banshees, allowing an ally to open fire on them. Skilled pilots can coordinate with their gunners in co-op to keep the nose pointed directly at an enemy and focus each weapon's fire on a single target.

Multiplayer

 * The Falcon's side-mounted machine guns are extremely short-ranged; keep your gunners in range of the targets.
 * Keep moving, to avoid being hijacked by players with the Jetpack.
 * The Cockpit area takes roughly double damage from all weapons; A single sniper rifle round is fully capable of destroying a hovering or slowly moving Falcon. This applies to explosives as well; a single Plasma Launcher round stuck to the cockpit is enough to destroy the Falcon in most situations, as well as Plasma Grenades.
 * The Falcon provides enhanced range and functionality to the motion sensors of any crew; as long as players are inside the Falcon, their sensors will have greatly extended range, and will detect other players regardless of whether or not they are stationary, slow-moving, or camouflaged. This can be used to provide early warning and spotting support to ground forces.
 * Be cautious when engaging infantry at close range; Plasma Pistol overcharges and other EMP effects completely disable the Falcon's engines, and can leave it vulnerable to skyjacking. If the Falcon is at high altitude when hit by an EMP effect, the engine shutdown can result in a fatal crash if the pilot does not regain control soon enough.
 * While the Falcon can be used to insert players near objectives, it cannot be used to transport players carrying objective items such as flags or bombs, unless the player stands on top of the Falcon and "rides" it to their destination.
 * The Falcon can lock altitude to provide a stable fire support platform.
 * Remember to keep at least one side of your Falcon trained on opposing players to allow allies to provide fire support for teammates on foot. Skilled pilots can coordinate with their gunners to keep the nose pointed directly at an enemy and focus each weapon's fire on a single target.
 * The Falcon can be used to insert snipers, as it can reach otherwise inaccessible perches for the sniper. Other players with valuable power weapons such as the Spartan Laser, Rocket or Plasma Laucher and Focus rifle can also be dropped off into key locations, as well as picked up should they need to be relocated, or if they run out of ammo.
 * Do not engage Scorpions with the Falcon, as it possesses no heavy anti-vehicle weapons, and cannot carry passengers with such weapons. A single hit from the main gun will destroy the Falcon. Only Scorpions which have had their turrets blown off can be safely engaged by Falcons.
 * Wraiths can be engaged with a high degree of success by Falcon crews, due to the travel time of the Wraith's projectile, and the relative agility of the Falcon. Sustained gunfire is required to take down a Wraith, however, and other enemy forces can engage the Falcon while it is focused on fighting the Wraith.
 * Do not attempt to splatter an enemy, this may result in a hijacking.
 * The passengers of the Falcon are very prone to sniper fire, as there is little armor protecting them. However, most players would rather bring down the Falcon than kill its passengers.
 * Despite it having Machine Gun Turrets, it is used more for recon and overwatch rather than attacking.
 * Flying an un-armed Falcon is extremely dangerous, and players should always work together to provide air support with the Falcon.
 * A Falcon is, ironically, dangerous to another Falcon. Especially when both enemy gunners are focusing on the Falcon.
 * The Falcon is a very fast vehicle, use this to your advantage and develop your strategies around this. Avoid hovering, while instead making high to medium speed passes at your target being sure to give your gunners and clear shot without exposing the vehicle too much.
 * Although the Falcon is fast, when an enemy projectile such as a rocket is incoming it is better to use it's vertical agility to your advantage, quickly letting off the throttle and allowing the aircraft to quickly drop and then suddenly applying power again and allow the aircraft to rise rapidly. This tactic is also very useful for engaging Banshees.
 * On Invasion: Spire, try and work with a player and allow them to collect the core. Then collect them from the top of the Spire by letting them jump on top of the Falcon, then slowly descend towards the Pelican and allow the player with the core to jump off. But be careful, if you are still moving, there is a chance you may throw the core carrier off the edge or splatter them.
 * It is advised that the Falcon is used against infantry, since with only machine guns as armament it isn't the best suited weapon against heavier vehicles such as the Wraith or Scorpion.

Trivia

 * Unlike in Campaign, where it is possible to have as many as six people in the Falcon (one pilot, two gunners, and three passengers) the Multiplayer version can only hold a maximum of three people; a pilot, and the two gunners, even though it still has the seats in the troopbay for additional troops.
 * This is most likely for the same reason that the Transport Warthog is not available in Multiplayer, as it would be far too easy for a single player to net as many as six kills by destroying a single Falcon.
 * As said above, the Falcon cannot carry more than three passengers. It was originally going to be able to hold six players, but was taken out for balancing reasons.
 * It is possible in Forge to knock the machine guns off a Falcon; However, this will not affect any other Falcons that spawn in, and the gunner positions are rendered unusable.
 * The Falcon is nicknamed the "Warthog of the skies" by fans and Bungie employees.
 * Superficially, the Falcon looks rather similar to the United States Marine Corps' V-22 Osprey tilt rotor. In popular media, the Falcon is similar to the Vertibirds in the Fallout series, as well as the Samsons and Scorpions in James Cameron's Avatar.
 * As seen in early concept art, it appears the Falcon would originally have possessed ducted air fans, like those of the AV-14 Hornet and D77-TC Pelican, rather than rotors.
 * Much like UNSC aircraft in Halo Wars, Falcons that cannot be piloted have yellow windshields. In campaign, if one punches out the windows of these Falcons, they'll notice that there is no character inside piloting the Falcon. However if the area where the pilot would be is whacked or shot, there will be cries of pain from a Trooper. Also, when riding somewhere in a Falcon on Winter Contingency, despite there being no pilot, Carter will often have a conversation with the pilot throughout the level.
 * Two small jets are located toward the back of the Falcon, facing to the rear. These may contribute to the Falcon's forward propulsion.
 * A Falcon avatar gear is one of the bonus items included with the Halo: Reach Limited and Legendary editions.
 * Unlike most vehicles in Reach, the smoke from a badly damaged Falcon blocks a substantial portion of the screen, increasing the difficulty of flying a critically damaged aircraft.
 * Unless you jump on top of a rotor hub, you cannot be killed by the Falcon's rotors; However, If you touch the rotor hub, you will be instantly killed.
 * The Falcon is the fastest vehicle in the game in a straight line, and is able to reach a speed of 167 km/h.
 * The falcon is only outmatched by the Covenant Phantom, accessible through an easter egg on New Alexandria.
 * Noble Team's Falcon can be piloted by Noble Six if shot down by a plasma pistol and flipped over on Winter Contingency.
 * Interestingly, there are five seats in the troop compartment, but never more than four of the positions in the troop bay are filled.
 * There is an un-usable medical kit located in the troop bay.
 * There is also a 7 reference in the 144. 4+4=8-1=7
 * All Falcons have the number "23" near the cockpit.
 * In the Campaign mission 'New Alexandria', the ordinance Falcons have a chance of being the same kind of Falcon as in Tip of the Spear, with grenade launchers instead of machine guns.
 * When firing the grenade launchers mounted on the falcon, when using the alternate fire mode, the screen reads, "Ready", then changes to "linked". When the alternate fire button is released, and the linked grenade is detonated, the screen readout changes to "Boom!"
 * The main gun of the Falcon is not available in multiplayer; this is likely due to balancing reasons, same goes for the mounted grenade launchers.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * Deliver Hope